Alvis Hulan Black

June 3, 1926-February 1, 2016

Al Black, a Harnett County native who coached high school sports in five decades and was named to the NC High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 2006.

Al spent his childhood in Lillington where he grew up on a farm during the depression and developed a love for reading. After graduating from Lillington HS, he joined the Army Air Corps where he trained as a radio operator. He set sail for the invasion of Japan in the summer of 1944, but upon its cancellation, he served in the Marianas Islands and as a radio operator on Guam where he was in charge of six men from various branches. While deployed, he was promoted to Sergeant First Class. He was discharged in Oct 1945 and worked at Ft. Bragg as a civilian before attending Campbell College and graduated from Wake Forest and started teaching and coaching career at New Hanover High in Wilmington in 1953. He married Nellie Ruth Reams of Apex in 1953 and moved back to Harnett County to begin his five decade run as a teacher and coach. 

During his tenure as a High School Coach, his teams won over 20 conference championships in four sports at Boone Trail High School. He won over 600 games in football, baseball and basketball. His most famous win occurred in 1964 and the basketball game took 13 overtimes to complete and is listed as the longest high school game ever played according to the National Federation of State High Association record books. When asked which sport was his favorite, he always said it was the one in season. He left lasting memories at Anderson Creek, Boone Trail, Topsail Beach, Overhills and Campbell University. 

He passed his love of sports to countless young men in which many have gone on to pursue coaching for their careers. One of his favorite events was to chaperone the senior class every spring in New York and Washington, D.C., Campbell University Summer Basketball Camps occupied his summers where he had the pleasure to instruct with some of the top ACC coaches and the legendary coach John Wooden.

His strong faith and love for life was a beacon for all of those around and he will so be missed. He is survived by his wife Jacqueline Johnson Black of Spring Lake; son, William Douglas Black (Lounette) of Fuquay-Varina and Gene Wright (Laverne) of Broadway; daughters, Jean Black Cattoi (Terry) of Tampa, FL and Jeri Black Drouillard (Chuck) of Mt Pleasant SC and Nancy Corder (Bill) of Sanford; Step-Son, Tommy Johnson; Step-Daughter, Shirley Johnson; Grandchildren, Will Black, Austin Black, Kathleen Black, Nick Cattoi (Kayla), Jake Cattoi, Alex Drouillard and Natalie Drouillard; Great Grandchildren, Ava Cattoi and James Cattoi. He was preceded in death by Nellie Ruth Black; son, Johnny Lee Black, parents, Colin and Fannie Black; sister, Essie Salmon (Floyd) and brother, Clayton Black (Mary)

A celebration of life will be held 3:00 PM Friday, February 5, 2016 at Flatbranch Presbyterian Church with Rev. Bert Pitchford officiating. Burial will follow at Ephesus Presbyterian Church Cemetery The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Holly Springs Baptist Church in the Multi Purpose Building. 


In Lieu of flowers memorial may be made to the Boone Trail Ruritans Club, 6755 Mcdougald Road, Lillington NC 27546.