Catawba College honored Joseph S. Ferebee '42 of Misenheimer, N.C., with the O.B. Michael Award. This award has been presented annually since 1938, by the Catawba College Board of Directors of the Alumni Association, to a graduate of the College who has made an outstanding contribution to the College and/or the larger society. Originally called the Citizenship Cup, it was established by the Reverend O.B. Michael, Class of 1919, in memory of his father, an alumnus of Catawba College and pioneer teacher and preacher.
While at Catawba, Mr. Ferebee majored in English and History, and was a Whitener Award recipient and the recipient of the Aycock Award for best athlete. He served in the United States Navy for four years during World War II, and later, he earned his master's degree from UNC Chapel Hill.
When he began his career, it involved baseball. He was employed for nine years as a baseball coach and a teacher at Boyden High School. He then joined Pfeiffer College where he served for 31 years, part of that time as Athletic Director.
In addition to baseball at both the high school and college level, Mr. Ferebee is known for his successful North Carolina American Legion teams which he coached for 30 years, winning the most games of any coach in the state.
Baseball, part of Mr. Ferebee's profession and his passion, has led to him affectionately being known around North Carolina, as "Mr. Baseball."
In 1980, Catawba honored him when he was inducted into its Sports Hall of Fame. He was also honored by his alma mater in 1975 as the recipient of its Distinguished Alumnus Award. Mr. Ferebee has twice received the Governor's Award for outstanding work with North Carolina youth and has also earned almost every conference and district coach of the year award possible.
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