2010 Hall of Fame Banquet

The Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame
held it's 14th Annual Banquet at
Paris Convention Center, 1510 East Wood Street (Hampton Inn)
May 6, 2010 at 6:30 p.m.

By TOMMY PRIDDY
P-I Sports Editor

Mike Keith may be the Voice of the Titans but he found a much bigger crowd to talk to during the Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame banquet Thursday at the Paris Convention Center than he had seen sometime in 1997 or 1998 when he first visited Paris on the Titans’ Caravan.

“They tell me there are about two-hundred-twenty in attendance tonight,” Keith said. “That is about two-hundred-seventeen more than were here at the Hampton Inn back on that first trip to Paris.”

Keith served as the guest speaker for the annual banquet that honors each year’s inductees into the local Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees are Angie McGrew Oliver, Rob Hessing, Earl Kendall, Bill Moody and the late Don Sutton. Jim Farmer was presented the Distinguished Service Award at the banquet.

The Hall of Fame also honored two student-athletes from all of the schools that play athletics in Henry County. Hall of Fame board member Amy Veazey explained that the students were honored for not only being outstanding athletes but for having displayed qualities of leadership, good citizenship and dedication to their school.

Student Sports Hall of Fame honorees for 2010 are Katy Beth Glover and Skylar Haley, Henry County High School; Hannah McFadden and Ryan Belasic, Grove School; Rachel Ayers and Ashton Cate, Inman Middle School; Emily Leonard and Drake Walker, Harrelson School; Whitney Rawls and Michael Etheridge, Henry School; and Kelli Jackson and Justin Ramos, Lakewood School.

Keith talked about getting his start as a broadcaster at the knee of legendary University of Tennessee announcer John Ward. He talked about how Ward would prepare 40 pages of ab lib notes for each Vols’ broadcast.

He linked that to the biggest play in the Titans’ history — the famous Music City Miracle in January 2000. Keith outlined how there were several adjustments made to the play as the team took the field in the near hopeless playoff situation trailing the Buffalo Bills 16-15 with virtually no time left.

Keith said the team’s preparation for that kind of situation led to the game-winning touchdown.

“Despite all the adjustments made on the fly by three guys, it was the work of the other eight that made the play work. Those guys carried out the assignments perfectly. That play sold the Titans to Tennessee,” Keith said.

He said he had been in broadcasting for 25 years and he used something he learned from athletics in nearly all aspects of his life each day. He said things like teamwork, discipline and dedication carried over from athletics to professional and home life.

“Parents, please keep in mind these important lessons on those times when you have children with four o’clock practices on opposite sides of town and you don’t know how in the world you can manage it. Those lessons learned in sports are important,” Keith said.

He said former NFL star and coach Mike Ditka described success in the acronym ACE. The A is attitude and that is the one thing of which each of us has total control.

The C is character which is displayed in knowing to do the right thing at the right time.

Enthusiasm concludes the formula. Keith called that his favorite element.

“The secret to a successful life is enthusiasm. You have to have that passion to carry throughout your life. People listen and follow those that have enthusiasm. All winners have that enthusiasm and passion which is why they are able to succeed no matter what they face on the field and in their lives,” Keith said.

Each of the Hall of Fame honorees spoke of being surprised to receive such a high honor.

Hessing said he had received great help in forging a career in golf from so many people. He encouraged the young people there to strive to succeed.

“There are two choices: either you can or you can’t. In your life, always choose to be one that can,” Hessing said.

Kendall talked about the great role models in his life from his parents to teachers and coaches he had in school. He said he tried to be the same to the students and players he had under him in a long teaching and coaching career in Henry County.

Moody encouraged the young people to never stray from having religion in their lives. He said it would give them the foundation to carry them through both good and hard times.

Oliver said it was a big adjustment when her family moved from Indiana to Springville when she was in the sixth grade but one of her teachers helped her see the positive side of the move.

“She told me that Indiana’s loss was Henry County’s gain. That meant everything as I tried to understand why we had come here but soon it became apparent that the real gain was mine. Henry County was a great place for me and my brother and sister to grow up,” said Oliver.

Jean Sutton told the audience about her 58 years with her late husband Don and his love for youth athletics. She drew a standing ovation with a heartfelt talk that illustrated how much she missed her husband who passed away earlier this year.

“I just wish so much he could have been here for this but I know that he really is,” she said.

Farmer said he spent his life trying to be a good citizen and supporter of all aspects of life in Henry County. He said he really enjoyed youth athletics at all levels.

Known as the Voice of the Patriots for his role as the public address announcer at Henry County High School football games, Farmer delivered a familiar anthem.

“These young people whether they come from Buchanan, Cottage Grove, Henry, Puryear or here in Paris each year come together at Grove and Henry County High School to be Patriots. They are and will always be Patriot pride personified,” said Farmer.