Hackney, the former principal of North Moore High School in Robbins, was dumbfounded when the board voted to waive policy and name the school auditorium in his honor. Board member Charles Lambert made the motion.
“I don’t know how many people he’s helped along the way,” Lambert said. “He’s a lifelong learner, educator and motivator.”
The school board had not named a building after anyone since instituting a policy seven years ago prohibiting such dedications.
When asked to make a comment before the packed room of board members, friends, former colleagues and students, Hackney was speechless. He stood alongside several members of his family with his head bowed in humility.
“It’s a pleasure and an honor,” he said. “I don’t know what else I can say.”
His son, Brent Hackney, opinion editor of The Pilot, thanked the board on behalf of his family.
“My dad is my hero,” he told the board.
Hackney worked for the Moore County Schools from 1946 until his retirement in 1984. During that time, he served as a history and physical education teacher, basketball and baseball coach, principal of Elise High School, and finally principal of North Moore High School.
During his years at Elise, Hackney was also girls’ basketball coach and led his teams to numerous championships. He has been described as the best coach in the history of North Carolina girls’ high school basketball.
“His contributions to Moore County Schools and to the community are numerous and beyond reproach,” Assistant Superintendent Donna Peters said. “He is revered by his former students, the Robbins community and those whom he has touched over his many years in our schools.”
Even after retirement, Hackney continued to contribute. Each year, $1,000 Hackney scholarships are awarded to 10 seniors at North Moore. The scholarship program began in 1985.
“Mr. Hackney is truly a special person and has given so much of his life and himself to our students and community,” Peters said.
Numerous friends and former students wrote letters to the board asking that it consider him for an Award of Honor.
Dr. William Lee Bell, one of Hackney’s former students, said in a letter to the board that Hackney “was a compassionate and caring principal who genuinely cared for the welfare of his students during the time that they were under his care, as well as when they left and went on to careers of higher education.”
Tami Hussey Hill, president of the North Moore PTSA and also a former student of Hackney’s, said, “People come and go every day in our lives, but for those who touch our lives daily and remain a part of our lives, we will always remember.
“He’s touched so many lives, and the greatest part is he’s still touching lives today. He believes every child should be given an opportunity to learn, and part of his mission is to help make this possible each May in providing the C.E. Hackney Scholarships.”
Hackney is a native of Pittsboro. He attended Appalachian State University in Boone, where he played basketball and baseball on a scholarship. He and his wife, Ruth, have two children, Brent and Sharon, both of whom attended North Moore High School while their father was principal.
“Later in life we find sometimes that we forget to tell people ‘thank you’ and how important they were in our lives,” Hill said. “Let’s not forget to recognize someone who’s made a difference. Let’s join together and award Cecil E. Hackney this award of honor that he truly deserves.”
North Moore High School will honor Hackney in May.
Michael Tylavsky, North Moore’s principal, said Hackney is revered and loved by those he touched during his 38 years as a teacher, coach and principal.
“That love and respect is still felt even though years have gone by since he last opened the doors of North Moore High School,” Tylavsky said. “His commitment to the community and unselfish giving to those in the Robbins area continues to this very day.”
