Athletic Director and legendary Head Track and Field Coach George Williams was honored as the recipient of the Thad Eure Jr. Memorial Award at the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau Annual Meeting Luncheon at the Raleigh Convention Center.

The prestigious award recognizes an individual in Wake County who has a positive impact and has taken a leadership role in increasing the hospitality industry in the Raleigh area. Dennis Edwards, the President and CEO of the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau, says Williams is certainly deserving of the honor.

Thomas Hill, the vice president and division manager of Highwoods Properties, Inc., highlighted Williams’ achievements to the luncheon audience before presenting the award. The iconic coach has won 33 NCAA Division II National Track and Field Championships, coached 19 Olympians and graduated 95 percent of his student athletes, of which he is most proud. Williams received the trophy after giving a speech.

“I want to thank the City of Raleigh, Wake County and my two long-time assistant coaches,” Williams said after the event. “I have stood on their shoulders so this award belongs to a lot of people. I appreciate the award but I wish I could share it with everybody.”

Williams has won numerous awards in his illustrious coaching career. During the 2012-2013 season, he was named NCAA Division II Indoor and Outdoor Men’s Track & Field Coach of the Year after leading the Falcons to national titles in both the indoor and outdoor seasons. He also won Atlantic Region and CIAA Men’s Track & Field Coach of the Year honors for both seasons, and guided the Falcons to the men’s indoor and outdoor conference titles. His men’s and women’s cross country teams and women’s indoor track and field team also captured CIAA championships.