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GREENSBORO — Northern Guilford booster club president Steve Stansell got an unexpected phone call from a friend two weeks ago.

Check the news, he said.

As Stansell digested the headlines — principal Joe Yeager and athletics director Derrell Force had abruptly resigned in the midst of a widespread district investigation of recruiting and other issues — he had a hard time accepting why the people he helped build the Nighthawks program from scratch with were gone without notice.

The boosters convened for the first time at their monthly meeting last weekend, and Stansell said they still have many more questions than answers.

"We're very frustrated by the way events have taken place," Stansell said. "There's been a lack of information to parents on what the investigation is all about.

"You'd like to have some say in what goes on with your principal and the people involved with coaching or athletics, but it's just kind of all been done over spring break without any parent meetings or any chance to ask questions. What's warranting all this?"

Stansell, who has one daughter not involved in athletics at Northern, said the boosters haven't arranged any meeting with district officials. He did speak with Force a few days after his resignation to discuss details of the boosters' upcoming fundraiser.

"He's just as surprised and shocked as anybody," Stansell said.

The boosters are trying to move on as usual, but it's unclear what effect the ongoing investigation will have on their operations.

Their fundraiser is scheduled for May 29, featuring a low country boil and a live silent auction at Canterbury School. At $100 for two tickets or $450 for a table of 10, the event has raised more than $20,000 in each of its first two years, about 80-90 percent of the group's annual budget.

Already wary of fundraising efforts in a tight economy, Stansell said he hopes the investigation doesn't discourage anyone from contributing.

"I guess it's too early to tell," he said. Stansell's two-year term as president will end in May.

"The school's not going away. The athletic program's not going away," he said. "This is an unfortunate event, but we have to stay focused on what's important, and that's providing the best opportunity for the kids."

Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or tom.keller@news-record.com