Serving Others, Supporting Each Other – Meet The Standout Athletes of Terry Sanford High School

Nike introduces the Support Her Sole x Hibbett Sports campaign, which encourages Gen-Z girls and millennial women to knock down boundaries and showcase the power that comes from athletics. Ten schools were chosen to receive a $10,000 grant to support their women’s basketball programs with athletic needs from shoes to equipment to travel. Terry Sanford High School is one of the honorees.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.—Thurston Robinson–or Coach Rob, as he’s known to most—is a strong believer in getting back what you put into the world. As Head Coach of the women’s basketball team at Terry Sanford high school, it’s the advice he gives often: Do good, and good will come back to you.

When it comes to his basketball program, good doesn’t even begin to cover it. The team made it to the second round of the state playoffs last year, and was undefeated in the regular season and conference championship. In fact, Athletic Director Royvell Godbolt says the high school has a history of dominating in sports.

But at Terry Sanford, it’s not enough just to excel on the court.

“These are some of the hardest-working young ladies I’ve ever worked with,” Coach said. “Anything I ask of them, they’re there. They help me in the community; working with the young kids on dribbling, shooting, motivating, and mentoring.”

The program’s excellence carries into the classroom; Coach explains that the team averages a 3.7-3.8 GPA last year. Academics come first, he says.

“They realize that the ‘student’ comes before the athlete,” he said. “They’re just amazing, and I’m so proud of them.”

They’re also proud of each other.

“They bond really well. My seniors and juniors are like the big sisters, my sophomores are like middle sisters, and I had a freshman come in and they took her under their wing,” Coach said. “As young ladies they’re showing the example of how they should carry themselves, and that part is just amazing.”

Godbolt, who has a college-aged daughter, knows how athletics can help a young woman come into her power—but he also knows she never does it alone.

“There is a lot of peer pressure,” he said. “Sports help all around, especially with that sense of belonging and a competitive nature. [The girls] go into battle together knowing that somebody is to their right, and to their left, ready to do the same thing.”

But basketball isn’t just a battle, Coach says. It’s a home.

His gym is a respite from the outside world: a break from the pressures and struggles his team faces as young women. He’s seen players who tell him they’d rather be in that gym than anywhere else; young ladies who explain they never considered college until they set foot on the court; girls who leave practice and walk through the halls with pride, endowed with the sense of confidence that comes from being a leader.

That comes from being part of a family.

“Sport is so powerful,” Coach said. “And they have a passion for the game. You have to be really passionate to put in the time they’re putting in, when they could be anywhere else.”

Godbolt says he’s struck by the young ladies’ commitment, which he credits in part to Coach Rob’s leadership—and the characters of his players.

“These girls are exemplary athletes,” Godbolt said. “They’re leaders, they’re not followers. They have a strong work ethic and I really admire that.”

The Terry Sanford women’s basketball team players apply this work ethic to everything from school to relationships to mentoring younger students through an AA youth program. It’s why Coach’s voice shines with pride when he describes this special group of young ladies: because kindness, caring, and loyalty always pay off.

“That’s how big this team is; it’s not all about basketball, it’s really about the community,” Coach said. “When we’re off the court, I love to teach them to give back to other people.”

Nike and Hibbett are honored to give back too.

Congratulations to Terry Sanford High School on being a Support Her Sole recipient.