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The Caden Perry Warrior Scholarship
The future is bright for those who refuse to quit.
One North Carolina wrestler will receive $1,000 in wrestling support, applied directly to documented training and competition expenses.
NC United is proud to announce the inaugural Caden Perry Warrior Scholarship, a wrestling-support award created to honor courage, resilience, discipline, heart and an unwavering refusal to quit.
Caden Perry embodied the warrior spirit wrestling is supposed to build. His legacy is bigger than any one bracket, team or tournament. This award will recognize a North Carolina wrestler whose response to genuine adversity reflects that same spirit.
What the award supports
The year-one award is $1,000 in wrestling support. It is not limited to college costs and it is not based on rankings, records, championships or recruiting status.
The funds are intended to help with documented wrestling-related expenses, including club dues, private lessons, small-group training, camps, tournament fees, travel, gear and other approved training or competition costs.
NC United has committed the first $1,000 to launch the fund. Additional donations build on that commitment and help expand the award’s impact for North Carolina wrestlers facing adversity.
Who can be nominated
Any active North Carolina wrestler in grades 6–12 may be nominated. The wrestler does not have to compete in the Tournament of Champions, does not have to be an NC United member and does not need a certain record, ranking or set of accolades.
Coaches, parents, guardians, teachers, counselors, administrators, teammates and community members may submit nominations. Athletes may not nominate themselves.
Nominations and presentation
Nominations open August 1 and close August 30, 2026. The inaugural recipient will be honored on September 19, 2026, during the NC United Tournament of Champions in Apex.
The nomination asks for a real example of adversity — what happened, how the athlete responded and what that response revealed about their character. Authenticity and specific details matter more than polished writing or production quality.
Learn more or support the fund
The full scholarship page includes Caden’s story, award details, nomination timing, fund status and a secure donation link.
Visit The Caden Perry Warrior Scholarship page
Visit the Tournament of Champions event page