Born in High Point, North Carolina, Tim is the son of the legendary Bob Sappenfield, making him part of the first ever father/son duo to be elected to the North Carolina Chapter. Tim grew up around wrestling and watched his dad coach High Point Central to three state titles. Tim and his family moved from High Point to Charlotte where he wrestled at East Mecklenburg High School where he was team captain and Most Valuable Wrestler. He attended Appalachian State for two years and was member of the wrestling team. Sappenfield's lifetime of service to wrestling was devoted to officiating. He was a registered official in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association for 45 years. At his induction in 2014, he had officiated 34 conference tournaments, 30 regional tournaments, 25 NCHSAA State Individual Championships, and nine Dual Team State Championships. Sappenfield worked state dual championships from the mountains at Cherokee High to the coast at Topsail High and was the recipient of the 2009 NCHSAA Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award. He as also served 12 years as the clinician for the Central Area Officials Association. His clinics became very popular due to the hospitality provided by his wife Debbie, who served up refreshments at each meeting. When assigned to tournaments in his area, Tim often goes by prior to the event to chat with athletic directors and make sure things are covered for a smooth event. Tim was described as "a hard worker who has always had the safety of wrestlers as the prime concern." Another coach stated, "Tim's passion for wrestling has always been expressed in the way he conducts himself on the mat as an official and his attention to details at dual meets as well as his leadership of officials in tournament situations. I take pleasure seeing him every year at the states... always upbeat and never getting rattled. His work is phenomenal, and has earned him great respect across North Carolina."