Council OKs city coordination of banquet to honor Monroe High football state champions

Monroe City Council agreed to have city staff coordinate a formal banquet to honor Monroe High School's football team after the team won its second state championship.

Council member Anderson introduced the item and described a sit-down dinner that the city previously sponsored when the team won a championship about eight years ago. Anderson said he preferred South Piedmont Community College (SPCC) as a venue because it can accommodate a couple hundred guests and has recently been remodeled. Council members said they would invite coaches, players and families and discussed coordinating the banquet with a ring ceremony; one council member suggested liaising with Coach Sal's brother Purnell about staging the ring event and the banquet together.

Council members asked about the expected number of attendees; a council member said the team has about 60 players and that the event would include players, families and coaching staff. A motion was made and seconded to have administration coordinate the event; council approved the motion by voice vote. Council did not set a date at the meeting and directed staff to work with school administrators to find a suitable time, with a goal of holding the banquet within the next couple of months if schedules permit.

The council also discussed the potential of presenting ceremonial honors, such as keys to the city, at a combined event; no formal action on honors was taken at the meeting. Staff will coordinate logistics, confirm a date with the school, and return with details as needed.