Governor Stein Celebrates Exceptional Athletes and Coaches at Long Leaf Pine Presentation

Today Governor Josh Stein inducted nine people into The Order of the Long Leaf Pine for their contributions to the State of North Carolina.

"These exceptional North Carolinians have excelled in sports and, beyond their wins, demonstrated deep commitment to their communities," said Governor Josh Stein. "I am honored to recognize them today for their athletic excellence and community contributions. We are proud to celebrate their success."

The Latest Order of the Long Leaf Pine Honorees:

• Greg Biffle, Iredell County - 19-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race champion; dedicated supporter of Hurricane Helene rescue and recovery, flying numerous lifesaving missions in his helicopter (posthumous)
• Shawn Clark, Watauga County - Appalachian State University head football coach; former Appalachian State University All-American offensive lineman (posthumous)
• Rodney Rogers, Durham County - Former Wake Forest men's basketball player and ACC Player of the Year; NBA Sixth Man of the Year; advocate for people with disabilities (posthumous)
• Debbie Antonelli, Wake County - Hall of Fame basketball analyst; former NC State women's basketball forward; main play-by-play voice of the WNBA's Indiana Fever; founder of "24 Hours of Nothing But Net" free throw shooting marathon to benefit Special Olympics; Kay Vow Cancer Fund board member
• Kayden Beasley, Harnett County - Paralympic and World Para Ice Hockey Championship gold medalist
• Bob McKillop, Mecklenburg County - Former Davidson College men's basketball coach; 2008 NABC National Coach of the Year; Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame nominee
• Mystique Ro, Mecklenburg County - Olympic Team USA skeleton athlete; former Queens University heptathlete; World Championship gold and silver medalist; founder and CEO of the Project Push Gold Fund to provide resources for those competing in sliding sports
• Martin Willard, New Hanover County - Competitive sailor and sailing mentor out of Wrightsville Beach for more than 50 years; four-time World Championship regatta top-10 finisher; member of the North Carolina Coastal Land Trust and the North Carolina Coastal Federation
• John Wall, Wake County - No. 1 NBA Draft pick and five-time NBA All-Star; founder of the John Wall Family Foundation supporting disadvantaged families with events including school supplies distribution in Raleigh; sponsor of the nationally known John Wall Holiday Invitational basketball tournament in Raleigh

Governor Stein also recognized North Carolina Central University Chancellor Karrie Dixon and the North Carolina Central men's tennis team, led by Coach Curtis Lawson, for their 2025 HBCU National Tennis Championship victory. Beyond this athletic success, the team earned the highest GPA in the country for all Division I men's tennis teams.