Sports and Entertainment
Showing results: 1 to 15 out of 21
David McClure Brinkley (1920-2003) Encyclopedia
Newscaster David McClure Brinkley helped pioneer the two-anchor format on NBC and revolutionize the format of the Sunday news interview programs with his ABC series, This Week With David Brinkley.Dueling Encyclopedia
Many modern-day Americans consider dueling to be a senseless act of violence, but for many Southerners and North Carolinian gentlemen, the act was many times a defense of honor.Dale Earnhardt (1951 - 2001) Encyclopedia
One of the greatest American stock car drivers of all time, Dale Earnhardt was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina. The son of Ralph Earnhardt, Dale continued the racing legacy, and it lives on today with his son, Dale Earnhardy, Jr., and the company Dale Earnhardt Inc. (DEI). Known as the Intimidator for his aggressive driving style, Earnhardt won seven NASCAR titles, rivaling fellow North Carolinian driver, Richard Petty.O. Henry (1862 - 1910) Encyclopedia
More commonly known as O. Henry, the North Carolina-born author was famous for his “O. Henry Endings” and popular short stories in the early-twentieth century. Born in Greensboro in 1862, O. Henry’s early childhood and adolescence greatly influenced his literary style and voice. Some of his famous works include “The Gift of the Magi”, “The Ransom of Red Chief”, and “Memoirs of a Yellow Dog.”Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice (1924-2003) Encyclopedia
Possibly the best football player to graduate from UNC and one of the best football players to play intercollegiate ball, Charlie Justice, played for the Washington Redskins before recurring injuries prematurely ended his professional career.John McLendon (1915-1999) Encyclopedia
Protégée of basketball inventor James Naismith, John McLendon was born in Hiawatha, Kansas. At the University of Kansas, McLendon changed the pace of the game from a crawl to a fast-paced, high-action event by implementing the fast break method of basketball. Fast break basketball emphasized teamwork, speed and agility. Although he is credited with improving basketball, McLendon was not permitted to play on Kansas’s varsity team because of his race
Edward R. Murrow (1908 - 1965) Encyclopedia
One of the early communicators of the radio and television era, Edward R. Murrow was born in Guilford County. As a CBS broadcaster during World War II and the Red Scare, he was known for his command of language, signature phrases, and willingness to tackle difficult and controversial issues. He pioneered many programs that became the basis for the future of both radio and television news.Gaylord Perry (1938 - ) Encyclopedia
One of the best pitchers to play in the major league of baseball, Gaylord Perry was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. Born in Williamston, the right-handed pitcher was known for his fastball, his competitive spirit, and for “doctoring” up the baseballs he threw. Perry holds the distinction as the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both major leagues, and he ranks #6 on the all-time list of strikeouts with over 3,500.Richard Petty (1937 - ) Encyclopedia
Referred to as the King of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), Richard Petty remains the driver in stock car racing history with the most wins. Petty was born to a racing family in Level Cross (Randolph County), North Carolina, in 1937, and as a twenty-one year old, he started racing. Known also for his trademark racing techniques, such as drafting, and charming personality, Petty won seven championships and was voted the most popular driver in NASCAR for nine years.Charlie Poole (1892-1931) Encyclopedia
A native of Randolph County, Charlie Poole grew up in Alamance County in a cotton mill village and later became one of the best banjo musicians in the Southeast and a Columbia Records superstar before his premature death. He started the country group North Carolina Ramblers and was known for his three-finger style banjo playing.North Carolina Resorts Encyclopedia
With an ocean to the east and in the west, North Carolina has long been a popular tourist attraction. Mineral springs in the mountains, for instance, attracted medical patients during the 1830s, and after word spread of the beautiful western landscape, tourists flocked to the state to vacation. In the piedmont region, golf resorts have been a favorite for sport enthusiasts from around the world. On the coast, Nags Head, Morehead, and Wrightsville have long remained resort towns in North Carolina.Earl Scruggs (1924 - ) Encyclopedia
Considered “The Father of Bluegrass Music,” Earl Scruggs was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina - Cleveland County, to be exact. Mastering the banjo at an early age, Scruggs later joined Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys and earned wide acclaim for his “Scruggs-Style Picking.” After his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Scruggs retired with his wife to Madison, Tennessee.Secret Basketball Game of 1944 Encyclopedia
During the Jim Crow era, African American college teams were barred from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Invitational Tournament (NIT). But a brave few found ways around these restrictions. A secret game held in 1944 between a white team from Duke and a black team from NCCU was one of the first integrated sports events in the South.
Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith (1921-) Encyclopedia
Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith (1921-), son of a poor mill worker, rose to become one of country music’s brightest stars. His singles, including “Guitar Boogie” and “Feuding Banjos,” sold millions of copies, and millions more people tuned in to his radio and television programs.