A T H L E T I C

Eleventh Annual

Banquet

Clayton High SchoolSaturday, March 25, 2017

6:30 p.m.

Johnston CountyAthletic

Hall of Fame

ProgramWelcome ........................................................................................ Bennett Jones

PrincipalClayton High School

Recognition of Special Guests .................................................... Stacey HouserAthletic Director

Clayton High School

Head Table Introductions .................................................................. Jamie Lee Athletic Director

Cleveland High School

Invocation ......................................................................................Bruce ProctorAthletic Director

Princeton High School

DinnerRecognition of Past Hall of Fame Classes ........................................ Kirk Denning Director of Athletics Johnston County Schools

Recognition of Inductees - Class of 2017 ..............Johnston County High School Athletic Directors

Closing Remarks ....................................................................Dr. D. Ross RenfrowSuperintendent

Johnston County Schools

Photography Compliments of Lifetouch

History of theJohnston County Athletic Hall of Fame

Tonight we celebrate another chapter in the rich history of Johnston County Athletics. In the fall of 2005, the high school athletic directors and principals met with Johnston County Schools administrators and recommended the need to preserve the accomplish-ments and memories of the men and women who established athletic history in Johnston County. A Hall of Fame committee consisting of Johnston County School personnel was encouraged to pursue the possibility of establishing our own Hall of Fame. After a year of researching other models with colleges, high schools, and athletic organizations, the committee established their own by-laws and continued their efforts. In the fall of 2006, each high school was challenged to fi nd individuals from their communities who were deserving of Hall of Fame recognition as an athlete, coach or support person. The Hall of Fame Committee has met many times during the 2016-17 school year planning tonight’s event. We hope that you will enjoy the program as we recognize our own athletic heroes. Tonight we are celebrating the 11th class in this annual event. The committee would like to thank all of those that have supported the idea that Johnston County needed to preserve our athletic history. The Johnston County Athletic Hall of Fame exhibit is located in the West Campus Building on 3rd Street in Smithfi eld.

Johnston County Athletic Hall of FameClass of 2007Bruce Coats

Reginald EnnisBarry Foote

Doug ParnellRobert PooleRay Tanner

William Wellons

Class of 2008Fred Bartholomew, Jr.

Bob EtheridgeHarvey HeartleyDwight Hinnant

Glenn NixonWanda WatkinsMike Wooten

Class of 2009Jeff Adams

Mike AtkinsonGenia BeasleyRoy Brown, Jr.

Waverly Jones, Jr.Shelly Marsh

Dr. Anthony Parker

Class of 2010Ron Avery

Harvey BrooksAlfred CoatsNorvell Lee

Andy PleasantFrank Skinner

Ben Strifert

Class of 2011Evelyn AndrewsClyde Boyette

George DrawhornAmby Foote

John KernodleSam Narron

Donald SinclairWayne Stephenson

Class of 2012Rickie Boyette

Steve CoatsArt Medlin

Elbert MoyePhil Pittman

Reginald PoolePaul SanderfordRaymond Sugg

Class of 2013David BagwellJoey BarbourGary Fowler

Marion FrazierCharles Hooks

Raymond MassengillJim Montague

Class of 2014Tol Avery

Thomas JasksonDr. Donnie Jones

Mike Vinson

Class of 2015E. O. Adams Jr.

Mickey Bridgers Anissa Gainey

Alfred (Al) HeartleyJohn Chris Johnson, Jr.

Class of 2016Al Byrd

Twana Jeeter Johnson Deacon JonesJim LaughterSusan Wall

overall team batting average of .308 with Van Weeks having an individual batting average of .293. Playing in Smithfi eld-Selma Legion Park, in a game against Wendell, “Coats and Weeks” were the top batters leading Smithfi eld to top Wendell 6-0 in that game. During that same 1951 season, they played a highly recogoized and contested game against Asheboro’s McCrary Eagles. Van was in the catcher position when the Smithfi eld Leafs made their appearances in Robert Lawrence Stadium at the National Baseball Congress Semi-Pro National Championships in Wichita, Kansas in the 1950s. In 1951, he along with his Smithfi eld Leafteammates, attended the 1951 World Series watching the New York Yankees vs New York Giants. Van continued playing baseball in Johnston County through the mid-1950’s until he moved his family to Asheboro, North Carolina permanently in 1956 because of his employment with Weeks & Andrews Construction. Van never forgot his Johnston County roots, returning frequently on the weekends to visit with friends and assist with Johnston County sports. When he was asked to help with the lighting project on the original Cleveland Baseball Field and the South Johnston High School fi elds, Van was more than willing to donate the electrical and lighting materials, as well as, his expertise and manpower, from Weeks & Andrews Construction, to help get the job completed. Always thinking about how to promote baseball within Johnston County, Van, twenty-fi ve years ago, proposed the idea of the “Old Timers Baseball Meetings” an idea that his friend, ‘Spot’ Coats continued to develop. Van Duke Weeks passed away on March 6, 2008, his obituary reading that “as a young man he played baseball with a passion.” Van’s love of baseball has been passed down through the generations in his family to his grandsons and great-grandsons, who have played with as much passion and love for the game as Van had back in his glory days. His wife Edna Earl Whitehurst Weeks still resides in Asheboro, N.C.; his son Stephen Van Weeks resides in Lexington, N.C. and his daughter, Sue Weeks Flynt resides in Winston Salem, N.C.

James Cole James Cole, from Four Oaks, North Carolina, was an active sports fi gure at South Johnston High School. Before graduating in 1980, he played Football, Wrestled, and ran Track. Cole excelled in all 3 sports. He was an All-Conference Selection in football. His sports activity culminated in being awarded the Stanley Coats Award – one of south Johnston high school’s top athletic awards. Cole attended Chowan College, becoming a member of the football team and was awarded the Most Valuable Offensive Player as a freshman. His athletic and academic record attracted the attention of Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, who offered him a scholarship. The University supported his athletic talent to football team captain, and selection as Most Valuable Offensive Player, his senior year. Those recognitions culminated into being voted 2nd Team All-State by the Sports Information Directors of Virginia. Looking to contribute to the community, a co-worker introduced him to sports officiating. Soon after graduating from Liberty University with a (BS) Degree in Communication, Cole started offi ciating High school and Recreation League games, (1989). In 1995, Cole joined the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) and Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), where he offi ciated; he advanced to the Atlantic 10, a higher NCAA division four years later. Cole offi ciated in the Arena Football League, as well as being selected to offi ciate the Arena Cup in Davenport, Iowa in 2001, and also the 2008 Arena World Championship Game in New Orleans, LA. Cole offi ciated in the 2006 and 2007 National Football League (NFL) Development League, offi ciating games in Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Berlin, Frankfurt, Amsterdam for the NFL IN EUROPE. His offi ciating career culminated in 2005 when he was selected to offi ciate in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). This created the opportunity to offi ciate in one of the most prestigious football conferences in the nation. After graduating from Liberty University, Cole enjoyed a 20-year career as a state Employee with the Virginia State Lottery. After that successful career, he promulgated his business skills into entrepreneurship, starting a service company named D&S Specialties (named after his two daughters, Diana and Shimira). Cole recognizes that the opportunity to offi ciate and travel wouldn’t have been possible without the love and support of his beautiful family, Magnolia, Diana and Shimira. Cole presently resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia where he enjoys his family, traveling, and spending time at the beach.

Travis Stephenson Travis Stephenson grew up in the McGee’s Crossroads

area of western Johnston County where he attended Cleveland School. He followed his Mom, Helen, then a Clayton High teacher who later retired after 32 years of service to Johnston County education, to Clayton and became a Comet in the fall of 1984. Travis had a successful academic and athletic career at CHS, graduating 7th in his class, serving as his class president for 4 years, president of the Beta Club and eventually earning an appointment to the Air Force Academy where he planned to play football. Over the course of 4 years at Clayton High while participating in football, basketball and track & fi eld, he and his teams won 2 state championships, 2 sectional and regional championships, and 6 conference championship. Travis also set conference and state records in track & fi eld throwing the discus and was awarded several other all-conference, local and regional honors.

Darryl Lynn Lucas A decorated athlete, a military soldier, and a humanitarian are just a few words that describe Johnston County native and Smithfi eld Selma High School graduate Darryl Lynn Lucas. Born in Wilson, NC, Lucas is one of eight children to the late Robert Lee and Earlene Lucas. Following the death of his father when he was a young child, Lucas, his now single mother, and siblings relocated to Selma in the early 1970s. Years later, Lucas went on to attend Smithfi eld Selma High School and quickly became the athlete to watch. During his time at SSS, Lucas excelled at every sport he played. In football, Lucas gained more than 2,500 all-purpose yards as a runner, receiver kick, and punt returner. Lucas was also credited for hundreds of tackles and over 25 interceptions during his three years as a Spartan. His talent on the fi eld was evident as he was

named All Conference his junior and senior years and All-East his senior year. These accomplishments allowed Lucas, who came from humble means, to be selected and play in the annual Shrine Bowl and the East/West All-Star Games his senior year. His talent also awarded him Outstanding Male Athlete his junior and senior years. While he excelled at gaining yardage on the football fi eld, Lucas also showed a promising future in track and fi eld where he placed fi rst in the 100 and 220- yard dash as well as the 400 and 800 relays. During his freshman year at SSS, Lucas tied the school record in the 100 -yard dash at ten seconds fl at. His speed, talent, and confi dence as an athlete helped the Spartan’s Track and Field Team go on to win the 1980 Capital 8 Conference Championship as well as the Roxboro Relays. Lucas was awarded Track and Field’s Most Valuable Player three out of the four years he was at SSS. During those three years, Lucas also spent time on the basketball court. His senior year of high school, Lucas made the decision to focus solely on football and track and fi eld. Wanting to stay close to home after graduation, Lucas spent time visiting top local universities. In the fall of 1980, Lucas found himself on the Tarheels football fi eld, playing for then Head Coach Dick Crum. While the positon he played so well in high school was fi lled on the Tarheels Team, Lucas made the switch to concentrate on defensive back in- order- to play sooner. He started his freshman year on special teams and was named Most Outstanding Freshman following the 1980 ACC Championship Game. The next few seasons Lucas continued to transform himself into a multi-faceted player following a move to play right corner back his sophomore year. Lucas went on to play several more seasons with the Tarheels until he re-injured his right knee. The injury ended Lucas’ future as a football player. Despite the setbacks, Lucas continued his college education and graduated in 1984 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Recreation Administration, marking Lucas the fi rst in his family to graduate from college. Later that year, Lucas married his high school sweetheart, Renee Kirby, of Clayton. The two share a daughter, Deidra Lynette. After college, Lucas worked selling cars at local dealerships. At the age of 29, he enlisted in the Army as a Private First Class with a complete reconstructed right knee. Lucas went on to serve in three deployments: Gulf War, Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2008, and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2010. Throughout his military career, Lucas was stationed all over the world such as Hawaii and the Netherlands. While stationed in Fort Polk, Louisiana, Lucas and his unit were deployed to Nicaragua for a humanitarian mission. Soldiers were tasked with rebuilding infrastructure, bridges, and roads following a devastating storm. After 22 years, three combat tours, and one humanitarian mission, Master Sergeant Lucas retired in 2012 with numerous medals including the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal. After spending time in the Charlotte area, Lucas relocated to Columbia, SC where he now spends his time working with charitable organizations, mentoring under-privileged children, and serving other Veterans.

Instead of reporting to Colorado Springs as an Air Force Academy cadet, Travis decided to stay closer to home and attend UNC-Chapel Hill where he played on Mack Brown’s fi rst football team in the fall of 1988. After his freshman year he transitioned to track & fi eld and also walked onto UNC’s JV basketball program. Two years later he earned a spot playing for Dean Smith on the UNC varsity team. As a senior in 1993, Travis was a member of Coach Smith’s fi nal national championship team that went 34-4, defeating Michigan in the Louisiana Superdome. Travis graduated as a 2-year basketball letterman with a BA in Political Science. In 2009 Travis moved to eastern NC and teamed up with his now business partner, CHS alum Harry L. Smith Jr. In 2011, Travis and Harry’s team won one of the country’s most lucrative sport fi shing tournaments, the 53rd Big Rock out of Morehead City, NC. They now own and operate businesses based out of Greenville, NC. Travis was also recently appointed by the governor to serve on the NC Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council, formed to promote and expand outdoor activities for North Carolina’s future generations. Travis and Amy Hockaday Stephenson married in 1999. They have a 6 year old daughter, Lily Ann, and they live on the Pamlico River near Washington, NC. He attributes his athletic success to his supportive parents, Gene and Helen, competing with his older brother, Sandy, when growing up and having unselfi sh teammates and coaches that shared common goals. When asked about being inducted into Johnston County’s Athletic Hall of Fame Travis commented, “I have been extremely blessed over the years to be a part of some special teams and moments in sports. To have my name mentioned with this group of people who have meant so much to Johnston County athletics is a privilege. Many former inductees…Gary Fowler, Andy Pleasant, Glenn Nixon, Jeff Adams, Bruce Coats, E.O. Adams, Dwight Hinnant…are men that helped shape my life on and off the fi eld. I consider it an honor to be a part of their group.”

Van Weeks Van Duke Weeks, born on August 16, 1924, was raised

in the Cleveland Community of Johnston County by Herbert E. and Lula Coats Weeks. He attended Cleveland School until1941. Van began playing baseball in Johnston County in the Cleveland Midget League and played throughout his high school years as “fond memories of games played were remembered at the 1942 Cleveland School Class Reunions”. He would play for whomever needed a player, whenever and where ever he could play baseball. On one occasion, he fi lled in on a team that needed a catcher. Not having a team jersey, he dawned his Cleveland pinstripes and was mistaken for one of the professional players for the Cleveland Indians. Van also played basketball for Cleveland School and was a player on the Cleveland School Basketball Championship team. Having only outside basketball courts to play upon, Van would, on many occasions, clean the courts so the basketball games at Cleveland School could continue. As a junior, he was recruited in basketball by UNC-Chapel Hill; however, college dreams did not come to fruition as Van, at the age of 17, dropped out of high school just shy of graduation in order to work. In 1942, after his father’s death, he returned to Smithfi eld in order to care for his mother and siblings. Van was drafted into the U.S. Army on September 18, 1944. While in service, he played baseball whenever he could strike up a game among his fellow servicemen. Van was discharged from service and returned to Johnston County on May 23, 1946. Upon his return from service, Van played baseball, in the catcher position, in several Johnston County Leagues, the Johnston County American Legion Baseball League, the Cotton Blossom League, and the Textile League. Memories from when Van played semi-professional baseball for the Smithfi eld Leafs in the late 1940s and into the 1950s, are prevalent in the memory of his son, Steve Weeks. The Smithfi eld Leafs also known as “The Smithfi eld Nine” were a member of the Central Carolina League aka Central Carolina Loop. During the 1951 season they topped the Central Carolina League standings boasting an