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William Blount Sports Hall of Fame

GovMan

By GovMan
in Class 5A & Class 6A

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GovMan

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Had the incredible privilege of being the MC for the very first William Blount Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this weekend.  It was a really good night.  Here's who was inducted into the first class:

 

Bill Wallace - first WB boy's basketball coach

Barry "Skipper" Murrin - long-time Governor assistant football coach

Robbie Lee - Wrestling

Stan Ballard - basketball

Rose Ballard Justice - basketball

J. Chris Whitehead - baseball

Becca Beverly Wein - Track & Field

Alan Horton - Cross Country

Christina Joskolski - Golf

Libby Conley French - softball

Gary Stinnett -- ??still not sure??

 

It was such a great honor to recognize and see some true WB legends.  All of the living honorees were able to attend with the exception of Robbie Lee.  Both Chris and Stan had family members there to accept on their behalf.  Just a great night.

 

Anyone familiar with / remember any of those listed above?  Stories please.

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Robbie Lee - Wrestling

Stan Ballard - basketball

J. Chris Whitehead - baseball

 

Anyone familiar with / remember any of those listed above?  Stories please.

I went to school with the three listed above. I probably knew more about Robbie Lee since we rode the same school bus to Friendsville Elementary. The amount of work that Robbie Lee put in to become the wrestler that he became was incredible. He took hard work and determination to a whole different level. He suffered at football practice early on because of his size. There was no quit in him though, and he pushed through.

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Rebelsman Medalist

Rebelsman

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Had the incredible privilege of being the MC for the very first William Blount Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this weekend.  It was a really good night.  Here's who was inducted into the first class:

 

Gary Stinnett -- ??still not sure??

 

It was such a great honor to recognize and see some true WB legends.  All of the living honorees were able to attend with the exception of Robbie Lee.  Both Chris and Stan had family members there to accept on their behalf.  Just a great night.

 

Anyone familiar with / remember any of those listed above?  Stories please.

I'm thinking it's because of "them big ole speakers". :rolleyes:

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strongx Record Holder

strongx

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I have had the privilege of knowing 3 of those inductees.

 

Congratulations to Gary. Keep up all the good work neighbor. It doesn't go unnoticed.

 

Stan hit a game-winning HR off me when we were young teens. He sent me to the car with tears in my eyes. He jumped up and down between third and home. I really enjoy telling that story and have told it numerous times. But Stan was an excellent hoops player. I remember his college team traveling down to Madisonville to play my school's all-stars. Stan lit up my Hiwassee Tigers that night. He put on a show. He was a great guy with a big smile.

 

J Chris was competitive. I knew Chris best on the diamond. Every practice was a competition to see who could make the best diving catch or hit the longest HR (he usually won). He could run, throw, hit, hit for power, and field (all 5 tools). But most of all he was competitive. Those summers of competing and then playing all-stars together are lasting memories. He made those around him raise their game - because if they didn't, they might get hurt - LOL! I wish murvil had "travel baseball" back when we were kids. It would have been an unbelievable pleasure to watch him in that setting. He was a great guy.

 

Congrats to all the wb inductees. :thumb:

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GovMan Champion

GovMan

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I got some tales, stories I will share when I can get to my lapper.

It is great that WB now has enough history to Recognize past greats, though I do think that to be inducted......

 

you should have attended for all four years.... :)

giphy.gif

So you would have left off Coach Wallace, Skipper, and me?  

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AlcoasPaintedBridge

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Bill Wallace was a good coach that developed some raw talent at WB.

(May Brothers, Dunlap bothers, Stan Ballard, Marvin Black and Rossie Beavers...etc )

His teams made several deep runs in the postseason but just could not get past some awesome teams with great players.

They had Karns beat in sub-state in the mid-80's when they had Doug Roth and Travis Henry...but a late run and a couple of homer calls against the Govs in Knoxville ended that run prematurely.

They also had some memorable run ins with Rob Jones at AE and Mike Carpenter at Farragut in those days.

Basketball in ET was pretty strong back then.

 

Robbie Lee was Bud Burtnett's Golden Boy. He went from a "fat kid" that was country strong to one of the best wrestlers in the state. Endless worker. Between classes you would catch him doing things to improve his stamina....running in the gym, hitting a stationary bike...he never stayed still. I imagine he went about 280 at his best. he could really move for a big guy.

 

the Ballards--- Basketball family, except fot Glen, the father...was a music director.

Stan was a three year started for the Govs if I am not mistaken. and always drew the assignment of defending the other teams best players. Stan went toe to toe with Carpenter (7'2") and John Dyslan from Webb (6'11) while stepping onto the court at maybe 6'3"...Was on his way to becoming a valuable basketball coach before being stricken with cancer and passing on.

Rose Ballard his sister was a great post player that helped the Lady Govs to their first ever #1 ranking in class AAA in 1985.

 

Chris Whitehead- Best baseball player to ever step onto that field. Was instrumental in helping the Govs knock out top ranked Farragut and their 100mph fast baller Mike Glover in the region tournament. Drafted by the Red Sox, he was killed in an automobile accident on 411 just before spring training.

 

Alan Horton- simply a beast. Ran in the Olympic trials a few years back, has won numerous road races and marathons and is now making his rounds on the triathlon circuit which make me finish one place lower.

 

Christina Jazkolski- little girl with a big swing. Cute as a button too... :)

 

Libby Conley- stole like a GoZillion bases...faster than the Gospel.

 

Gary Stinnett..... Married a girl from Alnwick, that guaranteed him a first-ballot HOF.

 

Again, I think this is neat for the school. Cant wait to see GovMan's bronze bust in the Commons Area.

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GovMan Champion

GovMan

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Bill Wallace was a good coach that developed some raw talent at WB.

(May Brothers, Dunlap bothers, Stan Ballard, Marvin Black and Rossie Beavers...etc )

His teams made several deep runs in the postseason but just could not get past some awesome teams with great players.

They had Karns beat in sub-state in the mid-80's when they had Doug Roth and Travis Henry...but a late run and a couple of homer calls against the Govs in Knoxville ended that run prematurely.

They also had some memorable run ins with Rob Jones at AE and Mike Carpenter at Farragut in those days.

Basketball in ET was pretty strong back then.

 

Robbie Lee was Bud Burtnett's Golden Boy. He went from a "fat kid" that was country strong to one of the best wrestlers in the state. Endless worker. Between classes you would catch him doing things to improve his stamina....running in the gym, hitting a stationary bike...he never stayed still. I imagine he went about 280 at his best. he could really move for a big guy.

 

the Ballards--- Basketball family, except fot Glen, the father...was a music director.

Stan was a three year started for the Govs if I am not mistaken. and always drew the assignment of defending the other teams best players. Stan went toe to toe with Carpenter (7'2") and John Dyslan from Webb (6'11) while stepping onto the court at maybe 6'3"...Was on his way to becoming a valuable basketball coach before being stricken with cancer and passing on.

Rose Ballard his sister was a great post player that helped the Lady Govs to their first ever #1 ranking in class AAA in 1985.

 

Chris Whitehead- Best baseball player to ever step onto that field. Was instrumental in helping the Govs knock out top ranked Farragut and their 100mph fast baller Mike Glover in the region tournament. Drafted by the Red Sox, he was killed in an automobile accident on 411 just before spring training.

 

Alan Horton- simply a beast. Ran in the Olympic trials a few years back, has won numerous road races and marathons and is now making his rounds on the triathlon circuit which make me finish one place lower.

 

Christina Jazkolski- little girl with a big swing. Cute as a button too... :)

 

Libby Conley- stole like a GoZillion bases...faster than the Gospel.

 

Gary Stinnett..... Married a girl from Alnwick, that guaranteed him a first-ballot HOF.

 

Again, I think this is neat for the school. Cant wait to see GovMan's bronze bust in the Commons Area.

Good stuff APB.  As far as your contention that inductees did all four years at WB, that will most likely be the standard with all athlete inductees.  As far as coaches and community supporters (my actual designation), that rule won't always be applicable.  Fair enough?

 

You're pretty much spot on with your recollections.  I could "nitpick" one or two little trivial things but not much!  You've got a computer for a brain my friend.

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