Charlie Adams, long-time executive director of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, has received the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine from North Carolina governor Beverly Perdue.

The Order of the Long Leaf Pine is one of the highest honors the governor can bestow on a North Carolina citizen. The award was created in 1965 and may be presented to residents in recognition of a proven record of service or some other special achievement.

The recipient receives a certificate and the privilege of proposing, at any time, the North Carolina Toast, which begins, "Here's to the land of the long leaf pine. ... " The Order of the Long Leaf Pine confers the rank of "Ambassador Extraordinaire" for the state on the recipient.

Adams was presented his award on behalf of the governor by Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange) of the North Carolina General Assembly at a dinner that Adams was attending in honor of Ray Fredrick and the Bouncing Bulldogs rope skipping demonstration team in Durham, so it came as a complete surprise.

"I was shocked but certainly very honored to receive this award," said Adams. "I am very proud to be a North Carolinian and to be able to serve in my state, so it makes this recognition very special. I thank Governor Purdue, Representative Insko and all of those who were involved with this. It was a tremendous surprise."

Adams, who plans to step down from his NCHSAA post in January, has directed the state's high school athletic administration for 25 years, and he has overseen the explosion of prep sports in North Carolina, which has blossomed from a handful in the 1960s to more than 75 championships in 18 different sports for males and female student-athletes.