Class of 2025 selected for Carter County Sports Hall of Fame
Published 4:55 pm Thursday, December 5, 2024
Matt Birchfield, a multi-sport coach known for his contributions to Cloudland athletics, is among the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 inductees.
John Hutchins, recognized for his achievements in baseball and basketball at Elizabethton High School and Milligan University, has been selected for induction into the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame.
Jerry Nave, a standout basketball coach and a member of Hampton’s 1969 team, will be inducted posthumously into the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame.
Scotty Davis, a baseball star at Happy Valley and Milligan University, is part of the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
Chris Layne, a distinguished track and field and cross country coach at Milligan University, will be inducted into the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame.
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The names for the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame’s 2025 class have been announced.
Votes were cast late last month, resulting in the selection of 21 inductees, along with an honorary inductee.
The new honor roll includes Cloudland’s Matt Birchfield (multi-sport coach, football), Jessica Lunsford Pulley (basketball), and Bob Bennett (basketball).
Elizabethton is represented by Harry Fine (football coach), Elvin Browne (basketball), Cara Bowling (basketball), John Hutchins (baseball, basketball), and Chris Jenkins (track).
Representing Hampton are Dale Campbell (football), Jerry Nave (basketball coach), and Mark Henry (basketball, baseball). From Happy Valley, Voni Verran (basketball, track), Scotty Davis (baseball), and Randy Curde (basketball, track) have been selected for enshrinement.
Unaka boasts three new hall of famers in former basketball players Stacey Carden II, Prissy Asher, and Keith Bowers.
For Milligan University, Chris Layne (track and field/cross country coach) and Dr. Patricia Bonner (coach, administrator) have been chosen. Fine, Hutchins, Verran, and Davis also represent the Buffs as former athletes at the school.
Anchored by his accomplishments in coaching basketball, Hampton alum Gary Smith has been selected for induction. Larry Graybeal, who has logged decades of excellence in bowling, becomes the first bowler to be inducted into the hall.
Fine, Nave, and Bonner will be inducted posthumously.
Receiving an honorary induction is Willie McVey, a longtime contributor to local athletics.
The date for the 2025 induction banquet will be announced at a later time. The hall of fame is entering its 14th year of operation.
