News

Sue Moon honored for 40 years of coaching success

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 1, 2023

Noting her impressive career spanning nearly 40 years, the North Carolina High School Athletic Association and the WNC Mountain Athletic Amateur Athletic Club honored longtime educator and coach Sue Moon the Charlie Adams Distinguished Service Award for Region 8.

Named for the NCHSAA's long-time executive director, the award goes to an individual who has a minimum of 10 years experience in education and athletics, is still active in the field and has gone above and beyond their expected duties. The recipient must also demonstrate participation in NCHSAA activities such as hosting events, serving on committees, student services and other important commitments.

Moon has served more than 39 years in education and athletics. She has spent countless hours volunteering, raising more than $200,000 for cancer research through community outreach and by hosting "Cure for Cancer’]" games. As a volleyball coach, Moon has accumulated over 600 wins, while also boasting an impressive record of 400 wins as a basketball coach. Additionally she has received the following honors over her career:

• Volleyball Coach & Assistant Athletic Director - North Henderson, NCHSAA Regional Award, 1985
• North Carolina East-West All-Star Basketball Coach, 2004
• NCHSAA Highest Team GPA for Volleyball, 2013
• NCHSAA Highest Team GPA for Women’s Basketball, 2014
• NCHSAA Region 8 “Who Made a Difference Award,” 2015
• NCHSAA Commissioner’s Cup for Service, 2014-2020
• North Henderson High School Teacher of the Year, 2018
• NCHSAA Tony Webb Coach of the Year, 2018
• Kiwanis Spirit Award for Community Service, 2019
• NCHSAA Commissioner’s Choice Award, 2019
• NC Volleyball Coaches’ Association 3A Coach of the Year, 2021
• Organized the Inaugural Men’s Volleyball Program- North Henderson, 2023
• 17 Conference Championships
• 10 Coach of the Year Awards

“These honors could not have gone to a more deserving person. Sue Moon is an outstanding educator and coach who continues to build her legacy,” said Superintendent Mark R. Garrett. “Her impact on young people is not only evident in the outstanding numbers she has produced on the court but also in the impactful community service projects that she has performed with her teams. We are grateful to have her leadership here in Henderson County Public Schools.”

In addition to the NCHSAA honor, Moon has also received the WNC Mountain Athletic Amateur Athletic Club Adams-Ochsenreiter Award for Lifetime Achievement. For more than 22 years, the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club has recognized and honored a Western North Carolina community leader involved in athletics with its Lifetime Achievement Award. The Mountain Amateur Athletic Club is a nonprofit organization that presents the annual High School Sports Awards Banquet and Western North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony through generous sponsors.

“I am honored to receive recognition from both the North Carolina High School Athletic Association and the Mountain Amateur Athletic Committee," Moon said. "Both of these agencies do wonderful things for our student-athletes and coaches. Any recognition I receive is because I am blessed to be surrounded by wonderful and successful people. I feel it is important to give back to this wonderful community we live in. It’s always the students that inspire me.”

“Coach Moon is a cornerstone of the North Henderson community,” North Henderson principal John Shepard said. “Her service to students and families far surpasses the thresholds of the North campus.”