Jerry Tolley, director of annual giving and the Elon Society, received the Distinguished Service in Sports Award from the Alamance County Area Chamber of Commerce during a luncheon Oct. 24.
Tolley served as Elon’s head football coach from 1977 to 1981, leading the team to NAIA national championships in 1980 and 1981. He compiled a record of 49 wins, 11 losses and 2 ties as head coach. Before becoming head coach, Tolley served as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for Elon teams that won six conference championships.
Tolley also served as head tennis coach at Elon for 7 seasons and track coach for three seasons.
Tolley has published four football drill books that have been sold nationally and in more than 25 foreign countries. In 1997, he received The Order of the Long Leaf Pine award from North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, for his long and continuous community service. He has received the Laurel Wreath Award from the state of North Carolina for athletic achievement and excellence, and is a lifetime member of the American Football Coaches Association. In 2004, he received a lifetime achievement award from teh All-American Football Foundation.
Tolley was a founding director of the Tom Sawyer-Huck Finn Tennis Classic, a local event that raised funds for numerous causes during its 25-year existence. He is a founding trustee and serves on the executive board of Be Active North Carolina, which promotes physical activity and wellness across the state.