Raider magic on full show

HAMLET — Illustrious legends among the many 51-years of athletic historical past of Richmond Senior Excessive — gamers, coaches, benefactors — gathered on the Cole Auditorium on Monday night to be inducted into the inaugural class of the Raider Corridor of Fame.

“Over 51 years, the athletic prowess, the legendary video games and gamers, legendary coaches, occasions and moments have actually piled up,” stated principal Jim Butler. “It made it lengthy overdue that we should always have a Corridor of Fame.”

A go to to Hoke Excessive Faculty a couple of years in the past generated the concept.

“I assumed if Hoke Excessive Faculty can have a Corridor of Fame, how does Richmond Senior Excessive Faculty [go] this lengthy with out one?” Butler stated.

A committee was shaped a few 12 months in the past, and the crew of athletic director Rob Ransom, Wendy Wallace, Hal Shuler, former interim superintendent Dennis Fast, Ronald Tillman, longtime RSHS trainer Paula York and Deon Cranford decided who would essentially the most distinguished members of the Corridor. It was a “daunting activity,” however it was narrowed down to 12 honorees.

The inaugural class consists of Darryl Barnes, George Whitfield, Walter ‘Flip’ Ellerbe, Melvin Ingram, Mike Fast, Kathy Ormsby, Tali Robich, Franklin Stubbs, Mike Thomas, Whitney Wright, GR Kindley and Dr. Invoice Haltiwanger.

“It was powerful to come back down to those folks tonight,” stated Dennis Fast. “Are you able to think about 50 years of athletic prowess, athletic perfection, of the struggles that they’ve gone by means of and the unbelievable illustration they’ve fabricated from Richmond County. To deliver that each one down to those folks right here. To me that claims volumes in regards to the high quality of the those that we have now right here.”

Butler famous that everybody in attendance might have simply assembled one other 20-30 candidates who can be straightforward decisions for the Corridor.

“These of you right here tonight, I don’t even must inform you in regards to the sturdy athletic custom at Richmond Senior Excessive,” Ransom stated. “Quite a few titles, convention titles, regional titles, state-level titles — as coaches all of us make reference to our sturdy athletic custom and our groups and pleasure that the gamers ought to should play right here. The oldsters that we’re honoring tonight performed a significant position in establishing that custom. You might be what we have now primarily based Raider magic on.”

Every inductee was acknowledged by Butler in alphabetical order, and acquired a private plaque and jacket courtesy of Jostens. A replica of every plaque will likely be on show on the new RSHS health club.

First to be acknowledged was Darryl Barnes, head coach of the Raider soccer crew from 1987 to 1990 and from 1997 to 2000. He assembled a document of 110-6 throughout eight seasons, and was a five-time 4A state championship winner. His crew gained 44 consecutives video games from ‘97 to ‘99, a state document on the time. He was the Related Press Coach of the Yr in ‘97 and ‘98, and was additionally a two-time principal of the 12 months.

“Do you consider in Raider magic?” Barnes requested the gang, after which started regaling the viewers with a couple of of the highlights in some tightly contested playoff video games. “This can be a crew award — That is an award of nice gamers, nice coaches, nice group help.”

Walter ‘Flip’ Ellerbe is a 3 time state champion and the RSHS profession speeding yards chief with 4,345 yards.

“When [Butler] referred to as me on the telephone, it was one thing that I by no means thought was going to occur,” Flip stated. “I simply want my momma and daddy was right here to see it. It provides me chills to speak [about tonight.]

“He turned the measuring stick for Raider working backs,” Butler stated. “It was a no-doubter.”

Dr. Invoice Haltiwanger was a significant benefactor for Raider athletics and “touched the lives of so many individuals.”

“He was answerable for the Welcome Wagon cart,” Butler stated. “That was most likely one of the seen issues, since you’re speaking about any person who didn’t wish to be seen.”

Butler stated that even when he was unable to attend video games within the stands anymore, he would watch video games from his automotive close to the endzone. Dr. Invoice, an orthodontist, would additionally present many athletes by means of the years with customized mouthpieces.

“He’s been such a giant a part of Richmond Senior, his complete household,” Butler stated. “After we speak about legacy members, it was a no-doubter. We’re sorry that we didn’t get an opportunity to acknowledge him when he was nonetheless with us, however we’re glad to have his household right here.”

Melvin Ingram, a three-time convention champion, was drafted within the first spherical of the 2012 NFL Draft by the San Diego Chargers.

“He would possibly kick off, he would possibly punt, he would possibly line up at working again, he would possibly line up at defensive finish, and he is likely to be a linebacker,” Butler stated. “I appeared up one time and he was promoting packages.” Butler famous that he would proceed to provide again to the group, visiting with the Hamlet soccer crew a couple of years in the past.

“I’m extraordinarily honored to be aside of [the Raider Hall of Fame],” Ingram stated in a pre-recorded video. “Richmond Senior Excessive holds a particular place in my coronary heart and it’s a spot that motivated me not solely as an athlete, however an individual.”

A legacy award went to GR Kindley, a significant supporter of Raider athletics by means of establishing Southern Builders, Inc. and 20 years because the mayor of Rockingham, amongst many different roles.

“We couldn’t have had so most of the issues that we do have now with out the assistance of Mr. GR Kindley,” Butler stated. “He has modified the panorama of Richmond Senior Excessive Faculty athletics,” including that he continues to repair signage if he notices one thing amiss, although no person asks.

Kathy Ormsby, a person state cross nation champion in 1982 and holder of a number of state data, was the following honoree. She flourished not solely athletically, however was the valedictorian for the category of ‘83. In 1986, Ormsby, set the NCAA document within the 10,000 meters.

“There are such a lot of those that contributed to my athletic success,” Butler learn from a pre-recorded assertion from Ormsby. “It’s sort of like a recipe. Take any ingredient out and it’s not the identical.”

In her message, Ormsby reminded the viewers that whereas sports activities are vital, they aren’t the whole lot, and that there’s all the time somebody who’s prepared that will help you.

“I consider God loves us all, and that [through all], in our hearts, our heads, our failures and successes, He’s there,” Butler learn. “He created us to like one another as He Does. Thanks and hold holding on — Kathy Ormsby.”

Mike Fast, a large receiver on the 1978 state championship soccer crew and a participant on the basketball crew, was drafted within the first spherical of of the 1982 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He twice led the NFL in receiving yards in 1983 and 1985, and stays tied for the longest NFL reception at 99 yards.

“Most significantly he wished to thank those that helped him alongside the way in which, his teammates, his coaches, and a few of this academics who saved a foot on him now and again when he wanted it,” stated his brother, Dennis, who accepted on Mike’s behalf. “He desires you to know that he appreciates it.”

“It’s superb what number of instances folks ask me what’s within the water down there,” Mike stated in a pre-recorded video. “Possibly there’s something to that, as a result of there are such a lot of nice athletes popping out of there. To be amongst the primary class, it’s very particular to me.”

Tali Robich, a three-time all convention participant in basketball, soccer, softball, who additionally performed performed golf and volleyball, was the following inductee.

“She is a real multi-sports begin and a straightforward selection for our Corridor of Fame,” Butler stated.

After taking part in faculty basketball, she turned an assistant coach for a number of faculty groups throughout the state. Simply final month, she ran the Boston Marathon as properly.

“I didn’t know on the time what sports activities did for me,” Robich stated. “You’re doing it whenever you’re younger as a result of it’s enjoyable. Then one days it’s ‘Nicely, perhaps I can play in faculty.’ Nonetheless to today, the whole lot that I do is due to sports activities. The character that it builds — [Employers have said to me] We expect we will educate you issues since you’re an athlete.”

Exhausting-hitting pitcher and first baseman Franklin Stubbs, a three-time convention champion, personifies all Raider baseball statistics, Butler stated.

“In case you choose your self by Franklin, you most likely got here up brief,” Butler stated.

Stubbs was drafted within the first spherical of the 1982 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, later successful the World Collection in 1988.

Butler stated when he was a nine-year-old child, he wore a baseball helmet in a youth baseball league that was previously worn by Franklin along with his pale identify written in Magic Marker.

“It you’ll have informed me it was Mickey Mantle’s helmet, it wouldn’t have meant as a lot,” Butler remarked. “That reveals you the facility of athletics.”

George Whitfield accepted the award on Franklin’s behalf, recalling when two additional tickets to the ‘88 World Collection courtesy of Franklin permitted him and his daughter to attend.

“My daughter and I rode out on the bus, not understanding I used to be sitting in Tommy Lasorda’s seat! He stated ‘No, no you sit with Franklin,’ Whitfield stated. He later acquired an envelope from Franklin the following day, with a word saying ‘Thanks for on a regular basis that you simply got here to get me.’

“That’s the sort of man he was, an ideal man,” Whitfield stated. “I do know that he would have liked to been right here tonight, and it goes with out saying, however he was an ideal baseball participant.”

Mike Thomas, a two time state 4A championship quarterback and convention participant of the 12 months, additionally led the nation in punting throughout his time at RSHS. He was the beginning quarterback for the UNC Tarheels in 1995. In 1990, he was drafted by the third spherical by the Baltimore Orioles, and performed within the minor leagues.

“I need to thank my academics and coaches and teammates that I performed with,” Thomas stated. “I couldn’t have performed it with out you all and thanks for believing in me…..That is residence regardless of the place we go.”

Whitfield returned to the rostrum to turn out to be the second-to-last inductee of the night time. Butler stated he believes that that is the tenth corridor of fame that he’s been inducted into.

By Whitfield’s 48 years of teaching, he has three state championships at RSHS and a win-loss document of 976-301. He gained 14 convention championships at RSHS and was the nationwide baseball coach of the 12 months in 1969 and 1974. He was inducted into the NC Excessive Faculty Athletics Corridor of Fame in 1993. About 90 of his former baseball gamers have acquired faculty scholarships and three have performed within the Main Leagues.

“Once I referred to as him and informed him [about the induction] you’ll have thought that I simply put him in Cooperstown,” Butler stated.

“Anyone that is aware of me, is aware of that my favourite years of my life have been spent in Richmond County,” Whitfield stated after the lengthy introduction. “I’m so proud to be part of your group.”

When he was a coach, Whitfield stated he wished his gamers to have the perfect uniforms and to be in the perfect form of any athletes round.

“These are issues that I actually believed in, and I wished them to follow the basics, in order that once we bought into tight video games they wouldn’t tighten up,” Whitfield stated.

He additionally thanked the good gamers and oldsters that he was in a position to type life-long reminiscences with.

“This can be a night time I’ll always remember,” Whitfield stated. “All the different Corridor of Fames are great, however that is one which I name getting one at residence. Thanks.”

Because the occasion was approaching the three-hour mark, Whitney Wright, a 4A particular person golf and crew champion in 2003, was the ultimate inductee. Her senior 12 months, she completed first within the state amongst golfers and has traveled around the globe to play.

“Being a Raider, in my view, begins with the group,” Wright stated. “I need to thank everybody on this group who helps Richmond athletics and holds Richmond athletics of such a excessive commonplace of excellence.”

She additionally thanked her mother and father for the sacrifices they made to help her {golfing} profession.

“After 20 years of residing away, I moved again to the realm a few 12 months in the past, and I look ahead to displaying up, fostering, and supporting the Raider athletics similar to everybody right here has performed for me,” Wright stated. “I noticed so many faces tonight that introduced again so many reminiscences. Hopefully this can give quite a lot of younger folks in Richmond County an incentive…[to know] how particular this place might be.”

Eight of the inductees who have been current on the occasion gathered for a gaggle photograph to commemorate the inaugural class of the Raider Corridor of Fame. Board of Training Vice Chair Bobbie Sue Ormsby famous that the night time was an “excellent tribute” to glorious representatives of Richmond County.

“Thanks a lot for supporting Raider athletics, supporting this Corridor of Fame,” Butler stated to conclude the night time. “The committee is already beginning to make plans on how we’ll induct the following group and I do know will probably be a stellar group similar to tonight. I feel Raider athletics will proceed so as to add names and reminiscences and ball video games and coaches to this nice listing that we began tonight.”