The Raleigh Sports Club was originally established in 1964 as a local sports club with 12 members who loved sports and wanted to recognize athletic and academic achievement on several levels. The RSC has grown to more than 250 members and holds weekly Wednesday luncheon meetings from September through March. Here members have the opportunity to hear from some of the most influential college and professional sporting figures first hand. A local high school student athlete is honored at the weekly meetings. In the spring, at the Annual Banquet, multiple scholarships are awarded to deserving student athletes who do not receive athletic scholarships. The Club also recognizes a high school coach/mentor with a Distinguished Service Award. These awards are coordinated through Athletic Directors at Wake County High Schools.
The weekly Wednesday meetings are held in Bradley Hall at Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Rd., Raleigh, at the corner of Lake Boone Trail, just inside the I-440 Beltline. The meeting is from Noon to 1:00 pm, but the buffet lines open to our delicious Southern Buffet at 11:30 am. Join us for good food, good fellowship, and a lot of sports talk!!
2022-23 Officers
Reagan Stewart of Garner high school receiving her Student-Athlete of the week plaque
President - Robert Hinson
Vice President - Ken Updegrave
Second Vice President - Nicholas Hulsey
Secretary - John Gladwin
Assistant Secretary - Sally Greaser
Treasurer - Vince Matal
Sergeant at Arms - Jerry Smith
Board Members
Robert Birch
Bob Kennel
Don Ledford II
Ed Moore
Rick Ulasewich
John Watkins
Past President - Carol Pope
Chaplain - John Robinson
Bookkeeper - Pat Holcomb
You will need to enter the Raleigh Sports Club ID and Password that has been provided to all members in weekly emails for
submitting a question or suggestion via the "Roster/Contact Us" tab. The "Roster/Contact Us" tab/page also has a link for you to view
the Sports Club roster.
If you need help, please contact board member Pete Benda (petebenda@nc.rr.com or
919-622-9134). The Raleigh Sports Club roster is provided for the personal and private use of members only and is not
permitted for delivery of commercial, political, or other undesireable messages or solicitations.
A Brief History of the Raleigh Sports Club
It all began on January 22, 1964 when twelve people interested in promoting and supporting athletics within the city of Raleigh met and organized our club. The charter members were:
Al Ballard, Lou Bello, Duma Bledsoe, Jimmie Chambers, J.E. Cotton, Willie Duke, Charles Gesino, Art Ingram, Earl T. Jones, Jim Lewis, Al Proctor, and Al Wadford.
Officers and board members were elected at the next meeting, the current name was selected the following month, and a schedule of twice monthly buffet luncheons was soon established. The move to Ballantine's in Cameron Village came in 1965 and provided the club's home base for more than 30 years. Famous early speakers included former heavyweight boxing champ, Ezzard Charles, legendary Wake Forest coach Peahead Walker, Red Grange, Otto Graham, and Stan Musial. In its second year, the club had grown to more than 100 members, meetings moved to weekly on Wednesdays, the custom of honoring outstanding local high school student-athletes was begun, and an annual end of season banquet was established which was called "Ladies Night" to encourage members to bring their spouses.
Raleigh Sports Club Leadership History
Abbreviated to four officer positions due to space limitations. (Full listing of all officers, board members, chaplains and bookkeepers is available upon request.)
The Raleigh Sports Club was originally established in 1964 as a local sports club with 12 members who loved sports and wanted to recognize athletic and academic achievement on several levels. The RSC has grown to more than 250 members and holds weekly Wednesday luncheon meetings from September through March. Here members have the opportunity to hear from some of the most influential college and professional sporting figures first hand. A local high school student athlete is honored at the weekly meetings. In the spring, at the Annual Banquet, multiple scholarships are awarded to deserving student athletes who do not receive athletic scholarships. The Club also recognizes a high school coach/mentor with a Distinguished Service Award. These awards are coordinated through Athletic Directors at Wake County High Schools.
The weekly Wednesday meetings are held in Bradley Hall at Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Rd., Raleigh, at the corner of Lake Boone Trail, just inside the I-440 Beltline. The meeting is from Noon to 1:00 pm, but the buffet lines open to our delicious Southern Buffet at 11:30 am. Join us for good food, good fellowship, and a lot of sports talk!!
