Make that 209… Carter County Sports Hall of Fame inducts 10th class
Published 9:00 pm Monday, June 24, 2019
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Steve Hardin talks about his father, former Elizabethton High School basketball coach Tony Hardin, before his father was inducted into the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame Saturday.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Cindy Bowman presents Charlotte Markland with his Carter County Sports Hall of Fame plaque for her contribution to softball.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Eddie Carver presents former Milligan head basketball coach Phil Worrell his plaque after his enshrinement into the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders Carter County Mayor Rusty Barnett was the guest speaker for 10th Annual Carter County Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday evening at Elizabethton's TCAT.
Photo Contributed The 19 newly inducted members of the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame gather for a photo op before Saturday's event at Elizabethton's TCAT.
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders The 1960 Hampton Bulldog state basketball championship team was recognized and presented with championship rings.
BY IVAN SANDERS
STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
An idea between three men— Jamie Combs, C.Y. Peters, and Steve Lowe ten years ago continued to bear fruit as the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame inducted 19 new members into the group that grew to 209 members with Saturday’s ceremony held at Elizabethton TCAT.
With nearly 200 people in attendance, the night’s Master of Ceremonies Richard ‘Jarfly’ Dugger welcomed everyone and Rev. Timothy Adkins prayed over the evening’s ceremonies.
All attendees then enjoyed a delicious meal from Nannie’s Country Kitchen.
The guest speaker was Carter County Mayor Rusty Barnett who shared that he had enjoyed playing sports and being around many of those who were being inducted.
Also present was special guest Sheriff Dexter Lunsford and Duard Walker.
The night was filled with special memories of the athletes as each one had a special person in their life provide an introduction of those being inductee, including highlights of their career.
Many spoke of how the athletes played a unique role in their life as well.
Eddie Carver in speaking of his former coach at Milligan College, Phil Worrell, spoke of how that Worrell was responsible for saving his life at a time when he needed it most.
Carver also stated that Worrell was more than a coach— he was a spiritual influence who helped to shape his life.
Presenter Cindy Bowman shared how inductee Charlotte Markland was a great competitor as a fast-pitch softball player but more than that how Markland taught those ladies around her how to act on the field and in life with respect and dignity.
Another inductee, former Elizabethton head basketball coach Tony Hardin coached his sons as Cyclones and his son, Steve now a basketball coach at Lees-McRae College, spoke about how his father instilled many of the values that he now passes along to his players today.
The highlight of the evening, however, had to be the recognition of the 1960 Hampton Bulldog state champion basketball team as Tim Andrews introduced the team along with their accolades on their march to the title under legendary head coach Buck VanHuss.
Andrews shared how the undersized team referred to as the little men from the mountain beat two undefeated teams to win the title and on their return home that one of the largest parades ever awaited as people stood on the side of the road from Morristown to Hampton to welcome the state champions.
Each player received a championship ring and Rev. Bobby Stout gave one of his famous impersonations of their former head coach that brought much laughter from the crowd.
Stout closed by saying that the only reason that he was brought along on the bus was not to play basketball but to keep his teammates entertained.
The following were enshrined
into the 2019 class:
Charlotte Markland: Softball
Elizabethton High School
Tony Hardin (basketball)
Robert McFarland (track and field)
Samantha McClay (soccer)
Earl Sams (multi-sport athlete)
Hampton High School
Dino Senesi Jr. (football/baseball)
Kim Collins (basketball)
Leon Tolley (basketball)
Harold Street (basketball)
Unaka High School
Ronnie Snavely(basketball)
Rusty Chambers(basketball/baseball)
Lisa Peters (basketball/softball)
Cloudland High School
Mike Lunsford (football)
Julie Shell (basketball)
John Campbell Jr. (baseball)
Happy Valley High School
Bethany Forslund (basketball)
Mike Williams (basketball)
Jimmy Jones (golf)
Milligan College
Phil Worrell (basketball)
