North Carolina Central University
ATHLETICS
The Official Web Site of the North Carolina Central University "Eagle" Athletics Division
DURHAM, NC (July 14, 2000) -- North Carolina Central University announced Phil Spence as the new men's basketball head coach at a press conference Friday afternoon in the LeRoy T. Walker Physical Education Complex.
Spence, 46, coached the boys' basketball team at East Wake High School (Raleigh, NC) for 10 seasons (1989-99). During that time, he led the Warriors to three consecutive state playoff appearances, including a trip to the state 4-A championship game in 1991, and won four Tri-6 conference championships. For his efforts, Spence was recognized as the Tri-6 Conference and Wake County Coach of the Year in both 1991 and 1992.
Prior to his stint at East Wake, Spence spent 10 seasons at Cary High School (1979-89). He served as the junior varsity boys' basketball coach for the first four years and became the head coach of the varsity team for the final six years.
Spence enjoyed a standout playing career at North Carolina State University. After earning junior college All-America honors at Vincennes (Indiana) University during his freshman year (1972-73), Spence joined the Wolfpack and was a key member of the 1974 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship team. As a junior, he led NCSU with 281 rebounds (10.0 rpg) and was third in scoring with 368 points (13.1 ppg). In his senior season, Spence was the team's second-leading scorer and rebounder with 438 points (13.6 ppg) and 273 caroms (9.1 rpg).
In 1976, Spence graduated from N.C. State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Vocational Industrial Education. Twenty years later, in what he calls one of his proudest moments, Spence was honored by his alma mater with the presentation of the 1996 NCSU A.M. Witherspoon Award for Academic Excellence.
Born in Raleigh, NC on March 13, 1954, Spence has lived outside the confines of the capital city for just one year, his freshman campaign at an Indiana junior college. He was raised in the south-side of Raleigh as the youngest of five siblings (four brothers and a sister).
Spence went on to play basketball at Broughton High School, leading the team to the state 4-A tournament as a junior center in 1971. As a senior, he was selected Wake County Player of the Year and earned honors as a Converse All-American. Spence returned to Broughton H.S. in 1977 and spent a year teaching and volunteering as an assistant varsity boys' basketball coach under his former head coach Ed McLean before accepting a position at Cary High School.
For the past year, Spence has dedicated himself as the Career Development Coordinator at Longview School in Raleigh, working with behavior emotional disadvantaged youth in grades 6-12.
He and his wife Paula, a 1976 graduate of NCCU, will celebrate their 24th anniversary in August. They are the proud parents of two daughters: Porche (21), a rising senior at NCCU studying Environmental Science and Spanish, and Pauletta (18), an incoming freshman at NCCU and member of the Honors Program.
PHIL SPENCE ... Quick Facts
Born: March 13, 1954 in Raleigh, North Carolina
Family: Wife, Paula (NCCU 1976), married 24 years in August. Parents of two daughters: Porche (21) and Pauletta (18).
Education:
1973-76 - North Carolina State University (Raleigh, NC); Bachelor of Science Degree in Vocational Industrial Education.
1972-73 - Vincennes University (Vincennes, Indiana); Freshman Year.
1972 - Needham Broughton High School (Raleigh, NC); Graduated.
Special Award:
1996 Recipient of the North Carolina State University A.M. Witherspoon Award for Academic Excellence.
Coaching Experience:
1989-99 East Wake High School (Raleigh, NC); Varsity Head Boys' Basketball Coach. Record: 150-114 (.568).
1983-89 Cary High School (Cary, NC); Varsity Head Boys' Basketball Coach. Record: 71-50 (.587).
1979-83 Cary High School (Cary, NC); Junior Varsity Head Boys' Basketball Coach.
Coaching Achievements & Honors:
1995-96 - Team won Tri-6 Conference Championship (19-7); Top 16 in North Carolina.
1992-93 - Team won Tri-6 Conference and Sectional Championships (18-12); Top 8 in North Carolina.
1992 - Coach of the Year - Tri-6 Conference and Wake County.
1991-92 - Team won Regular Season Title, Tri-6 Conference and Sectional Championships (25-3); Nationally Ranked 18th.
1991 - Coach of the Year - Tri-6 Conference and Wake County.
1990-91 - Team won Regular Season Title, Tri-6 Conference, Sectional and East Regional Championships (26-4); State Finalist.
Playing Career Statistics at N.C. State:
1973-74: 30 games, 188 rebounds (6.3 rpg), 180 points (6.0 ppg)
1974-75: 28 games, 281 rebounds (10.0 rpg), 368 points (13.1 ppg)
1975-76: 30 games, 273 rebounds (9.1 rpg), 438 points (13.6 ppg)
NCSU Totals: 88 games, 742 rebounds (8.4 rpg), 986 points (11.2 ppg)
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Last Revised: July 14, 2000