A native of Ayden, N.C., Dixon-Wright has served as head coach of local New Hanover High School for the past 20 seasons. In that span, she has amassed 293 career victories and is a three-time Mideastern Conference Coach of the Year. Dixon also spent nine seasons serving as the Wildcats' head volleyball coach and two seasons as an assistant softball coach.

Dixon-Wright played in 74 games during her three-year career with the Seahawks (1980-82), averaging 4.2 points and 6.1 rebounds in that span. She finished her career second on the program’s all-time rebound list and currently sits in 17th place on the chart with 427 career caroms to her credit.

The award recognizes excellence in character, achievement and coaching. It is designed to go to a varsity coach at an NCHSAA school who provides great leadership, who shows interest in his or her athletes on and off the field or court, is recognized as scrupulously honest, and has strongly supported an anti-drug and alcohol policy. Dixon-Wright will be presented with the award at the NCHSAA’s annual meeting May 1 at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill.