Elrod to be Honored with 2023 Annie

Former Winston-Salem Forsyth County teacher, coach, athletic director, and principal, Stan Elrod will be honored posthumously with the 2023 Ann Spencer Sports Connector Award from the National Sports Media Association. The announcement was made by NSMA executive director, Dave Goren.

"Stan Elrod embodies the spirit of the 'Annie,'" Goren said. "He was always bringing people together, whether it be from his days as a coach and athletic director, or as a principal when he was in charge of the Frank Spencer Holiday Classic high school basketball tournament. I loved watching him 'work the room' and I'm thrilled that we can honor his memory with the 'Annie.' It was also great to have him attend our Awards Banquet last June. He was all smiles, especially when he got to see Stuart Scott's family (he coached Stuart at Reynolds High School).

Elrod, who passed away last October, was a South Carolina native who began his teaching career at Winston-Salem's R.J. Reynolds High School in 1981. It was there that he also served as a coach, athletic director, assistant principal, and principal. In 2005, he moved to the new Ronald Reagan High School and served as principal there until he became the athletic director for the Winston-Salem Forsyth County school system.

When he passed away, Elrod was in the midst of a campaign for a seat on the WSFC school board, where he intended to further his lasting impact on thousands of local students.

The Annie will be presented at a banquet at Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem on Thursday, October 12.

For ticket and sponsorship information, go here.