“Marching Forward” – Welcome to Kinney Baughman

As we begin the month of March, NCSG is “marching forward” with the hope that health promotion, fitness, exercise and social interaction can once again become part of the “normal” routine of our lives.    With an abundance of caution, many Local Senior Games will be conducted virtually this Spring.   However, in the first of our “Marching Forward” features, you will see that Kinney Baughman’s passion for Senior Games is real!

A former professional basketball player with college degrees from Appalachian State and the University of Georgia, Kinney Baughman is hard to miss!   His height and out-sized personality make him stand out from the crowd, for sure!   And now NCSG welcomes Kinney to its Board of Directors, having been elected unanimously at the most recent meeting of the Board.

A longtime Ambassador and participant at the High Country Senior Games in Boone, he has been a fixture at State Finals and across western North Carolina.  Mr. Baughman was a key force in the vision and implementation of Virtual State Finals last year.   When asked about his election, he noted this: 

 “The North Carolina Senior Games is a national model for how the Senior Games should be run. They're admired across the country for how well they do it. [In 2020], North Carolina was the only state in the country to have the vision - and the talent - to pull off a ‘Virtual State Games Finals.’  Every other state folded in the face of the pandemic.  NCSG didn't.  Down but not out, they kept the spirit alive.  Everyone followed protocols and stayed safe.  It was a resounding success.

Being invited to become a member of this particular leadership team for the NCSG is humbling and an honor.  I've admired these board members from afar for over a decade and have the highest respect for their professionalism and dedication to sport, health and well-being.”

Dr. Louise Gooche, Chair of the NCSG Nominating Committee, said this about Kinney Baughman:   “His commitment, energy and expertise as a lifelong athlete and advocate for wellness are just so impressive!   We look forward to having such a talented gentleman as part of the Board of Directors!”

We are always “Marching Forward” at NCSG – and welcome the amazing Kinney Baughman to the Board!