by Cliff Mehrtens

High school teams to compete for Shane’s Cup and donation

Athletic teams from Hopewell, North Mecklenburg and Hough high schools will battle for Shane’s Cup during the upcoming school year, with the winning school snagging a $1,000 donation.

The competition, sponsored by Shane’s Rib Shack, will be in head-to-head athletic competition for all sports. The winner of each match will earn one point toward Cup standings, and the school with the most points wins.

Each school also will host a “spirit night” at Shane’s, and the school that has the highest attendance and has the most sales that night earns five points.

Shane’s Rib Shack is at the Northlake Commons Shopping Center (next to Northlake Mall), 9330 Center Lake Dr., Suite 100.

North Meck hosts kickoff dinner

North Mecklenburg High School’s Football Kickoff  Dinner will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 16, at University City United Methodist Church (at the corner of Harris Boulevard and Sugar Creek Road).

Registration is $15 per person, and payment can be made at the door by sending information to kfbeasley@bellsouth.net.

Dinner will be provided by Outback Steakhouse. The festivities will include an honor to the late Will Campagna, who coached the Vikings 17 years and was inducted into the N.C. Football Coaches Hall of Fame. Speakers will be former Vikings coach Leroy Holden, former North Meck principal Jimmy Poole and current football coach Mike Bradley.

The master of ceremonies will be Jeff Hammond, NASCAR commentator and North Mecklenburg graduate.

Hough’s charity football scrimmage

Hough High’s football team will host a Black-vs.-White scrimmage on Saturday, Aug. 13. Gates open at 5 p.m., and the game will begin at 6.

Admission is free, but fans are encouraged to bring school supplies to donate for children at the Battered Women’s Shelter in Charlotte.

Hough spirit wear will be available, and concession stands will be open. Fans can bring cameras and have pictures taken with their favorite Hough players.

Robinson joins SwimMAC’s North staff

SwimMac Carolina hired Meredith Robinson to its North Region staff, where she will coach the Nova and Fireball teams (ages 8 to 11) in the Marlin Division.

She also will assist with Junior Swim League and Middle School Teen Fit, which are SwimMAC’s auxiliary programs.

Robinson, a recent University of North Carolina graduate, has five years’ coaching experience and several years of swimming experience. She was the Class 2A high school state champion in the 200-meter individual medley but chose not to swim competitively in college. She earned a degree in American history and is working on a master of arts in teaching at UNC Charlotte.