Blount Co Sports HoF_Program 2020 PROOF

2020

Induction Ceremony

Anchors Church

Thursday 03. 05. 2020

March 5, 2020
Dear Friends,

On behalf of my fellow board members, I
cordially welcome you to the 2020 Induction
Ceremony of the Blount County Sports
Hall of Fame. Tonight, we recognize the
achievements of a group of athletes who
have excelled in competitive sports, and have
made an impact on Blount County.

The Blount County Sports Hall of Fame was organized in 1996 to honor,
preserve, and perpetuate the names and outstanding accomplishments of sports
personalities who have brought lasting fame to Blount County. The Hall of Fame
is governed by a 16 member Board of Directors that establishes the criteria
for selecting inductees and determines the eligibility of candidates and how
candidates shall be elected to the Hall of Fame. A nominations committee receives
nominations, then selects a class of inductees each year. Nominees who are not
selected are held in active files for consideration for 3 years.

Our goal is to honor the wonderfully talented people who have made Blount
County Athletics special. I hope tonight will be a memorable night for all of our
inductees and their family and friends and I personally thank you for your support
and attendance. Please enjoy this celebration!
Sincerely,
Gregg Armstrong
President of
The Blount County Sports Hall of Fame

PGautersticSpkeaNkeirx

Patrick Nix is in his 25th year of coaching football. After playing quarterback for the
Auburn Tigers in the early 1990’s, Patrick followed his passion and started coaching on the
college level. After stops at six different colleges, including Georgia Tech, and Miami, Patrick
transitioned to coaching high school in order to coach his two sons and to spend more time
with his family. Patrick considers coaching his ministry and is thankful for the football field
that has turned into a mission field for him and his family. Patrick and his wife, Krista, have
four children ages 12-22.

Board of Directors
President - Gregg Armstrong
Vice-President - Jim Carr
Secretary - Wendy Green
Treasurer - Mitchie Neel

Left to right, bottom row: Gardner Gilliland, Chris Latta, Rodney Green, Jeff
Hallmark, Gregg Armstrong, Jim Carr, Jim Williams, Alan Smith, and Kim Hargett.
Top row: Robbie McAlpine, Keith Bender, Karron Standridge, Buddy McCay, John

Bullard, and Wendy Green. Not pictured: Hal Buckelew and Mitchie Neel

1

2020 Induction Ceremony
March 5, 2020

Welcome………………………..President Gregg Armstrong
RECOGNITION OF PAST INDUCTEE’S

Invocation……………………Morgan Holland
MEAL

Introduction of Guest Speaker……………………….. President Gregg Armstrong
Guest Speaker…………………..…………………...Patrick Nix

Presentation of Awards

Closing Remarks………...…..President Gregg Armstrong

Presentation of Awards
Zolen Tracy “Rabbit Currey accepted by
Dr. Marie Jackson presented by Bob Harvey
Keith Martin presented by Dennis Martin
James Luther “JL” Pass accepted by Chad Pass presented by H.C. Ellis

Barbara Roy presented by Greg Armstrong
Gerald Swindle presented by Ernie Swindle

Mark Holt presented by Mike Neel
Paul Moore presented by Allen Hargett
2017 State Championship Girls Basketball Team-Locust Fork High School
1971/1972 State Championship Team Football Team’s-Oneonta High School

2

Past Inductees

1997 INDUCTEES 2009 INDUCTEES

Paul Randall Faust William Hawkins
Charles Louis Grisham Conrad Nix
Mary Harvey Isbell O.B. Logan, Jr.
Hugh P. O’Shields
Larry “Pod” Patterson 2019 INDUCTEES
Charles Lamonde Russell
Donald Wesley Sutton Bruce McAfee
Lisa Baswell Bates
1998 INDUCTEES Donald Warren
Jim Armstrong
Richard B. “Dick” Burleson Danny Bentley
William K. “Bill” Nichols Gary Godfrey
William Earl Warren Joe Hazelrig
James Edward Williams Mark Hitt
William Harold Carter Jeff Milwee
Steve Johnson Gary Pate
Eddie Priest
1999 INDUCTEES Rob Rice

Mike Currier
Michael Cornelius
Joseph E. Gibbs
Floyd Dean “KO” Miller
Ben Sivley
EL “Coach” Starkey

2000 INDUCTEES

Ellie B. Glasscox
Roger (Bubba) Long
Tom Lowry
Lawrence Wade

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2020

Zo“ClReuanrbTrbiertya”cy
Zolen Tracy Currey may not ring a bell but add

“Rabbit” to the name and everyone knows the man.

So how did Zolen Tracy Currey become “Rabbit” Currey? A man named Neely “Head” Strickland

was stunned by the speed as Zolen Tracy Currey zigged and zagged all the way to a touchdown as

a bunch of boys were playing football. Mr. Strickland yelled out “Rabbit Currey!” and the name

stuck. Rabbit made the football team at Albertville High School the first year he went out and played

4 years, playing the entire game in all but two games. In those two games, he was substituted due

to injury. He graduated from Albertville High School in 1927. Rabbit received scholarship offers

from Howard, Birmingham Southern, and the University of Alabama. The University of Alabama

offered him a full scholarship and $7.00 a month. Birmingham Southern offered Rabbit a full

scholarship and $9.00 a month so he made the choice to take the big offer made by Birmingham

Southern. During the summer of his freshman year, Rabbit was plowing in a cotton field when a man

introduced himself as the football coach from Jacksonville State Teacher College. The man said he

was looking for football players and made Rabbit an offer to play for Jacksonville State. The deal they

made is still a secret but Rabbit took the offer and played for Jacksonville State University for 5 years

and was recognized as one of the 100 greatest athletes in the first 100 years of the school. He also

played basketball for the university. Rabbit Currey graduated from Jacksonville State in 1954.

Like everyone else, the depression was rough on Rabbit and he lived in Snead with his uncle. He

eventually opened a store in Albertville and the community became known as “Rabbit Town”. He

later ran a store near Susan Moore and began coaching in 1948. He coached for the next 20 years

and retired in 1968. Coach Currey started his career at Ranburne High School where he started the

schools first football program. He also coached at Locust Fork High School, Susan Moore High

School, Oneonta High School and Appalachain High School. Coach Rabbit Currey coached football

and basketball at these schools and event started the football program at Appalachain High School.

He also started the football and Little League Baseball programs at Snead Junior High School.

Some of Mr. Currey’s accomplishments included being a member of the Marshall County Sports

Hall of Fame, J Club-Jacksonville State University, Home Guard at TCI-WWII, Lions Club, Mason

and a Shriner. Rabbit was married to Constence Ivaleen Moore for 56 years. They had 2 children,

Ralph Tracy and Marie Currey Jackson. Mr. and Mrs. Currey also had 3 grandsons and 2 great

grandchildren. Zolen Tracy “Rabbit” Currey was only 5 feet ½ inches tall in height, but he walked

tall...he still does. 4

2020

MHaorkltD.

Mark Holt played football and basketball at
Locust Fork High School. He earned All-County
and All-State honors playing linebacker and
offensive lineman for the Hornets. Mark also was on the All-State 1st Team and named Alabama
MVP Lineman of the Year for Division 2A in 1974. He also earned All-County, All- Region, All-
State Birmingham News/Birmingham Post Herald Team honors in basketball. Mark Holt helped
Locust Fork earn it’s first state playoff birth and appearance in the quarter finals for football.
The Hornet’s were ranked #5 in the state in 2A. Mark graduated in 1975 and attended Auburn
University on a full scholarship. He majored in Business Administration with a minor in Animal
Science. He also earned an additional degree in Professional Animal Scientist (PAS). Mark did
2 U.S. Patents for the use of starch in growing Protozoa and Bacteria as an amino acid source
in ruminants, and an International Patent Pending on Starch Chemistry in Protozoa growth in
ruminants. He is a Foundation member of research of CBD at Arizona State University and did
a lecture on Critical Nutrition Concepts and ruminant nutrition also at Arizona State University.
He is the President of Symbiont Nutrition with sales in the USA, Mexico, Ukraine, Ireland and
New Zealand. Mark is also the President of Symbiont Technology.
Mark Holt is involved in activities such as the Animal and Dairy Science Association,
Animal and Poultry Science Associations, American Association of Cereal Chemist, American
Registry of Professional Animal Scientist, and Peer Reviewed author of ADSA Articles. He
also conducted research for the USDA at Clemson, Cornell University and Washington State
University.
Mark is the son of Jess E. Sr. and Mari Nell Holt and they have four children, April McAdams,
Aubrey Fox, Garrett Holt and Gordon Holt. They also have 7 grandchildren.

5

2020

“KMHKeaeyerniBttrohiyny”

Keith Martin attended J.B. Pennington High School from 1969-1971. He then
transferred to West End High School where he graduated in 1974. Keith was selected by the
Birmingham Post Herald as first team All-State in Football. He also was selected as Most
Valuable Lineman and All-County for Etowah County. Keith Martin also played basketball
and ran track while in high school. He played football at Jacksonville State University
and was selected to the All Gulf South Conference Team (1976-1977) and started in 34
consecutive games as defensive tackle. Keith also played in the 1977 NCAA Division II
National Championship game and was selected to the Jacksonville State University All-
Centennial Team. Keith Martin left college early to play in the NFL and signed a three year
contract with the Dallas Cowboys in 1978. A career ending injury forced Keith to retire
from football and return home.

Keith returned to Jacksonville State University and received his degree in Industrial
Leadership in 2014. He dedicates his time to many church committees and activities.
Keith also served as President of the Blount County Youth Football Association and Board
of Directors for organizations such as the Cattleman’s Association. Keith married Vicki
McCullough in 1976 and they have four children and twelve grandchildren.

6

2020

RMaPyoamouorlned

Paul Moore graduated from West End of
Birmingham in 1963. He attended Snead State
Junior College, the University of Alabama and earned his Masters Degree at UAB. He coached
at North Birmingham Elementary School, West Jefferson and Hayden High School. Over
his career, Coach Moore coached football, basketball, baseball and wrestling. He started the
wrestling program at Hayden High School in 1977. During his wrestling tenure at Hayden, the
Wildcats have had 123 state qualifiers, 63 state placers, and 8 individual state champions. Coach
Moore’s record is 610-205 and he led his team to the Final Four in wrestling 2 times. He is a
member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Paul Moore was a member of the Alabama National Guard from 1976-2004 and retired as
Command Sergeant Major. He and wife Joann have 3 daughters, Amanda Faust, Jennifer Purkey
and Heather Weems. They also have 5 grandchildren.

7

2020

James
Luther
“JL” Pass

James Luther Pass, better known as “JL”,
graduated from Cleveland High School in 1960. JL Pass was named First Team All County,
First Team All State and Birmingham Post Herald Class A State Lineman of the Year in 1959,
while playing football at Cleveland High School. He played football at Southwest Mississippi
Junior College and was named Junior College All Conference and nominated for All American
in 1961. He then transferred to Jacksonville State University to play football where he helped
lead the Gamecocks to 2 Alabama Collegiate Conference Titles.

JL Pass volunteered to help put lights on football fields in Blount and Etowah Counties and
was a recreation league baseball coach. James Luther Pass worked for Alabama Power for over
40 years. He was married to Jackie Pass and they have three children, Tammie Pass Smith,
Tracy Pass Rotenberry and Chad Pass. They also have twelve grandchildren.

8

2020

BaRrboayra

Barbara Roy graduated from Locust Fork
High School in 1993. She then attended
Snead State Junior College and continued her
education at Jacksonville State University.
Barbara graduated from Jacksonville State in 1999 and earned a Masters Degree in Elementary
Education. She began her basketball coaching career at Locust Fork High School in
2001. Since that time, Barbara Roy has lead the Locust Fork Lady Hornets to 10 county
championships, runner-up 5 times, 7 area championships, area runner-up 10 times,6 Sweet
Sixteen appearances, 2 Elite 8 appearances, played in a Final Four, 3 Sub-Regions and won 1
state championship. Her basketball coaching record is 366 wins and 177 losses.
Barbara Roy has also received honors such as Blount County Coach of the Year, Coach of
the Year 2016 4A and 3A 2017(Alabama Sports Writers), 2018 Alabama Coach of the Year for
Girls Basketball by the NFHS Coaches Association for 2016-1017. She is married to Brandon
Roy and they have one son, Matthew, and a daughter, Madison.

9

2020

GSwerinadldle

Gerald Swindle graduated from Locust Fork
High School in 1987. After years of working in
construction and commercial refrigeration, all
the while fishing every tournament he could, he was able to qualify and save enough money
to compete in the FLW league where he won his first event. This was the tournament that
launched his career, winning the largest purse FLW had ever paid. He eventually qualified for
the Bassmaster Elite Series and has competed professionally for 22 years. He has qualified for
the Bassmaster Classic 18 times, and he is a 2 time Bassmaster Angler of the Year, (2004 &
2016). Gerald, who is known as bass fishing’s funniest man, starred in a TV show on ESPN-
”Bass Tech” and for five years was also a host of a hunting show on The Outdoor Channel-”The
Hit List.”

He and his wife, LeAnn share time at Lake Guntersville and their farm near Jasper,
Alabama, when not on the road competing as one of America’s most accomplished anglers.

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2020

1971/1972 State Championship
Football Teams - Oneonta High School

The 1971 OHS Redskins football team was undefeated in the regular season with a 10-0 record. The
Redskins averaged over 40.1 points per game. The 2A State Championship Game was held at Boaz High
School. The Redskins faced off against the Abbeville Bulldogs and after a hard fought defensive battle, the
Oneonta Redskins and the Abbeville Bulldogs went home as Co-Champions with a 0-0 tie.
The 1972 Oneonta Redskin
State Championship Football
Team was undisputed as 2A
champs. Gathering steam for
the 1971 season, the 1972 team
raced through the season. They
outscored their last six opponents
233-25 points. Jones, Lowry,
Patton and Sanders provided
a well-balanced offense, while
‘71 Hitt, Peoples, Gargus and Baker
bolstered the defense. All-State
players included Alan Chaney,
Mike Peoples, Jim Patton, Tommy
Gargus, Johnny Lowry, Mark Hitt
and Ricky Sanders.
Coaches: Hugh O’Shelds and
Quentin Benn
Team Members: 1971 and
1972 team..Bill Baker, Barry
Belew, Mike Bright, Alan Cheney,
Charles Hamrick, Greg Hill,
Mark Hitt, Jim LeCory, Ted
‘72 Moorehouse, Jim Patton, Mike
Peoples, Steven Phillips, Ricky
Sanders, Mark Smith, and Farrell
Stephens
1971 only: Gary Hill, Robin Knight, Johnny Lowry, James Miller, Sammy Morgan, John NeSmith,
Steve Patton, Mike Ridgeway, and David Robinson
1972 only: Gary Boyd, Ricky Edge, Tommy Gargus, Andy Hunt, Joe Jones, Steve Jones, Matt
McGowan, Lynn Moody, John Murray, Roger South, Tony Sweatt, Steve Whited, Jerry Yancy and Keith
Anderson

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2020
2017 State Championship Girls
Basketball Team - Locust Fork Hornets

The Locust Fork Lady Hornet’s Basketball Team claimed the title of State Champions for 3A in 2017.
These ladies won 3 County Championships and 3 Area Championships. They were four time Sub-
Region Winners, four time Sweet Sixteen Winners, three time Elite 8 Winners. They made two Final
Four appearances and won a State Championship. They set many school records including best 3
point percentage in a single season, best season record 35-1, most consecutive wins at home, best
foul shooting percentage, most consecutive wins in a season, best defensive team points given up in a
season and most points scored in a season—2,508 points in 2017 and 2,073 points in 2016. This team
also had six team members who signed scholarships. Kimberly Horton and Ashlyn Adkins signed
with Faulkner University, Madison Carter with Wallace State, Rachael Baker with the University of
Montavello, Carissa Horton with Blue Mountain University and Shelly Bailey signed with Judson
College.
This team was coached by Barbara Roy, Kim Hollis and Crystal Evans.
Team Members: Meleah Adams, Rachel Baker, Madison Carter, Ashley Adkins, Shelly Bailey, Jayleigh
Tawbush, Sydney Baker, Kimberly Horton, Crissa Horton, Skylar Massey, Nicky Tumbush, Lorren
Coin, Hannah Armstrong, and Kelsi Goodwin
Managers: Madison Roy, Hope Mann and Reagan Fuller

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Partnerships

Hometown Bank
Peoples Bank of Alabama

Blount County Revenue Commissioner
Gregg Armstrong

A & J Steel Products
Cadence Bank of Blountsville & Oneonta

Consolidated Pipe & Supply
Jeff & Tawanna Hallmark
Blount County Probate Judge

Chris Green
Brunson, Barnett & Sherrer
Jim Murphree Insurance Agency
Kerry Green ARC Welding LLC

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