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Local News |
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Hall of Fame banquet draws big crowd First class of sports honorees inducted From staff reports Nov. 12 - If the inaugural banquet of the Lincoln County Sports Hall of Fame is any indication, the organization has a bright future. Approximately 200 people turned out Saturday night at the Citizens Center to eat prime rib and witness induction ceremonies for the hall of fame’s first eight-member class. Max Garner and Roby Jetton, co-chairmen of the board of directors, called the banquet a rousing success. “It surpassed anything that I expected,” said Garner. “I thought it was a first-class program. I have received nothing but excellent remarks about it.” “It was a wonderful night,” said Jetton, “a peaceful and pleasurable night, the kind of night people needed. This is the start of something that will get bigger and better. I think people see now how serious we are about this. We will get a lot of input now.” Five of the honorees were on hand to receive their recognition. Three others were inducted posthumously. One of the inductees was former major league pitcher Tony Cloninger, who only a week ago was coaching for the New York Yankees in the World Series against Arizona. “I guess you heard that we got beat,” Cloninger said of the seven-game series won by the Diamond Backs. “And you know how George Steinbrenner, Yankees owner) feels about losing. He doesn’t like it.” On a more serious note, Cloninger reflected on his days as a youth growing up in eastern Lincoln County and the influence baseball has had on his life. He closed by thanking the hall of fame for the honor. “You don’t know how much I appreciate you inducting me into this hall of fame,” Cloninger said. “I shall never forget and I shall always be in your debt.” Also making their way to the podium were Norris Childers, legendary basketball coach at North Brook High in the 1940s; Von Ray Harris, long-time football coach and athletics director at Lincolnton High School; Betty Ross, director of the recreation program in Lincolnton for 43 years; and Arnold “Jersey” Tarr, a boxing great in the 1930s and later police chief of Lincolnton. Inducted posthumously were Bob Beal, Sr., manager of the Lincolnton Cardinals pro baseball team and a standout minor league player; Jack Kiser, legendary girls basketball coach at Lincolnton High School; and Smack Proctor, a sports writer in Lincolnton for nearly five decades. Family members accepted the awards for the deceased inductees. The 77-year-old Harris, who won 189 football games in a 27-year career at Lincolnton, acknowledged not only his immediate family but his extended family — the coaches who played for him and later were part of his staff. Several members of Harris’ staff were in attendance, including current Wolves head coach Scott Cloninger. Steve Brackett, a former Lincolnton High athlete and an attorney in Hickory, served as master of ceremonies. Lincolnton native and NFL official Rex Stuart was the guest speaker. The table decorations were provided by Pat Rudisill. More than a year’s work went into the planning of the banquet. Now the board turns its attention to preparing the hall of fame headquarters for public viewing. “We hope that in February or March we can have a ribbon-cutting and open house,” Garner said. The hall of fame headquarters are on the third floor of the Senior Center at the Lincoln Campus of Gaston College. A hallway and a room will be utilized for the display of plaques and sports memorabilia.
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© 2001 Lincoln Times-News |
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