A Chapel Hill institution and longtime community contributor was recent recognized with the highest civilian honor in North Carolina.
Members of the East Chapel Hill Rotary Club surprised Freddie Kiger with his induction into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine during its holiday party on Dec. 5. The award is given to North Carolinians who have made “significant contributions to the state and their communities” by displaying exceptional service. Kiger — who is a longtime educator, Civil War historian, associate producer with ESPN and a former radio personality — had finished sharing his “153-Year-Old Christmas” special to the crowd when he was joined on stage by Dick Baddour, Jim Heavner, Joe Jenkins, Christy Jones and Bob Ward, who all helped coordinate Kiger’s nomination.
“The Order of the Longleaf Pine is the governor’s highest recognition, given to those who have truly excelled in their communities…and Freddie, you have truly excelled,” Baddour said while presenting Kiger the award and its plaque.
Kiger is a two-time graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, holding two degrees in history, and began teaching the subject in the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools system not long after earning his masters. He went on to have two-decade career as a teacher to hundreds of students — including North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein when he was in school — and continues educating others with his lecture series on the Civil War and podcast called “Threads from the National Tapestry: Stories from the American Civil War.” Kiger also lectures through the UNC General Alumni Association, which occasionally includes leading trips through its Tar Heel Travelers program.
Freddie Kiger addresses the crowd at the East Chapel Hill Rotary Club’s holiday party on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. (Photo via S.P. Murray.)
In addition to his vast knowledge of American history, Kiger also has an expertise in state history — and with that, UNC sports. Kiger has worked around the UNC men’s basketball program for decades, first being hired by then-head coach Dean Smith to be a statistician before eventually becoming an associate producer for television broadcasts and the Tar Heel Sports Network on radio. Many fans can still often see Kiger sitting courtside at the Dean Smith Center’s scorer’s table where players check into the game as he works for ESPN. He also won three Emmy awards for his contributions to ESPN’s “SportsCentury” documentary series at the turn of the 21st century. Kiger also became a daily on-air staple of WCHL and “The Ron Stutts Show” for more than a decade, as he would present the morning trivia question to listeners.
With his induction, Kiger joins a list of other North Carolina dignitaries, ranging from Michael Jordan to Andy Griffith. He is the seventh Chapel Hill-Carrboro community member inducted in 2025 — following former Chapel Hill Mayor Howard Lee and his wife Lillian Lee, former Carrboro Alderman Braxton Foushee, Carolina basketball legend Phil Ford, UNC women’s lacrosse head coach Jenny Levy, former UNC women’s soccer star Heather O’Reilly, and UNC researcher and entrepreneur Jim Johnson.
Those awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine received a certificate signed by the governor, which confers to them “the rank of Ambassador Extraordinary” to represent the state of North Carolina. It also means the members can lead the official North Carolina Toast at events.
Featured photo via S.P. Murray.
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