ROCKY POINT, N.C. — During a special ceremony at halftime tonight, Heide Trask High School honored two of its most legendary coaches by naming its stadium and track after them. Coach Ed Gilroy and Coach Bill Mercier were recognized for their decades of dedication and outstanding contributions to the school’s athletic programs and the Pender County Schools community.
Coach Gilroy, whose career spans over 42 years, spent nearly 30 of those years with Pender County Schools. As head coach, he led the track and field, cross country, and football teams to numerous victories, including guiding the track and field team to a conference championship. He also served as athletic director at Heide Trask from 2002 to 2019 and again in 2021, where his leadership helped shape the school's athletic programs into what they are today.
Throughout his career, Gilroy earned several prestigious awards and accolades, including the North Carolina Athletic Director of the Year in 2018. He was inducted into the North Carolina Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame in 2022. Known for his dedication to developing both athletes and fellow coaches, Gilroy has left a lasting impact on the community.
Coach Mercier, who dedicated his entire 30-year teaching career to Pender County Schools, was honored for his exceptional contributions to both football and track and field. During his tenure at Pender High School, Mercier helped break a 29-game losing streak in football and led the team to its first conference championship and playoff win. Later, at Heide Trask High School, he guided the Men’s Track and Field team to two state championships, four regional championships, and multiple conference titles. Under his leadership, the school celebrated nine individual state champions and two relay team champions.
Mercier’s influence extended beyond coaching as he served as the Assistant Athletic Director for 12 years, where he was instrumental in growing and guiding all athletic programs at Heide Trask.
“It is an honor to recognize Coach Gilroy and Coach Mercier for their exceptional commitment and impact on our students and community,” said Dr. Brad Breedlove, Superintendent of Pender County Schools. “Their dedication to excellence in athletics and education has inspired countless students to strive for greatness both on and off the field.”
The naming ceremony was held during halftime at the school’s home opening football game against Rocky Mount Prep. The celebration not only recognized the coaches' contributions but also underscored their lasting legacies in the Pender County Schools community.
Heide Trask High School will continue to benefit from the foundation these two coaches built, inspiring future generations of student-athletes to achieve excellence both on and off the field.
