Pittsboro, NC – Northwood High School has announced the six members of its 2025 Athletics Hall of Fame class, honoring former athletes, coaches, and contributors who have left their mark on the Chargers’ athletic tradition and their communities beyond high school.
This year’s inductees are Abdul Ghaffar, Joaquin Green, Brian Harrington, Wanda Jackson Bland, Benji Johnson, and Eric Williams. They will be recognized during a Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, October 3, at 5:30 p.m., followed by Northwood’s home football game against Eastern Randolph at 7 p.m.
“I want to thank our Hall of Fame Committee for their dedication and thoughtful work throughout the selection process,” said Cameron Vernon, Northwood’s Director of Athletics. “This year’s class truly reflects the excellence, character, and tradition of Northwood athletics, and we are proud to celebrate their accomplishments with our community.”
Abdul Ghaffar
A 1986 graduate, Abdul Ghaffar excelled in cross country, basketball, and track and
field. He was a two-time All-Conference selection in cross country, helping lead Northwood to its first conference title. In track, he earned four All-Conference honors and won the East Regional 800 meters as a senior, finishing fourth at the state meet. On the basketball court, Ghaffar was a two-time All-Conference and All-County player, part of the 1985 team that won the school’s first conference tournament championship. He was named Northwood’s Male Athlete of the Year in 1986.
Ghaffar went on to UNC Pembroke, competing in both track and basketball, and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee. He retired as Assistant Dean of Students at UNC Pembroke, founded the Robeson County Sports Hall of Fame, and continues to serve his community through coaching and volunteer work.
“Northwood shaped the foundation of who I became — as an athlete, a student, and later as a mentor. I will always be grateful for the coaches and teammates who pushed me to give my best.”
Joaquin Green
A three-sport standout, Joaquin Green played four years of football and basketball and one season of track at Northwood, earning All-Conference honors as both a junior and senior. He was named Tom Suitor’s WRAL “Player of the Week” and helped the Chargers’ relay team finish third at the state championships.
Green played football at St. Augustine’s University, where he earned a degree in mathematical engineering in 2012. Today, he works as a project coordinator and business owner while serving through Omega Psi Phi Fraternity in youth mentorship, scholarship programs, and community outreach.
“Northwood helped prepare me on and off the field. Coach Hall, Coach Harrington, and Coach Parks played a major role in shaping me as a young man. My time at Northwood was truly a special time in my life.”
Brian Harrington
Brian Harrington balanced athletics and academics during his time at Northwood, competing in football, basketball, and track while serving in the National Honor Society. On the football field, he was a team captain and All-Conference lineman before going on to play at NC A&T State University, where he was part of the Aggies’ 1991 Heritage Bowl team.
Harrington returned to Northwood as a coach, leading football, basketball, and track for more than two decades. As football defensive coordinator, he helped guide the Chargers to 12 playoff appearances in 13 years, including five straight third-round runs. He also led girls’ basketball to the playoffs in his first year as head coach and earned Chatham News & Record Coach of the Year honors. Harrington is now a
teacher assistant and coach at Fuquay-Varina High School, where he continues his lifelong mission of mentoring student-athletes.
“My coaching philosophy is to develop student-athletes as people and players. Hard work pays off. I’ve been blessed to coach for 30 years, and I owe much of who I am to mentors like Coach Pappas and Bill Hall — and to my wife and kids who have supported me every step of the way.”
Wanda Jackson Bland
One of Northwood’s top multi-sport athletes, Wanda Jackson Bland competed in basketball, softball, and volleyball, earning the honor of Female Athlete of the Year. She went on to attend Winston-Salem State University and North Carolina Central University, playing softball at NCCU.
For the past 24 years, Jackson Bland has dedicated herself to education and coaching, serving as a mentor and coach in basketball, volleyball, and softball at George Moses Horton Middle School, where she works as a data manager.
“Coaching and mentoring has been my way of giving back to the community that supported me. Northwood gave me the foundation, and I’ve tried to pay that forward for the next generation.”
Benji Johnson
A 2004 graduate, Benji Johnson was a star on the diamond, earning All-Conference honors three times, All-State honors twice, and Conference Player of the Year as a senior. He set school records for home runs and walks in a season and was named Team MVP in 2004.
At the University of North Carolina, Johnson helped the Tar Heels reach back-to-back Men’s College World Series finals in 2006 and 2007. He was named UNC’s Most Improved Player in 2006, won the Men’s Carlyle Cup MVP for his performance against Duke, and was later honored with “Benji Johnson Day” in his hometown of Pittsboro. Johnson was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in 2007 and reached the AAA level.
Today, he owns Ball Player’s Balm and Mavek Pro, continues to train young athletes, and volunteers in his community.
“I am forever proud of being a product of Pittsboro, NC and Northwood High School. I’m also grateful for Coach Ronald Horton who took a chance on me as a freshman and gave me the opportunity to grow into the athlete and person I became.”
Eric Williams
Eric Williams, a 2011 graduate, was one of Northwood’s most decorated distance runners. In cross country, he was a conference and regional champion before capturing the 2011 state title. He was also a six-time All-State selection in track, excelling in the 800, 1600, and 3200 meters. Williams also served as president of the “Nuthouse,” the school’s spirited student section.
At UNC Greensboro, Williams competed in cross country and track, where he was part of the 2012 Southern Conference championship team and served on the NCAA Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
Now a financial advisor, Williams has remained active in Chatham County, serving as Rotary Club president, earning the Chamber of Commerce “Young Person of the Year” award, and volunteering with Chatham Literacy.
“Being part of Northwood athletics taught me the value of teamwork, leadership, and community. Those lessons have carried me through college, my career, and my service in Chatham County.”
The Hall of Fame banquet and football game on Oct. 3 will provide an opportunity for the community to celebrate these six outstanding individuals and their contributions to Northwood High School and beyond.
“The Class of 2025 represents the best of what it means to be a Charger — excellence in athletics, leadership, and service,” school officials said.