Retiring Apex High School football coach Bob Wolfe had no idea what was awaiting him last week when he attended the Apex Town Council meeting.
Told by friends that former councilman Mike Jones was being honored at the meeting, Wolfe showed up to watch the longtime supporter of Apex football receive his honor.
Instead, it was Wolfe who ended up in the spotlight.
Council presented Wolfe with a plaque and proclaimed March 17, 2012 as “Bob Wolfe Day” in Apex. That same day a retirement celebration will be held in his honor at 2 p.m. at Peak United Methodist Church.
“I’m overwhelmed,” said Wolfe. “I had no earthly idea. This is a great honor.”
Wolfe credited the many assistant coaches and players who were part of the program during his 18 years as head coach. He also thanked former Apex High Principal Tom Dixon and former athletic director Ed Tindal for hiring him.
“I just thank all of you,” said Wolfe.
“It’s certainly a sad day and the end of a great era in Apex athletics,” said Mayor Keith Weatherly.
Weatherly also read a proclamation declaring “Coach D Day” on March 24 in honor of late soccer coach Gene Daniels.
The much beloved Daniels coached girls’ soccer at Penny Road Elementary, Salem Middle and Apex High over two decades.
Apex High Athletic Director Del Phillips accepted the plaque on behalf of Daniels’ family.
“One of the things in coaching is you measure success not by wins and losses but by the people who remember you,” said Phillips. “Coach D always had kids he coached in middle school up through high school who moved on to college. The girls would always come back and want to spend time with him.”
The inaugural Memorial Scholarship 5K race being held in Daniels’ honor has been rescheduled. Originally slated for March 24, the race will now be held on a date yet to be determined this spring.
Council also declared the week of March 12-18 as “Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week.”
Apex resident Mike Monfort accepted the plaque from Weatherly on behalf of those suffering from the disease.
“You’d be surprised how many of us there are,” said Monfort. “Help us defeat this terrible disease.”
“We are grateful that the city of Apex has chosen to support our efforts to create a world free of MS,” said Jeff Furst, president of the Greater Carolinas Chapter of the National MS Society, in a written statement. “MS is the number one disabling disease among young adults, striking them in the prime of their life. The National MS Society furthers cutting-edge research and provides vital programs and services for those living with MS in your community.”
To find out ways to help fight MS visit nationalMSsociety.org/nct.
Council also recognized the Apex Sports Authority Pop Warner cheerleaders for reaching the national finals and recognized March 11-17 as “Girl Scout Week.”
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