2019 INDUCTEES

Susan DeWeese

Coached volleyball, basketball and softball at Enka. Posted a 491-196 (.716) record  in volleyball.

 “Tiger” Greene

Multi-sport athlete at East Henderson High/ Two-time All-American defensive back at Western Carolina.

Tom Pryor

Legendary girls high-school basketball coach. He won 594 games at Edneyville (now North Henderson).

Caroll Wright

 31 years as a high-school football coach, Wright posted a 232-108-8 (.696) record at Brevard, Pisgah, Swain, West Henderson and Hartsville, S.C.                                                   

2018 INDUCTEES

Bobby Poss

 Won five state 4A titles as a football coach, including two at Reynolds.     Posted a 241-89-1 record in 28 seasons.

Cindi Simmons

Coached basketball and volleyball for 25 seasons at Sylva-Webster and Smoky Mountain High.           Won three state titles in volleyball, and basketball state title in 2007.

Jan Stanley

 Coached volleyball at West Henderson for 35 years                           Won five state titles and finished with 699-115 record. 

2017 INDUCTEES

David Gentry

WNC's all-time coaching leader in high school football wins (381 through the 2016 season).Won seven 1-A titles at Murphy High (986, ‘87, ‘91, ‘96, 2011, ‘13, ‘16).

Carolyn and Ron McKee

Worked in management of Asheville Tourists for 26 years (1980-2005)Built WNC's most successful pro sports franchise. Both are members of South Atlantic League Hall of Fame.

2016 INDUCTEES

Jerry Moore

Coached Appalachian State Football Team from 1989 - 2012. Posted 215-87 (.711) record at ASU. Won 10 Southern Conference Titles and three FCS national titles (2005-07).

Connie Rogers-Newcome

Basketball player scored more than 3,000 points at Erwin High and N.C. State. Parade All-American in 1978. Averaged 18.9 points and 12 rebounds a game.

2015 INDUCTEE

Roy Williams

Coached University of Kansas Men's Basketball Team from 1988 - 2003. Coached UNC Chapel Hill Men's Basketball Team. Over 700 career wins with seven final four appearances.

2014 INDUCTEE

Eddie Biedenbach

Coached UNC Asheville to 256 wins, 3 NCAA Tournaments (1996-2013). All-Time Big South Conference leader in victories (158)N.C. State’s Player of the Decade (1960s) as point guard.

2010 INDUCTEE

Brad Johnson

Won Super Bowl XXXVII (2003) as Buccaneers’ quarterback. 15-year career (166 TD passes); also led Vikings, Redskins, Cowboys. Football, basketball four-year star at Owen, Florida State.

*There were no inductees from 2011-2013

2009 INDUCTEE

Lou Fogle

Coached Asheville High, Dorman (S.C.), finished with 213 wins. South Carolina Coach of the Year, 1981, ‘88Four-year starting receiver at Clemson; All-ACC as senior (1963).

2008 INDUCTEE

Ray Roberts

First-team All-America offensive tackle at Virginia (1991). Chosen 10th overall by Seahawks in 1992 NFL Draft. Captained Lions (’96-2001) to conclude 10-year career.

2007 INDUCTEE

Gerald D. Austin

Referee for Super Bowls XXXI (1997), XXXV (2001).NFL official 1982-89, referee 1990-2007. Graduate of Erwin High, Western Carolina.

2006 INDUCTEES

Lawson Duncan

Clay-court tennis specialist rose to No. 48 in world (1985).Advanced to quarterfinals of 1989 French Open. Asheville native NCAA finalist for Clemson (1985)

Amy Pless Fleming

Four-year All-America swimmer at North Carolina. Won 1980 Willis Casey Award as state’s top female athlete. Inaugural member of Carolina Day School HOF.

2005 INDUCTEES

Boyce Deitz

Won five state championships at Swain County. Finished with career record of 218-73-1Outstanding left guard for Sylva-Webster in mid-1960s.

Sam Gash

Fullback for Super Bowl champion Ravens (2000). Started two Pro Bowls; played for Patriots, Bills. Starred at Hendersonville High, Penn State.

2004 INDUCTEES

Bruce Peterson

Successful football coach at Asheville High (1974-83). Four-sport standout at Lee Edwards. Captained football, basketball, tennis at WCU.

Billy Wells

Four-time all-conference basketball player at Lenoir-Rhyne. Coached Bears to 166 wins, two NAIA Tournaments (1957-65).Compiled 225-26 record as coach at St. Stephens High

2003 INDUCTEES

Joe Hunt

Guided Hendersonville to state football titles, 1967-68. Coach of Sylva-Webster’s first state champions, 1963. Finished with 205-83-8 career record

David Carey

Tennis standout has defied age barriers. World 85s champion in singles, twice in doubles (1999-2000) Born to English parents in Malaysia; Rhodes Scholar.

2002 INDUCTEE

Heath Shuler

Tennessee quarterback third pick in 1994 NFL Draft. 1993 Heisman Trophy runner-up. Parade All-America at Swain County

2001 INDUCTEE

Bob Clark

Renowned amateur golfer with 100+ titles. First amateur to capture WNC Open (1996). Career spanned four decades.

2000 INDUCTEES

Earl and Mary-Low Acuff

World class senior racquetball players. Inducted together into National Masters HOF, 1996Each captured U.S. Open titles in two age divisions.

Dave Bristol

Managed Reds, Brewers, Braves, Giants, Andrews resident won 657 games from 1966-80.Helped build foundation for Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine

1999 INDUCTEES

Jack Ingram

Short-track wizard finished with 340 wins. Elected to NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2013. Successful stock car owner, builder.

Ann Brandis

Top player, promoter of amateur golf. 19-time Country Club of Asheville champion. Won two State Senior Women’s Association titles

1998 INDUCTEES

Buster Brown

Nationally ranked tennis player at all levels. 1994 U.S. 40s Indoor singles champion. Opened Asheville Racquet Club in 1974.

Charles “Babe” Howell

Guided Sylva-Webster to two-sport glory (1965-87). Won 301 games, five state titles in football. Collected 628 baseball wins, two state crowns.

1997 INDUCTEES

Brad Daugherty

All-America 7-0 center at North Carolina. No. 1 overall pick by Cleveland in 1986 NBA Draft. Ex-Owen Warhorse 5-time all-star in 9-year career.

Joe Paul Eblen

Dean of Athletic Officials in WNC. Oversaw 5,500+ games in three major sports for 50 years. First referee chosen for NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

1996 INDUCTEE

Bill Rucker

WNC girls basketball coach, guided Owen to 90 straight wins in 1960s. Concluded career at Enka with 638-252 overall record, won state title in 1978.

1995 INDUCTEES

Dave Anderson

Finished 1,125-175 for Canton fast-pitch team. Hurled 12 no-hitters as Champion Paper ace. Member of N.C. Softball Hall of Fame

Ralph “Jug” Wilson

Legendary football coach at Glen Alpine, Freedom. Career record of 262-102-10 included four state titles. Little All-America center at Catawba

1994 INDUCTEES

Chuck Hines

Coached three aquatic sports at highest levels. Guided athletes in water polo, kayaking, swimming. Member of U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame.

Banjo Matthews

NASCAR pioneer as driver, owner, engine designer. Helped build 72% of top-division winners, 1974-85. Dominated McCormick Field track, 1956-58.

1993 INDUCTEES

1993 Inductees

Mary Emma Manley

Excelled as senior women’s amateur. Captured N.C. Golf Association title, 1974-75.

Don Dalton

Three-year starter as WCU quarterback, 1967-69. Guided Cats to first top 10 NAIA ranking (1969; 9-1).Led nation in passing as senior (2,626 yards).

1992 INDUCTEE

Nancy Merki Boland

Set 4 world marks, including 1500 freestyle by 0:17 (1941).Finished eighth in 400 freestyle at 1948 London Olympics. Overcame polio to break three U.S. freestyle records (1939).

1991 INDUCTEES

Gene Hamilton

Tennis standout at Asheville Country Day. Played No. 1 singles at UNC. Won 9 N.C. singles/doubles titles.

Mickey Marvin

Talented offensive guard for Raiders, 1977-87. Started in Oakland/LA Super Bowl XV, XVIII wins. Standout career at Tennessee, West Henderson.

Loyd King

Averaged 17.1 points in three seasons at Virginia Tech, Captain senior year, entered VT hall in 1998, Standout career at Erwin High,

1990 INDUCTEES

Boyd Allen

Coached Canton, Pisgah to three state football titles. Finished with 133-31-3 record at those high schools. Died following 1969 game versus rival Tuscola.

Herb Coman

Historic figure as three-sport player/coach, administrator, official. First AD at Asheville-Biltmore College (now UNC Asheville). Star athlete at Lee Edwards, then South Carolina.

J.C. Hyatt

Buncombe County golfer won 80 tournaments. Held 11 course records at one point. Captured Beaver Lake Invitational 10 times.

1989 INDUCTEES

Bob Colvin

Coached Robbinsville to 11 state 1-A football titles (1969-83)Compiled 20-season record of 177-52-2 with Black Knights. Inducted into North Carolina State Hall in 2014

Ronald Rogers

Western Carolina’s first NAIA basketball All-America (1951-53).Finished with 1,960 career points from 1949-53.First Catamount basketball player to have number retired.

Bob Waters

Winningest football coach in WCU history (116 from 1969-88).His 1983 team advanced to NCAA Division I-AA title game. Former Presbyterian College, S.F. 49ers quarterback.

1988 INDUCTEES

James “Nemo” Coleman

Captain of 1919 UNC football team (4-3-1). Coached football at defunct Bingham Academy. Also guided Asheville School program.

Jim Gudger

Won 311 games in 19 seasons as WCU basketball coach. Guided Catamounts to 1963 NAIA national title game. Broke ground with recruitment of hall member Henry Logan.

Cap Isbill

Three-sport letterman at East Tennessee State. Guided Lee Edwards High football from 1951-62. Won 574 games during three-sport coaching career.

Gene Ochsenreiter

Founder of WNC Sports Hall of Fame. Captained Maryland Terrapins basketball, 1941. Excelled at half-mile run, later in golf.

Sam Patton

Founder of Blue-White All-Star Basketball Games (Boys & Girls). Founded Hominy Valley youth sports programs as American Enka AD. Asheville Tourists MVP as right fielder in 1946 after starring at WCU.

1987 INDUCTEES

Carlton E. Weatherby

All-State football player at Duke, 1929. Compiled 213-51 record at Waynesville High. Won 443 games as girls basketball coach.

John Lanning

Won 58 games with 3.58 ERA in 11 NL seasons. Right-hander for Braves, Pirates (1936-47). Asheville native 3-sport star at N.C. State.

Dick Fayssoux

A legendary figure in Christ School athletics. Won 723 games in three major sports (1920-66).Continued as athletic director after retiring as coach.

1986 INDUCTEES

Lee Farmer

NAIA All-America tailback/tight end at Lenoir-Rhyne, 1959/60. Bears (11-0-1) won NAIA football title his senior year (1960). L-R compiled 37-4-2 record during his four-year career.

June Lingerfelt

Little All-America end in 1924, first in Rollins history. All-state in football, basketball, baseball at Asheville High. Charter member of Rolllins’ hall of fame.

Cliff Melton

Left-hander was 20-9 in rookie year (1937) with NY Giants. Only WNC native chosen for All-Star Game (1942) until 2013. Finished 86-80 in eight seasons, all with Giants.

C.C. Poindexter

“Father of Western Carolina University Athletics”. Coached football at WCC (1931-35); Bethel & Canton H.S.Four-year letterman in three sports at UNC.

1985 INDUCTEE

Tommy Burleson

Center, 7-4, for N.C. State’s 1974 national champions. Avery County native was ACC Tournament MVP, 1973-74. Member of 1972 U.S. Olympic Silver Medal basketball team. NBA '74-'81 Seattle, Kansas City, Atlanta.

1984 INDUCTEES

Dick Covington

Nine-Time City of Asheville Open singles champion. Member of U.S. Junior Davis Cup team at Wimbledon. N.C. Tennis Hall of Fame for career spanning 1920s-‘90s.

Joe Justice

All-American baseball, football player at Rollins, 1936-40. Coached alma mater to second place in 1954 College World Series. Brother of hall’s first inductee, Charlie Justice.

Norment Quarles

Registered 71 wins (27 knockouts) as boxer/attorney, 1934-41. Hendersonville welterweight also fought for UNC. Co-managed by legendary heavyweight Jack Dempsey.

1983 INDUCTEES

C.L. Moore

Coached post-war Stephens-Lee High in football, basketball. Owner, manager of Asheville Blues of Negro League minors. Star athlete at Shaw University.

Ralph James

Three-sport star at Wake Forest in 1920s. Attended Asheville High, returned to coach Charlie Justice. Also guided football programs at High Point, Western Carolina.

German “Nazi” Miller

Member of N.C. Softball Hall of Fame. Compiled fast-pitch mound record of 441-82. All-regional selection three times.

1982 INDUCTEES

Gil Coan

Center fielder played 11 seasons in major leagues, 1946-56. Brevard resident spent eight years with Washington Senators, batting .303 in ‘51. 1945 Minor League Player of the Year with Chattanooga.

O.K. Smathers

Captured World Archery Championship in 1957. Asheville native was 11-time Southeastern champion. Appeared on “I’ve Got a Secret,”  CBS-TV game show.

Edward W. “Eddie” Sutton

All-ACC halfback/defensive back at North Carolina, 1954-56. Sylva native played three seasons for NFL’s Redskins, Giants. Morehead Scholar earned medical degree at University of Tennessee.

1981 INDUCTEES

Claude “Hoot” Gibson

All-ACC cornerback, kick returner at N.C. State, 1957-60. Former Lee Edwards High star drafted by AFL’s Chargers. Led AFL in interceptions (’62), punt returns (’63-64 Raiders).

Henry Logan

Guard scored 3,290 points (30.7 pg) at Western Carolina (1964-68). Broke ground in college after starring at segregated Stephens-Lee High. Played two seasons in ABA before suffering knee injury.

Mary Montgomery

AAU All-America swimmer, 1975. Sixth in 400-meter individual medley in 1972 Munich Olympics. Asheville native had standout post-Olympic career at Florida State.

1980 INDUCTEES

Al Dowtin

Golf standout who shot record 63 at Biltmore Forest CC, 61 at Asheville CC. Buncombe County native basketball All-America at Wake Forest, 1926-27. Former minor-league shortstop in WFU Hall of Fame as administrator.

Eliza Coxe Jackson

First female inductee in WNC Hall. Excelled in golf and tennis. Member of N.C. Tennis Hall of Fame.

Fred Worthy

Buncombe County native starred in 1940s football, baseball. Member of Shaw University Hall of Fame for gridiron exploits. Shortstop for Asheville Blues in post-war Negro minor leagues.

1979 INDUCTEES

Forrest (Smoky) Burgess

Batted .295 for five major league teams, 1949-67. Retired as all-time leader in pinch-hits. Rutherford County native five-time All-Star catcher.

John Brooks Dendy

3-time Negro National Open golf champion in 1930s. Captured 52 tournaments before retiring in 1940. Asheville native began career as caddy at Asheville CC.

Bill Milner

Waynesville native starred at Duke in 1940s. First team All-America in 1943, second team in ‘46. Played for NFL’s Bears and Giants, 1947-50.

Brad Shaver

Accomplished mountain climber.Lost in descent from Himalayan peak Mount Dunagiri, 1978.Founded groundbreaking outfitter Mountaineering South.

1978 INDUCTEES

Fred Crawford

1933 Consensus All-America tackle/end at Duke. Waynesville native first from N.C. to earn such honor. College Football Hall of Fame member, 1973.

Dan Hill Jr.

Asheville native center/linebacker at Duke, 1936-3.8Earned All-America honors as co-captain of 1938 “Iron Dukes”. College Football Hall of Fame member, 1962.

Charlie “Choo Choo “ Justice

Heisman Trophy runner-up at North Carolina, 1948-49. Ex-Asheville High tailback set UNC total offense record (1946-49) that stood 45 years. Former Washington Redskin first WNC Hall inductee.

Billy Joe Patton

Tied for 1954 Masters back-nine lead, finished third. Morganton golfer enjoyed outstanding amateur career. Wake Forest Hall of Fame.

Tony Waldrop

Set world indoor mile record in 1974. All-America runner at North Carolina. Columbus native won two NCAA titles, Pan Am gold.