FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Trip Durham, Executive Director
North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame
tdurham@ncsportshalloffame.org
Libby Schinnow, Marketing Coordinator
UNCG
laschinn@uncg.edu
A WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE WITH STATEWIDE REACH
A meaningful collaboration between the Hall and Innovate UNCG
Greensboro, N.C. – The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame (“NCSHOF”) and Innovate UNCG are thrilled to announce the formation of a partnership that will use “sports” to create educational opportunities for not only students at the university, but also those in high schools in classrooms throughout the Old North State.
Starting this semester, both agencies will work with faculty and students from UNCG to create virtual 3D twins of nearly 20 artifacts, those which have been loaned to the project by a group of female members of the NCSHOF. The focus will be the impact on sports in North Carolina by the female Hall of Famers. The resulting virtual 3D artifacts will be used for educational purposes in coordination with SparkNC, a statewide nonprofit organization providing online learning modules for NC public school students.
“We are incredibly excited about this unique partnership with the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame,” notes John Borchert, Lead, Social Innovation and Public Scholarship at UNCG. “Blending the talents of our faculty and students with the history of sports in this great state is an opportunity that we believe, in time, will be an annual occurrence between these two highly respected brands.”
Virtual 3D artifacts serve as an invaluable educational tool, enabling students to interact with historical and cultural objects in a way that is often not possible in the physical world. The virtual 3D artifacts will be integrated into SparkNC’s educational modules (designed and built through a partnership between UNCG faculty and SparkNC staff) to revolutionize the way North Carolina elementary school students learn about North Carolina sports history and acquire in-demand digital technology skills.
“This state’s hall of fame is over sixty years old, and we’ve never taken a step quite like this,” remarks NCSHOF Board of Directors President, Rick Webb. “Sports allows the citizens of this state to learn about life in so many ways, and this collaboration with UNCG will make a resounding impact on so many levels, with a great number of people.”
By completing the forthcoming SparkNC modules and engaging with these virtual artifacts, students will be able explore significant moments and figures in North Carolina sports through interactive, immersive experiences that bring historical events to life. Additionally, they will be able to complete projects such as creating virtual simulations for equipment used by famous North Carolina athletes, recreate historical games, or analyze strategies within a 3D simulation. Simultaneously, as they navigate and manipulate these virtual environments, students will develop crucial skills in 3D modeling, virtual reality (VR), and interactive design—capabilities highly sought after in North Carolina’s growing tech industry. This dual focus not only enriches their understanding of local sports history but also prepares them for future careers in the digital economy.
About the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame
The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1962. Since 1994, a permanent exhibit has resided on the third floor of the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh and features over 200 significant objects and memorabilia donated by inductees. On June 3, 2024, the exhibit closed as part of a renovation plan for the entire museum. To learn more, visit NCSHOF.org/visit/.
About Innovate UNCG
Innovate UNCG is the central hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. It fosters a dynamic ecosystem that supports students, faculty, and the broader community in transforming ideas into impactful solutions. Through initiatives such as the North Carolina Entrepreneurship Center, the Innovation and Partnership Services Office, UNCG Esports, and the Impact Through Innovation Hubs, Innovate UNCG drives interdisciplinary collaboration, supports startups, and promotes sustainable growth. By connecting academic research with real-world applications, Innovate UNCG plays a pivotal role in advancing the university’s mission of creating meaningful societal impact.
About SparkNC
SparkNC is a cutting-edge initiative dedicated to empowering North Carolina’s students and educators with the skills and resources needed to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital economy. By providing innovative, project-based learning experiences, SparkNC helps students develop critical competencies in fields such as artificial intelligence, immersive media, and cybersecurity. The initiative partners with educational institutions, industry leaders, and community organizations to bridge the gap between traditional education and the demands of the 21st-century workforce, ensuring that North Carolina remains at the forefront of technological innovation and economic growth.
