Goldsboro-Dillard Hall of Fame

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on July 16, 2014 1:50 PM

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RUDY COGGINS

rcoggins@newsargus.com

Faded from sunlight and sometimes hanging in odd directions, the framed black-and-white photos lining the hallways heading toward the Goldsboro High football locker room are about to have some well-deserved company.

Extinct for two decades, alumni have decided to resurrect the Goldsboro-Dillard Hall of Fame.

Wes Waller and fellow co-chairman John Barnes have been working diligently to recognize athletes from the two schools who not only achieved in sports, but have become productive members of society.

"It's not just what the person did in athletics, but also about the very productive lives they've had afterwards," Waller said. "There are legitimate people who deserve to be in that Hall."

The seven-person committee that includes Waller and Barnes are taking nominations through Aug. 4. They hope to announce the seven-member class either before or during halftime of Goldsboro's home opener against Franklinton on Aug. 22.

The induction ceremony is scheduled for next February.

Waller listed some possible inductees off the record. He assured that each candidate's nomination will be properly reviewed before a final decision is made.

New Goldsboro head football coach Bennett Johnson has jump-started the school's Touchdown Club. He's called upon some former members and found some new blood to help support the school's football program, and other sports down the road.

"Bennett wants to do things the right way," Waller said. "The Touchdown Club started in the 1960s with business people and supporters primarily helping the football program. It was the fore-runner of booster clubs here in Wayne County.

"When Goldsboro and Dillard merged, the Club helped all of the sports until the early 1990s. Now that we have the Wayne School of Engineering as part of Goldsboro, Bennett is pushing the Club as hard as he can."

Last season, fans gathered for tailgate festivities before Goldsboro High home football games.

Waller wants to take it a step further this fall. He plans to bring in an honorary official to do the pre-game coin toss.

"We want to make sure the high school athletic association is OK with it before we do it," Waller said.

Editor's note: To nominate Goldsboro and Dillard alumni for the Hall of Fame, Waller has asked that recommendations get sent to the attention of Bennett Johnson, who will pass them along to him and the committee.