PHOTOS: Jeff Fruster named High School Coach of the Year

Panthers and GMC representatives presented Capone with a commemorative trophy and a $2,000 grant check to support the Weddington High School athletics program.

The Carolina Panthers in partnership with GMC recognized outstanding coaches from across the Carolinas at the last home game of the 2024 season. The Panthers High School Coach of the Week award recognizes a select group of high school football coaches in North and South Carolina who make a meaningful difference in the lives of their players, schools, and communities. The ten high school coaches who were selected as a part of the class of 2024 include:

• Andy Capone: Weddington High School

• Bobby Collins: South Pointe High School

• David Baker: Hough High School

• Joe Glass: Hickory High School

• DJ McFadden: Independence High School

• Jake Morris: Dorman High School

• Mark Barnes: Sumter High School

• Ryan Habich: Watauga High School

• Scott Riley: Cleveland High School

• Steve Watson: JL Mann High School

Nearly 300 special guests came together for a JOYFUL evening at The Biltmore in Asheville this week thanks to The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation (DNTF), Panthers, and Coca-Cola Consolidated. DNTF and Panthers Charities community partners including MANNA Foodbank, World Central Kitchen, Global Empowerment Mission, the American Red Cross, Samaritan's Purse, and Team Rubicon, and Coca-Cola Consolidated community partners including Haywood Christian Ministry and Biltmore Church, joined Western NC first responders at the appreciation event, all of whom have worked tirelessly to address the immediate and long-term needs of the region following Hurricane Helene.

Hundreds of children, teachers, and administrators and staff from W.D. Williams and North Cove elementary schools in Western North Carolina received special gifts and enjoyed a holiday show this week when The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation, Carolina Panthers, and Coca-Cola Consolidated brought Joy to the Carolinas to the region

Panthers players, TopCats, and Sir Purr visited active military members at the Fort Jackson base in Columbia, S.C., in partnership with USAA.

Leading up to the Panthers win over the Giants in Munich, the Carolina Panthers hosted a flag football event for over 120 boys and girls in Germany. Panthers Legends Thomas Davis and Jonathan Stewart helped bring the energy to kick off the clinic. At the end of the day, the entire Panthers team surprised the kids and joined in on the flag football fun.

Guilford County Schools (GCS) in partnership with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools (WSFCS), and the Carolina Panthers celebrated the start of the new GCS Girls High School Flag League on Saturday November 2nd, with a high energy kickoff event at Page High School. The day marked the start of the inaugural season for 18 high school teams across the two counties. Members of USA Football's gold-medal winning U.S. Women's Flag National Team - assistant coach Mary Kate Bula and national team member Maci Joncich - joined the Panthers to encourage the girls as they embark on the pilot season. The Carolina Panthers are proud to be a part of growing the game across North Carolina.

View photos of Panthers players and leadership during their special visit to Atrium Health Levin Children's Hospital. Nicole Tepper, President Kristi Coleman, and all the team's rookies brought the Halloween spirit to patients and staff alike.

The Carolina Panthers partnered with RXO to host active-duty service members for the 2nd Annual Oorah Hooah Classic 7on7 at Bank of America Stadium. The day featured games between service members from Fort Liberty and Camp Lejeune. Panthers players Austin Corbett, Brady Christensen, Jammie Robinson, and Nick Scott joined in an exciting tunnel run experience for the teams to kick-off the playoffs. 2nd Combat Readiness Regiment out of Camp Lejeune emerged victorious in a thrilling championship to close out the day.

To kickoff Crucial Catch week, the Panthers and Atrium Health hosted a special event at the stadium to honor cancer survivors, fighters, and their care teams with special appearances from Panthers players and Legends.

On October 6th the Carolina Panthers hosted their 20th annual Challenger Flag Football Jamboree for the first time ever at Bank of America Stadium. The Challenger League provides children and young adults of varying abilities an opportunity to participate in a structured flag football league. The Panthers were pleased to host nine different recreation agencies from across the Carolinas who participate in the Challenger program.

The Carolina Panthers celebrated the start of the Challenger Flag Football League season with a special kickoff event. Taylor Moton and Sir Purr joined Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Challenger athletes and Spirit Squad members for a fun filled night. Challenger participants were able to participate in a tunnel run, play yard games, and enjoy food trucks with their families.