This fund supports Lee County High School in awarding the Paul B. Gay Student Athlete Scholarship, an annual scholarship for the benefit of graduating Lee County High School athletes.
About Coach Paul B. Gay
Coach Paul B. Gay, longtime Sanford resident and beloved high school teacher, was head football coach at Sanford Central High School (now Lee County High School) for 24 years.
Under Coach Gay’s leadership the school won 177 games, including three consecutive Eastern Regional titles and the 1973 state championship. Even late in life, he could still be found watching high school football games from a spot at the stadium named after him.
When Gay passed away at age 90 in March 2022, Lee County High School Athletic Booster Club member Betsie Wilkinson led a fundraising campaign to establish the Paul B. Gay Student Athlete Endowed Scholarship at NCCF to support graduating Lee County High School athletes. The Booster Club raised $15,000 from former players and community members, including Steve Jones, a former Duke University ACC Player of the Year and 6-season NFL veteran.
“Our Booster Club’s board decided to do something so kids would remember Paul and what he did for the community,” says Wilkinson. “This is something that will keep his memory alive.” Learn more.
{"tinyMCE_dummy":"","title":"Paul B. Gay Student Athlete Endowed Scholarship","url":"\/list-of-funds\/paul-b-gay-student-athlete-endowed-scholarship","meta":{"title":"","description":"","excludeFromSitemap":"No"},"ordinal":999,"content":"<p>This fund supports Lee County High School in awarding the Paul B. Gay Student Athlete Scholarship, an annual scholarship for the benefit of graduating Lee County High School athletes.<\/p>\r\n<h3>About Coach Paul B. Gay<\/h3>\r\n<p>Coach Paul B. Gay, longtime Sanford resident and beloved high school teacher, was head football coach at Sanford Central High School (now Lee County High School) for 24 years.<img style=\"border-width: 10px; margin: 10px; float: right;\" src=\"https:\/\/nmcdn.io\/e186d21f8c7946a19faed23c3da2f0da\/7868d48393ef4e3bb7bca8cdf7bc2f20\/files\/thumbnail--9-.jpeg\" alt=\"Coach Gay\" width=\"261\" height=\"292\" \/><\/p>\r\n<p><br \/>Under Coach Gay’s leadership the school won 177 games, including three consecutive Eastern Regional titles and the 1973 state championship. Even late in life, he could still be found watching high school football games from a spot at the stadium named after him. <\/p>\r\n<p>When Gay passed away at age 90 in March 2022, Lee County High School Athletic Booster Club member Betsie Wilkinson led a fundraising campaign to establish the Paul B. Gay Student Athlete Endowed Scholarship at NCCF to support graduating Lee County High School athletes. The Booster Club raised $15,000 from former players and community members, including Steve Jones, a former Duke University ACC Player of the Year and 6-season NFL veteran. <\/p>\r\n<p>“Our Booster Club’s board decided to do something so kids would remember Paul and what he did for the community,” says Wilkinson. “This is something that will keep his memory alive.” <a href=\"\/blog\/lee-county-community-remembers-hall-of-fame-coach-paul-b-gay-with-endowed-scholarship\">Learn more.<\/a><\/p>","excerpt":"<p>This fund supports Lee County High School in awarding the Paul B. 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