The Rutherford County
Sports Hall of Fame

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- Tim McKeithan | RC Sports HOF
< Back Tim McKeithan 2022 Rutherford County has a long and rich history of professional baseball players and it all started with Emmett James (Tim) McKeithan. He became Rutherford County's first ever baseball player to reach the professional ranks when he made his debut for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1932. McKeithan was born in Shelby, North Carolina in 1906, but played high school baseball for Cool Springs in Forest City. As a senior in 1928, McKeithan was an ace pitcher for the Tornadoes and led them to the 1928 State Title. After graduating from Cool Springs, McKeithan attended Duke University. The Blue Devils won a Southern Conference title in 1929 with a 13-5 record in his freshman season and McKeithan lettered in his final three seasons in Durham. During his career at Duke, McKeithan was part of three "State Championship" teams that played against other college programs in North Carolina. After finishing his college career at Duke, McKeithan has the distinction of being one of the few players to make the jump straight from college to the Major Leagues, joining the American League's Philadelphia Athletics on July 21, 1932. While there, McKeithan played under legendary manager Connie Mack as a right-handed pitcher. He spent portions of two seasons in Philadelphia, compiling a 1-1 record with a 7.36 ERA and three strikeouts in 25.2 innings. In 1934, Babe Ruth hit one of his 714 career home runs off McKeithan. McKeithan also spent some time in the Minor Leagues, making stops in Montreal, Syracuse and Galveston. He secured a career high eight wins while with Montreal in 1933 and a career best 2.00 ERA while pitching in Galveston during his final season of 1935. McKeithan passed away on August 30, 1969 and was buried at the Concord Baptist Church cemetery in Bostic.
- NOMINATE AN INDUCTEE | RC Sports HOF
Nominate Someone to the Rutherford County Sports Hall of Fame WHAT DOES IT TAKE? Local to ROCO Must be a native, current or previous resident of Rutherford County, NC. Excellence Must have made an outstanding contribution to your sport or service. Good Character Exemplifies good character and worthy of being emulated. Eligibility Criteria for Hall of Fame Nomination Eligibility - A Nominee Must be a native, resident, or non-resident of Rutherford County, NC, who has played or contributed to a sport in Rutherford County or elsewhere. The nominee must have made an outstanding contribution in their sport(s) or a significant contribution as an athletic supporter. Typically, this may include the attainment of All-Conference honors, Regional honors, All-County, All-State honors, Athlete/Coach of the Year, player/ coach statistics, professional playing career and Hall of Fame inductions. The nominee must exemplify good character and worthy of being emulated. Nominees shall be considered without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, age, handicap or national origin. Athletes will become eligible for nomination ten years after high school. Coaches become eligible for nomination after retirement. In all circumstances, exceptions can be made by the board. Official Categories Athletic Excellence An athlete that was extraordinary in contributing to the success of the athletes team or as an individual performer in an individual sport. Nominees in this category must have been departed from high school for 10 years. Coaching Excellence A coach that was extraordinary in contributing to the success of a team. Nominees in this category must have been retired from coaching. Athletic Contributor Athletic Contributor can be defined as administrator or benefactor. This category recognizes those who have created lasting values to Rutherford County Athletics. Online Member Nomination Who are you nominating? Nomination Category (Select one of these three) Select an option Nominee Street Address City Region/State/Province Postal / Zip code Phone Email Nominee Occupation Tell us why your nominee should be a Sports Hall of Fame consideration: Upload File Upload supported file (Max 15MB) Nominator Name Street Address City Region/State/Province Postal / Zip code Home/Cell Phone Email Endorser (Phone#, Address, Email) Endorser (Phone#, Address, Email) Submit Application Thanks for nominating a member! We'll get back to you soon. Or Download the PDF - Don't Miss Out - SIGN UP FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, INFO AND UPDATES! SUBSCRIBE Thanks for submitting!
- Tonya Philbeck Hobbs | RC Sports HOF
< Back Tonya Philbeck Hobbs 2019 Tanya Philbeck Hobbs only hit the pool one season for the East Rutherford Lady Cavaliers, but she certainly made quite a splash during that time. As a senior in 1988, Hobbs set numerous regional and state records and was ranked the top prep recruit in the country following her senior season, along with being named the Rutherford County Athlete of the Year. 1988 was a good year for Hobbs swimming on the club level as well. She qualified for the Olympic Trials in three different events (100 M backstroke, 200 M backstroke and the 100 M Fly) while representing the YMCA swim club of Spartanburg, South Carolina. Other highlights of Hobbs' club career include being ranked second in the nation and eighth in the world for the 100 M backstroke at the age of 17, while finishing third at the US Open and first at the YMCA Nationals (an all-time record that stood until 2015) that same season. Hobbs was also named the South Carolina Swimmer of the Year in consecutive seasons, 1988-1990. All of that success led Hobbs to join the University of Georgia Swim Team in 1988 on full scholarship. Though she battled injuries as a freshman, Tanya went on to have an outstanding collegiate career for the Bulldogs. While at UGA, Hobbs qualified for the 1992 Olympic Trials, finishing ninth. She also garnered All-SEC and All-American status in the 100 yard backstroke and the 200 yard freestyle from 1990-92. In 1992, Hobbs was part of the 800 yard freestyle relay team that broke a school record with a time of 1:44.14 and was a two time SEC Scholastic All-American. Hobbs retired from competition after finishing her UGA career, but made a comeback in the Olympic years of 1996 and 2000. She did not qualify in either attempt, but in 2000, Hobbs did set the Master Class World Record (ages 29-34). Hobbs overcame Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2012 and says it was the fight and tenacity learned during her swimming career that helped her win that battle. Hobbs was inducted into the East Rutherford Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.
- HOME | RC Sports HOF
- Welcome - Entering Rutherford County's Finest Athletics Territory ABOUT US In January of 2017, a committee was commissioned by local citizens of Rutherford County to establish a Rutherford County Sports Hall of Fame (RCSHOF) for the purpose of recognizing the efforts and achievements of athletes, coaches, and contributors. Fourteen members make up the Board of Directors of RCSHOF and they created the guidelines and selection process. The inductees should embody the intent, spirit, and historical context or Rutherford County's finest. MEET THE BOARD MEMBERS GOLF TOURNAMENT UPCOMING EVENTS July 25th Ball in the air at 9 AM Click here to learn more! 2025 INDUCTION CEREMONY UPCOMING EVENTS April 24th at 6:00pm ICC Foundation Click here to buy your ticket! Our Mission The Rutherford County Sports Hall of Fame is established to provide a means to recognize the extraordinary efforts and achievements of athletes, coaches, teams and contributors throughout Rutherford County. Our Legacy Play Video Share Whole Channel This Video Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Copy Link Link Copied Share Channel Info - Don't Miss Out - SIGN UP FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS, INFO AND UPDATES! SUBSCRIBE Thanks for submitting! SAY HI!
- Billy Ray Vickers | RC Sports HOF
< Back Billy Ray Vickers 2022 Forest City native Billy Ray Vickers was a force on the football field for the CHASE Trojans on both sides of the ball during his high school playing career from 1972-76. He went on to have a productive four seasons at NC State before an injury cut a promising NFL career short. Vickers, who grew up working on his grandparents' cotton farm, played at CHASE under fellow RCSHOF member Coach John Keeter. In 1974 asa junior, Vickers rushed for 632 yards and two touchdowns, as the Trojans finished at 4-4-1 in the Southwestern Conference. Vickers came into his own during his senior season of 1975. He and teammate Ray Harris formed a fearsome backfield tandem with each crossing the 1,000-yard mark, the first pair of teammates to reach that milestone during the same season in CHASE history. In all, Vickers rushed for 1,241 yards and 19 touchdowns in 1975, helping CHASE to an undefeated regular season and a conference title. In CHASE'S first round playoff win versus Watauga, held at Gardner-Webb's Spangler Stadium, Vickers rushed for four touchdowns in the Trojans' 45-0 victory. He was also the team's leading tackler that day. As a result of his outstanding senior season, Vickers was selected to play in the 1975 Shrine Bowl where he was named Defensive Player of the Game. Vickers was recruited to NC State (where he majored in Animal Science) by legendary coach Lou Holtz and played for Bo Rein. As a sophomore, Vickers rushed for a career-best 726 yards, helping NCSU earn a 24-14 Peach Bowl victory over lowa State. Vickers was featured in a Sports Illustrated preview of that game. As a junior, he scored eight touchdowns, and even though he was hampered by injuries in 1979 as a senior, Vickers averaged 4.6 yards per carry for a Wolfpack team that won the ACC Title. In all, Vickers garnered 2,375 All-Purpose yards and 12 touchdowns during his college career. Vickers was drafted by the Washington Redskins and later signed by the Baltimore Colts, but a knee injury cut his NFL career short. Vickers turned his efforts to other endeavors, mainly the manufacturing industry. Through the years, he has built several successful businesses and now he is the founder, owner and CEO of seven companies. One of those companies is Modular Assembly Innovations (MAI), a $1.2 billion automotive component manufacturing enterprise based in Dublin, Ohio. It employs more than 350 workers in four states and is ranked in the top five on the Black Enterprise List of 100 Top Black-owned companies in the nation as of 2019.
- Lewis Jolley | RC Sports HOF
< 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!!"
- Ray Rice | RC Sports HOF
< Back Ray Rice 2022 Ray Rice kickboxing and Martial Arts career has taken him all over the world while earning him many accolades, but Rice still has deep roots in Rutherford County. Rice is a 1973 graduate of CHASE High School but began pursing karate in 1971. He opened the Ray Rice Martial Arts Center in 1976, which has operated in several locations in Rutherford County through the years but is currently located on West Main Street in Forest City. During the past 46 years, he has trained and inspired thousands of students. While teaching, Rice became active on the competition circuit in 1982, traveling to 18 different states and four countries, Russia, Canada, France and Italy, during his career. By the time he retired from competition in 1997, Rice had an overall record of 130-9, earning him a #1 World Ranking for Kickboxing in the Super Middleweight division (164-171 lbs.) in 1992. Of those nine losses, Rice rebounded to beat seven of those opponents in rematches. Rice also owns three kickboxing world titles and holds an overall eighth degree Black Belt and individual Black Belts in Japanese Shotokan, Korean Tae Kwon Do and Aikido. Along with Kickboxing, Rice has earned distinction in other competitions, as well. He has hundreds of wins in both Kurnite (weapons) and empty hands form. As a result of these accomplishments, along with several accolades in Self-Defense, Rice earned the National Competitor of the Year five consecutive times. The biggest indicator of Rice's success, however, is the number of students who have earned Black Belts under his tutelage. It takes a minimum of four years to earn this distinction and Rice says his students are, "Capable of contributing to society in a positive way". In addition to training others, Rice himself has trained with martial arts legends Chuck Norris (Walker Texas Ranger) and Jason David Frank from the original Power Rangers TV series. Rice has also been involved with Norris' Kick Drugs Out of America program, now known as KickStart Kids. Despite all his accomplishments, Rice says his most important achievement is lifting people up and helping them achieve their goals. Rice adds that, "The years teach much that the days never knew", and "You can't teach what you don't know. You can't lead where you have never been."
- Randolph Burton Lattimore | RC Sports HOF
< 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.
- Wendy Henson Stafford | RC Sports HOF
< 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."
- Charles "Dean" Huffstickler | RC Sports HOF
< Back Charles "Dean" Huffstickler 2023 Charles “Dean” Huffstickler not only had an outstanding athletic career in the ring as a boxer, he also found success as a coach and professionally as a police officer, as well. He has received numerous awards and honors as a coach and community leader, including being inducted into the Carolinas Boxing Hall of Fame in 2022. Huffstickler developed a passion for the “Sweet Science” at an early age. When he was 15 and a student at R-S Central High School, Huffstickler met Officer Red Bowers, who was the coach of the Rutherfordton Police Boxing team. In 1958, during his senior year at R-S, Huffstickler won the Middle-Weight Title at the High Point Golden Gloves AAU Tournament in High Point. In all, Huffstickler posted a record of 18-3 in the ring. During that same year of 1958, Huffstickler showed his athletic versatility by winning the NCHSAA State Title in the Mile (run) as a member of the Hilltoppers’ track team. He also played football and basketball during his time at R-S. After graduating from R-S in 1958, Huffstickler joined the United States Air Force and served until he was honorably discharged in 1962. Huffstickler joined the Gastonia Police Department in 1964 and enjoyed a long and distinguished career as an officer. Early in his career, while on his beat, Huffstickler saw several boys fighting in the streets and that motivated him to form the Gastonia Police Youth Club in November of 1971. The Club quickly grew and became part of the National Police Athletic League (PAL). Huffstickler also oversaw the club’s expansion to include baseball, football, and cheerleading teams involving hundreds of youths. In 1972, Huffstickler was chosen to coach the Regional Jr. Olympic Boxing team, a post he held from 1972-1977. During that time, Huffstickler traveled with the team to numerous events throughout the United States, even to Squaw Valley, California, the Official USA Junior Olympic Training Facility. Huffstickler’s notoriety in the boxing world allowed him to meet and coach true legends of the sport. In 1979, he was the head coach for the Cuban National Boxing Team when they faced off with the USA and Irish National teams at a tournament held at the Charlotte Coliseum. At that event, he got to coach future three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Teafilo Stevenson. In 1983, Huffstickler was the corner coach for rising star Evander Holyfield who eventually became World Heavyweight Champion. He also met Sugar Ray Leonard, Joe Frazier, Cassius Clay (Mohammed Ali), and many others during his coaching career. Huffstickler retired from the Gastonia Police Department in 1990, but started his own business, Offshoot Academy. He taught handgun concealment classes, along with basic and advanced training classes until he retired again in 2018. Huffstickler currently resides in Gastonia with Peggy, his wife of nearly 60 years. The couple has three children and five grandchildren.
- Jack Huss | RC Sports HOF
< Back Jack Huss 2022 Frank Jackson Huss Sr. Jack) is something of a Rutherford County Renaissance Man. He has earned acclaim as a player, coach, administrator and official in multiple sports, as well as being involved in many philanthropic endeavors around the county. Huss was a three-sport athlete while attending R-S Central High School, as the Spindale native earned seven letters while playing football, basketball, and baseball. As a result, Huss was selected as Outstanding Male Athlete his senior year of 1965. Upon graduation, Huss attended Lenoir Rhyne University, where he lettered in both football and baseball. During his career on the college gridiron, Huss set single-season and career passing records for the Bears. He also held as many as 10 other school records during his college career. After completing an advanced degree at East Carolina, Huss returned to Lenoir-Rhyne in 1972 as an assistant coach and later the head coach, a position which he held for six seasons. In 1975, Huss led the Bears to a 7-3-1 record and a South Atlantic Conference Title. He was elected to the RU Hall-of-Fame in 1996 and has served as the Bears' Football Color Analyst since 2003. Huss also served as the offensive coordinator for East Tennessee State during his college coaching career. Huss found success as a coach on the high school gridiron, as well. He was head coach at Richmond Sr. High School from 1980-83, leading the Spiders to a playoff appearance his first season. Huss also coached at Hunter Huss from 1985-86 and the Huskies qualified for the postseason, too. As a result, Huss was the Southwestern Conference 4A Coach of the Year. Following the 1986 season, Huss returned to his alma mater as head coach of the Hilltoppers from 1987-95. He led R-S to their first-ever playoff appearance in 1987 and first-ever playoff win when they defeated Brevard on the road. Huss wore many hats for the Hilltoppers while at R-S. In addition to being head football coach, he also served as golf coach for the girls' and boys' teams, along with overseeing all sports programs as Athletic Director during his tenure. Huss coached 23 All-Conference golfers during his 12 years on the links and led them to four Rutherford County Championships in five seasons. Huss was also a four-time conference Coach of the Year and had four golfers earn Player of the Year honors under his tutelage. The Hilltoppers found team success, too, earning three-60 Western Regional Championships and five playoff appearances. As an Athletic Director, Huss guided the Hilltoppers to a pair of prestigious Wachovia Cups and was named the Region 8 Athletic Director of the Year in 2001. During his career, Huss found time to work as a basketball official at both the college and high school levels. Huss officiated for both the West Virginia Intercollegiate Conference and Conference Carolinas. Huss was a high school official for 40 years, calling many big games and receiving numerous honors. He officiated a NCHSAA Championship game five times and the East/West All-Star Game in 1998. Huss received the NCHSAA Distinguished Service Award, along with the Golden Whistle for outstanding officiating in 2012. Based on that body of work, Huss was inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in 2014. Huss is an active member of Advent Lutheran Church in Spindale, serving in numerous roles over the years.
- Tonya Sanford Boykins | RC Sports HOF
< Back Tonya Sanford Boykins 2024 Antoniea (Tonya) Sanford-Boykins found success at every sport she tried during a decorated athletic career at East Rutherford. From 1981-85, Sanford-Boykins played basketball, softball, volleyball and ran track during her time with the Cavaliers. Upon graduation from East, Sanford-Boykins earned a basketball scholarship to Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte where she also played softball. As a Golden Bull, she won numerous awards and honors and then began a successful coaching career on both the high school and college levels. Even though Sanford-Boykins was a four-year letter winner in track and volleyball at East Rutherford, she had the most success on the basketball court and the softball diamond. She captained the Cavaliers’ softball team in 1984 and 1985, winning All-Conference honors during those seasons. Sanford-Boykins was also named Best Offensive Player In 1984 and Best Defensive Player, along with Co-MVP during her Senior season of 1985. Sanford-Boykins was even more dominant on the basketball court. She earned All-Conference honors in 1984 and 1985, averaging 14.8 points and six rebounds as a Senior in 1985. Due to her success, Sanford- Boykins was awarded a basketball scholarship to play for the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls, becoming the first female athlete from East Rutherford to earn an athletic scholarship. Just as in high school, Sanford Boykins was also a multi-sport athlete at JCSU. As a Senior in 1988-89, she helped the Golden Bulls earn a 2 nd place finish at the CIAA Conference Tournament, while being selected for the All-Tournament Team. She also garnered the JCSU Coaches Award during that same season. Not to be outdone, Sanford-Boykins claimed multiple team awards for the Golden Bulls’ softball team, too including Rookie of the Year, Best Offensive Player, Best Defensive Player and team MVP. After graduating from Johnson C. Smith, Sanford-Boykins was an assistant coach for the Golden Bulls for one season. She returned to Forest City and took a break from playing but came back to the court 10 years later for one final season in 1998-99, playing overseas for a semi-pro team in Brunswick, Germany. When her basketball career was finished, Sanford-Boykins turned her attention to coaching where she was an assistant coach for the Lady Cavaliers’ Basketball and Softball programs for several seasons. Due to her success as an athlete and coach, Sanford-Boykins was inducted into the East Rutherford Hall Of Fame in 2010, while also being named one of Rutherford County’s Top 50 Female Athletes of all time. Sanford-Boykins has taught Business and Information Technology classes at East Rutherford since 2007 and she also serves as a Pastor at True Vine Church Of God in Forest City. Sanford-Boykins and her husband Robert have three children, DeVince, DeVonte and DeVoria.










