Whitfield HOF Ceremony

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on January 14, 2018 3:08 AM

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George Whitfield's annual Hall of Fame Ceremony, a highly-anticipated event staged with clockwork precision each January, enjoyed its 46th installment at Wayne Community College on Friday evening, providing attendees with yet another high resolution snapshot of what it's always been -- a light-hearted yet poignant look at the varied careers of some truly remarkable people -- yet noticeably devoid of egomania and pomp.

Call it a rapid-fire recitation of one's good deeds.

And Whitfield, who organizes the ceremony from start to finish, covers all the bases, naturally.

Over two-plus hours, the Kinston native and former Parrott Academy baseball coach -- who won more than 1,200 games in his own illustrious coaching career -- paid homage to 27 decorated athletes, coaches and public school administrators.

As seasons go, it appears, the old ball coach prefers not to miss one.

"It's a lot of work, and time," Whitfield said at the event's conclusion on Friday. "But you enjoy seeing other people happy and recognized for great careers... a lot of these people I have known for a while, and some of them I haven't known that long -- but they were a great group."

And this year's class, a qualified consortium of character and poise, was just that -- great.

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Robbie Allen

Baseball letter-winner at Clemson University, first-team All-ACC in 1979... played in 1980 College World Series... selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1980 amateur draft... baseball coach at Waccamaw Academy from 1989-2005, where his teams captured 10 NCISAA titles... started baseball program at Brunswick Community College in 2009... twice selected as the Southeast District Division II Coach of the Year.

Francis Davis Allison

Played high school basketball at Contentne when it was the only sport offered to female students... continued her athletic career as an adult, entering 20 different events at the NC Senior Games at age 56... has won over 700 medals in competition... AARP Board member and former Volunteer of the Year.

Al Aycock

Former Eagle Scout lettered in football and wrestling at Goldsboro High School... Eastern Regional champion and member of the school's 1974 state championship team... graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point... served in the U.S. Army for over 37 years, retiring as a Major General.

Hal Bagwell

South Mecklenburg High graduate made the Appalachian State baseball team as a walk-on in 1986... compiled a 448-153 record as the head coach of his alma mater from 1997-2006, winning 16 league titles in the process... currently an associate scout for the New York Yankees.

Leonard Scott Barringer

Football, baseball and basketball coach at Mt. Pleasant High for 22 years... also served as the school's athletic trainer during that span, and was chosen as the NC Athletic Trainer of the Year in 1992... selected to the NC Athletic Trainer's Association Hall of Fame in 2001... served as mayor of Mt. Pleasant five times.

Sheliah Cotten

Basketball star at Fuquay-Varina High... scored over 1,000 points and made two All-State teams... played collegiately at East Carolina... Louisburg Junior College professor emeritus and coach from 1977-2016... led softball teams to over 500 wins and eight national tournament appearances... first female inducted into the East Carolina University Hall of Fame in 1981.

Kim Cousar

Longtime baseball coach at Bowman High, Anson Senior, Butler and Charlotte Latin... won nine conference titles across three leagues... led teams to 445 victories and 20 playoff appearances... coached West Region to gold medal at the NC State Games... elected to North Carolina Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2016.

Robert John Dailey

Five-sport athlete at Plymouth State College... competed in football, tennis, lacrosse, skiing and gymnastics... earned Doctoral Degree in Education from UNG-Greensboro in 1985... North Carolina High School Athletic Association's AD of the Year in 2005... enshrined in the North Carolina Athletic Directors Hall of Fame in 2015.

Reid Davis

Starred in basketball and baseball at Durham High, earning a total of seven letters... played collegiate baseball at Louisburg Junior College... Coached for 26 years in Wake, Durham and Person counties... winning head coach in the 1986 East-West All-Star basketball game.

Randy Denton

Enloe High basketball product starred collegiately at Duke University... averaged 19.7 points and 12.7 rebounds during his stay in Durham... earned All-ACC honors three times, All-America honors once... played professionally for eight years in the ABA, NBA and Italy.

Jim Gannt

Newton, NC native... all-conference baseball performer at Catawba College... coached alma mater for 21 seasons, compiling 757 wins, 10 regular-season titles and two regional championships... teams won over 30 games for 16 straight years... member of the North Carolina American Legion and Catawba College Halls of Fame.

Sylvia Hatchell

Hails from Gastonia, NC... multi-sport athlete at Carson-Newman College... served as women's basketball coach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill since 1986... led team to 1994 NCAA title... three-time national coach of the year... coached seven U.S. International teams and served as an assistant on four gold medal-winning outfits... member of seven Halls of Fame.

Davie Howie

Attended Greenwodd (S.C.) High... coached varsity football for 34 seasons at Bunn High, compiling an overall record of 215-89... was selected as the 1994 NCHSAA 2A Coach of the Year... also coached track, where his teams amassed 350 wins and won 17 conference titles in 20 years... also coached in the Shrine Bowl.

Bob Lewis

Played three sports at Burgaw High from 1958-1961... graduate of Campbell University... coached prep baseball for 28 years at Clinton, East Bladen, Pender, Harrells Christian Academy and Whiteville... led three different schools to state titles... NCHSAA Coach of the Year in 2002... inducted to the Sampson County Hall of Fame in 2006.

James McCloughan

Bangor, Michigan native... four-sport varsity athlete in high school... attended Olivet College where he wrestled, in addition to playing football and baseball... taught psychology and coached wrestling, football and baseball at South Haven High School... inducted to the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1993... inducted to the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2003... was a wrestling official for 25 years... awarded the Medal of Honor by President Donald Trump on July 31, 2017, for his service to the United States during the Vietnam War.

Bob McRae

Wake Forest University graduate... President of the N.C. High School Athletic Association from 1997-1998... chaired realignment committee on three separate occasions... NC Superintendent of the Year in 1985... NCHSAA Hall of Fame inductee in 2017.

Bronswell Patrick

Three-sport athlete at D.H. Conley High in Greenville, NC... played football, basketball and baseball... drafted out of high school by the Oakland Athletics in the 23rd round... made MLB debut on May 18, 1998 for the Milwaukee Brewers... began coaching career with the San Diego Padres in 2007...won the Triple A Pacific Coast League Championship with the El Paso Chihuahuas in 2016.

Bob Paroli

Puoghkeepsie, NY native... played collegiate football at NC State in 1952... served in the U.S. Army in Korea, only to return stateside and play on the Wolfpack's 1957 ACC title team... coached prep football for 55 years at seven different high schools... teams won 18 regional titles, made 29 4A playoff appearances and won the 2008 NCHSAA state title at Fayetteville 71st... member of five Halls of Fame.

Jim Ritcher

Played three sports at Highland High in Medina, Ohio... 1979 Cleveland and Ohio Amateur Athlete of the Year... played on NC State's 1979 ACC title-winning football team... Two-time All-ACC and All-America selection... 16th overall pick in the 1980 NFL Draft... played 16 years for Buffalo and Atlanta, earning All-Pro honors four times... played in four Super Bowls... member of the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame.

David Rothwell

Longtime teacher and administrator who won 10 conference titles as a prep wrestling coach... produced seven individual state champions compiled a 231-42 overall record... NC Mat News Coach of the Year in 1992... recipient of two N.C. High School Athletic Association Proclamation of Achievement Awards... NCAAE State AD of the Year in 2010... inducted to the NC Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2010.

Bill Rowland

Served in the United States Navy from 1945-1947... earned multiple degrees from East Carolina in 1953... employed by Kinston's Dacron and Development Lab for 34 years... special abilities actor in 16 films... decorated historian, recognized by the Smithsonian Institute for Civil War research... earned East Carolina's Outstanding Alumni award in 2017.

Steve Spivey

Played varsity baseball at Greenwood High School... attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill... compiled a 1,025-108 overall record as tennis coach of Broughton High School... led teams to 21 state titles (12 men's, nine women's)... inducted into the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003... inducted into Broughton High School's first Hall of Fame Class in 2004.

Richard Sykes

Multi-sport athlete at Wendell High... member of the 1960 1A state basketball championship team... lettered in football, basketball and track at Fork Union Military Academy from 1961-1962... coached golf at NC State for 46 yaers... teams won 59 tournaments, six ACC crowns and three regional titles... coached 35 All-Americans and 48 All-ACC performers... inducted to the College Golf Hall of Fame in 2000.

Rosie Thompson

Standout athlete and valedictorian of her graduating class at Chocowinity High... played volleyball and basketball at East Carolina University... school's all-time leading scorer (2,352 points) and rebounder (1,183)... only female Pirate to have her jersey retired... played professionally for the St. Louis Streak for one season... inducted to the East Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame in 1990... served as Associate Athletic Director for the school until her retirement in 2014.

Pat Teague

Three-sport star at Raleigh's Sanderson High... continued playing career at NC State, where he was a member of the football team... earned All-ACC and All-America honors while playing for the Pack, and served as team's captain in 1987... played for two years in the National Football League... ordained minister, motivational speaker and author.

Doug Watts

Southport High School's Most Outstanding Athlete in 1952... served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1954-1955... four-year baseball letterman at East Carolina University... coached in public school sector for 17 years... won over 400 games and six AreaII titles... inducted to the NC American Legion Hall of Fame in 2007... tabbed as the Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award winner in 2012.

Brian Weingartz

Played high school baseball at Lapper West High School in Michigan... became Greenville, NC Little League Baseball Commissioner in 1999... developed website for Pitt County youth baseball... helped design Stallings Street Stadium at Elm Street Park in 2012... began facilitating host responsibilities for a new Tournament of State Champions for 9-10 year old players in 2014.