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< 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.

< Back Billy Ray Haynes Jr 2023 Billy Ray Haynes, Jr. shattered records on both the gridiron and the baseball diamond for the CHASE Trojans from 1985-1988. He then took his talents to Raleigh where he was a terror for opposing offenses as a linebacker for the NC State Wolfpack football team and his name is still etched in their record books. Haynes, Jr. announced his presence at CHASE early as he earned a starting spot on the Varsity football team as a freshman and remained a starter for all four seasons in Henrietta. Haynes, Jr. was also a four-year starter for the Trojans’ baseball team. While playing football under legendary coach John Keeter, Haynes, Jr. was named to All-County and All-Area teams on both sides of the ball as a sophomore and junior. He capped his CHASE career with a standout senior campaign in 1987. During that season, Haynes, Jr. posted 169 tackles from his linebacker spot, earning him Rutherford County Player of The Year, along with All-Conference honors. Due to his exploits, Haynes, Jr. was named to the East-West All-Star Game and Shrine Bowl rosters following the season. At the 1987 Shrine Bowl, he set the record for most individual tackles in the game with 16. Not to be outdone, Haynes also shattered records on the baseball field for the Trojans. He is the current record-holder for the most home runs and RBIs in a single season for CHASE. He also put in solid work in the classroom, having the highest G.P.A. on the team and was elected Student Body Vice President as a senior. Haynes, Jr. went on to have an outstanding career at NC State from 1988-91. He was a four-year letterman for the Wolfpack and made four post-season bowl appearances (two wins) with the team. He led the Wolfpack in total tackles with 123 as a sophomore in 1989 and did the same his senior season in 1991 with 102. In 1991, Haynes was also honored with the Captain’s Award and spearheaded a defense that allowed just over 18 points per game. He helped the Wolfpack post a 9-3 record that season and a final Associated Press National Ranking of #24 . In all, Haynes finished his Wolfpack career with four interceptions and 364 total tackles, which ranks just behind NFL coaching great Bill Cowher for 8th on the all-time list at NC State. Today, Haynes, Jr. still resides in Rutherford County where he is a General Foreman at Befesa Zinc Metal.

< 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.

< 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.

< 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.

< 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.

< Back Rodney McSwain 2017 is from Caroleen, North Carolina. He attended Chase High School, went on to become one of Clemson University's Top 10 Defensive Line Players of the 1980s and is a former professional American football cornerback in the National Football League. In May of 1984, McSwain was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons following his college career at Clemson University. McSwain, who also anchored Clemson's 1982 conference champion 400-meter relay team, was one of nine defensive players drafted by the Falcons. McSwain was quickly acquired by the New England Patriots where he played seven seasons (1984-1990). He also played two seasons in the Arena Football League with the Detroit Drive, winning Arena Bowl VI in 1992. Cornerbacks, in the early 80's were from that of today's standards. While they were still expected to cover wide receivers, they were also basically linebackers who were lined outside of the eight-man box. Rod McSwain mastered this scenario and was a lock down cornerback. He had the size and power to play linebacker, but speed to play corner. In the 1985 season, the New England Patriots saw their first play-off game ever in the Super Bowl era when McSwain sealed the deal with a pass interception. They were the wild card that would not host a single game on their home field and yet would miraculously achieve the honor of squaring off in Super Bowl XX against the powerhouse Chicago Bears. While they did not win, this was a wonderful experience to be a part of.

< Back Harold Morris "Gomer" Hodge 2018 Baseball player and coach, Hodge was born in Rutherfordton. Now deceased, he had a long career, playing in 80 Major League games with a batting average at .205 and 83 at-bats. Hodge was signed as an amateur free agent by the Cleveland Indians. He played for the Dubuque Packers first; he later played for the Salinas Indians, Pawtucket Indians, Portland Beavers and Savannah Indians, among others. Legend has it that he got his nickname, Gomer, from a teammate on the Burlington Indians team in 1964, due to his resemblance to the actor/singer Jim Nabors who played Gomer Pyle on TV. Hodge played his last game in 1971. He began a new baseball career in 1973 as coach for the Cleveland Indians organization, and later served as manager and coach for Milwaukee, Montreal and the Boston Red Sox before retiring in 1995. His son, Nicholas Hodge talks about the many happy memories of his father's baseball career. When Hodge was playing for the Red Sox, Nicholas remembers going to spring training with him. They ate together, breakfast and lunch, players and coaches, working out and practicing, laughing and working hard. "Dad hit his one and only homerun over The Green Monster' at Fenway Park against Roger Moret..he would always tell me," Nicholas said. He also remembers his father always brought a crockpot with him on the road, providing a meal of black beans and rice, bread and meat for the young players - many from the Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico or Korea. "Dad would be so proud, and I know today, he is looking down upon all of us and smiling," said Nicholas Hodge, Harold Morris 'Gomer' Hodge passed away from Lou Gehrig's Disease in 2007.

< Back Thomas McBrayer Hicks 2019 Thomas "Tommy" Hicks may have never scored a touchdown, made a basket, or hit a homerun, but he made an undeniable impact on the Rutherford County sports landscape by writing about those who did. Born on January 16, 1954, Hicks was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy at the age of nine. Hicks did not let the disability define him, however, as he continued to play Little League baseball. Hicks' love of sports continued throughout the rest of his life. He attended East Rutherford High School where he lettered as the team manager of the 1972 Western State Champion Cavalier men's basketball team. Hicks also served as Class President at East Rutherford in 1972. After graduating from East Rutherford, Hicks attended Saint Andrew College and later earned his Master Degree in Counseling at UNC-Charlotte. Hicks opened a private counseling practice to support himself, along with running the Amazin Shopper and Tommy's Taxi. He used the proceeds from these ventures to donate widely to charities such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Coalition to Cure Calpain 3 Deficiency, as well as other local charities. With all of his philanthropy and businesses, Hicks still found time to indulge his love of sports. He attended many Charlotte Hornet and Duke Blue Devil basketball games, but he also had a passion for Rutherford County sports. Hicks covered them in various publications throughout the county, including the Daily Courier, The Rutherford Weekly, The Rutherford County News and his own Amazin Shopper. He also spearheaded numerous projects, including the selection of The 50 Greatest Men's Basketball Players of Rutherford County. When Hicks passed away on September 26, 2017, a standing-room only crowd filled First Baptist Church of Forest City to pay their final respects. It is clear that Hicks left a lasting legacy on Rutherford County. In 2018, Hicks became the first, and only, person to receive the Citizen of the Year Award from the Forest City Kiwanis Club posthumously. He was also named to the East Rutherford Sports Hall of Fame for a lifetime of service that same year. In addition, Hicks' longtime friend Pat Jobe wrote the book, "Heart on Wheels" which details Hicks' life and the legacy he left behind.

< Back Angela Hamilton-Jones 2018 Angela Hamilton-Jones attended R-S Central High School from 1985-1989. While there she was a standout member of the basketball, volleyball and track teams. Hamilton-Jones accumulated many honors during her high school athletic career. She played center on the basketball team and right-hitter on the volleyball team. As a member of the track and field team, she ran the 100-yd. dash, 100 and 200 hurdles, and mile relay. She also did the long-jump, discus and shot-put. She was MVP in Track and Volleyball, and a member of the All Tournament, All Conference, and All Regional teams, named Spartanburg Herald Journal Player of the Week and Charlotte Observer's First Team. Hamilton-Jones attended Johnson C. Smith University from 1985-1989, where she continued her athletic career as a member of the volleyball and basketball teams. She was the first female to receive the ML Edwards Memorial Athletic Award; she received the Cathy Callahan Memorial Award, was named the SWC Player of the Year. She was a member of the NCAA Division 2 All American team, CIA 1987-1989, CIA Tournament 1987-1989, and was named MVP. Hamilton-Jones was inducted into the JSU Hall of Fame and holds the record for the most field goals made at 742. Hamilton-Smith said her most memorable quote from Tim Duncan, who said, "Good better, best, never let it rest until your good is better, and your better is best." JCSU Coach Steve Joyner said, "Good team don't last forever, but good people do." Asked about her most significant sports career moment, Hamilton-Smith said, "During my career, all moments were significant in learning who you are and experiencing the sport." As a team member, Hamilton-Jones said, "I believe the most significant moment..is always to be a team member in each game. It's not all individual; you are always playing together to win."

< 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.

< Back Paul Tim Jones 2024 If there is one name that is synonymous with Track & Field in Rutherford County, it is Paul Tim Jones. The 1959 graduate of Cool Springs High School went on to captain the first-ever Track and Field Team at Western Carolina in 1967 after completing his military service in Vietnam. He began coaching the Catamounts in 1968 as a graduate assistant and took over as the head coach in 1969. Over the next 12 seasons in Cullowhee, Jones coached several All-Americans and was named the NCAA Division II Coach Of The Year in 1974 and 1975. During his high school career, Jones says he dabbled in baseball and basketball, but his true love wasTrack & Field. Jones won a pair of Conference Championships while at Cool Springs, graduating in 1959. After graduation, he went to Western Carolina, but the Catamounts did not have a track team yet. Jones left Western, however, and joined the Marine Corps. From 1965-1967, he served in Vietnam, returning to Western to complete his education when his service had concluded. Jones captained the first-ever Track & Field Team in Western Carolina history in 1967 and he also captained the Cross County team that same season. Jones admits that he was a much better coach than a participant. Jones began his coaching career in 1968 and except for a short time at West Georgia, remained at the head of the Catamount program until 1981. During his coaching tenure, Jones posted an impressive 187-79 record (.703 winning percentage). Under his tutelage, three athletes achieved All-American status while several others earned All- Conference honors. Jones led Western to a Division II Top 20 National Ranking in 1974 and 75, earning National Coach Of The Year honors in both of those seasons. Jones left Western Carolina in 1981 to “Come Back Home” to Rutherford County, but that does not mean he left Track & Field behind. Far from it. Jones helped to strengthen the programs at all the high schools and middle schools in the county. “I wanted to help all the kids in Rutherford County, not just one school,” Jones said. “I was an official for local and District (high school) meets for a long time. When I got older, I could still fire the gun (Starter’s Pistol) until I retired a few years ago.” Along with officiating meets Jones also coached the R-S Middle School Track team to three straight conference championships in the late 1980’s. He was elected to the Western Carolina Hall Of Fame in 2002 and while he says that was a great honor, his inclusion in the Rutherford County Sports Hall Of Fame means more. “I get emotional just thinking about it,” he said. “The Western Carolina Hall Of Fame means a lot, but (being inducted into) the Rutherford County Sports Hall Of Fame is one of the proudest moments of my life, even more than being Coach Of The Year.” Jones currently resides in Rutherfordton and he loves to spend his Summers at McNair Field where he is a member of the Forest City Owls’ Booster Club.