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Select Induction Class Sort by Name Sort by Class Year Stacy Lail Coach Induction Year: 2017 Smokey Burgess Baseball Induction Year: 2017 Lewis Jolley Football Induction Year: 2017 William "Bill" Keever Shooting Induction Year: 2018 Belus Smawley Basketball Induction Year: 2017 Rodney McSwain Football Induction Year: 2017 Robert McNair Contributor Induction Year: 2017 Dr. Bob England Coach Induction Year: 2018 Lamonda Davis Track and Field Induction Year: 2017 Anthony "Chuck" McSwain Football Induction Year: 2017 Don Padgett Baseball Induction Year: 2017 Angela Hamilton-Jones Basketball Induction Year: 2018 1 2 3 4 1 ... 1 2 3 4 ... 4 **No Class of 2020 or 2021 Members due to COVID-19 Pandemic.**

< Back Keyon Whiteside 2018 A retired NFL linebacker, Whiteside, graduated from Chase High School in 1998. While attending Chase, Whiteside played football, basketball and ran track. His honors included: being named All Western NC and All Piedmont two times, and All County three times. As a football player, he ran for 1561 yards and made 18 touchdowns under the coaching of Randy Page. Whiteside attended the University of Tennessee in 1998. His football career at UV included: one national championship, several leadership awards and being named to 2nd Team All-Conference SEC. In 2003, he was the first Vol linebacker to register 100 tackles since Keith Delong; Whiteside's total was 119. He also held the bench-press record for linebackers at UT at 505 Ibs. Keyon said his most significant moments as an athlete included being a part of the 1998 BCS National Championship Team at UT. As a member of the team, he recalls the game against the University of Arkansas; the Vols won in 6 overtimes, with Whiteside recording 19 tackles that day. Another life-changing moment took place when he was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts - in the fifth round - in 2003. He played 12 games in his four seasons as a linebacker with the team. For Keyon, the most memorable events with the Colts include opening day against the New England Patriots, and being featured on ESPN's Top Plays for "steam- rolling Patriots' Special Team Captain Harry Izzo. On being inducted in the Rutherford County Sports Hall of Fame, Whiteside says, "I am humbled by this honor. Who would have ever thought that a kid from Rutherford County would graduate from a major university, win the National Championship, and be drafted to play in the NFL? With love, support, and hard work dreams can come true." Whiteside is the Director of Digital Services for Willow Marketing in Indianapolis where he continues to strive for personal excellence. His profile talks of his drive and positive attitude, with a belief that he can teach himself just about anything, including speaking Mandarin well enough to be able to act as an amateur interpreter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_Z3Q_Uc6Bk

< Back Conner Stroud 2025 Conner Stroud is one of the most decorated young athletes in Rutherford County history. The 24 year-old Rutherfordton native is already a two-time Paralympian in Wheelchair Tennis and is currently ranked as the 33rd best Men’s Wheelchair Tennis Player in the world by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), winning numerous awards, medals and honors on his assent up the rankings. Stroud was born with Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD) which left him without femurs, hips, ankles or knees. That did not stop him from picking up a racket at the age of five, however, where he played against able-bodied competitors. At age 12, Stroud transitioned to playing wheelchair tennis and immediately began climbing the ITF rankings. He won the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Sportsmanship Award in 2012. From 2013-17, Stroud played for Team USA in the ITF Junior World Cup. He helped guide the Stars & Stripes to a trio of Gold Medals in the event. Those successes on the tennis court led Stroud to receive the USTA (Wheelchair) Excellence Award in 2014. During that time, Stroud also played against able-bodied competitors for the Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy tennis team. He found success playing in the #2 position for the Gryphons. Upon graduating from TJ in 2018, Stroud earned a scholarship to the University of Alabama to play Wheelchair Tennis Stateside. He was also ranked as high as #2 in the world in the Wheelchair Junior Division Internationally. After 2018, Stroud made the jump to the Adult Men’s Wheelchair Division and has been a member of Team USA ever since. He has held the #2 spot on the World Cup team since 2018. Individually, Stroud has represented his country well, qualifying for the 2021 Paralympics in Tokyo and the 2024 Paralympics in Paris. While in Paris, Stroud won his first match, upsetting Costa Rica’s Jose Pablo Gil 6-3, 6-1. “It is incredibly special,” Stroud told members of the Parisian media following the match. “I could never have dreamed of playing on Court Philippe Chatrier and I will always remember playing on such an historic court. To play in front of a big crowd to kickstart the Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Event here, I was quite nervous going into it. The feeling, however, was unbelievable and I will always cherish it.” Overall in his career, through March of 2025, Stroud has amassed an impressive record of 241-100 in singles play and 148-63 in doubles. He has garnered 28 ITF Singles Championships and 35 Doubles Titles and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Stroud is currently in the process of qualifying for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.

< Back Wade Byrd 2025 Dr. Wade Byrd was an outstanding athlete not only on the football field and basketball court for R-S Central, the Spindale native also excelled in two sports at Duke, football and Men’s Lacrosse. After graduation from Duke, Byrd embarked on a distinguished military career before becoming a lawyer and judge, retiring in 2019. Byrd says he could not wait to join the football and basketball teams at R-S Central. While Byrd enjoyed basketball, even earning All-State Honors in the sport, his biggest impact came on the gridiron. He earned All-State honors at the End position as a Senior after the 1954-55 season. After graduation from R-S Central in 1955, Byrd attended Duke University on a full football scholarship. While in Durham, Byrd played on the same Duke teams with fellow RCSHOF member Burt Lattimore and Rutherford County native Doug Padgett. Since Byrd played on the offensive line as a Center at Duke, he does not have that many stats, but he was a key contributor during his time in Durham. Most notably as a team captain in 1957, Byrd helped the Blue Devils reach a #14 national ranking. After posting a 6-2-2 record in the regular season, Duke played #4 Oklahoma in the prestigious Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida on New Year’s Day 1958. Even though Duke lost that game, the Blue Devils were competitive for most of the contest. As a Senior in 1958, Byrd was once again a Duke captain and finished his career in style by helping defeat rival UNC 7-6 on the final day of the season. In the Spring of 1959, Byrd tried out for and made the Duke Men’s Lacrosse team, earning All-American Honorable Mention honors at the conclusion of the season. After graduating from Duke in 1959, Byrd went on to have a distinguished military career as a member of the Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune and saw duty in Guantanamo Bay and the Mediterranean. After being on active duty for 30 years, earning the rank of Captain, Byrd went to Law School at Chapel Hill and then earned a Doctorate of Law Degree from the University of Florida in 1965. During that time, Byrd was also serving in the Marine Corps Reserves until he was Honorably Discharged in 1975. Byrd settled in Florida with his wife and three children and had a successful career as a trial lawyer and a judge. In his spare time, Byrd stayed connected with Duke, serving as President of the Palm Beach County Alumni Association during the 1980’s. Byrd also played Polo and helped establish the National Museum of Polo and Hall Of Fame, where he served as Secretary for the organization until 2022. Byrd’s other hobbies include hunting, sailing, racquetball and golf.

BOARD MEMBERS History THE Board of directors of rcshof Held its first meeting in february of 2017 and meet monthly identifying the needs of the organization. A fundraising idea surfaced to host a golf tournament to fund the financial requirements and provide an induction ceremony for the inductees. the board of directors decided to move forward in a positive direction without hesitation to outline the process of nominations and selections with the purpose to the induct the first class in 2017. Nominations were made in the following categories: athlete, coach, and contributor. Rcshof board Co- Chairman Rodney Greene Co- Chairman Jody Wright Treasurer Linda smith Assistant Treasurer ulysses miller Secretary Lynnette Martin Members tony helton phil luckadoo David smith paul tim jones randy page malcolm watson tommy porter LaMonda Miller Davis Stacy lail ANGELA HAMILTON Kenneth Hines Sr Tonya S Boykins - Don't Miss Out - SIGN UP FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS‭, ‬INFO AND UPDATES‭!‬ SUBSCRIBE Thanks for submitting!

T. MAX CHAMPION MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT T. Max Champion T. Max Champion's football coaching career spanned over five decades. Champion coached football at East Rutherford, Chase and R.S. Central. He also coach baseball at East Rutherford. Champion coached football for a total of 36 years and baseball for 12. Champion was a 1969 East Rutherford graduate and 1974 Appalachian State graduate. He began his career in education as the driver's education teacher at East Rutherford. Champion was a founding member of the Rutherford County Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. His guidance and leadership were an integral part in the success of RCSHOF. Champion served as a board member from 2017 until his death on April 19th, 2021. The Rutherford County Sports Hall of Fame annual golf tournament is named in his memory. T. Max Champion will not be remembered as just a coach. He will also be remembered as a man of faith, son, husband, father, grandfather and mentor to the thousands of kids he came in contact with during his life. t. max Champion Memorial video T. Max Champion Memorial Golf Tournament 1 What is it? The Rutherford County Sports Hall of Fame hosts an annual golf tournament to support their yearly operations including funding their scholarship recipients. We take pride in knowing that celebrating previous athletes can promote the success of rising Rutherford County athletes. We enjoy the sportsmanship of the game, raising funds for a good cause, and playing in honor of T. Max. 2 When is it ? July 31st, 2026 Teeing off at 9 AM View the Course 3 How to enter or sponsor? Our Board Member, Randy Page can give you more information about either playing in the tournament or sponsoring it. Phone: 828-429-7773 Email: info@rcshof.org Team Registration Form Sponsorship Form FROM 2023 TOURNAMENT - Don't Miss Out - SIGN UP FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS‭, ‬INFO AND UPDATES‭!‬ SUBSCRIBE Thanks for submitting!

< Back Chad Flack 2024 Chad Flack is one of the newer members of the pantheon of great baseball players to call the Diamonds of Rutherford County home. The Forest City native had an outstanding high school career, leading the East Rutherford Cavaliers to three consecutive State Titles, setting numerous program and NCHSAA records along the way. Flack made just as big a mark on the college level, as he was an integral part of the North Carolina Tar Heel teams that made the College World Series from 2006-2008. Flack was the centerpiece for the East Rutherford Cavaliers & dominance on the baseball diamond in the early 2000’s. Under the tutelage of legendary coach and fellow Rutherford County Sports Hall Of Fame member Bobby Reynolds, Flack rewrote the record books during his time in Forest City from 2001-2004. The consummate home run hitter blasted 44 round-trippers during his high school career, which set a NCHSAA record that stood for six years. Flack’s 19 homers during his Senior season also ranks third in NCHSAA history. Flack’s efforts led the Cavaliers to State Titles in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and he was named conference Player Of The Year as a Junior and Senior, along with North Carolina State Player of The Year as a Senior in 2004. In addition, Flack garnered All-American Honors and a Silver Slugger Award in 2004. Flack starred off of the baseball diamond, as well. He played football for two seasons and tried his hand at basketball for one season. He played American Legion Baseball in the Summer of 2003, hitting at a .489 clip. Not to be outdone in the classroom, Flack was a member of the National Honors Society and graduated from East Rutherford with a 3.75 GPA. “You hear Emmitt Smith talk about setting the Standard for the Dallas Cowboys,” Bobby Reynolds said. "Well, Chad Flack set the Standard for East Rutherford baseball. Everybody that has come after that has an example to live up to. Not only was Chad athletic, his baseball knowledge was very good. All we had to do as coaches was fine-tune it.” Flack was just as impressive playing for the Tar Heels. He made an immediate impact when he stepped on campus in Chapel Hill. He hit .335 with 15 homers and 49 RBI on his way to earning Freshman All-American honors. As a Sophomore, Flack hit at a .389 clip with 13 homers. One of those home runs was a walk-off vs. Alabama in the NCAA Super Regionals to send Carolina to the College World Series (CWS). While his numbers dipped a bit as a Junior, Flack was still a vital part of a Tar Heel team that won the 2007 ACC Championship and made another CWS appearance. Flack rebounded as a Senior, hitting .277 with seven homers and 49 RBI as UNC made their third straight trip to the CWS. In that CWS, Flack connected for a game-winning two-run homer vs. Fresno State. Flack garnered many awards and achievements during his time at Chapel Hill. He was the Patterson Medal recipient for the 2007-08 season, which is awarded to the top Male Student-Athlete regardless of sport. He holds numerous Tar Heel program records, including base hits (328), at-bats (1,058), total bases (526) and most games played (267). Flack also holds the record for the most at-bats by any player in CWS history with 73. “I almost cry when I talk about what Chad Flack means to Carolina baseball,” former UNC coach Mike Fox said. “He hit two of the biggest homeruns I have ever witnessed and the one he hit in 2006 vs Alabama to send us to the World Series was probably the best moment of my coaching career. I could spend hours talking about Chad Flack, but whatever adjectives I come up with, it would not do him justice.” After graduation from Chapel Hill, Flack spent the 2009 season as an assistant coach for the Tar Heels. He is currently President of Main Street Insurance Group and resides in Concord, NC with his wife Lauren and son Channing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0CkVInsD-0

< Back Stacy Lail 2017 coached at his alma mater, RS Central. During high school, Lail was all conference in three sports: football, basketball and baseball. After graduating, he attended Isothermal Community College, where he played on the basketball team and graduated in 1971 with and Associates of Arts Degree from which he was selected to participate in the Junior College All Star Game in Ferrum, Virginia. Upon completion of his Associates, Lail went to Appalachian State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Health and Physical Education. Through a series of events, Lail landed the position of the head men's varsity basketball coach for 11 years. He was also head baseball coach for two years and the cross-country coach for ten years. In basketball, they were conference champions for eight years. He was named Coach of the year for seven years and won two state championships and runner-up for one. Under his direction, two men's basketball teams made their way to NCHSAA AAA State Championships (1980 and 1986). In 1980, he led his team in an undefeated season, 32-0. When he retired from coaching in 1988, he held a remarkable record of 253 wins to 54 loses. At the time of his retirement, he was ranked 1st amongst all active coaches and 3rd in all time North Carolina Coaches. In 1980, he was named Spartanburg Herald's Coach of the Year. Also, during his coaching career from 1978-1988, Lail brought the cross-country program to RS Central. His efforts proved effective as they brought home conference championships in 1980 and the years 1982 through 1988. Lail ranked 29th on coach's roster in June 1980 edition of "Basketball Weekly", In 1988, Lail was selected to coach the NC High School East/West All Star game. He received the 1990 Outstanding Alumnus Award at Isothermal Community College, On January 15, 2010, RS Central High School named their gymnasium the Stacy L. Lail, Jr. Gymnasium. Lastly, a documentary film, simply named 32-0, was created and featured at the 2016 Tryon International Film festival which encapsulated Lail's achievement with his 1980 basketball team which achieved a winning season of 32-0. Coach Lail was inducted in Rutherford County Schools Education Hall of Fame in 2015. He also was nominated to both NCHSAA & NC Sports Hall of Fame the same year. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6uj2suwv18

< Back Pam Harmon 2023 Pam K. Harmon excelled at every sport she played at East Rutherford High School. She lettered in three different sports during her Cavalier career from 1974-1977. Harmon made an early impact on the courts and fields at East Rutherford High School. She played basketball and softball all four years as a Cavalier, earning MVP and All-Conference honors multiple times. She was named the best practice player for the softball team and had the best free throw percentage on the basketball team for three of four seasons. When Jim Clement began the East Rutherford Women’s Tennis team Harmon’s sophomore season, she also found success on that court, as well. She was the #1 seed for the Lady Cavs all three seasons of her prep tennis career. Like basketball, Harmon also earned MVP and All-Conference accolades. During Harmon’s senior season of 1977, she posted an undefeated record in conference play and made a deep run in the NCHSAA playoffs. As a result, she was nominated for the prestigious “Women in Sports Award” from the newly formed Women Sports Foundation by Clement. Because she embodied the WSF’s mission to “Advance the lives of women and girls through sports and physical activity enabling all girls and women to reach their potential in sports and life”, she was named the winner. As a result, Harmon received the award from tennis legend Billie Jean King in 1977. During her senior year at East, Harmon also received a scholarship to play basketball at Duke University. Her offer is believed to be the first opportunity for a female basketball player from Rutherford County to continue their playing career at an ACC program. Harmon currently resides in Shelby where she is self-employed in the Business Services Industry. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIhIZ_eWMvA

< Back Wendy Henson Stafford 2022 Wendy Henson Stafford was something of a prodigy in the pool even before a stellar career for CHASE High School and later Clemson University. She began swimming at the age of three after a near-fatal accident at a hotel pool led her parents to enroll Stafford in swimming lessons. Stafford showed such an affinity for the water, she joined the Forest City Swim Team and by the time she was eight, Stafford was setting pool and team records. At age nine, Stafford competed in the North Carolina Junior Olympics before transferring her club affiliation to the Rutherford County Swim Team and later to the YSSC Spartanburg SpartAquatics in South Carolina. During that time, she once again competed in the North Carolina Jr. Olympics in several events, ranking as the seventh best swimmer in the 10U age division. When she was 12, Stafford was chosen to attend the Olympic Training Select Camp in Colorado Springs. Stafford attended CHASE High School from 1991-1995 and swam under coach Rhett Oglesby and she never lost a race while swimming for the Lady Trojans. During her CHASE career, Stafford held NCHSAA records for the 100, 200 and 500 Meter Freestyle events, while also setting the state record in the 200 IM (Individual Medley). These accomplishments led Stafford to be named the 1-3A NCHSAA Swimmer of the Year all four seasons during her prep career. During that time, Stafford continued to excel for her club team in Spartanburg. She was an eight-time YMCA National Champion, setting National Records in the 100, 200, and 400 Meter Freestyle, and for also setting South Carolina State records in six different events. While in high school, Stafford earned a spot on the 18U U.S.A. National Team and was a three-time high school All-American. All those accolades led to Stafford earning a full scholarship to Clemson in 1995 and she found immediate success for the Tigers. Stafford earned 30 first place finishes for Clemson during the 1995-96 season, while also placing in the top four in six different events at the ACC Championships. She earned All-American status at the National Championships in the 200 Freestyle, along with many other honors. As a result, she was named as Clemson's Rookie of the Year and Swimmer of the Year. Stafford's success continued as a sophomore, nearly qualifying for the U.S.A. Olympic team in the 200 I EMS Freestyle, missing the cut by .02 seconds. She finished the season with the third fastest time in Clemson history in both the 100 and 200 Freestyle. As a junior, Stafford earned a spot on the ACC Academic Honor Roll and was named as the "Most Dedicated" swimmer on the team. Stafford concluded her junior season by once again competing at the National Championships. She finished her Clemson career by securing a Top 15 national ranking in the 500 Freestyle, in addition to a second-place finish at the ACC Championships in the 200 Freestyle and sixth place in the 100 Freestyle. After graduating from Clemson, Stafford entered the banking industry, but still found time to coach various clubs. Stafford and her family currently live in Powdersville, South Carolina where she founded the Powdersville High School swim team in 2018. "I feel lucky to have called Rutherford County my home," Stafford says. "It is an honor and privilege to be nominated. I hope by accepting this honor, others will be motivated to achieve their goals through hard work, perseverance and a positive attitude." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cXRsi05_r8

< Back Randolph Burton Lattimore 2024 Randolph Burton (Bert) Lattimore was equally at home on the football gridiron and the baseball diamond. The Bostic native excelled at both sports while attending Cool Springs High School from 1950-1954. Upon graduation from Cool Springs, Lattimore attended Duke University in Durham on a football scholarship, where he was a Wide Receiver for the Blue Devils. Lattimore’s strong play led him to be drafted 96th overall in the 1958 NFL Draft, but he turned down the opportunity for a chance to play baseball in the Philadelphia Phillies organization. It was a different era for receivers in the 1950’s, as most college teams employed run-based offenses. That did not stop Lattimore from contributing to the Blue Devil's offense. During his Sophomore season at Duke (1956), Lattimore caught two passes, including a 12-yard touchdown vs The University of Virginia. He also scored a defensive touchdown in that game. In 1957, his number of catches doubled to four, totaling 40 yards. Lattimore’s numbers continued to improve as a Senior in 1958. That year, Lattimore caught a career-best seven passes for 82 yards. Lattimore finished his Duke football career with a flourish, as three of those catches came in the prestigious Orange Bowl vs. Oklahoma, where he caught three passes for 33 yards. Because of the strong finish to his college football career, Lattimore was named 2nd -Team All-ACC by United Press International. He also caught the attention of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns and he was drafted 96th overall in the 1958 NFL Draft. Lattimore turned down the opportunity to play in the NFL, opting to play baseball with his remaining college eligibility instead. He played one season on the diamond at Duke and was a solid pitcher for the Blue Devils. In six games during the 1958 season, Lattimore made three starts. He garnered 29 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched, picking up a win and a complete game along the way. Lattimore also made nine plate appearances that season, registering two hits and a run scored. Lattimore’s best college game came against N.C. State where he struck out 8 of 9 batters faced in a 4-3 Duke win. After graduating from Duke, Lattimore signed a professional baseball contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. When asked by a local news outlet if he received a signing bonus, Lattimore replied, “Yes, but it is too small to talk about”. Lattimore played one season of professional baseball in 1959. During that season, he split time between three teams in Johnson City, Tennessee, Elmira, New York and Tampa, Florida. In all, Lattimore pitched in a combined 26 games that season. Following the conclusion of his baseball career, Lattimore entered the military where he attended the U.S. Navy School of Pre-Flight for three and a half years. During his free time, a friend and colleague, Joe Lowder taught Lattimore how to do handstands on the parallel bars and double backflips on a trampoline, further demonstrating his athletic ability. Lattimore currently resides in Meraux, Louisiana. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W1zrZT-gNXo

< Back Lewis Jolley 2017 native of Bostic, NC and graduate from East Rutherford High School 1967, played his collegiate football career at UNC Chapel Hill from 1969-1971 as a running back, wing back and kick-off return, after receiving a scholarship in spite of not being able to play his senior year due to injury. He was later drafted in 1972 by the Houston Oilers as the highest NFL draft pick in Rutherford County history (56). From 1972-1974, Jolly played with the Houston Oilers, the Charlotte Hornets and the New York Stars. Jolley, because of his superb performance as a running back for UNC Chapel Hill, was also selected as a key member of the 1971 All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team, which consisted of American football players chosen by various selectors for their All-Atlantic Coast Conference ("ACC") teams for the 1971 college football season. While playing collegiately, during warmups against Notre Dame, a former teammate recalled this exchange: "Lewis Jolley was catching punts, running them a short distance, and turning around to go catch another one. As I kicked a field goal, Lewis jogged by and yelled, "We're in some deep $--t." I said, "What do you mean?" He said, "I will be back." He caught another punt, jogged by, and said, "These guys are huge." I said, "Lewis we knew that before today." He said, "'Il be back." He came back again, this time with a bit of laughter and bigger than normal eyes peering from his helmet, Lewis said, "They do not have their shoulder pads on yet." I turned and looked, he was right, they did not have their shoulder pads on and they were already huge!!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8ZnuDFeWi0