Sports Hall of Fame Happenings
The Marshall County Sports Hall of Fame will induct 10 men in the class of 2012.
This year’s induction banquet is scheduled for June 2 at 6 p.m. at Lake Guntersville State Park. It will mark the 10th anniversary of the first induction ceremony.
Members of the class of 2012 are:
- Frank Baker, Asbury/Albertville: A standout basketball player at Albertville High School, Baker attained legendary status as the basketball coach at Asbury Junior High School. Baker, who is now retired, remains a revered figure in the Asbury community. The Rams’ old gymnasium is named in his honor.
- Greg Henderson, Albertville: The greatest tennis player in Albertville High School history, Henderson played collegiately at UNLV. Henderson, who remains an elite player, devotes much of his time today to promoting and teaching the game he loves. He serves as volunteer tennis coach at his alma mater, and he’s also worked with the Douglas High School program. Henderson helped launch LifePoint Tennis academy in Albertville, and he was the driving force behind the construction of the Albertville Recreation Center’s new tennis courts.
- Paul Thompson, Albertville: Thompson, Albertville’s former city inspector, was a football star for the Aggies in the late 1940s. He is known as the first T-formation quarterback in the Sand Mountain area, a formation he learned from MCSHOF coach Vernon Wells. Thompson signed a football scholarship with Jacksonville State, where he earned five letters (1951-55).
- Billy Eastep, Arab: Eastep is one of the top golfers ever produced by Marshall County. Eastep played collegiately at Marion Institute and Alabama. He turned professional in 1974 and played for a time on the PGA Tour in 1980. He won the 1987 Alabama PGA Championship. He owns the course records at Goose Pond in Scottsboro (62), at Arab County Club (63) and Twin Lakes of Arab (63). A PGA professional, he teaches the game at Madison Golf Center. Eastep was inducted into the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.
- Danny Maze, Arab: A football star for the Knights in the early 1970s, Maze is considered by some as the best player in Arab history. Maze made all-state as a running back and participated in the Alabama all-star game as a senior in 1972. He signed with Auburn.
- Allen Porter, Boaz: Porter was the quarterback on the 1979 Boaz football team, which is regarded by some as the best in school history. Porter led the team to a 10-0 record, passing for 902 yards and rushing for 512. The ’79 Pirates outscored their opponents 263-19 and recorded seven shutouts. Porter signed with Jacksonville State, where he moved to tight end and earned four letters.
- Roger Harding, DAR: Harding was a starter on the Patriots’ legendary 1965 state championship basketball team. The late Harding passed his love of the game to his sons, Patrick and Bo, both of whom are boys head coaches today — Patrick at Albertville and Bo at Woodville.
- Mike Oliver, Douglas/Guntersville: A Douglas graduate, Oliver is the first race car driver inducted into the MCSHOF. Oliver won countless races at Huntsville Speedway and other tracks during his legendary career. He owns and operates Oliver Tire in Guntersville.
- Randy Beard, Guntersville: Beard was a star athlete for Marshall County High School who signed a football scholarship with Kentucky. In 1973, Beard and his brother, Will, established the law firm of Beard and Beard in Guntersville. Beard is noted today for his community service to Guntersville and Marshall County.
- Stanley Howell, Guntersville: The Wildcat great played in the Alabama all-star game as a senior in 1975. A running back, Howell signed with Mississippi State University where he earned four letters. His 98-yard touchdown run vs. Southern Miss in 1979 is the second-longest in SEC history. Howell currently lives and works in Memphis.
The 10 new inductees bring membership in the MCSHOF to 112. The hall of fame exhibit is on display in the Guntersville Museum.
Banquet tickets are $30 each and can be purchased by contacting Shannon J. Allen at 256-840-3000, ext. 124, or send an email to the Sand Mountain Reporter; Richard “Butch” Ferguson at 256-582-3171, ext. 24, or by Email; or contact Frank Mastin by Email.
**All tickets must be purchased in advance. There will be no tickets sold at the door.