Paul "Bear" Bryant
Inducted 2006
Paul W. “Bear” Bryant retired as Alabama football coach after a Liberty Bowl victory over Illinois on December 29, 1982, just a matter of weeks before his death at the age of 69. He was then the all-time winningest coach in major college football.
His totals have since been passed by other coaches, but the Bryant legend hasn’t been diminished. In fact, it seems to add luster each year. Two movies have been based on his career, and it seems a new Bryant biography hits the bookstores every two or three years. A national coach-of-the-year award is named for him.
He grew up in Moro Bottoms, a farming community near Fordyce, and became a star player for the Redbugs’ great football teams of 1929-30. He acquired his Nickname as a teenager for wrestling a bear attached to a traveling carnival show. He was recruited by Alabama, which defeated Stanford in the 1935 Rose Bowl with Don Hutson of Pine Bluff and Bryant as the Tide’s regular ends. Bryant broke into coaching as an Alabama and Vanderbilt assistant before entering military service in World War II.
As head football coach at Maryland (1945), Kentucky (1946-53), Texas A&M (1954-57) and Alabama (1958-82), his career record was 323-85-17 (.780). He had only one losing season, at Texas A&M in 1954. His Alabama teams were credited with six national championships. Bryant-coached teams finished 22 times in the national top 10 in 38 years, and 29 times somewhere in the top 20.
In 2000, Sports Illustrated picked the top 50 sports figures in all 50 states for the 20th Century. Although he left Arkansas to enroll at Alabama in 1931, Bryant was the magazine’s No. 1 choice for the Arkansas list.
Read moreHe grew up in Moro Bottoms, a farming community near Fordyce, and became a star player for the Redbugs’ great football teams of 1929-30. He acquired his Nickname as a teenager for wrestling a bear attached to a traveling carnival show. He was recruited by Alabama, which defeated Stanford in the 1935 Rose Bowl with Don Hutson of Pine Bluff and Bryant as the Tide’s regular ends. Bryant broke into coaching as an Alabama and Vanderbilt assistant before entering military service in World War II.
As head football coach at Maryland (1945), Kentucky (1946-53), Texas A&M (1954-57) and Alabama (1958-82), his career record was 323-85-17 (.780). He had only one losing season, at Texas A&M in 1954. His Alabama teams were credited with six national championships. Bryant-coached teams finished 22 times in the national top 10 in 38 years, and 29 times somewhere in the top 20.
In 2000, Sports Illustrated picked the top 50 sports figures in all 50 states for the 20th Century. Although he left Arkansas to enroll at Alabama in 1931, Bryant was the magazine’s No. 1 choice for the Arkansas list.
Clark "Click" Jordan
Inducted 2006
It is difficult to assess Clark E. “Click” Jordan and George W. “Jud” Jordan as individuals because in their competitive time they were simply called “the Jordan twins.” They looked alike and played football alike - as a doubly destructive backfield force for first the Fordyce High School Redbugs and then the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Paul “Bear” Bryant was one of their Redbug teammates. At the peak of his Alabama coaching fame, Bryant was asked about “heroes” during a television interview. “Yes, I had heroes,” he said. “My hero was Clark Jordan.”
When the Redbugs beat the Little Rock Central Tigers 34-0 before a crowd of 10,000 in 1930, Clark Jordan threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Bryant. He also scored two touchdowns on short runs after setting up one of them with an 85-yard punt return. The previous year, he had scored in the final few seconds for a 6-0 victory over Little Rock.
Another Fordyce teammate, Ike Murry, once said, “the twins just went along doing their jobs. They had more fame as schoolboys than most college stars had ever attained, but it never affected them.”
They were so identical that, according to legend, Clark threw a touchdown pass to George in one game and a fan in the stands yelled, “That’s the fastest man I ever saw. He threw the ball and then ran down the field and caught it.”
Read moreWhen the Redbugs beat the Little Rock Central Tigers 34-0 before a crowd of 10,000 in 1930, Clark Jordan threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Bryant. He also scored two touchdowns on short runs after setting up one of them with an 85-yard punt return. The previous year, he had scored in the final few seconds for a 6-0 victory over Little Rock.
Another Fordyce teammate, Ike Murry, once said, “the twins just went along doing their jobs. They had more fame as schoolboys than most college stars had ever attained, but it never affected them.”
They were so identical that, according to legend, Clark threw a touchdown pass to George in one game and a fan in the stands yelled, “That’s the fastest man I ever saw. He threw the ball and then ran down the field and caught it.”
James W. “Jim” Benton
Inducted 2006
All the way from Fordyce High School to the National Football League, nobody could prevent James W. (Jim) Benton from catching the football. His statistics vividly reflect how far he was ahead of his athletic time.
In 1937, as an All-American end for the Arkansas Razorbacks, Benton caught 48 passes worth 814 yards, a Southwest Conference record lasting 26 years and an Arkansas team record for 34 years. In his NFL career with Cleveland-Los Angeles Rams and Chicago Bears, 1938-47, Benton became the second receiver (after Green Bay’s Don Hutson) to catch passes for 1,000 yards in one season.
Benton’s one-game receiving total of 303 yards in 1945 (Cleveland Rams vs. Detroit Lions) remained an NFL record for 40 years.
All-State, All-American and All-Pro, Benton played for a Fordyce team that beat Little Rock (1933), an Arkansas team that won the SWC title (1936), and for two NFL championship teams - the Chicago Bears (1943) and Cleveland Rams (1945). When he retired after the 1947 season, he ranked second to Hutson in all-time NFL receiving with 288 catches for 4,801 yards and 45 touchdowns in 91 games.
Before settling full-time into private business at Pine Bluff, Benton started UA-Monticello’s modern football tradition by coaching the school’s first championship team in 1953. He died at age 84 in 2001.
Read moreBenton’s one-game receiving total of 303 yards in 1945 (Cleveland Rams vs. Detroit Lions) remained an NFL record for 40 years.
All-State, All-American and All-Pro, Benton played for a Fordyce team that beat Little Rock (1933), an Arkansas team that won the SWC title (1936), and for two NFL championship teams - the Chicago Bears (1943) and Cleveland Rams (1945). When he retired after the 1947 season, he ranked second to Hutson in all-time NFL receiving with 288 catches for 4,801 yards and 45 touchdowns in 91 games.
Before settling full-time into private business at Pine Bluff, Benton started UA-Monticello’s modern football tradition by coaching the school’s first championship team in 1953. He died at age 84 in 2001.
George “Jud” Jordan
Inducted 2006
More than 20 years after George Jordan’s last game, his brother Clark called him one of the “two best defensive backs I’ve ever seen” during a 1959 interview. (The other was 1948 Arkansas All-American Clyde Scott.)
At Arkansas, George lettered as a halfback in 1932-33 and missed his senior season in 1934 due to an injury. Clark lettered all three seasons, alternating between halfback and quarterback.
The Razorbacks won their first Southwest Conference Championship in 1933, although it was disallowed because of the brief use of an ineligible player. They defeated Texas for the first time that Fall, with George Jordan starring on defense and, his brother said, “quick-kicking better than he knew how.”
A 60-yard run by George set up a field goal and a 3-0 win over SMU that Fall. Also, a key play in the Razorbacks’ 19-7 win over Baylor was a Clark-to-George TD pass, on a pattern they had invented while playing for Fordyce.
After athletics, the Jordan twins were never far apart. They ran auto dealerships and were associated in other business ventures. George died at age 60 in 1970. Clark died at age 90 in 2000.
Read moreThe Razorbacks won their first Southwest Conference Championship in 1933, although it was disallowed because of the brief use of an ineligible player. They defeated Texas for the first time that Fall, with George Jordan starring on defense and, his brother said, “quick-kicking better than he knew how.”
A 60-yard run by George set up a field goal and a 3-0 win over SMU that Fall. Also, a key play in the Razorbacks’ 19-7 win over Baylor was a Clark-to-George TD pass, on a pattern they had invented while playing for Fordyce.
After athletics, the Jordan twins were never far apart. They ran auto dealerships and were associated in other business ventures. George died at age 60 in 1970. Clark died at age 90 in 2000.
Sparkman Sparklers
Inducted 2006
From 1927-1930, the Sparkman High School Sparklers, a girls basketball team, compiled one of the most amazing records in the history of sports. Representing a small consolidated high school, they scored 3,110 points to 729 for their combined opponents in three years -- and their opponents included many college and adult independent teams.
In the women’s national tournament at Wichita, Kansas, they finished third in 1929 and lost in the 1930 finals, 27-24, to the Sunco Independents of Texas.
The Sparklers’ main players were All-Americans, Queen E. “Quinnie” Hamm, Marjorie Leonard, Irene Hamm, Cozie Fite, Ruby Selph, Mable Blakely, Vyrah Mann, Dorothy Butler, Hazel Boen, Selma Green and Frances Blakely. At the time of their induction by the Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame, all team members except Vyrah Mann and Mable Blakely Williams were deceased.
They made Ripley’s “Believe It Or Not” at least twice for victory margins like 164-9, 124-5, 105-19. They beat Henderson-Brown College and State Teachers College, 73-10 and 43-18. It quickly became evident that only national-caliber independent teams could compete with them. At their peak, they were the hottest sports attraction in the Southwest region.
Read moreThe Sparklers’ main players were All-Americans, Queen E. “Quinnie” Hamm, Marjorie Leonard, Irene Hamm, Cozie Fite, Ruby Selph, Mable Blakely, Vyrah Mann, Dorothy Butler, Hazel Boen, Selma Green and Frances Blakely. At the time of their induction by the Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame, all team members except Vyrah Mann and Mable Blakely Williams were deceased.
They made Ripley’s “Believe It Or Not” at least twice for victory margins like 164-9, 124-5, 105-19. They beat Henderson-Brown College and State Teachers College, 73-10 and 43-18. It quickly became evident that only national-caliber independent teams could compete with them. At their peak, they were the hottest sports attraction in the Southwest region.
W.R. "Footsie" Benton
Inducted 2007
During his later years, W. R. “Footsie” Benton said he spent an extra year in high school - not due to academic deficiencies, but simply because he so much enjoyed playing football for the Fordyce Redbugs.
No wonder. The legendary Redbugs of Benton’s time (Bear Bryant, the Jordan twins, Ike Murry, Chink Lacewell, etc.) stayed busy as giant killers. They whipped the Little Rock High School Tigers 6-0 in 1929 and 34-0 in 1930.
The 1930 Fordyce-Little Rock game drew more than 10,000 to Kavanaugh Field in Little Rock, easily the largest football crowd in Arkansas to that point in time. It was sort of an unofficial showdown for No. 1 in the state.
Benton, an exceptionally talented tackle, and the Jordan twins were stalwarts on the 1933 Arkansas Razorbacks when they won the school’s first Southwest Conference football championship (later voided for the brief use of one ineligible player).
“Oh, we were a loose bunch, plumb nonchalant,” Al Harris, a 1933 squad member, said years afterward. “When you had guys like Footsie Benton and the Jordan twins together in a room, even a southerner would need an interpreter.”
Formally named William Robert Benton, Jr., Footsie enrolled at Arkansas in 1931 and captained the 1934 Razorbacks as a senior. An All-SWC lineman, he was selected to the Razorbacks’ All-Decade Team of the 1930’s in 1994 when the university celebrated its 100th year of intercollegiate football. Jim Benton, his younger brother, followed him to Fayetteville and became an All-American and All-NFL end.
W. R. Benton was the fourth generation of his family to live in Dallas County, and was a lifelong resident of Fordyce - with the exception of brief absences, such as attending the U of A, a coaching hitch at Augusta High School in 1936, World War II Navy service, etc. He shared an enduring commitment with his wife, Sarah Katherine Benton, to community and civic affairs. He died at age 72 in 1984.
Read moreThe 1930 Fordyce-Little Rock game drew more than 10,000 to Kavanaugh Field in Little Rock, easily the largest football crowd in Arkansas to that point in time. It was sort of an unofficial showdown for No. 1 in the state.
Benton, an exceptionally talented tackle, and the Jordan twins were stalwarts on the 1933 Arkansas Razorbacks when they won the school’s first Southwest Conference football championship (later voided for the brief use of one ineligible player).
“Oh, we were a loose bunch, plumb nonchalant,” Al Harris, a 1933 squad member, said years afterward. “When you had guys like Footsie Benton and the Jordan twins together in a room, even a southerner would need an interpreter.”
Formally named William Robert Benton, Jr., Footsie enrolled at Arkansas in 1931 and captained the 1934 Razorbacks as a senior. An All-SWC lineman, he was selected to the Razorbacks’ All-Decade Team of the 1930’s in 1994 when the university celebrated its 100th year of intercollegiate football. Jim Benton, his younger brother, followed him to Fayetteville and became an All-American and All-NFL end.
W. R. Benton was the fourth generation of his family to live in Dallas County, and was a lifelong resident of Fordyce - with the exception of brief absences, such as attending the U of A, a coaching hitch at Augusta High School in 1936, World War II Navy service, etc. He shared an enduring commitment with his wife, Sarah Katherine Benton, to community and civic affairs. He died at age 72 in 1984.
Larry Lacewell
Inducted 2007
From the Fordyce Redbugs in the 1950s to the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990s, Larry Lacwell became a significant contributor to some of football’s more celebrated dynasties, at every level from high to the NFL.
As a running back and receiver his junior and senior seasons at Fordyce, 1953-1954, Lacewell was one of the athletes who helped restore the Redbugs’ proud tradition under new coach Red Parker, after several years of football famine.
From 1955-58, Lacewell was a halfback on Arkansas A&M (now U of A- Monticello) teams that won four consecutive Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference titles for Coach Willis “Convoy” Leslie. In 1959, the Lacewell coaching career started with a graduate assistant’s position on the Alabama staff of Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who had been a friend and Redbug teammate of Larry’s late father, Marvel Ernest “Chink” Lacewell.
During a widely traveled coaching career, Lacewell served as defensive coordinator of Iowa State, Oklahoma and Tennessee. He was associated with Kilgore Junior College’s national champions of 1964 and the Oklahoma Sooners’ rampaging successes of the 1970s, including OU national championships in 1974 and 1975.
In 1979, Lacewell was appointed athletic director and head football coach at Arkansas State. His ASU teams went 69-58-4 in 11 years, won two Southland Conference titles and became persistent contenders in NCAA Division 1-AA playoffs, losing to Georgia Southern in the 1986 championship game.
In 1991, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hired Lacewell from the Tennessee coaching staff as the Cowboys’ Director of Scouting. In the next four years the Cowboys won three Super Bowls - two for Jimmy Johnson and one for Barry Switzer.
Now retired back in Arkansas, Lacewell stays busy as a witty and popular speaker at many athletic functions across the nation. He was inducted by the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
Read moreFrom 1955-58, Lacewell was a halfback on Arkansas A&M (now U of A- Monticello) teams that won four consecutive Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference titles for Coach Willis “Convoy” Leslie. In 1959, the Lacewell coaching career started with a graduate assistant’s position on the Alabama staff of Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, who had been a friend and Redbug teammate of Larry’s late father, Marvel Ernest “Chink” Lacewell.
During a widely traveled coaching career, Lacewell served as defensive coordinator of Iowa State, Oklahoma and Tennessee. He was associated with Kilgore Junior College’s national champions of 1964 and the Oklahoma Sooners’ rampaging successes of the 1970s, including OU national championships in 1974 and 1975.
In 1979, Lacewell was appointed athletic director and head football coach at Arkansas State. His ASU teams went 69-58-4 in 11 years, won two Southland Conference titles and became persistent contenders in NCAA Division 1-AA playoffs, losing to Georgia Southern in the 1986 championship game.
In 1991, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hired Lacewell from the Tennessee coaching staff as the Cowboys’ Director of Scouting. In the next four years the Cowboys won three Super Bowls - two for Jimmy Johnson and one for Barry Switzer.
Now retired back in Arkansas, Lacewell stays busy as a witty and popular speaker at many athletic functions across the nation. He was inducted by the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
Jim "Red" Parker
Inducted 2007
Optimism, determination, and a limitless store of zestful enthusiasm were the main factors fueling Jim “Red” Parker’s 50-year coaching career. His special touch seemed to be the restoring of depleted football programs.
In the Spring of 1953, weeks before his graduation from Arkansas A&M (now UA-Monticello), Parker was hired as Fordyce High School’s head football coach. The Redbugs owned one of the state’s proudest football traditions, but Parker would be taking over a hapless program at the bottom of a five-year slide. Winners from the start, Parker’s Redbugs went 75-15-4 in eight seasons, capped by a streak of 37 consecutive victories. In 1961, he switched to his alma mater, A&M, which had fallen on tough football times. Parker’s rebuilt Boll Weevils won two Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference titles in five years before he accepted his next challenge as head coach of The Citadel in 1966. In his seven years there, The Citadel’s 39-28 record was the best among the nation’s military colleges.
Clemson University hired him in 1973, and he was runner-up for National Coach of the year in 1974. His recruiting classes of 1975 and 1976 promised great success for the school, but internal political strife forced Parker out before the prospects matured. Danny Ford, one of his Clemson coaching successors, always credited him for turning the program around. Clemson won a national championship under Ford.
Parker returned to Fordyce in 1977 and opened an auto dealership, but he said he soon realized that “I was not finished with coaching.” He resumed his career as Vanderbilt offensive coordinator in 1980, and retired in 2005 afer his 50th coaching season. His career itinerary: Fordyce (1953-60), A&M 1961-65), The Citadel (1966-72), Clemson (1973-76), Vanderbilt (1980), Southern Arkansas (1981), Delta State (1982-87), Ole Miss (1988-1991), Hinds Community College (1992), Rison 1993-1995, Ouachita Baptist (1996-98), Bearden 1999-2002) and Fordyce again (2003-05).
Parker’s high school coaching record was 152-50-5. Add his results as a college head coach, and he fell just shy of 300 victories. He was an assistant coach only as offensive coordinator for Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, plus a brief stint as a consultant on a junior college staff. An all-around athlete at Rison High School and A&M, Parker picked coaching over a pro baseball contract offer from the Detroit Tigers after finishing college. It was a decision he never had cause to second-guess.
Read moreClemson University hired him in 1973, and he was runner-up for National Coach of the year in 1974. His recruiting classes of 1975 and 1976 promised great success for the school, but internal political strife forced Parker out before the prospects matured. Danny Ford, one of his Clemson coaching successors, always credited him for turning the program around. Clemson won a national championship under Ford.
Parker returned to Fordyce in 1977 and opened an auto dealership, but he said he soon realized that “I was not finished with coaching.” He resumed his career as Vanderbilt offensive coordinator in 1980, and retired in 2005 afer his 50th coaching season. His career itinerary: Fordyce (1953-60), A&M 1961-65), The Citadel (1966-72), Clemson (1973-76), Vanderbilt (1980), Southern Arkansas (1981), Delta State (1982-87), Ole Miss (1988-1991), Hinds Community College (1992), Rison 1993-1995, Ouachita Baptist (1996-98), Bearden 1999-2002) and Fordyce again (2003-05).
Parker’s high school coaching record was 152-50-5. Add his results as a college head coach, and he fell just shy of 300 victories. He was an assistant coach only as offensive coordinator for Ole Miss and Vanderbilt, plus a brief stint as a consultant on a junior college staff. An all-around athlete at Rison High School and A&M, Parker picked coaching over a pro baseball contract offer from the Detroit Tigers after finishing college. It was a decision he never had cause to second-guess.
Bobby Richardson
Inducted 2007
First as an athlete and then as a coach, Bobby Richardson took the track and field world by storm while compiling impressive Hall of Fame credentials in each role.
In 1960, Richardson graduated from Fordyce High School, where he was an All-State selection in football and track, and an All-District basketball player. He enrolled at Arkansas State Teachers College (now UCA), where he dominated distance running in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference.
Richardson became a three-time AIC mile champion, one-time 880-yard champion, one-time AIC cross country champion, and graduated in 1965 as the conference’s mile record holder. He was a member of four AIC track and field championship squads.
He started his coaching and teaching career at Crossett High School in 1966, as a math teacher and an assistant coach in football and track. He served as Crossett’s head track and field coach from 1967 until 1994. His teams won 18 state track championships during that time, and four state cross country championships. Richardson-coached Crossett teams won state track titles in four decades - the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
As a football assistant with Ed Johnson’s staff, Richardson served as Defensive Coordinator on Crossett’s state championship teams of 1978 and 1984.
In addition to the Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame, he was inducted by the Ashley County Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1995, and the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004. Richardson was voted Arkansas Track Coach of the Year 12 times, and received the Lowell Manning Award twice, 1981 and 1983, as the state’s outstanding coach of the year.
He retired from his track head coaching duties in May 1994, but continued as an assistant football and track coach until 1998. He retired from teaching in May 2001.
Read moreRichardson became a three-time AIC mile champion, one-time 880-yard champion, one-time AIC cross country champion, and graduated in 1965 as the conference’s mile record holder. He was a member of four AIC track and field championship squads.
He started his coaching and teaching career at Crossett High School in 1966, as a math teacher and an assistant coach in football and track. He served as Crossett’s head track and field coach from 1967 until 1994. His teams won 18 state track championships during that time, and four state cross country championships. Richardson-coached Crossett teams won state track titles in four decades - the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
As a football assistant with Ed Johnson’s staff, Richardson served as Defensive Coordinator on Crossett’s state championship teams of 1978 and 1984.
In addition to the Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame, he was inducted by the Ashley County Sports Hall of Fame in 1989, the Arkansas Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1995, and the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004. Richardson was voted Arkansas Track Coach of the Year 12 times, and received the Lowell Manning Award twice, 1981 and 1983, as the state’s outstanding coach of the year.
He retired from his track head coaching duties in May 1994, but continued as an assistant football and track coach until 1998. He retired from teaching in May 2001.
Quinnie Hamm Toler
Inducted 2007
Back around the time the decade of the 1920s was turning into the 1930s, Quinnie Hamm scored 114 points in one game and 1,245 in a season.
No wonder she was hailed as “the greatest woman basketball player in the world.” This was an era when whole basketball teams, male or female, rarely scored more than 30 or 35 points a game. The exploits of Hamm and the Sparkman High School Sparklers made Ripley’s Believe It or Not.
She was named Queen Elizabeth Hamm. When she started the first grade, her parents instructed her to tell the teacher that her name was Queen E. Hamm. She got a new name for the rest of her life when the teacher misunderstood “Queen E.” as “Quinnie.”
After starring for the Sparklers, who were inducted as a team by the Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, Quinnie played for Crescent Junior College, Tulsa Business College and Shreveport Draughon’s School of Business. Eventually she settled in Shreveport with her husband, John Ike Toler.
“At one time,” said her daughter, Carolyn Toler Myers, “she was asked to give some pointers to the boys’ basketball team at my high school in Shreveport while I attended there. Her abilities in basketball were unsurpassed.”
The Sparkman Sparklers kept in condition by running two or three miles to school each morning. There was a story that a man, chugging along in a Model-T Ford at about six miles an hour, pulled up and offered them a ride. “Thank you, sir, but we don’t have time,” Quinnie said. “We’re a little late already.”
“People thought that was just a joke that someone made up,” her daughter said. “But my mother said it really happened, and they weren’t trying to hurt the man’s feelings.”
Quinnie Hamm Toler was inducted by the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1966. She died at age 81 in 1990.
Read moreShe was named Queen Elizabeth Hamm. When she started the first grade, her parents instructed her to tell the teacher that her name was Queen E. Hamm. She got a new name for the rest of her life when the teacher misunderstood “Queen E.” as “Quinnie.”
After starring for the Sparklers, who were inducted as a team by the Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame in 2006, Quinnie played for Crescent Junior College, Tulsa Business College and Shreveport Draughon’s School of Business. Eventually she settled in Shreveport with her husband, John Ike Toler.
“At one time,” said her daughter, Carolyn Toler Myers, “she was asked to give some pointers to the boys’ basketball team at my high school in Shreveport while I attended there. Her abilities in basketball were unsurpassed.”
The Sparkman Sparklers kept in condition by running two or three miles to school each morning. There was a story that a man, chugging along in a Model-T Ford at about six miles an hour, pulled up and offered them a ride. “Thank you, sir, but we don’t have time,” Quinnie said. “We’re a little late already.”
“People thought that was just a joke that someone made up,” her daughter said. “But my mother said it really happened, and they weren’t trying to hurt the man’s feelings.”
Quinnie Hamm Toler was inducted by the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1966. She died at age 81 in 1990.
Houston Nutt, Sr.
Inducted 2008
The late Houston Nutt was the only athlete to play for both Adolph Rupp of Kentucky and Henry Iba of Oklahoma State, two basketball patriarchs who were polar opposites in style and theory.
To Iba, a sage of the slow break who stressed exacting precision, basketball amounted to chess in sneakers. Rupp’s formula was to comb the United States for the best and most physical ability available, stockpiling sheer talent and depth to crush the opposition.
In his later years, Nutt acknowledged that “I had tremendous respect for Mr. Iba, but Coach Rupp’s system probably fit my style a little better. I’d be bringing the ball down the court for OSU, either in a game or during practice, and Mr. Iba would be yelling, “Slow down, Houston!”
From 1949-1951, Nutt packed high school gyms across South Arkansas as the Fordyce Redbugs’ star basketball attraction - a tall, gifted guard far ahead of his time as a scorer and ball-handler. Recruited by Kentucky, he played one season before a one-year shutdown was imposed on Rupp’s program because of NCAA sanctions. Nutt transferred to Little Rock Junior College (now UALR), Where he was spotted by Iba in a junior college tournament. He enrolled at OSU instead of returning to Kentucky.
After graduation, Houston and Emogene Nutt joined the Arkansas School for the Deaf staff in 1956. Coaching Deaf School basketball for more than 30 years, Houston piled up more than 50 victories. He also played independent basketball until he was in his 40s.
In 1957, he and his brothers Clyde and Faye led the Little Rock Silents to the championship of a world-wide tournament for the hearing impaired at Milan, Italy. They qualified as the American representative by winning the national finals in an overtime game at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Later, the Nutt Brothers team played benefit games all over the state for local fund-raising efforts.
Houston and Emogene had four sons - Houston, Dickey, Danny and Dennis - who became outstanding athletes and notable coaches. Houston, Sr. died in 2005.
Read moreIn his later years, Nutt acknowledged that “I had tremendous respect for Mr. Iba, but Coach Rupp’s system probably fit my style a little better. I’d be bringing the ball down the court for OSU, either in a game or during practice, and Mr. Iba would be yelling, “Slow down, Houston!”
From 1949-1951, Nutt packed high school gyms across South Arkansas as the Fordyce Redbugs’ star basketball attraction - a tall, gifted guard far ahead of his time as a scorer and ball-handler. Recruited by Kentucky, he played one season before a one-year shutdown was imposed on Rupp’s program because of NCAA sanctions. Nutt transferred to Little Rock Junior College (now UALR), Where he was spotted by Iba in a junior college tournament. He enrolled at OSU instead of returning to Kentucky.
After graduation, Houston and Emogene Nutt joined the Arkansas School for the Deaf staff in 1956. Coaching Deaf School basketball for more than 30 years, Houston piled up more than 50 victories. He also played independent basketball until he was in his 40s.
In 1957, he and his brothers Clyde and Faye led the Little Rock Silents to the championship of a world-wide tournament for the hearing impaired at Milan, Italy. They qualified as the American representative by winning the national finals in an overtime game at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Later, the Nutt Brothers team played benefit games all over the state for local fund-raising efforts.
Houston and Emogene had four sons - Houston, Dickey, Danny and Dennis - who became outstanding athletes and notable coaches. Houston, Sr. died in 2005.
Ronnie Carter
Inducted 2008
From junior high school to college, Ronnie Carter played for football teams that won 53 consecutive games. No coincidence was involved. Be assured that Carter’s contributions to that incredible streak were sensationally significant.
Fordyce Junior High went 5-0 when he was in the eighth grade; 6-0 in his ninth-grade season. The Fordyce Senior High Redbugs went 12-0, 12-0, 12-0 the three seasons he played for them, 1958-59-60.
As a high school All-American running back - one opposing coach said he “could score from anywhere on the field on any play.” Carter enrolled at Arkansas in 1961. NCAA Division 1 freshmen, ineligible for varsity competition in those days, played a limited schedule of their own. The 1961 Razorback freshmen went 5-0 with Carter as a starting halfback. He returned three punts for touchdowns that Fall, including an 80-yarder that was a school record at the time.
Red-shirted in 1962, Carter transferred to Arkansas A&M (now UA-Monticello) where he had to undergo another redshirt season. The transfer reunited him with Red Parker, his former Fordyce coach, who was hired by UAM in 1961.
The UAM Boll Weevils won their opening game in 1964, running Carter’s personal winning streak to 53 games. En route to an 8-2 season, they lost to Arkansas Tech the next week. As a senior in 1965, Carter played for an Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference championship team with a 7-2-1 record.
He then embarked on a long and notable coaching career (150-130-6) including a state championship for Lonoke High School in 1994. Several years ago, he earned the gratitude of Arkansas high school coaches in general by leading a successful campaign to permit spring football practice.
At the time of his induction by the Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame, he was serving as Hot Springs High School Athletic Director.
Read moreAs a high school All-American running back - one opposing coach said he “could score from anywhere on the field on any play.” Carter enrolled at Arkansas in 1961. NCAA Division 1 freshmen, ineligible for varsity competition in those days, played a limited schedule of their own. The 1961 Razorback freshmen went 5-0 with Carter as a starting halfback. He returned three punts for touchdowns that Fall, including an 80-yarder that was a school record at the time.
Red-shirted in 1962, Carter transferred to Arkansas A&M (now UA-Monticello) where he had to undergo another redshirt season. The transfer reunited him with Red Parker, his former Fordyce coach, who was hired by UAM in 1961.
The UAM Boll Weevils won their opening game in 1964, running Carter’s personal winning streak to 53 games. En route to an 8-2 season, they lost to Arkansas Tech the next week. As a senior in 1965, Carter played for an Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference championship team with a 7-2-1 record.
He then embarked on a long and notable coaching career (150-130-6) including a state championship for Lonoke High School in 1994. Several years ago, he earned the gratitude of Arkansas high school coaches in general by leading a successful campaign to permit spring football practice.
At the time of his induction by the Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame, he was serving as Hot Springs High School Athletic Director.
John Ed Anthony
Inducted 2009
John Ed Anthony’s Loblolly Stables took the thoroughbred racing industry by storm from the late 1970s into the 1990s, producing horses that became household names: Cox’s Ridge, Temperance Hill, Pine Bluff, Prairie Bayou, Demons Begone and Vanlandingham.
“There isn’t anyone from Arkansas who’s had a more positive impact on thoroughbred racing in the past 20 years than John Ed Anthony, and he continues to have a positive impact,” said Terry Wallace, Oaklawn Park track announcer and Director of Media Relations.
Born at Camden in 1939, Anthony was a Fordyce resident from 1964-1986. He operated Anthony Timberlands and Bearden Lumber Company, businesses that provided more than 250 jobs in the Dallas County area. He eventually settled at Hot Springs, where he funded the construction of Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens.
He named some of his horses for area landmarks (Cox’s Ridge, Temperance Hill, Pine Bluff, Prairie Bayou) or personalities (Vanlandingham, Schwartzlose). His stable’s name, Loblolly, served as a tribute to a variety of Pine trees.
Temperance Hill won the Belmont Stakes in 1980. Pine Bluff and Prairie Bayou won the Preakness in consecutive years, 1992-1993. Preakness and Belmont, along with the Kentucky Derby, comprise the three legs of racing’s annual “triple crown.” Few owners have had three winners in triple crown races.
Cox’s Ridge finished second to Seattle Slew in Eclipse Award voting. The tragic Demons Begone, one of Anthony’s three Arkansas Derby winners and the favorite in the 1987 Kentucky Derby, bled during the race and had to be pulled up.
Anthony was an Eclipse Award winner in 1980 and 1985. He serves on the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, and is a member of the prestigious New York Jockey Club. The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in 2001.
Read moreBorn at Camden in 1939, Anthony was a Fordyce resident from 1964-1986. He operated Anthony Timberlands and Bearden Lumber Company, businesses that provided more than 250 jobs in the Dallas County area. He eventually settled at Hot Springs, where he funded the construction of Anthony Chapel at Garvan Woodland Gardens.
He named some of his horses for area landmarks (Cox’s Ridge, Temperance Hill, Pine Bluff, Prairie Bayou) or personalities (Vanlandingham, Schwartzlose). His stable’s name, Loblolly, served as a tribute to a variety of Pine trees.
Temperance Hill won the Belmont Stakes in 1980. Pine Bluff and Prairie Bayou won the Preakness in consecutive years, 1992-1993. Preakness and Belmont, along with the Kentucky Derby, comprise the three legs of racing’s annual “triple crown.” Few owners have had three winners in triple crown races.
Cox’s Ridge finished second to Seattle Slew in Eclipse Award voting. The tragic Demons Begone, one of Anthony’s three Arkansas Derby winners and the favorite in the 1987 Kentucky Derby, bled during the race and had to be pulled up.
Anthony was an Eclipse Award winner in 1980 and 1985. He serves on the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, and is a member of the prestigious New York Jockey Club. The Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame inducted him in 2001.
Sam Cook
Inducted 2009
The late Sam Cook’s coaching contemporaries enjoyed visiting with him around summertime high school all-star games and clinics. They relished his droll stories and hilarious one-liners. It was a different proposition, though, when the football season started and they had to confront him on the opposite sideline.
Cook’s teams went 250-83-22 for Murfreesboro, Dierks, North Little Rock, Rison, DeWitt and Idabel, Oklahoma.
Born at Carthage in 1914, Cook played football for Carthage and Princeton (seven miles apart) before enrolling as a fullback at Arkansas State Teachers (now Central Arkansas) in 1933. As a senior under Coach Warren Woodson in 1936, he was part of the school’s first undefeated (8-0) football team. He didn’t plunge directly into coaching; he spent three years working in Fort Worth for Montgomery Ward. “I heard one day (in 1940) that Murfreesboro was looking for a new football coach,” Cook said in a 1974 interview. “I headed out that night. I didn’t even wait for my last paycheck in Fort Worth.”
By 1944, he was coaching the North Little Rock Wildcats. In the season’s final game, he sent a 7-3 team against the 10-0 Little Rock Tigers, who had outscored their combined opponents by 352-27. Cook’s Wildcats pulled a monumental 13-7 upset, considered at the time the greatest form reversal in the state’s football history.
Eventually pressured out at NLR, he won a state championship (13-0) as co-coach with Boyd Arnold at Rison in 1950. Then he settled at DeWitt for the long haul. DeWitt’s Dragons won seven consecutive district titles from Idabel, Oklahoma, and won two district titles in three years before being summoned back to DeWitt in 1965. The Dragons had gone 14-17-3 in his absence, but they bounced back to 12-0 on Cook’s return, giving him 10 titles in 11 years.
Cook ended his 34-year career after the 1973 season. He died in 1985, and was inducted by the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.
Read moreBorn at Carthage in 1914, Cook played football for Carthage and Princeton (seven miles apart) before enrolling as a fullback at Arkansas State Teachers (now Central Arkansas) in 1933. As a senior under Coach Warren Woodson in 1936, he was part of the school’s first undefeated (8-0) football team. He didn’t plunge directly into coaching; he spent three years working in Fort Worth for Montgomery Ward. “I heard one day (in 1940) that Murfreesboro was looking for a new football coach,” Cook said in a 1974 interview. “I headed out that night. I didn’t even wait for my last paycheck in Fort Worth.”
By 1944, he was coaching the North Little Rock Wildcats. In the season’s final game, he sent a 7-3 team against the 10-0 Little Rock Tigers, who had outscored their combined opponents by 352-27. Cook’s Wildcats pulled a monumental 13-7 upset, considered at the time the greatest form reversal in the state’s football history.
Eventually pressured out at NLR, he won a state championship (13-0) as co-coach with Boyd Arnold at Rison in 1950. Then he settled at DeWitt for the long haul. DeWitt’s Dragons won seven consecutive district titles from Idabel, Oklahoma, and won two district titles in three years before being summoned back to DeWitt in 1965. The Dragons had gone 14-17-3 in his absence, but they bounced back to 12-0 on Cook’s return, giving him 10 titles in 11 years.
Cook ended his 34-year career after the 1973 season. He died in 1985, and was inducted by the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1989.
Joe Arnette
Inducted 2010
If Joe Arnette ever encountered an athletic activity he couldn’t master, no one ever heard of it.
As a Ouachita Baptist senior in the 1937-38 school term, Arnette was a four-sport letterman -- football, basketball, track and tennis. He could have been a five-letter man if baseball hadn’t been dropped as a varsity sport that spring. He had been the football team’s leading scorer and the basketball team’s leading scorer his senior term.
For the Fordyce High School Redbugs, Arnette had played end opposite Jim Benton, the future Arkansas Razorbacks All-American end headed for an outstanding NFL career. Jim and Joe were a devastating pair of pass receivers for one of the Redbugs’ most outstanding teams of the early 1930s.
Ouachita Coach Bill Walton said Arnette had “the uncanny ability to run the proper pattern and be in position for the catch, and with his great speed, he usually turned those catches into touchdowns.” His swiftness made him one of the relatively few ends consistently successful on end-around sweeps.
The 6’2” Arnette was also a speedy guard and later a forward in basketball, and one of the best shooters in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference. On the track he was most effective in the 440-yard dash and the relays. All-Conference in a variety of sports, he was headed for Ouachita’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
After graduation from Ouachita, Joe coached football, basketball and track at Helena until enlisting for Army service in World War II. After his discharge, he and his wife Molly returned to Fordyce in 1946, Joe started working at Hickey’s, the family clothing store, and Molly started a 26-year career of teaching math at Fordyce High.
Joe avidly supported the generations of Redbug athletes who came later. For years, he ran the game clock for Fordyce’s Friday night football games. He died in 1991.
Read moreFor the Fordyce High School Redbugs, Arnette had played end opposite Jim Benton, the future Arkansas Razorbacks All-American end headed for an outstanding NFL career. Jim and Joe were a devastating pair of pass receivers for one of the Redbugs’ most outstanding teams of the early 1930s.
Ouachita Coach Bill Walton said Arnette had “the uncanny ability to run the proper pattern and be in position for the catch, and with his great speed, he usually turned those catches into touchdowns.” His swiftness made him one of the relatively few ends consistently successful on end-around sweeps.
The 6’2” Arnette was also a speedy guard and later a forward in basketball, and one of the best shooters in the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference. On the track he was most effective in the 440-yard dash and the relays. All-Conference in a variety of sports, he was headed for Ouachita’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
After graduation from Ouachita, Joe coached football, basketball and track at Helena until enlisting for Army service in World War II. After his discharge, he and his wife Molly returned to Fordyce in 1946, Joe started working at Hickey’s, the family clothing store, and Molly started a 26-year career of teaching math at Fordyce High.
Joe avidly supported the generations of Redbug athletes who came later. For years, he ran the game clock for Fordyce’s Friday night football games. He died in 1991.
Willis "Convoy" Leslie
Inducted 2010
How does a fellow get tagged with a nickname like “Convoy”? In Willis Leslie’s case, it was rather dangerous. According to his son, Bill Leslie, Convoy ran away from Fordyce to Mobile, Alabama, after his sophomore year in high school and lied about his age to enlist as a seaman in a Merchant Marine ship carrying war supplies. He barely made it back to Fordyce in time for the start of football season. After his junior year, he ran away to New Orleans, signed on another Merchant Marine ship, which was torpedoed and sunk off the coast of Washington State the week before the Fordyce season was to start. He barely made it home for the first football game.
Covering a 7-0 Fordyce loss in a mud battle with Little Rock High, an Arkansas Gazette reporter wrote that “Leslie ran through the Little Rock line like the convoy of ships he had served on had run through the German U-boats.” From that time on, Leslie was “Convoy” to everyone except a few friends in Fordyce.
After World War II, Leslie enrolled at Arkansas A&M (now UofA - Monticello), where he was an All-AIC fullback. He became an assistant coach after graduation in 1950, and served in that role until he was appointed head coach in January 1954, after Coach Jim Benton won the school’s first football title, and resigned to manage his business ventures in Pine Bluff.
Leslie’s five-year hitch produced a record of 34-11-2 -- 75 percent, best in school history. His Boll Weevils won or shared four consecutive AIC championships, 1955-1958.
During his coaching career, Convoy was admired for his offensive creativeness as an eager pupil of Jim Benton, and also for a generous, sunny nature. When he died, one of his former athletes said, “I doubt if any coach anywhere was more considerate of his players than Coach Leslie.” He left coaching after the 1958 season to concentrate on his insurance business and the Arkansas National Guard. He died at 72 in 1998. The UAM football stadium is named in his honor and he was elected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
Read moreAfter World War II, Leslie enrolled at Arkansas A&M (now UofA - Monticello), where he was an All-AIC fullback. He became an assistant coach after graduation in 1950, and served in that role until he was appointed head coach in January 1954, after Coach Jim Benton won the school’s first football title, and resigned to manage his business ventures in Pine Bluff.
Leslie’s five-year hitch produced a record of 34-11-2 -- 75 percent, best in school history. His Boll Weevils won or shared four consecutive AIC championships, 1955-1958.
During his coaching career, Convoy was admired for his offensive creativeness as an eager pupil of Jim Benton, and also for a generous, sunny nature. When he died, one of his former athletes said, “I doubt if any coach anywhere was more considerate of his players than Coach Leslie.” He left coaching after the 1958 season to concentrate on his insurance business and the Arkansas National Guard. He died at 72 in 1998. The UAM football stadium is named in his honor and he was elected to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
Don White
Inducted 2010
Growing up, Don White exhibited extreme promise in basketball, baseball and football. It took a long time for anyone to guess he was headed for the Arkansas State Golf Association’s Hall of Fame.
Born in 1935 at Tinsman, Arkansas, White broke into sports at the Pine Bluff Boys Club before his family settled at Sparkman in 1946. His sophomore year, 1950-51, was spent at Riverside Military Academy, which had campuses in both Gainesville, Georgia, and Hollywood, Florida. He played football, basketball and baseball, and was groomed to be the school’s starting quarterback the next season - if he’d stayed. Instead, he returned to Sparkman and concentrated on basketball.
In White’s senior year, 1952-53, Sparkman defeated Green Forest, Newport and Jonesboro in the state tournament at Fayetteville before being knocked out by eventual champion Clinton in the semifinals. White made the All-State team and said in 2010, “I felt it a very serious honor at the time and revere the feeling to this day - 57 years or so later.
Don played freshman basketball and baseball at Baylor University as a walk-on, but by then was becoming fascinated by golf. He was a member of the Baylor golf team as a junior and senior. Baylor won the 1957 Southwest Conference golf championship. White won his matches against Rice, TCU, SMU and Texas. His best round was a 67.
“I shot against my Texas opponent to win big,” White said, “and a team win over Texas was the deciding win for us, and a trip to the NCAA tournament -- a great experience.”
In the Waco, Texas, city championship tournament in 1959, Don was the runner-up but still considered it quite a coup. “Byron Nelson, no less, presented me with my runner-up trophy,” White said. “To me, that was a great honor.”
In the ensuing five decades, he has won amateur golf tournaments all over the United States. In 2003 he was named Senior Player of the Year. The Arkansas State Golf Association’s Hall of Fame inducted him in 2005.
Read moreIn White’s senior year, 1952-53, Sparkman defeated Green Forest, Newport and Jonesboro in the state tournament at Fayetteville before being knocked out by eventual champion Clinton in the semifinals. White made the All-State team and said in 2010, “I felt it a very serious honor at the time and revere the feeling to this day - 57 years or so later.
Don played freshman basketball and baseball at Baylor University as a walk-on, but by then was becoming fascinated by golf. He was a member of the Baylor golf team as a junior and senior. Baylor won the 1957 Southwest Conference golf championship. White won his matches against Rice, TCU, SMU and Texas. His best round was a 67.
“I shot against my Texas opponent to win big,” White said, “and a team win over Texas was the deciding win for us, and a trip to the NCAA tournament -- a great experience.”
In the Waco, Texas, city championship tournament in 1959, Don was the runner-up but still considered it quite a coup. “Byron Nelson, no less, presented me with my runner-up trophy,” White said. “To me, that was a great honor.”
In the ensuing five decades, he has won amateur golf tournaments all over the United States. In 2003 he was named Senior Player of the Year. The Arkansas State Golf Association’s Hall of Fame inducted him in 2005.
Benny Mack Estes
Inducted 2011
The same dedicated perseverance and bulldog determination that earned Benny Mack Estes a first team lineman position in the National High School All-American game, later garnered him a lifetime membership to the Million Dollar Round Table in recognition of a highly successful insurance career. The day Estes played the All-American game at the Cotton Bowl, May 19, 1962, was his eighteenth birthday. That year he was also Arkansas’s best in shot and discus.
Over the course of Estes’s high school Redbug years he was named All-everything: All-District Tackle, All-State, and All-American. He was heavily recruited by Arkansas, Alabama, and Oklahoma. In spite of being Bear Bryant’s distant cousin, the Crimson Tide treating him to a weekend at Tuscaloosa, and the Sooner’s flying him to Norman, Estes chose to play with the Razorbacks. During his University of Arkansas freshman year, the six-foot, two-hundred pounder was again chosen first string and served as Tri-Captain. Estes stood on the precipice of a promising career in athletics.
Then, fate stepped in and abruptly ended that promise. Estes sustained a life-threatening brain injury in September of 1963. Following surgery, he remained on scholarship, assisting coaches with daily practice, dorm responsibilities, and recruiting. He turned tragedy into triumph, helping encourage and train others to do what he could no longer physically accomplish.
The life of Benny Mack Estes is a portrait of service to others, through his Church, community, and insurance business. He chaired campaigns responsible for building a state-of-the-art hospital and medical center in his hometown of Dumas. Estes continues to serve on numerous insurance, bank, and business boards. He was named one of Arkansas’s top ten outstanding young men in 1976. In 1998, Estes was named “Ding Dong Daddy of Dumas” for outstanding citizenship. What began as dedication and devotion to a team on a football field continues in Estes’s ongoing humanitarian endeavors.
Read moreThen, fate stepped in and abruptly ended that promise. Estes sustained a life-threatening brain injury in September of 1963. Following surgery, he remained on scholarship, assisting coaches with daily practice, dorm responsibilities, and recruiting. He turned tragedy into triumph, helping encourage and train others to do what he could no longer physically accomplish.
The life of Benny Mack Estes is a portrait of service to others, through his Church, community, and insurance business. He chaired campaigns responsible for building a state-of-the-art hospital and medical center in his hometown of Dumas. Estes continues to serve on numerous insurance, bank, and business boards. He was named one of Arkansas’s top ten outstanding young men in 1976. In 1998, Estes was named “Ding Dong Daddy of Dumas” for outstanding citizenship. What began as dedication and devotion to a team on a football field continues in Estes’s ongoing humanitarian endeavors.
1958 Redbug Football Team
Inducted 2011
Undefeated District 8A Champions (the team that started an unprecedented 37 game winning streak.)
(Beginning on the bottom row and moving left to right): Row 1: Eddie Herman, Wilbur Chambers, Junior Gill, David Osborne, Bobby Richardson, Johnny Lacewell, David Campbell, Eddie Jolley
Row 2: Bobby Rich, Hugh Nutt, Robert Anthony, Jimmy Justice, Kenny Watson, Marvin O’Mary, Bud Fielder, Johnny Fielder, Tom McClain, Gary Jackson, Jerry Harper, Don Smith, Bobby Jones
Row 3: Coach Jimmy “Red” Parker,” Melvin Gilliam, Ronnie Carter, Rondell Harrison, Frank Fulmer (Tri-Captain), Frank “Moose” Estes (All-State Honorable Mention, All District, Tri-Captain), JImmy Atkinson, Randolph Crowder, Clete Poole, Mike Summers (All-State, All-District, Tri-Captain), Larry Strickland (All-State, All-District, Outstanding Lineman), Mike Barrow, James Hay, Coach Lamar Crook
Row 4: Gary Brown, Larry Green, W. A. Raney, Jerry Hornaday, Johnny Orr, Jimmy Frazier, Louis Lamb, Benny Jordan, Jim Shivers, Ken Harrelson
Not Pictured: Robert Berry, Bob Weeks, J. S. Frazier, Franklin Strong**, and team manager, Bobby Jones
*In December of ‘58, several members of the Redbug Squad circulated a petition, eventually signed by all team and school board members, to rename Redbug Field in honor of Coach Parker. At 27, with six seasons under his belt, Jimmy “Red” Parker became one of the youngest coaches in the country’s history to have a football field named for him.
**Franklin Strong, popular student and gifted athlete, was killed in an automobile accident the summer of 1958. The team retired jersey number 27 in Strong’s honor. Strong’s jersey was the first in recorded Redbug history to be retired.
Read moreRow 2: Bobby Rich, Hugh Nutt, Robert Anthony, Jimmy Justice, Kenny Watson, Marvin O’Mary, Bud Fielder, Johnny Fielder, Tom McClain, Gary Jackson, Jerry Harper, Don Smith, Bobby Jones
Row 3: Coach Jimmy “Red” Parker,” Melvin Gilliam, Ronnie Carter, Rondell Harrison, Frank Fulmer (Tri-Captain), Frank “Moose” Estes (All-State Honorable Mention, All District, Tri-Captain), JImmy Atkinson, Randolph Crowder, Clete Poole, Mike Summers (All-State, All-District, Tri-Captain), Larry Strickland (All-State, All-District, Outstanding Lineman), Mike Barrow, James Hay, Coach Lamar Crook
Row 4: Gary Brown, Larry Green, W. A. Raney, Jerry Hornaday, Johnny Orr, Jimmy Frazier, Louis Lamb, Benny Jordan, Jim Shivers, Ken Harrelson
Not Pictured: Robert Berry, Bob Weeks, J. S. Frazier, Franklin Strong**, and team manager, Bobby Jones
*In December of ‘58, several members of the Redbug Squad circulated a petition, eventually signed by all team and school board members, to rename Redbug Field in honor of Coach Parker. At 27, with six seasons under his belt, Jimmy “Red” Parker became one of the youngest coaches in the country’s history to have a football field named for him.
**Franklin Strong, popular student and gifted athlete, was killed in an automobile accident the summer of 1958. The team retired jersey number 27 in Strong’s honor. Strong’s jersey was the first in recorded Redbug history to be retired.
1959 Redbug Football Team
Inducted 2011
Undefeated District 8A Champions (The team that continued an unprecedented 37 game winning streak.)
(Beginning on the bottom row and moving left to right) Row 1: Bobby Richardson (All-State, All-District, Tri-Captain), Johnny Lacewell, David Campbell, W. A. Raney, Jimmy Garlington, Robert Anthony, Don Ripley, C. A. Ramer, Joe Bill Meador, Jim Shivers, Bud Fielder
Row 2: Morris Russell, Bill Nutt, Don Hammonds, Ronnie “Sputnik” Carter (All-District, Tri-Captain), Kenny “Hobo” Watson (All-District), Gary Jackson, Hugh Nutt, Wilbur Chambers, James Glass, Gary Brown, Sammy Hearnsberger, David Parham, Dubbie Sowell, Marvin O’Mary
Row 3: Coach Bud Dial, Jimmy Harris, John Scarborough, James Hay (Tri-Captain), Jerry Harper (All-District), Beuford Durmon, Jimmy Justice, Eddie Herman, Don Smith, Larry McDaniel, Harry Stone, Johnny Fielder, Coach Don Young, Coach Jimmy “Red” Parker**
Row 4: Tommy Thomas, Randolph Crowder (All-Southern Honorable Mention, All-State, All-District), Jimmy Frazier, Bill Tidball, Jimmy Atkinson (All-District, Tri-Captain), Clete Poole (All-State, All-District), Mike Barrow, Jim Garrett, Benny Mack Estes, James Southall, Elbert Southall
Not Pictured: Louis Lamb, Tom McClain, and team managers, Marvin O’Mary and Morris Russell.
*The 1959 Redbugs were not only the Number one team in their division, they were ranked among the “Top 12 High School Teams” in the state. The rating ranks included “Big 9”, “AA”, and “A” schools. Fordyce was the only Class “A” team to make the “Best Dozen” category.
**In the summer of 1959, twenty-eight year old Coach Jimmy “Red” Parker was presented Arkansas’s first ever “High School Coach of the Year” award. Coach Parker came full circle in February of 2012 and, at the age of eighty, was again named “Arkansas’s High School Coach of the Year.”
Read moreRow 2: Morris Russell, Bill Nutt, Don Hammonds, Ronnie “Sputnik” Carter (All-District, Tri-Captain), Kenny “Hobo” Watson (All-District), Gary Jackson, Hugh Nutt, Wilbur Chambers, James Glass, Gary Brown, Sammy Hearnsberger, David Parham, Dubbie Sowell, Marvin O’Mary
Row 3: Coach Bud Dial, Jimmy Harris, John Scarborough, James Hay (Tri-Captain), Jerry Harper (All-District), Beuford Durmon, Jimmy Justice, Eddie Herman, Don Smith, Larry McDaniel, Harry Stone, Johnny Fielder, Coach Don Young, Coach Jimmy “Red” Parker**
Row 4: Tommy Thomas, Randolph Crowder (All-Southern Honorable Mention, All-State, All-District), Jimmy Frazier, Bill Tidball, Jimmy Atkinson (All-District, Tri-Captain), Clete Poole (All-State, All-District), Mike Barrow, Jim Garrett, Benny Mack Estes, James Southall, Elbert Southall
Not Pictured: Louis Lamb, Tom McClain, and team managers, Marvin O’Mary and Morris Russell.
*The 1959 Redbugs were not only the Number one team in their division, they were ranked among the “Top 12 High School Teams” in the state. The rating ranks included “Big 9”, “AA”, and “A” schools. Fordyce was the only Class “A” team to make the “Best Dozen” category.
**In the summer of 1959, twenty-eight year old Coach Jimmy “Red” Parker was presented Arkansas’s first ever “High School Coach of the Year” award. Coach Parker came full circle in February of 2012 and, at the age of eighty, was again named “Arkansas’s High School Coach of the Year.”
1960 Redbug Football Team
Inducted 2011
Undefeated District 8A Champions (The team that finished an unprecedented 37 game winning streak.)
(Beginning on the bottom row and moving left to right Row 1: Jim Shivers*, Bill Nutt, Jimmy Garlington, Don Hardman, David Parham, Jimmy Clark. Managers: Morris Russell, Tommy Mills
Row 2: Johnny Fielder* (All District Honorable Mention), Louis Lamb*, Horace Gray, Don Smith* (All District), Sammy Hearnsberger, John Scarborough, C. A. Ramer, Jr., Joe Bill Meador
Row 3: Coach Jimmy “Red” Parker**, James (Jim) Glass*, W. A. Raney*, Wilbur Chambers* (All-District Honorable Mention), Lloyd Moore, Terry Nutt, Rex Robinson, Carol Holmes, Larry McDaniel, Tom McClain*, Coach Bud Dial, Coach Don Young
Row 4: Eddie Herman* (All District, Tri-Captain), Ronnie “Sputnik” Carter* (All-American, All-State, All-District, Tri-Captain), Jim Garrett, Tommy Thomas* (All-District), Hugh Nutt* (All-State, All-District, Tri-Captain), Benny Mack Estes (All-District Honorable Mention), Gary Brown, Elbert Southall, James Southall. Not Pictured: Beuford Durmon
*The seniors on the 1960 Redbug team played 47 straight wins without a loss. Through grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, guided by Coach Parker, they never tasted defeat.
Fordyce/Warren games (the final Redbug game of each season) took place on Wednesday nights rather than Fridays. The atypical midweek game gave high school coaches around the state an opportunity to attend. During 1958, ‘59, and ‘60, the Redbugs raised the bar for exciting small town football. The Redbug/Lumberjack rivalry drew not only high school coaches to those Wednesday night games, but college coaches as well, among them Frank Broyles of the University of Arkansas.
**Coach Red Parker said of this team, “They believed in each other and they didn’t care who got the credit. THey didn’t give up. The big deal was the togetherness. They simply refused to let down. They knew what it took to win. We had some truly great players, but that did not override the ‘oneness’ that we shared.”
Read moreRow 2: Johnny Fielder* (All District Honorable Mention), Louis Lamb*, Horace Gray, Don Smith* (All District), Sammy Hearnsberger, John Scarborough, C. A. Ramer, Jr., Joe Bill Meador
Row 3: Coach Jimmy “Red” Parker**, James (Jim) Glass*, W. A. Raney*, Wilbur Chambers* (All-District Honorable Mention), Lloyd Moore, Terry Nutt, Rex Robinson, Carol Holmes, Larry McDaniel, Tom McClain*, Coach Bud Dial, Coach Don Young
Row 4: Eddie Herman* (All District, Tri-Captain), Ronnie “Sputnik” Carter* (All-American, All-State, All-District, Tri-Captain), Jim Garrett, Tommy Thomas* (All-District), Hugh Nutt* (All-State, All-District, Tri-Captain), Benny Mack Estes (All-District Honorable Mention), Gary Brown, Elbert Southall, James Southall. Not Pictured: Beuford Durmon
*The seniors on the 1960 Redbug team played 47 straight wins without a loss. Through grades 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, guided by Coach Parker, they never tasted defeat.
Fordyce/Warren games (the final Redbug game of each season) took place on Wednesday nights rather than Fridays. The atypical midweek game gave high school coaches around the state an opportunity to attend. During 1958, ‘59, and ‘60, the Redbugs raised the bar for exciting small town football. The Redbug/Lumberjack rivalry drew not only high school coaches to those Wednesday night games, but college coaches as well, among them Frank Broyles of the University of Arkansas.
**Coach Red Parker said of this team, “They believed in each other and they didn’t care who got the credit. THey didn’t give up. The big deal was the togetherness. They simply refused to let down. They knew what it took to win. We had some truly great players, but that did not override the ‘oneness’ that we shared.”
Tommy Wayne Barnes
Inducted 2012
Coach Tommy “Big T” Barnes was the winningest football coach (by total victories) in the history of the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a record of 69-53-1 in twelve seasons. He coached 19 All-Americans, led UAM to national Playoffs in 1988 and ‘93, and six times his teams were ranked in the final NAIA Top 25. The 1988 team won the AIC title, the only team in school history to win 10 games in a season.
Barnes’s fighting football spirit emerged while playing Redbug football at Fordyce High School, starring at both linebacker and fullback. A three-time All District running back, he rushed for 1,196 yards his senior year.
Then came his college career at UAM playing Boll Weevil ball,, where he was a three-year letterman and rushed for 1,688 yards as a wishbone fullback. In the 1969 -’71 UAM seasons, he was named Honorable Mention All AIC fullback.
Barnes moved into coaching at Montrose Academy where he compiled a combined junior and senior high school record of 98-14-4. From there he proceeded to UAM as assistant coach before taking the helm as head coach, producing back-to-back winning teams. Barnes was inducted into the UAM Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
Barnes won at UAM despite having fewer scholarships, a smaller staff, and facilities that, at the time, lagged far behind his competition. Harold Horton, former Central Arkansas coach, described Barnes as a competitor whose teams were hard to beat. “He didn’t have the resources that a lot of schools had, but he made the most of what he had.”
UAM 1988 team quarterback, Sean Rochelle, currently Razorback Foundation Executive Director, said this of Barnes, “He was always in my corner as I moved through life. He was an amazing father, a devoted husband, a wise mentor, and a dedicated Christian. I am grateful that he was my coach, and more importantly, my friend.”
Read moreThen came his college career at UAM playing Boll Weevil ball,, where he was a three-year letterman and rushed for 1,688 yards as a wishbone fullback. In the 1969 -’71 UAM seasons, he was named Honorable Mention All AIC fullback.
Barnes moved into coaching at Montrose Academy where he compiled a combined junior and senior high school record of 98-14-4. From there he proceeded to UAM as assistant coach before taking the helm as head coach, producing back-to-back winning teams. Barnes was inducted into the UAM Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
Barnes won at UAM despite having fewer scholarships, a smaller staff, and facilities that, at the time, lagged far behind his competition. Harold Horton, former Central Arkansas coach, described Barnes as a competitor whose teams were hard to beat. “He didn’t have the resources that a lot of schools had, but he made the most of what he had.”
UAM 1988 team quarterback, Sean Rochelle, currently Razorback Foundation Executive Director, said this of Barnes, “He was always in my corner as I moved through life. He was an amazing father, a devoted husband, a wise mentor, and a dedicated Christian. I am grateful that he was my coach, and more importantly, my friend.”
Jewel Larkin "Nick" Carter
Inducted 2012
J. L. “Nick” Carter starred in football, basketball, and track at Fordyce High School and was named All-State his junior and senior years. After serving in WWI, Carter entered the University of Arkansas (1913) where he lettered in football and baseball.
In 1914, after one year at U of A, Ouachita Baptist College (OBU) recruited Carter where he became the engineer of one of the greatest seasons in Ouachita football history. The 1914 Tigers went 9-0-1 with wins over the University of Arkansas, Ole Miss and what is now called Arkansas State.
Carter won three State senior golf tournaments and later coached the OBU golf teams. In 1965, along with Paul “Bear” Bryant, he became a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. In 2007, Carter was inducted into the OBU Sports Hall of Fame.
Carter was a successful businessman (Carter’s Mens Store, Arkadelphia) and served his community throughout his life. He was on the OBU Board of Trustees, served as OBU Business Manager, Deacon of his church, Board Chairman of Arkansas Federal Savings and Loan, President of the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and a Rotary Club President.
Always a leader, Carter mentored many young golfers, helped youth organizations, and was described by family as a Christin gentleman who strived to make his community a better place.
Martha Carter Nix said of her father, “Coming from a poor background, it was very important to him to ‘give back’ because he received so much when he was a young man, especially trying to go to college.”
Read moreCarter won three State senior golf tournaments and later coached the OBU golf teams. In 1965, along with Paul “Bear” Bryant, he became a member of the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. In 2007, Carter was inducted into the OBU Sports Hall of Fame.
Carter was a successful businessman (Carter’s Mens Store, Arkadelphia) and served his community throughout his life. He was on the OBU Board of Trustees, served as OBU Business Manager, Deacon of his church, Board Chairman of Arkansas Federal Savings and Loan, President of the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce, and a Rotary Club President.
Always a leader, Carter mentored many young golfers, helped youth organizations, and was described by family as a Christin gentleman who strived to make his community a better place.
Martha Carter Nix said of her father, “Coming from a poor background, it was very important to him to ‘give back’ because he received so much when he was a young man, especially trying to go to college.”
George Washington Harper
Inducted 2013
George Washington Harper was one of the few forever athletes who played professional baseball in that golden era with and against the likes of Babe Ruth. He was born in Arlington, Kentucky and moved to Fordyce, Arkansas as a youngster where he excelled at baseball and basketball. Carter entered the baseball world in 1913 in the minors, signing with Paris, Texas, retired for a year to run a sawmill he bought, then back to the minors for two years with Oklahoma City, starring at bat and in the outfield.
The majors took notice of Harper (who batted left and threw right) and came calling. He played for the Detroit Tigers (1916-18) and spent ninety-one of those games in right field next to Ty Cobb’s center field position. Harper was in the Tigers’ right field when they transitioned the position from Hall of Famer Sam Crawford to another Hall of Famer, Harry Heilman.
Harper played for the Cincinnati Reds (1922-24) and was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies (1924-26) receiving a salary of $11,000, one of the highest salaries of that era. As a Phillie, Harper hit his batting peak at .349.
The New York Giants (1927-28) traded two players for Harper, and he repaid them with a .453 on-base percentage which was third best in the National League. Harper then became a St. Louis Cardinal (1928) playing in the World Series before moving to the Boston Braves (1929). For 23 years, Harper played major league baseball and was three times (1922, ‘27, ‘28) among the leaders in batting average and on-base percentage. His lifetime batting average is .303. Harper was a 1970 inductee into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
After his career with the majors, Harper either managed or played at El Dorado, Jackson, and Augusta, and at the age of sixty, with the Camden Naval Station. Harper gained baseball fame as a player but is also remembered as the man who improved the baseball cleat. Ultimately, he sold his improved cleat patent to Spalding.
Read moreHarper played for the Cincinnati Reds (1922-24) and was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies (1924-26) receiving a salary of $11,000, one of the highest salaries of that era. As a Phillie, Harper hit his batting peak at .349.
The New York Giants (1927-28) traded two players for Harper, and he repaid them with a .453 on-base percentage which was third best in the National League. Harper then became a St. Louis Cardinal (1928) playing in the World Series before moving to the Boston Braves (1929). For 23 years, Harper played major league baseball and was three times (1922, ‘27, ‘28) among the leaders in batting average and on-base percentage. His lifetime batting average is .303. Harper was a 1970 inductee into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
After his career with the majors, Harper either managed or played at El Dorado, Jackson, and Augusta, and at the age of sixty, with the Camden Naval Station. Harper gained baseball fame as a player but is also remembered as the man who improved the baseball cleat. Ultimately, he sold his improved cleat patent to Spalding.
1962 Sparkman High School Boys Basketball Team
Inducted 2013
Three Year Record: 75 wins-22 losses, Senior Record: 35 wins - 1 loss
(Moving left to right: Team starters are indicated by an asterisk. Tournament MVP is indicated by a double asterisk.)
Front Row: Wilson Hunter, Greg Green, Johnny Rucker, Donny Denton, Doyle Lea, Wayne Wilkins, Reese Hutcherson, Travis Hopper, Travis Langley, and Mack Jacks.
Back Row: Joe Whitten, Manager, Bill Chambers*, Charles Deaton, Thomas Presley**, Larry Smith, Denny Denton*, Bobby Shirron*, John Selph, Wayne Gurnsey, Winburn Eason, Hurbert Langley*, and Coach Jim Atwell.
The outstanding young men who comprised this State Championship team had an incredible three-year run. They played in the Class B State Championship twice (1960 and ‘62) and when they won it as seniors in 1962, they outscored their opponents by wide margins (51/40, 74/51, 70/48, and 70/63).
Thomas Presley, Donny Denton, and Bobby Shirron were named All-Staters for the 1961-’62 season. The only reason Hubert Langley wasn’t an All-Stater was because only three from the school were allowed. Thomas Pesley was named MVP of that tournament.
Seven members of the team received College Basketball Scholarships and seven became high school coaches. They were Thomas Presley, Bobby Shirron, Hubert Langley, Bill Chambers, Donny Denton, John Selph, and Greg Green. Of the seven, three are deceased: Danny Denton - November 5, 2009, Hubert Langley - February 5, 2011, and Bobby Shirron - January 13, 1968. Shirron, who was not only his school’s Coach, but also the Principal, passed away in the gym before a game.
Jim Atwell, a talented coach and gentleman, taught, inspired, and mentored a team of gifted athletes who followed his lead by working as coaches (7), teachers (2), and administrators (4), inspiring the next generation, teaching others what their highly respected and beloved coach taught them.
Read moreFront Row: Wilson Hunter, Greg Green, Johnny Rucker, Donny Denton, Doyle Lea, Wayne Wilkins, Reese Hutcherson, Travis Hopper, Travis Langley, and Mack Jacks.
Back Row: Joe Whitten, Manager, Bill Chambers*, Charles Deaton, Thomas Presley**, Larry Smith, Denny Denton*, Bobby Shirron*, John Selph, Wayne Gurnsey, Winburn Eason, Hurbert Langley*, and Coach Jim Atwell.
The outstanding young men who comprised this State Championship team had an incredible three-year run. They played in the Class B State Championship twice (1960 and ‘62) and when they won it as seniors in 1962, they outscored their opponents by wide margins (51/40, 74/51, 70/48, and 70/63).
Thomas Presley, Donny Denton, and Bobby Shirron were named All-Staters for the 1961-’62 season. The only reason Hubert Langley wasn’t an All-Stater was because only three from the school were allowed. Thomas Pesley was named MVP of that tournament.
Seven members of the team received College Basketball Scholarships and seven became high school coaches. They were Thomas Presley, Bobby Shirron, Hubert Langley, Bill Chambers, Donny Denton, John Selph, and Greg Green. Of the seven, three are deceased: Danny Denton - November 5, 2009, Hubert Langley - February 5, 2011, and Bobby Shirron - January 13, 1968. Shirron, who was not only his school’s Coach, but also the Principal, passed away in the gym before a game.
Jim Atwell, a talented coach and gentleman, taught, inspired, and mentored a team of gifted athletes who followed his lead by working as coaches (7), teachers (2), and administrators (4), inspiring the next generation, teaching others what their highly respected and beloved coach taught them.
William I. "Bill" Walton
Inducted 2014
Bill Walton’s lifetime of leadership began as a native of Benton playing end on the 1918 State Championship football team. After a year at Hendrix, Walton transferred to Ouachita, impressing fans at halfback, 1921-’24.
Walton’s coaching career started in Bauxite. Soon after, he accepted an offer from Fordyce, producing a four-year record of 46-8-2 while coaching a powerhouse of players, including a young Paul “Bear” Bryant. With the help of his players, Walton built the first football field in Fordyce, prompting an appreciative town to christen it Walton Field. From Fordyce, Walton moved to El Dorado. In six years, he garnered a record of 51-9-4 while coaching Lynwood “Schoolboy” Rowe.
Ouachita came calling and Walton returned to his alma mater as head football coach, winning three state championships in a nine-year tenure. WWII began to beckon and tug. After the 1942 season, Walton joined the Navy, once again rising through leadership ranks to Lt. Commander.
If Walton had waited to be drafted, Ouachita could have held his position, but he didn’t wait. He enlisted, knowing his job wouldn’t be there when the war ended. Ouachita later honored Walton by naming their gymnasium after him and in 2008 posthumously inducted him into the Ouachita Sports Hall of Fame. In 1946, he returned to Arkadelphia with his family and became one of the city’s leading insurance executives.
Walton’s death in 1963 brought gentlemen of Southern Football Fame, including Bear Bryant and Frank Broyles, to his funeral. In 1973 Walton was posthumously inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. His daughter accepted the award and is quoted as saying her father was a “belligerent humanitarian” who wanted to help when there was a need, but “heaven help anyone who tried to praise him for it.” His favorite saying was, “If you don’t have time to do it right the first time, how are you going to have time to do it right later?” Walton is remembered as a much loved man who once finished a game with a broken neck, never seemed weary, never gave up, and consistently earned the respect of others.
Read moreOuachita came calling and Walton returned to his alma mater as head football coach, winning three state championships in a nine-year tenure. WWII began to beckon and tug. After the 1942 season, Walton joined the Navy, once again rising through leadership ranks to Lt. Commander.
If Walton had waited to be drafted, Ouachita could have held his position, but he didn’t wait. He enlisted, knowing his job wouldn’t be there when the war ended. Ouachita later honored Walton by naming their gymnasium after him and in 2008 posthumously inducted him into the Ouachita Sports Hall of Fame. In 1946, he returned to Arkadelphia with his family and became one of the city’s leading insurance executives.
Walton’s death in 1963 brought gentlemen of Southern Football Fame, including Bear Bryant and Frank Broyles, to his funeral. In 1973 Walton was posthumously inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. His daughter accepted the award and is quoted as saying her father was a “belligerent humanitarian” who wanted to help when there was a need, but “heaven help anyone who tried to praise him for it.” His favorite saying was, “If you don’t have time to do it right the first time, how are you going to have time to do it right later?” Walton is remembered as a much loved man who once finished a game with a broken neck, never seemed weary, never gave up, and consistently earned the respect of others.
Kevin Williams
Inducted 2014
Kevin Williams’ childhood free time centered around dirt basketball and fishing in Fordyce, which Williams described as a “smooth county town where it was hard to get into trouble. Everybody knew everybody.”
Basketball was Williams’ game, but he ventured into football in eighth grade, (1996). Coach Steve Baxley started him at tight end. After six weeks, Williams asked Baxley if he could try defense. “Well, get over there,” Baxley said. In the 1997 Redbug season, Williams had 60 tackles, 5 sacks, and 1 fumble recovery for a TD. The Redbug team pulled out of a slump and his senior year, Williams earned All-State status in both sports.
College coaches took note. With his size (6’5”, 300 lbs), agility, and speed, several schools came knocking, but Oklahoma State University got Williams’ nod because, “Stillwater had a small town feel that reminded me of home.” At OSU, Williams was a defensive front mainstay, started 42 games, piled up impressive stats, and earned All American his senior year.
Williams was a First Round (Minnesota) 9th pick of the 2003 NFL Draft. During his Vikings tenure, Williams played in six Pro Bowls, was named All-Pro five different times, helped the Vikings rank number 1 in NFL rushing defense for 2006-07 & ‘08, was number 10 in defensive sacks, and had the most interceptions by any defensive tackle in the NFL. Williams’ name is listed among the top 50 greatest Vikings of all time.
In 2014, when Minnesota let Williams become a free agent, he narrowed a wide field of interested teams to two, Seattle and New England, ultimately choosing Seattle. In his first season with the Seahawks, Williams continued proving his worth in all 16 games, all the way to the 2015 Super Bowl. When the “Arkansas Times” (2011) chose Williams as the “best athlete from Arkansas in pro sports,” they were onto something.
The unassuming powerhouse from Fordyce was the second oldest and longest tenured player on the Seahawks defense when the team stepped onto the 2015 Super Bowl field. The last-second loss to the Patriots hurt, but he asked his team not to “point fingers. Move on.” Kevin is a class act.
Read moreCollege coaches took note. With his size (6’5”, 300 lbs), agility, and speed, several schools came knocking, but Oklahoma State University got Williams’ nod because, “Stillwater had a small town feel that reminded me of home.” At OSU, Williams was a defensive front mainstay, started 42 games, piled up impressive stats, and earned All American his senior year.
Williams was a First Round (Minnesota) 9th pick of the 2003 NFL Draft. During his Vikings tenure, Williams played in six Pro Bowls, was named All-Pro five different times, helped the Vikings rank number 1 in NFL rushing defense for 2006-07 & ‘08, was number 10 in defensive sacks, and had the most interceptions by any defensive tackle in the NFL. Williams’ name is listed among the top 50 greatest Vikings of all time.
In 2014, when Minnesota let Williams become a free agent, he narrowed a wide field of interested teams to two, Seattle and New England, ultimately choosing Seattle. In his first season with the Seahawks, Williams continued proving his worth in all 16 games, all the way to the 2015 Super Bowl. When the “Arkansas Times” (2011) chose Williams as the “best athlete from Arkansas in pro sports,” they were onto something.
The unassuming powerhouse from Fordyce was the second oldest and longest tenured player on the Seahawks defense when the team stepped onto the 2015 Super Bowl field. The last-second loss to the Patriots hurt, but he asked his team not to “point fingers. Move on.” Kevin is a class act.
Richard Boyd "Bubba" Attwood
Inducted 2015
Richard “Bubba” Attwood’s passion for football developed playing high school ball in his hometown of Fordyce. Choosing a football career was an easy choice and led to his first coaching job in 1955 at Richard Arnold Junior High in Savannah, Georgia.
Attwood soon moved to high school coaching, first at Commercial High, then Savannah, before going to Jenkins in 1966. It was with the Jenkins Warriors Attwood found his greatest success. His six-year tenure boasted a record of 47-14-2 with two Georgia State Championships.
In the 1960’s, Attwood was one of the first coaches in his area to use the two-platoon system, and he developed a sophisticated passing attack that had college coaches seeking his advice. Attwood was also the first prep coach in the area to install a wishbone offensive attack.
In 1972 when Savannah Christian Preparatory School decided to start a football program, who better to consult and hire than Bubba Attwood? In his ten years at Savannah Christian, Attwood’s Raiders won 5 Southeastern Athletic Independent School State Championships, with an 80-10 record.
Savannah Christian’s principal, Coyle Kelley, said, “I can remember going to clinics with him. There would be a hospitality room where coaches sat around talking. The next thing you knew they were taking notes, writing down everything Bubba said. It was amazing!”
Doyle Kelley moved from principal to follow Attwood as Savannah Christian’s head coach. “Bubba molded me as a coach. He told me, there’s no way you can make everybody happy. No need to even try. Do what you think is right. Then you can go to bed and sleep at night.”
Attwood retired in 1982 and moved into college ball (volunteering at Wofford and North Greenville). His wife, Terry, said “the thing he liked best about coaching was his relationship with his players.” In 2003, Attwood died of a massive heart attack while watching the Super Bowl.
Read moreIn the 1960’s, Attwood was one of the first coaches in his area to use the two-platoon system, and he developed a sophisticated passing attack that had college coaches seeking his advice. Attwood was also the first prep coach in the area to install a wishbone offensive attack.
In 1972 when Savannah Christian Preparatory School decided to start a football program, who better to consult and hire than Bubba Attwood? In his ten years at Savannah Christian, Attwood’s Raiders won 5 Southeastern Athletic Independent School State Championships, with an 80-10 record.
Savannah Christian’s principal, Coyle Kelley, said, “I can remember going to clinics with him. There would be a hospitality room where coaches sat around talking. The next thing you knew they were taking notes, writing down everything Bubba said. It was amazing!”
Doyle Kelley moved from principal to follow Attwood as Savannah Christian’s head coach. “Bubba molded me as a coach. He told me, there’s no way you can make everybody happy. No need to even try. Do what you think is right. Then you can go to bed and sleep at night.”
Attwood retired in 1982 and moved into college ball (volunteering at Wofford and North Greenville). His wife, Terry, said “the thing he liked best about coaching was his relationship with his players.” In 2003, Attwood died of a massive heart attack while watching the Super Bowl.
James P. Cox, Jr, Ed.D.
Inducted 2015
Jim Cox’s vast storehouse of accomplishments, honors, awards, and coaching records speak to the indelible contributions he’s made to the varied and wide world of Arkansas sports.
Born in Visalia, CA, by the time Jim was 14, he had lived in 3 states and 5 cities. He began eighth grade in Oxnard, CA, then moved to Greenwood, AR, on to Fresno, CA, and back to Greenwood. Greenwood Coach H. B. Stewart and his wife, Barbara, invited Jim to live with them. Because of a coach who stepped up and cared, Jim’s situation stabilized and his life changed forever. He was blessed with a second set of parents.
At Greenwood, Jim lettered in football, basketball, and baseball in high school and was voted Greenwood High’s male athlete of year. He passed up an opportunity to attend the Naval Academy prep school because of a desire to teach math and coach. Cox was a football walk-on at Ouachita Baptist, earning a scholarship after his freshman year.
During the 1975 A.I.C. championship game, which Ouachita won, Jim led both teams in tackles, earning all A.I.C. Honorable Mention. His senior year, he was Ouachita’s Outstanding Defensive Player. After graduation in 1977, Jim crossed the street to Henderson State University, earning a M.S.E. in guidance and counseling (1978). He began his coaching career as a Henderson grad assistant baseball coach and held various assistant coaching positions (football and track), then was head football coach at Conway, Huntsville, and Hot Springs Lakeside.
Jim was the head football coach and Athletic Director at Fordyce for ten years garnering State Championships in 1990-’91. While in Fordyce, he made major improvements to all sports facilities, revitalizing the rich tradition of Fordyce football. After earning his doctorate, Jim accepted a position as the Dean of Students, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. He has the distinction of being named the Arkansas Gazette/Democrat’s Coach of the Year twice, and receiving the AHSAA State Award of Merit in 1995. Jim retired to Greenwood, continuing a lifelong service to his church.
Read moreAt Greenwood, Jim lettered in football, basketball, and baseball in high school and was voted Greenwood High’s male athlete of year. He passed up an opportunity to attend the Naval Academy prep school because of a desire to teach math and coach. Cox was a football walk-on at Ouachita Baptist, earning a scholarship after his freshman year.
During the 1975 A.I.C. championship game, which Ouachita won, Jim led both teams in tackles, earning all A.I.C. Honorable Mention. His senior year, he was Ouachita’s Outstanding Defensive Player. After graduation in 1977, Jim crossed the street to Henderson State University, earning a M.S.E. in guidance and counseling (1978). He began his coaching career as a Henderson grad assistant baseball coach and held various assistant coaching positions (football and track), then was head football coach at Conway, Huntsville, and Hot Springs Lakeside.
Jim was the head football coach and Athletic Director at Fordyce for ten years garnering State Championships in 1990-’91. While in Fordyce, he made major improvements to all sports facilities, revitalizing the rich tradition of Fordyce football. After earning his doctorate, Jim accepted a position as the Dean of Students, University of Arkansas at Fort Smith. He has the distinction of being named the Arkansas Gazette/Democrat’s Coach of the Year twice, and receiving the AHSAA State Award of Merit in 1995. Jim retired to Greenwood, continuing a lifelong service to his church.
James R. "Jim" Atkinson
Inducted 2016
James “Jimmie” Atkinson grew up hunting in rich South Arkansas forests and playing sports on the football, baseball, and track fields of Fordyce. At a very young age, Jim’s athletic talent was apparent and left coaches scratching their heads wondering, “Is there anything this kid can’t do?” Apparently not.
During his lifetime (and it’s not over yet), Jim earned awards and honors in football, track, sailboat racing, and archery. In high school he quarterbacked the Fordyce Redbugs during undefeated seasons, completing precision passes, running like the wind, and splitting the uprights with uncanny consistency. His senior year (1960), Fordyce High named Jim the year’s “Outstanding Athlete.”
While attending Arkansas A&M, Jim started at quarterback, end and linebacker and won AIC punting honors for two consecutive years. Scholarships for graduate work led to a Master’s from the Univ. of Florida in Physical Education and Recreation (1965) and a Doctorate in Education from Univ. of Ark. (1976).
In 1965, Jim joined the Phys. Ed. and Recreation Dept. at Pensacola Junior College, staying 30 years. During his tenure, he served as Head Baseball, Swimming, and Basketball Coach and helped develop many of the facilities and classes in the Physical Education Department.
Published works of Jim’s include a book, Jim Atkinson’s Archery: A Sport for All Seasons, Colonial Press (1988) and a plethora of articles appearing in such magazines as National Bowhunter, Petersen’s Bowhunting, Louisiana Sportsman, Louisiana Bucksaver, Buckmasters, and Florida Outdoor News.
Jim’s impressive storehouse of trophies, medals, and other symbols of achievement are far too many to list here, but a few of them include “Honorary Arkansas Traveler” (by Governor Dale Bumpers, won the 1981 National Field Archery Championships, setting three new National records, won the 1983 National Field Archery Championships, was third in the World Field Archery Championships in 1983, and was inducted into The Florida Archery Association Hall of Fame in 1983.
Jim, a “Man for all Sports and Seasons” continues to volunteer, sharing his gifts with young and old. His coaches were right. There’s not much Jim can’t do!
Read moreWhile attending Arkansas A&M, Jim started at quarterback, end and linebacker and won AIC punting honors for two consecutive years. Scholarships for graduate work led to a Master’s from the Univ. of Florida in Physical Education and Recreation (1965) and a Doctorate in Education from Univ. of Ark. (1976).
In 1965, Jim joined the Phys. Ed. and Recreation Dept. at Pensacola Junior College, staying 30 years. During his tenure, he served as Head Baseball, Swimming, and Basketball Coach and helped develop many of the facilities and classes in the Physical Education Department.
Published works of Jim’s include a book, Jim Atkinson’s Archery: A Sport for All Seasons, Colonial Press (1988) and a plethora of articles appearing in such magazines as National Bowhunter, Petersen’s Bowhunting, Louisiana Sportsman, Louisiana Bucksaver, Buckmasters, and Florida Outdoor News.
Jim’s impressive storehouse of trophies, medals, and other symbols of achievement are far too many to list here, but a few of them include “Honorary Arkansas Traveler” (by Governor Dale Bumpers, won the 1981 National Field Archery Championships, setting three new National records, won the 1983 National Field Archery Championships, was third in the World Field Archery Championships in 1983, and was inducted into The Florida Archery Association Hall of Fame in 1983.
Jim, a “Man for all Sports and Seasons” continues to volunteer, sharing his gifts with young and old. His coaches were right. There’s not much Jim can’t do!
Spyres Eldred Rogers, Jr.
Inducted 2017
Like so many great coaches, Eldred Rogers, Jr. was born to lead and caught football fever at an early age. His father, Eldred Sr., had the distinction of playing on the Fordyce Redbugs first ever football team in 1909. Rogers followed in his dad’s footsteps (as did his brother George, 1942), and in 1940 and ‘41 became an outstanding linebacker and center for the Redbugs. In 1942, freshman Rogers, weighing in at 184 lbs., played center for the Arkansas Razorbacks. WWII put his college days on hold while he served overseas in the Army for two years. After military service, Rogers’ education resumed at Henderson State playing center and end for Coach John “Duke” Wells. He served as the Reddies Co-Captain his senior year, and was named All A.I.C.
In 1949, at the age of 25, Rogers accepted his first coaching job, head coach of the Bearden Bears for all high school sports: football, basketball, and track. Rogers turned the Bears football team around, ending a 3-year losing streak. Under his leadership, the Bears had a 7-year 46-29-3 record, winning the school’s first District Championship in 1953 with a 10-1-1 record. He later stated the ‘53 team that scored 435 points with eight shutouts was the best he ever fielded. Rogers coached the track team to a State Championship in 1955. In honor of this great leader, the Bearden football field was named Rogers Field.
In 1956, Rogers left Bearden to pursue a Master’s Degree at East Texas University in Commerce. While earning his Master’s, he salvaged the nearby winless Farmersville High School football program, coaching the team to a 14-13-0 record in three years and a conference runner-up spot in 1958. In 1959 he returned to Arkansas and again rescued a losing program. The AA Arkadelphia High School Badgers had gone winless in 1958, and in three years Eldred led the team to a 19-13-0 record highlighted by a District Championship in 1960.
In 1962, Rogers moved up to the college level, returning to his alma mater, Henderson State, joining Jim Mack Sawyer as Assistant Football Coach and Head Track Coach. The two-man coaching staff revived the struggling program, leading the Reddies to a 4-year record of 23-17-0, including an A.I.C. Football Co-Championship and a State Championship in Track. Rogers fifth and last coaching position was at Little Rock’s McClellan High School where he turned a sagging football program around in two years. He hung up his coach’s whistles in 1968 and took a position with Interstate School Supply, retiring in 1988. Rogers was inducted into the HSU Hall of Fame in 2006.
Rogers' high moral standards, strong Christian faith, and remarkable leadership qualities inspired team after team of young men who looked to him for guidance throughout their lives. Jackie Bevill said, “I’m glad I had the privilege of playing three sports under him. Because of a football ending injury in 1953, Coach Rogers encouraged me to move to the press box, keep the team statistics, become a sports writer and P.A. announcer, something I have enjoyed doing for 50 years.” Rogers was a true leader of men, gifted sportsman, and an insightful caring coach who taught his boys to win in all walks of life.
Read moreIn 1956, Rogers left Bearden to pursue a Master’s Degree at East Texas University in Commerce. While earning his Master’s, he salvaged the nearby winless Farmersville High School football program, coaching the team to a 14-13-0 record in three years and a conference runner-up spot in 1958. In 1959 he returned to Arkansas and again rescued a losing program. The AA Arkadelphia High School Badgers had gone winless in 1958, and in three years Eldred led the team to a 19-13-0 record highlighted by a District Championship in 1960.
In 1962, Rogers moved up to the college level, returning to his alma mater, Henderson State, joining Jim Mack Sawyer as Assistant Football Coach and Head Track Coach. The two-man coaching staff revived the struggling program, leading the Reddies to a 4-year record of 23-17-0, including an A.I.C. Football Co-Championship and a State Championship in Track. Rogers fifth and last coaching position was at Little Rock’s McClellan High School where he turned a sagging football program around in two years. He hung up his coach’s whistles in 1968 and took a position with Interstate School Supply, retiring in 1988. Rogers was inducted into the HSU Hall of Fame in 2006.
Rogers' high moral standards, strong Christian faith, and remarkable leadership qualities inspired team after team of young men who looked to him for guidance throughout their lives. Jackie Bevill said, “I’m glad I had the privilege of playing three sports under him. Because of a football ending injury in 1953, Coach Rogers encouraged me to move to the press box, keep the team statistics, become a sports writer and P.A. announcer, something I have enjoyed doing for 50 years.” Rogers was a true leader of men, gifted sportsman, and an insightful caring coach who taught his boys to win in all walks of life.
John E. Hearnsberger, II MD
Inducted 2018
In 1958, when Fordyce Coach Jimmy “Red” Parker created a 6th grade track team, he asked his new young prospects, “Who is the fastest?” Without exception they pointed in Johnny’s direction, “Hamburger”, Johnny’s childhood nickname. His friends knew what the state would soon learn...this kid is fast.
From 6th grade forward, Johnny sprinted through track events, collecting a plethora of wins and records. His high school Sophomore year, he anchored all relays, ran all sprints, and won the 440 at State. He came into his own his Jr. year at the Oil Belt Relays winning the 100 in 10 flat. He won the 100, 220, and 440 at district and state. At State (Quigley), the field for the 100 included 3 sprinters previously clocked at 9.9, including Johnny who’d done it twice. “He smoked ‘em!” His best 100 ever. Time: 10:3. He remains firmly convinced they ran 105 yards that night. At the Meet of Champs, he won the 100 (10.1) and finished 2nd in the 440 (48.8) to R. Hegenberger (48.2), both A and AAA State & MOC records. Twice when the mile relay baton hit his hand, he made up over 100 yds to win. The Arkansas Gazette (‘64 & ‘65) named him “Athlete of the Year” Class A Track.
Johnny attended Baylor on a track scholarship, starting all relays for the freshmen Bears. At the prestigious Texas Relays, he was awed by Olympians on the field, including world champions Ralph Boston (broad jump) and Randy Matson (shot put). The highlight was hearing over the PA, “Baylor hands off first” as he finished the first 220 leg of the sprint medley relay. Realizing speed cannot be coached and having reached his potential, Johnny ended his track career and got serious about pre-med.
John approached medicine with the same dedication he gave to track, earning a Zoology BA at U of AR (‘69), an MD at UAMS (‘73), Jeff Banks Award: Gross Anatomy (‘70), Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (‘73), 4-yr residency in General Surgery & 1-yr in Thoracic Surgery (‘78). John established the first General Surgery program at Howard County Hospital (Nashville, AR, ‘78-’90), returned to UAMS for a 2nd Thoracic Surgery Residency, then had a Little Rock private practice consisting primarily of adult heart surgery, including heart transplants. John returned to his general surgery roots (‘04) in Nashville, became Chief of Staff at Howard Memorial Hospital and serves on the Board of Directors. Gov. Mike Beebe, appointed John to the Ark. State Medical Board where he served 6 years. In the wake of 40 years of practice, John has thousands of patients grateful for his dedicated service. The fast kid did good!
Read moreJohnny attended Baylor on a track scholarship, starting all relays for the freshmen Bears. At the prestigious Texas Relays, he was awed by Olympians on the field, including world champions Ralph Boston (broad jump) and Randy Matson (shot put). The highlight was hearing over the PA, “Baylor hands off first” as he finished the first 220 leg of the sprint medley relay. Realizing speed cannot be coached and having reached his potential, Johnny ended his track career and got serious about pre-med.
John approached medicine with the same dedication he gave to track, earning a Zoology BA at U of AR (‘69), an MD at UAMS (‘73), Jeff Banks Award: Gross Anatomy (‘70), Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society (‘73), 4-yr residency in General Surgery & 1-yr in Thoracic Surgery (‘78). John established the first General Surgery program at Howard County Hospital (Nashville, AR, ‘78-’90), returned to UAMS for a 2nd Thoracic Surgery Residency, then had a Little Rock private practice consisting primarily of adult heart surgery, including heart transplants. John returned to his general surgery roots (‘04) in Nashville, became Chief of Staff at Howard Memorial Hospital and serves on the Board of Directors. Gov. Mike Beebe, appointed John to the Ark. State Medical Board where he served 6 years. In the wake of 40 years of practice, John has thousands of patients grateful for his dedicated service. The fast kid did good!
Raymond Henry Bass
Inducted 2019
On August 30, 1945, twelve US Navy Submarines rendezvoused with task group “Benny’s Peacemakers” to participate in the formal surrender of the Empire of Japan in Tokyo Bay, Japan. The “Benny” of “Benny’s Peacemakers” referred to Arkansas and Dallas County’s own Rear Admiral Raymond Henry “Ben” Bass.
Raymond “Ben” Bass, who was born in Eaglette, lost his father at age six and took a job delivering ice to help his mother support the family. At a very early age he developed a strong work ethic and a muscular body. At sixteen, he joined the Navy where high scores on extremely competitive tests earned him entrance into the US Naval Academy in 1927. At the Academy, Bass excelled in academics and rope climbing. In 1932, Bass won the Rope Climbing Gold Medal in the Los Angeles Olympics. He set a record of 6.7 seconds in the 8-meter Rope Climb.
Twenty-seven years later, in 1959, he was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in Indianapolis for his record-holding rope climb. The International Olympic Committee voted out the Rope Climb event after the 1932 Olympics. In 1961 when Bass returned to the Naval Academy for his 50th reunion, he was delighted to find himself honored as the undisputed record holder for this Olympic event. He credited his Naval Academy Coach, Lou Mang, who developed a technique of rope climbing that involved the principles of balance and rhythm. Bass remains the undisputed record holder of the Olympic Rope Climbing event to this day.
Bass began his WWII career as the Commander of the submarine, Plunger, and was the only sub skipper to survive two missions into the dangerous Sea of Japan. Slated for a third when the war ended, he was put in command of 12 submarines dubbed “Benny’s Peacemakers”, joining the VJ Day ceremonies. During peacetime, Bass commanded a fleet of 55 submarines in the Atlantic, the troop transport Rockbridge in the Mediterranean and the heavy cruiser Bremeton in the Far East. Bass’s exemplary Navy service earned two Navy Crosses, a Silver Star, two Legion of Merit Awards, the Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Unit Citation. Bass’s distinguished service garnered praise for extraordinary heroism, his conduct an inspiration to his officers and men.
After he retired from the Navy in 1959, Bass joined Bendix Electrodynamics in the San Fernando Valley. His quest for knowledge never retired. In the course of a very active lifetime he earned a Bachelor of Science from the Naval Academy, and both a Master’s in Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration from UCLA.
In 1972 when Bass retired from Bendix at age sixty-two, he went back to the classroom, earned a real estate license and became a Glendale, CA Real Estate Agent. When he retired a third time, in 1992 at age eighty-two, he had made such a mark the Glendale Board of Realtors and the Glendale City Council planted a tree in his honor in Mayor’s Park. In death at age eighty-seven, Bass was survived by wife, Marjorie; two sons, Raymond Jr. and Robert, and a daughter, Elena. Bass’s life was noteworthy to the end.
Read moreTwenty-seven years later, in 1959, he was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in Indianapolis for his record-holding rope climb. The International Olympic Committee voted out the Rope Climb event after the 1932 Olympics. In 1961 when Bass returned to the Naval Academy for his 50th reunion, he was delighted to find himself honored as the undisputed record holder for this Olympic event. He credited his Naval Academy Coach, Lou Mang, who developed a technique of rope climbing that involved the principles of balance and rhythm. Bass remains the undisputed record holder of the Olympic Rope Climbing event to this day.
Bass began his WWII career as the Commander of the submarine, Plunger, and was the only sub skipper to survive two missions into the dangerous Sea of Japan. Slated for a third when the war ended, he was put in command of 12 submarines dubbed “Benny’s Peacemakers”, joining the VJ Day ceremonies. During peacetime, Bass commanded a fleet of 55 submarines in the Atlantic, the troop transport Rockbridge in the Mediterranean and the heavy cruiser Bremeton in the Far East. Bass’s exemplary Navy service earned two Navy Crosses, a Silver Star, two Legion of Merit Awards, the Navy Commendation Medal, and Navy Unit Citation. Bass’s distinguished service garnered praise for extraordinary heroism, his conduct an inspiration to his officers and men.
After he retired from the Navy in 1959, Bass joined Bendix Electrodynamics in the San Fernando Valley. His quest for knowledge never retired. In the course of a very active lifetime he earned a Bachelor of Science from the Naval Academy, and both a Master’s in Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration from UCLA.
In 1972 when Bass retired from Bendix at age sixty-two, he went back to the classroom, earned a real estate license and became a Glendale, CA Real Estate Agent. When he retired a third time, in 1992 at age eighty-two, he had made such a mark the Glendale Board of Realtors and the Glendale City Council planted a tree in his honor in Mayor’s Park. In death at age eighty-seven, Bass was survived by wife, Marjorie; two sons, Raymond Jr. and Robert, and a daughter, Elena. Bass’s life was noteworthy to the end.
Donny Denton
Inducted 2019
Donny Denton has been active in school, community, athletic and church activities all his life, as were his parents, Zola “Sport” and Dorothy Shirron Denton before him. A talented athlete, Denton excelled in all sports at Sparkman, AR High School, shining the brightest on the basketball court, where he earned All District honors his junior and senior years. In the 1964 Arkansas High School All-Star Game he led the West to victory and was voted their “Outstanding Player.”
In 1965, Denton received a full basketball scholarship to Southern State College in Magnolia, AR to play for Coach W. T. Watson. He started all four years and achieved All AIC honors in 1966, 1967, and 1968. Denton led his team to the AIC Championship in 1966 and 1967, attaining honorable mention All-American in basketball and Outstanding Physical Education Major at graduation. Coach Bob Evans said, “Of all the athletes I coached, Donny was the best athlete I ever coached and the best individual.”
After graduation, Denton returned to Sparkman and spent the next twenty-eight years coaching basketball at Benton and Sparkman High Schools and was named 7-A Coach of the Year in 1988. During twenty-six of those coaching years, he also served as Principal for Sparkman High School.
Like his parents before him, Denton and his wife, Irma (Huneycutt), and their children Todd and Gina are a farm family. Their farming roots run deep, teaching them to live their lives with hardworking grace, a deep sense of responsibility, and a quiet dignity. Denton and Irma have been honored as “Farm Family of the Year” winners, signifying the professional, caring, and profitable manner in which they work and manage their farm, cattle operation, and several hundred acres of Pine and Hardwood timberlands.
Paul Harvey said in his “So God made a Farmer” speech, “God looked down on His planned paradise and knew it needed a caregiver, so God made a farmer.” Harvey went on to describe that caregiving farmer as somebody strong yet gentle, willing to work long hours and still spend nights at a four-hour school board meeting, somebody who could weather tragedy and loss and come away with a positive attitude about the future. Harvey’s description fits Donny Denton.
Donny and Irma are members of the local Methodist Church where Irma plays the piano for church services. Denton has served as a Sparkman School Board member, Chairman of the Administrative Board of the Sparkman Scholarship Foundation, and most recently Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee for the Sparkman United Methodist Church. The Denton family is noted for generations of service to their family, their farm, and the people who make up their community. Their friend, Don White, called them an “All American Family.” Paul Harvey would surely agree.
Read moreAfter graduation, Denton returned to Sparkman and spent the next twenty-eight years coaching basketball at Benton and Sparkman High Schools and was named 7-A Coach of the Year in 1988. During twenty-six of those coaching years, he also served as Principal for Sparkman High School.
Like his parents before him, Denton and his wife, Irma (Huneycutt), and their children Todd and Gina are a farm family. Their farming roots run deep, teaching them to live their lives with hardworking grace, a deep sense of responsibility, and a quiet dignity. Denton and Irma have been honored as “Farm Family of the Year” winners, signifying the professional, caring, and profitable manner in which they work and manage their farm, cattle operation, and several hundred acres of Pine and Hardwood timberlands.
Paul Harvey said in his “So God made a Farmer” speech, “God looked down on His planned paradise and knew it needed a caregiver, so God made a farmer.” Harvey went on to describe that caregiving farmer as somebody strong yet gentle, willing to work long hours and still spend nights at a four-hour school board meeting, somebody who could weather tragedy and loss and come away with a positive attitude about the future. Harvey’s description fits Donny Denton.
Donny and Irma are members of the local Methodist Church where Irma plays the piano for church services. Denton has served as a Sparkman School Board member, Chairman of the Administrative Board of the Sparkman Scholarship Foundation, and most recently Chairman of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee for the Sparkman United Methodist Church. The Denton family is noted for generations of service to their family, their farm, and the people who make up their community. Their friend, Don White, called them an “All American Family.” Paul Harvey would surely agree.
Thomas E. Presley
Inducted 2020
To say Thomas E. Presley was a fine athlete is an understatement. In 1960, playing basketball at Sparkman High School, he was the first sophomore ever selected to an Arkansas All-State BB team. His senior year, 1962, he was the MVP in the State BB Tournament, scoring 22 points in the finals against Scranton, and was again selected for the All-State team. Thomas was named All-District for 5 of his 6 high school years.
Thomas was also on Sparkman’s football team and was awarded All-District distinction for 2 years. His third sport was Volleyball, and in ‘62 Thomas was named MVP in that state tournament and was selected to the Arkansas VB All-State Team.
Is it any wonder Thomas was offered a Henderson State University BB scholarship? He accepted and played for Coaches Morton Hutto and Don Dyer, earning a BA in Physical Education in 1967. His teammates remember him as someone who loved the game and outworked everyone. Donny Denton remembers him as the player he wanted to guard. He said, “Thomas was recognized as the best player in our area, and by guarding him, he helped me become a better player.”
After college, Thomas taught and coached football and basketball at Sparkman and Foreman, before moving south to coach both sports in Hooks, Texas. It was in Hooks he mentored and coached a young talented FB player, Billy Sims, who went on to play for Oklahoma (winning the Heisman Trophy) and professional football with the Detroit Lions.
From Hooks, Thomas moved again to coach/teach in Texarkana, TX and later in Lamar Consolidated Schools in Rosenberg, TX. While at Rosenberg, another noteworthy player Thomas mentored and coached was Michael Lewis who played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Thomas’s coaching/teaching career spanned 30 years, during which he was honored with 6 “Coach of the Year” and “Teacher of the Year” awards. He married the former Amy Manning, also of Sparkman and also a teacher. They are both retired now and live near their 2 children and 3 grandchildren in Little Elm, TX. He’s proud of his former players, notably those who went on to play college and professional football.
Read moreIs it any wonder Thomas was offered a Henderson State University BB scholarship? He accepted and played for Coaches Morton Hutto and Don Dyer, earning a BA in Physical Education in 1967. His teammates remember him as someone who loved the game and outworked everyone. Donny Denton remembers him as the player he wanted to guard. He said, “Thomas was recognized as the best player in our area, and by guarding him, he helped me become a better player.”
After college, Thomas taught and coached football and basketball at Sparkman and Foreman, before moving south to coach both sports in Hooks, Texas. It was in Hooks he mentored and coached a young talented FB player, Billy Sims, who went on to play for Oklahoma (winning the Heisman Trophy) and professional football with the Detroit Lions.
From Hooks, Thomas moved again to coach/teach in Texarkana, TX and later in Lamar Consolidated Schools in Rosenberg, TX. While at Rosenberg, another noteworthy player Thomas mentored and coached was Michael Lewis who played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Thomas’s coaching/teaching career spanned 30 years, during which he was honored with 6 “Coach of the Year” and “Teacher of the Year” awards. He married the former Amy Manning, also of Sparkman and also a teacher. They are both retired now and live near their 2 children and 3 grandchildren in Little Elm, TX. He’s proud of his former players, notably those who went on to play college and professional football.
Gordon Hornaday
Inducted 2020
Gordon Hornaday was a three-sport letterman at Fordyce High School (Football, Basketball, and Track), was the lead scorer in basketball, and was awarded the distinction of All-District Basketball Player and Honorable Mention Football Player. Gordon had the privilege of playing Fordyce football for Coach Jimmy “Red” Parker (Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame recipient in 1998) and Coach Sonny Whittington.
After graduating high school in 1965, Gordon earned a Bachelor’s in Education from UAM. During his college years he began officiating.
In 1967 Gordon joined the Arkansas Officials Association, officiating basketball for 40 years and football for 35 years. He officiated District, Regional and State basketball tournaments, 2 AHSCA All-Star basketball games, and over 10 State football playoff games and finals, including the 1995 and 2005 State Finals. During summers Gordon could be found umpiring softball, including many District and State tournaments.
In 1974, Gordon began his teaching career at the Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock under the direction of Coach Houston Nutt, Sr. (1997 inductee into the Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame).
From 1974 to 1976, he served as Assistant Basketball Coach at UAM. From 1976 to 1981, he assisted Coach Butch Ferriter with starting the athletic program at Pulaski Academy. In 1981 he transitioned to Pulaski County Special School District, the last 19 years of his career at Sylvan Hills. Gordon retired in 2005, after 34 years of coaching and teaching.
In addition to officiating, coaching and teaching, Gordon served his country in the Arkansas Army National Guard for 20 years, retiring as Staff Sergeant in 1996.
The “Arkansas Officials Hall of Fame” honored Gordon with an induction in 2013 paying tribute to his outstanding years of officiating service. In 2019, he was awarded the State Award for Outstanding Service/Support of the Arkansas High School Activities Association from the National Federation of State High School Association. He was the only person in Arkansas awarded this honor.
Read moreIn 1967 Gordon joined the Arkansas Officials Association, officiating basketball for 40 years and football for 35 years. He officiated District, Regional and State basketball tournaments, 2 AHSCA All-Star basketball games, and over 10 State football playoff games and finals, including the 1995 and 2005 State Finals. During summers Gordon could be found umpiring softball, including many District and State tournaments.
In 1974, Gordon began his teaching career at the Arkansas School for the Deaf in Little Rock under the direction of Coach Houston Nutt, Sr. (1997 inductee into the Dallas County Sports Hall of Fame).
From 1974 to 1976, he served as Assistant Basketball Coach at UAM. From 1976 to 1981, he assisted Coach Butch Ferriter with starting the athletic program at Pulaski Academy. In 1981 he transitioned to Pulaski County Special School District, the last 19 years of his career at Sylvan Hills. Gordon retired in 2005, after 34 years of coaching and teaching.
In addition to officiating, coaching and teaching, Gordon served his country in the Arkansas Army National Guard for 20 years, retiring as Staff Sergeant in 1996.
The “Arkansas Officials Hall of Fame” honored Gordon with an induction in 2013 paying tribute to his outstanding years of officiating service. In 2019, he was awarded the State Award for Outstanding Service/Support of the Arkansas High School Activities Association from the National Federation of State High School Association. He was the only person in Arkansas awarded this honor.