On Friday, February 19th, Ernest “Benny” Alexander was inducted into the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in Raleigh. The NCISAA recognizes outstanding coaches and staff that have had numerous years of coaching experience in North Carolina Independent Schools as well as having served the NCISAA itself.

There is no one more deserving of this honor than Coach Alexander. After 4 years of coaching at Ravenscroft School, he continued his coaching career at Rocky Mount Academy. For the next 30 years, Benny Alexander was Eagles’ athletic director as well as the Varsity Boy’s Basketball, shooting team, and Varsity Golf head coach. Lovingly referred to as “Coach A” by former athletes, Coach Alexander led the Boy’s Basketball team to a state title in 1984 and multiple conference titles over the course of his coaching career until his retirement in 2001.

While Benny Alexander had an extensive coaching past, he was also instrumental in the development of the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association. Coach Alexander was a member of the first Board of Directors for the NCISAA, helping the association get off the ground in its first years. He was also the Director of the 1A state Basketball Tournament and had the NCISAA 1A Basketball Championship Trophy named after him in 2010 because of his years of service to the association as well as the tournament.

On their Senior Night, the Rocky Mount Academy Varsity Boy’s Basketball team recognized Coach A for his many years as an Eagle and his induction into the NCISAA Hall of Fame during halftime of their game. Alexander also relived his coaching days by sitting on the bench during the game along with current coach and his very own past player, Scott Dunn. To commemorate his years of service to RMA, a plaque was installed near the entrance of the gym in Proctor Hall so players can remember his service to the school and NCISAA for years to come.