This week’s Hometown Hero, presented by Hendrick Southpoint, is Dave Lohse from the University of North Carolina.

Dave is retiring after working with the university since 1977 in the sports information/athletics communications department. He was recently inducted into the Sports Information Directors Hall of Fame in Orlando, Florida.

In addition, Dave received the trailblazer award — which is awarded to people who have been pioneers in the business.

“I was awarded that for being essentially the first openly gay man in collegiate athletics at the division one level,” Dave said. “I came out of the closet in 1992 and years later, they wanted to give me the award and that was very emotional for me.

“I don’t perceive myself as a hero or a trailblazer. At the time I did it, it was just something that I needed to do to, I feel survive in society because living a lie is never fun. It’s never fun and it was just too much of a burden.”


Listen to this week’s Focus Carolina segment: