by Neil Richard
The King George Sports Hall of Fame held their 9th Annual event on Thursday night. The doors opened at 5:30, dinner was served shortly after 6 and the ceremony began about an hour later. Although it took a couple of hours to get through the list of inductees and their incredible list of accolades, it was well worth it.
Dinner was a simple fare of ham and turkey sandwiches, meatballs, chicken wings, and shrimp. Although I can't speak for the poultry, the rest of the food was good. Dessert, served after the ceremony, was a two layer chocolate and vanilla cake.
The highlight of the evening for me was hearing about the athletes and their accomplishments. Being a former student athlete myself that was, at best, a mediocre performer, hearing how well they did in multiple sports over multiple years was impressive.
More impressive was hearing the personal stories from the athletes themselves. Their humility and humbleness stood out with all of them. Through the good and bad they experienced during their careers, they all shared the honor of being recognized with family, friends, teammates, and coaches.
Grant Paulsen, Class of 2006, was an athlete in high school but he was quick to point out that he really only excelled at reporting on sports and was maybe ranked 6th, or 12th, on the Golf Team. Being a decade or so ahead of him in school, I never saw him compete. But I will agree with his joking comment about himself, he always enjoyed hearing his own voice, even when he was a kid at the local swimming pool.
Alicia Frye, Class of 1988, gave the most heartfelt and emotional acceptance speech of the evening. Hearing her speak about her time on the Girl's Basketball Team, her coaches, and her teammates really hit home.
Wayne Williams, Class of 1975, and Stanley Jefferson, Ralph Bunche Class of 1966, both echoed much of the same comments and praise for their family, their friends, and their coaches. They epitomized humility as they heaped praise on others.
The large audience was able to celebrate an important milestone for the Hall of Fame; the induction of the 1961 Ralph Bunche State Champion Baseball Team, the 1968 Ralph Bunche State Runner Up Baseball Team, and 21 individual athletes from 20 years of Ralph Bunche athletics. In another emotional speech, George Tolliver, Class of 1969 and 2012 Hall of Fame inductee, spoke on everything from the current political climate to the minute details of the old Ralph Bunche gym. Tolliver was as emotional as the crowd by the end of his speech and was clearly honored to play a role in helping honor so many that had been so deserving for so long.
The King George Sports Hall of Fame held their 9th Annual event on Thursday night. The doors opened at 5:30, dinner was served shortly after 6 and the ceremony began about an hour later. Although it took a couple of hours to get through the list of inductees and their incredible list of accolades, it was well worth it.
Dinner was a simple fare of ham and turkey sandwiches, meatballs, chicken wings, and shrimp. Although I can't speak for the poultry, the rest of the food was good. Dessert, served after the ceremony, was a two layer chocolate and vanilla cake.
The highlight of the evening for me was hearing about the athletes and their accomplishments. Being a former student athlete myself that was, at best, a mediocre performer, hearing how well they did in multiple sports over multiple years was impressive.
More impressive was hearing the personal stories from the athletes themselves. Their humility and humbleness stood out with all of them. Through the good and bad they experienced during their careers, they all shared the honor of being recognized with family, friends, teammates, and coaches.
Grant Paulsen, Class of 2006, was an athlete in high school but he was quick to point out that he really only excelled at reporting on sports and was maybe ranked 6th, or 12th, on the Golf Team. Being a decade or so ahead of him in school, I never saw him compete. But I will agree with his joking comment about himself, he always enjoyed hearing his own voice, even when he was a kid at the local swimming pool.
Alicia Frye, Class of 1988, gave the most heartfelt and emotional acceptance speech of the evening. Hearing her speak about her time on the Girl's Basketball Team, her coaches, and her teammates really hit home.
Wayne Williams, Class of 1975, and Stanley Jefferson, Ralph Bunche Class of 1966, both echoed much of the same comments and praise for their family, their friends, and their coaches. They epitomized humility as they heaped praise on others.
The large audience was able to celebrate an important milestone for the Hall of Fame; the induction of the 1961 Ralph Bunche State Champion Baseball Team, the 1968 Ralph Bunche State Runner Up Baseball Team, and 21 individual athletes from 20 years of Ralph Bunche athletics. In another emotional speech, George Tolliver, Class of 1969 and 2012 Hall of Fame inductee, spoke on everything from the current political climate to the minute details of the old Ralph Bunche gym. Tolliver was as emotional as the crowd by the end of his speech and was clearly honored to play a role in helping honor so many that had been so deserving for so long.
2019 Inductees
Wayne Williams
1961 Ralph Bunche State Champion Baseball Team
- Coach Paul Hines
- Charles Johnson
- Alfred Smith
- Kelly Jefferson
- Lawrence Johnson
- Linwood Lucas
- Eugene Robinson
- Richard White
- Veola McDowney
- Randolph Barclay
- Donald Scranage
- Hampton Brown
- Al Bumbry
- Melvin Johnson
- William Conway
- Coach Eugene Fields
- Assistant Coach Henry Stevens
- Stanley Allen
- Walter Harrison
- Robert Harvey
- Sylvester Holmes
- Harold Jefferson
- Thomas Jett
- Charles Jones
- Spencer Pryor
- Charles Smith
- Calvin Williams
- Ralph Williams
- Vernon Williams
21 Outstanding Athletes Spanning 20 Years at Ralph Bunche
- Vernis Beverly - Basketball
- David Crawford - Basketball
- Raymond Lewis - Basketball
- Anne Jackson Richards - Basketball
- Melvin Johnson - Basketball
- Calvin Williams - Basketball
- Hampton Brown - Basketball
- Joseph Frye - Basketball
- Laura Smith Dobbins - Basketball
- Juanita Harrison Holmes - Basketball
- Joseph Royal Burnett - Baseball
- Kelly Jefferson - Basketball
- Oliver Jefferson - Baseball
- Dorothy Jackson Toliver - Basketball
- Robert "Jack" Campbell - Baseball
- Blanche Barclay - Basketball
- Christine Bland Drayton - Basketball
- Mary Nash Baxley - Basketball
- Charles Tyler - Basketball
- Leroy Bumbrey - Basketball, Track and Field
- Elaine Conway Archibald - Basketball
Stanley Jefferson
Grant Paulsen
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Thank you for this outstanding article. It was indeed a very special evening. Our Hall of Fame has become something we can all be proud of. Congratulations to all of this years' inductees.
ReplyDeleteGary Butler, President
King George High School Sports Hall of Fame, Inc.
Thanks for the compliment Mr. Butler!
DeleteI was not able to attend the entire ceremony. I did pass through so I could participate in the meet and greet. Thank you your documentation of the event. It was a joyous occasion.
ReplyDeleteIt was a fun night. Thanks for reading!
Delete