“I’m a big believer in sports making people better.”

–Chuck Hobgood, President, N.C. Amateur Sports

As president of North Carolina Amateur Sports, Chuck Hobgood works constantly to bring communities together through healthy activity. The nonprofit facilitates the annual Powerade State Games of North Carolina, a festival of sports for all ages, running the gamut from archery to adult lacrosse. After decades of success, there’s also outreach to smaller statewide communities through Cycle North Carolina, a series of cycling routes throughout the state. Last month, NCAS hosted its coastal ride in and around Washington, North Carolina. With 2,000 participants from around the world, the ride sold out.

Hobgood, who has been with NCAS since 1988, says the organization hopes these rides can offer an opportunity for active sightseeing, even to local residents. “It’s not a race, it’s a ride. It involves all ages, and we usually have participants from 40 different states and various countries. I’ve lived in North Carolina my entire life, and Cycle N.C. is a chance to showcase our state to people from all over the world.”

This year’s Powerade State Games are next month, June 13 – 24. With more than 20 athletic face-offs, these games are eligible for North and South Carolina residents. While some require tryouts, many only require registration: There’s a welcoming spirit in the “amateur” category. Hobgood works in Durham, but finds himself constantly on the go; and he hopes that’s exactly what NCAS provides opportunities for others to do, too. “We get to put events in all types of communities, generating economic impact across the state. We’re creating not only healthier communities, but healthier people in our state.” –Catherine Currin