Dudley Whitley Memorial Award
Please submit the attached nomination form on or before April 24, 2026.
The coach who is nominated should be a coach who exemplifies Dudley Whitley’s goals, great character, and sportsmanship, as well as one who serves as a positive role model for students.
Please take the time out of your busy schedule to recognize a coach who makes a difference every day for our student-athletes!!! Recommendations are accepted from parents and athletes as well. Please feel free to have the coaches share with the athletes, and have the AD or principal sign off on this so the student athletes have the option to nominate their coach. Dudley Whitley served Rocky Mount City and Nash/Rocky Mount Schools in many capacities. He began his career as a teacher and coach. He would later serve as Asst. Principal, Principal, and Athletic Director for RMSH, Director of Special Services in the Central Office, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent. He ended his 35-year career as the Athletic Director for Nash-Rocky Mount Schools. The role that he cherished and will be remembered for is that of coach. During his tenure, Coach Whitley experienced triumphs as the Head Coach of Rocky Mount’s 1963 4-A State Championship Baseball team and defeats as the Head Coach of an 0-10 football team; his athletes will remember not necessarily the wins and losses but that Coach Whitley taught them to be humble winners and dignified when they lost. Dudley was a coach who wanted his players to leave their high school days as better athletes, but more importantly, as better people.
- 2010 Winner, Brian Foster, Head Football Coach, Southern Nash High School
- 2011 Winner, Jeff Dodrill, Head Cross Country/Track Coach, Northern Nash High School
- 2012 Winner, Pam Gainey, Head Girls Basketball Coach, Rocky Mount High School
- 2012 Winner, Michael Gainey, Head Boys Basketball Coach and Athletic Director, Rocky Mount High School
- 2013 Winner, Carlyle (Casey) Perry, Head Soccer Boys/Girls Coach, Southern Nash Middle School
- 2014 Winner, Robbie Kennedy, Athletic Director/Head Basketball Coach/Assistant Football Coach, Southern Nash High School
- 2015 Winner, Dee Anna Davis, Athletic Director/Cross Country Coach/First Responder, Edwards/Rocky Mount High School
- 2016 Winner, Chris Lee, Head Football Coach, Nash Central High School
- 2017 Winner, Jermaine Jones, Head Wrestling/Assistant Football Coach, Rocky Mount High School
- 2019 Winner, Juan Jackson, Asst. AD, Asst. Football, Head, Track & Field, Head Indoor Track Coach, Nash Central High School
- 2020 Winner, COVID
- 2021-22 Winner, Andrew Farriss, Head Football Coach, Northern Nash High School
- 2022-23 Winner, Sonya Pickett, JV Volleyball, Indoor Track, Boys’ Track and Field, Rocky Mount High School
- 2023-24 Winner, Scottie Collie, Girls Golf, Varsity Girls Softball, Southern Nash High School
- 2024-25 Winner, Kyle Bain, Athletic Director, Swimming, Track & Field, Nash Central High School