Shirley and Henry Frye Named Co-Honorary Chairman for Wyndham Championship

Shirley and Henry Frye have been named Wyndham Championship honorary co-chairs. The Fryes will serve as ambassadors for this year's event. A native of Fremont, N.C. in Eastern North Carolina, Shirley Frye graduated magna cum laude from NC A&T and later received her Masters degree in special education from Syracuse University. She is the chairperson of the Bryan Foundation Board of Directors. She is a former member of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, a special education coordinator for Bennett College and former vice president of community relations for WFMY-TV. “I love this region of North Carolina; I’m glad the Wyndham Championship is here, and I hope it stays forever,” Shirley Frye said. “I couldn’t believe it when we were asked to serve in this role. I was so flattered to think that they would think of us to do this, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to show people that the Piedmont Triad is a wonderful place to be.” A native of Ellerbe, N.C.; Henry Frye graduated summa cum laude from NC A&T in 1953 with a bachelor of science in biology and a double minor in chemistry and air science. Following graduation, he entered the United States Air Force and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant. He served as an Ammunition Officer in Japan and Korea. Frye rose to rank of Captain during his two years with the Air Force. Frye became the first African American to complete a full law degree from the University of North Carolina, graduating with honors in 1959. He returned to Greensboro and entered private practice. Frye then served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and as a professor in the N.C. Central University Law School. In 1968, he became the first African American elected to the N.C. House of Representatives in the 20th century. He occupied the position for 12 years before serving as a member of the N.C. Senate. In 1983, he was appointed as an Associate Justice of the N.C. Supreme Court and in 1999 became the court’s Chief Justice, the first African American to ever hold the title. He served in this capacity until 2001 and then returned to private practice in Greensboro. “We are excited to be honorary co chairs,” Henry Frye said. “The Wyndham Championship is good for North Carolina and especially the Piedmont Triad area. Wyndham has been great sponsor, and I hope they will continue to be our title sponsor for a long time. But I think one of the best parts of the tournament is that we have so many volunteers who work for free with the tournament. The Triad is known for volunteerism and for the community getting involved with things."