WHITFIELD HALL OF FAME: 45th class has 'local' flavor

By admin
Published in Sports on January 12, 2017 7:49 AM

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rcoggins@newsargus.com

There's no telling what can happen when George Whitfield unexpectedly knocks on your door.

His visit certainly surprised Charles Davis.

The two discussed Davis' recovery from knee replacement surgery, chewed the fat about baseball a little bit and then Whitfield popped the question.

Would Davis accept an invitation for induction into Whitfield's Hall of Fame?

Needless to say the query left Davis a little speechless.

"For somebody like Coach Whitfield and the person with the esteem he has, it's very humbling for him to think of me," said Davis, who is a Deacon and Sunday school teacher at Union Grove Free Will Baptist Church.

"The thing about it, it's not all sports-related. He brings in every year, that I've either attended or read about, different people from all walks of life. I feel very honored and humbled about it. I really do."

Whitfield's 45th class of enshrinees continues to uphold the standard he set when he inducted his first class while in Rockingham County.

This year's group includes:

* Retired Brigadier General Arnold N. Gordon-Bray;

* Miss North Carolina runner-up Helen Goldsby, who former President Bill Clinton said "I could listen to Helen Goldsby sing all day long";

* Buddy Green, former defensive coordinator at the US Naval Academy, which won seven Commander-in-Chief Trophies during his tenure on staff;

* Stan Johnson, who has umpired Division I baseball for three-plus decades;

* Paul Kostacopoulos, who groomed 75 players to become Commissioned Officers in the Navy;

* William Stone, who has performed at the Metropolitan Opera.

That's just a hint of the prestigious 23-member group that will be inducted Friday evening. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. inside the Goldsboro High School auditorium.

"It's an honor to receive anything that precedes Coach Whit," said Tommy Eason, a former sixth-round draft pick by the Philadelphia Phillies who is now head coach Pitt Community College.

"It's pretty special since it's not really just baseball. Some of the life accomplishments of some of the people inducted are way above what baseball is. To be honored in his Hall of Fame definitely holds a special place in my heart."

Recently-retired Eastern Wayne varsity baseball coach Jabo Fulghum attended Whitfield's baseball camps from 1977-79. Inspired by his father, Rabbit, and a host of other coaches -- too many to name or possibly forget -- helped mold Coach Fulghum into one of the state's elite prep coaches.

His Warrior teams won nearly 400 games during his 23-year stint in New Hope.

"I'm blessed, just truly honored. I sure am," Fulghum said. "I appreciate everything he's done. It was very unexpected. (And) to be put in a class with those two guys (Davis and Eason) is a true honor."

The induction is the precursor to Whitfield's annual baseball camp which takes place the following day.

His keynote speaker is Craig Keilitz, who was recently named the executive director of the American Baseball Coaches Association.

The day-long camp, open to boys 10 and older who attend any Wayne County school, has more than 30 coaches scheduled to discuss a variety of topics. They'll cover practice organization, infield/outfield instruction, hitting and pitching -- just to name a few.

Eason has served on Whitfield's clinic staff.

"I don't think there's anybody George doesn't know," Eason said. "And if he doesn't know you, he's going to get to know you which is a pretty special treat. George and I have been friends for a lot of years, and his friendship means a lot to me.

"I always cherish the times we spend together and the stories he has told. It's pretty amazing."

Indeed.

Especially when you're enshrined into a Hall of Fame by one of baseball's most-revered coaches who has an unbridled passion for the greatest show on dirt.