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The countdown is on for one of Carter County’s most anticipated annual celebrations of athletic excellence. Tickets for the 14th annual Carter County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet will officially go on sale Wednesday, April 10, with this year’s ceremony promising another memorable night of sports, stories and community pride.

The 2025 class of inductees represents a broad range of sports and schools, spanning generations of athletic and coaching excellence in Carter County and beyond. The event will once again be held on the beautiful campus of Milligan University, where a fabulous meal will be served and heartfelt tributes will honor the newest members of the Hall of Fame.

This year’s Hall of Fame inductees:
Bob Bennett – Cloudland
Matt Birchfield – Cloudland
Dr. Patricia Bonner – Milligan
Keith Bowers – Unaka
Cara Bowling – Elizabethton, Happy Valley
Elvin Brown – Elizabethton
Dale Campbell – Hampton
Stacey Carden II – Unaka
Randy Curde – Happy Valley
Scotty Davis – Happy Valley, Milligan
Harry O. Fine – Elizabethton, Milligan
Larry Graybeal – Bowling
Mark Henry – Hampton
John Hutchins – Elizabethton, Milligan
Chris Jenkins – Elizabethton
Chris Layne – Milligan
Willie McVey – Honorary Inductee
Jerry Nave – Hampton
Jessica Lunsford Pulley – Cloudland
Garry Smith – Basketball
Prissy Asher Smith – Unaka
Voni Verran Brown – Happy Valley, Milligan
Eula Lee Donnelly – Unaka
Bill Arnett – Happy Valley
Bill Showalter – Milligan
Floyd Jack Bowling – Elizabethton
John “Shack” Allen – Elizabethton
Rhudy Gouge – Hampton
Robert Douglas – Douglas High
Rose Morton – Cloudland

Special guest speaker: NFL veteran Eddie Brown
This year’s keynote address will be delivered by Eddie Brown, former Tennessee Volunteer standout and veteran of the NFL. Known for his time with the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins and Los Angeles Rams, Brown led the NFL in punt return yardage in 1976 and set a single-game record with 11 punt returns in 1977. He later played in Super Bowl XIV and continued his professional career in the USFL with the Chicago Blitz and Arizona Wranglers.

Brown’s journey from college football star to NFL standout — and his impact on the game as a safety and return specialist — will undoubtedly inspire the crowd.

Ticket information:
Adults – $25
Middle & elementary school students / former Hall of Fame inductees – $15

Tickets are limited and expected to sell quickly. You can purchase tickets starting April 10 by:

• Visiting www.carterhalloffame.com 
• Contacting C.Y. Peters, Jamie Combs or Steve Lowe 
• Paying via PayPal at peters5@charter.net 

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable evening as we celebrate the legacy of Carter County athletics. Whether you’re a fan, family member, former teammate or simply a supporter of local sports history, this year’s banquet is one you won’t want to miss!