CITIZEN STAFF REPORT
INEZ — Rapid expansion of the “Wall of Legends” continues as Hall of Fame (HOF) researchers play hardball to get the scoop on athletes who meet the criteria for induction.
The effort has become a labor of meticulous investigation and community involvement. HOF President Dwayne Sweeney explains the extensive process behind each inductee’s recognition.
“A hundred years of athletic competition covers a lot of history,” he said. “Thankfully, many records have been preserved over the decades, but sad to say, many no longer exist, which often makes it difficult to confirm qualifying stats for potential inductees.”
A walking repository of sports stats, Sweeney notes that persistence pays off.
“If we dig long enough, we find a trophy, a newspaper article, a relative brings in a photograph of a team or individual receiving an award,” he said. “We know we’ve got another Legend for the Wall.”
Scheduled for Nov. 23, the HOF’s Fourth Induction Ceremony nearly clears the 100-year backlog of qualifying athletes based on current research. The addition of 33 new inductees will bring the Wall’s total to 126 athletes and coaches, along with five state championship teams. HOF Director Everett Horn Jr. summed up their historic contribution.
“Throughout a century of intense opposition these athletes and coaches have established and sustained Martin County’s winning tradition,” Horn said. “I’m proud to say our HOF represents them well – it ranks as one of the best in the state.”
Researcher Jack Ward disclosed the group’s ongoing commitment to leave no stone unturned.
“We constantly research to find records of any athletes we might have overlooked who deserve to be honored in our county’s long history of champions,” he said.
Inviting community involvement, Ward added, “To make the HOF all it can be takes a team effort. We need community on board to bring athletes to our attention that our researchers have not discovered.”
To qualify for induction, athletes must meet specific career benchmarks, which include achievements such as professional athlete, All-American, Mr. Kentucky Basketball, Miss Kentucky Basketball, state championship team, all-state, Division 1 college, inductee of a distinguished hall of fame, or distinguished coach.
HOF Director Bill Davis assured the ongoing nature of this work: “We already have more qualifying athletes scheduled for induction. The HOF Committee will continue hosting awards ceremonies as future athletes qualify and as research reveals qualifying athletes from previous decades.”
Since its inauguration in April 2023, the HOF has drawn hundreds of visitors from across the nation. Vice President Roger Harless noted the outpouring of gratitude from athletes and fans alike.
“They express heart-warming appreciation for the effort to preserve Martin County’s historic sports legacy,” he said.
Reflecting on the HOF’s impact, Harless added, “It has really touched my heart to see high school teammates so happy to see each other — sharing memories of growing up together, on and off the court or field, recalling their years together in Martin County Schools as their training ground for life.”
HOF Director A.J. Haney noted that the Hall of Fame also commemorates the bridge of opportunity that sports has provided to young athletes in the county.
“A high percentage of the athletes honored on the ‘Wall of Legends’ were awarded athletic scholarships that paved the way to lifelong careers – many in education where they, in turn, challenge the next generation to carry on their inherent winning tradition,” the long-serving Sheldon Clark High School principal confirmed.
Haney reflected on the impact of the achievements on display.
“When you step into the Hall of Fame and Museum corridor, seeing is believing,” he said. “Sports is a valid option to open doors of opportunity for students.”
The Hall of Fame’s success is largely due to the generous support of the Martin County community. As HOF Director Phil Kirk explains, “There would be no Hall of Fame without loyal supporters of Martin County’s legacy of champions.”
With obvious gratitude, Kirk acknowledges, “Generous support from local businesses, the athletes themselves, their families and fans; the Martin County Library Board providing a physical location; volunteer services of Martin County students have all worked together to make rapid progress possible.”
He and the HOF Committee are especially grateful for the work of students from Jared Goforth’s Martin County Area Technology carpentry class: Matthew Dalton, Daniel Rogers, Harrison Jude, Bailey Fletcher, Crayson Lafferty, Skyler Morrison, Chase Parsley, Samuel Moore, Braydon Moore, Peyton Cline and Elijah Burton. These students constructed an additional removable wall to display the upcoming inductees.
Kirk pinpoints the path forward: “As a nonprofit organization, continued support and ongoing monetary contributions are essential in order to maintain the Museum and sustain its inspiring impact through a venue of scheduled activities.”
Donations in any amount can be mailed to MC All-Sports Hall of Fame, 54 Haney Place, Inez, KY 41224.
Describing the previous three induction ceremonies as “events of the century,” Sweeney extended an invitation to previous inductees to join the upcoming celebration to welcome the new inductees to their place on the Wall of Legends.
“It will be a one-of-a-kind Martin County All-Sports Family Reunion,” he promised.
All inductees scheduled for the upcoming award ceremony are encouraged to bring any mementos from their years of competition. Trophies, tournament programs, photos, ball jackets, etc. are welcome at the ceremony or as a permanent display in the museum.
The Hall of Fame Museum is on the second floor of the Roy F. Collier Community Center at 387 Main Street in Inez. The induction ceremony will take place on the center’s first floor on Saturday, Nov. 23, starting with a finger-food buffet at 2 p.m. At 2:30 p.m., presentation of awards will begin with sports announcer and Hall of Fame reporter Jack Ward as emcee.
Each inductee and/or family member(s) will receive two honorary passes. Passes for everyone else will be $5 for students and $15 for other guests. Tickets are payable at the door while seats are available.
In order to plan efficiently, the HOF Committee requests advance notification from those planning to attend. Use either of the following contact options for confirmation or more information: Email mcallsports@yahoo.com or call or text 606-626-5191 or 606-626-0000.
Inductees in the Fourth Induction Ceremony on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. include:
Emma Blackburn, Karen Blackburn, James Booth, Rhonda Conrad, JD Damron, William Davis, Wilbur Delong, Kenton Fairchild, Kevin Fields, Garry Gauze, Steve Goble, Harley Hammonds, Rudy Hammonds, Nick Harless, Danny Harmon, Danny Hinkle, Buddy Horn, UG “Gene” Horn, Phillip Kelley, Randy Lafferty, Brandon May, Clyde Mollette, BJ Moore, Mike Moore, Mitchell Moore, Meredith Mullins, Alan Parsley, Greg Preece, Paul Schmidt Jr., John Stepp, Jared Stevens, Teresa Sumpter and Jim Williamson.
