Verdell H. Sanders is a Charlotte native and a humble man of service who utilized his trailblazing athletic skills to become a coach, teacher, trainer, protector and parental figure to many.  Verdell worked in the Enderly Park (EP) community as the Recreation Center Director at Enderly Park Recreation Center for almost 30 years.    Verdell implemented sports and recreational programs and events for kids and young adults that made a lasting impact on many.   

 Verdell began taking young people in the Enderly Park community to the nearby bowling lane on Fridays and Saturdays and to tournaments all over the state, as a way of keeping them engaged and out of trouble.   Many of the young people, now adults, credit those bowling trips as the thing that kept them out of trouble many a night.  Some of them still bowl to this day and  have even introduced the love of bowling to their own families.  Lucy V. Williams was a long-time resident of Enderly Park and she loved and appreciated Verdell's role in the community.   Her seven children and grandchildren frequented the EP community center daily and she always said that as long as Verdell was in charge, she was confident that they would be fine.      

For many years, Mrs. Williams wanted to honor Verdell for his contribution not only to her family but to the entire EP Community.   The Lucy V. Williams Foundation is proud to make her dream a reality.  The first, inaugural VHS Bowling and Game Tournament was held on July 10, 2022.    This annual event helps raise funds for the Verdell H. Sanders Scholarship.  The VHS Scholarship is awarded annually to a high school student who plans to attend Winston Salem State University, Verdell's alma mater, as a (Fall)  freshman, meets the GPA requirements and is in need of financial assistance to attend college.