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The Rutherford County Sports Hall of Fame (RCSHOF), presented by Hardin's Drug, announces that tickets are now on sale to the 2022 RCSHOF Induction Ceremony. The event will take place Thursday, May 5 at The Foundation, at Isothermal Community College beginning at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online or at The Foundation Box Office for $25 each. A small service fee will be applied to online orders. Quantities are limited, so patrons are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance of the event. This year, the RCSHOF will honor an outstanding class of 10 individuals.
Jack Huss
Jack Huss is a Spindale native who lettered in three sports at R-S Central High School (Class of 1965). He went on to have a Hall of Fame career quarterbacking the Lenoir Rhyne Bears, setting 10 school records. After his playing career, Huss made a name for himself as a coach, administrator and official, coaching the R-S football team to their first ever playoff win in 1987 and guiding the Hilltoppers to a pair of Wachovia Cups as Athletic Director. Huss officiated high school and college basketball for 40 years, calling five NCHSAA Championship games. He was inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame in 2014.
John Keeter
John Keeter found success on the gridiron as both a player and coach. He earned All-American honors as an offensive lineman for Gardner-Webb in 1959 and is a member of the GWU Hall of Fame. As coach of Chase High School, he led the Trojans to consecutive Southwestern Conference titles in 1975 and '76 and coached three NFL players and RCSHOF members, Chuck McSwain, Rodney McSwain and Billy Ray Vickers during his tenure. He is also a member of the CHASE Hall of Fame.
Gerald Lipscomb
Gerard Lipscomb was born in Rutherfordton on February 24, 1911 and was a standout athlete at R-S Central. Lipscomb became the second Rutherford County baseball player to reach the MLB when he made his debut for the St. Louis Browns in 1937. Though 1937 was his only season in the MLB, Lipscomb made the most of his opportunity, batting .323 in 109 plate appearances.
Tim McKeithan
The first Rutherford County baseball player to reach the Major Leagues was Tim McKeithan. He pitched the Cool Springs Tornadoes to the State Championship in 1928 before having a solid career at Duke University. After graduating, he has the distinction of jumping straight to the Major Leagues from college, making his debut for the Philadelphia Athletics and Manager Connie Mack in 1932. He posted a 1-1 record in two seasons, while giving up a home run to Babe Ruth in 1934.
Bobby Reynolds
Bobby Reynolds' name is not only synonymous with baseball in Rutherford County, but the state of North Carolina, as well. He is a member of five different Hall of Fames after winning multiple State Championships as a player and a coach for high school and American Legion baseball. Reynolds coached the East Rutherford Cavaliers for 27 years, winning six State Titles and he has been coaching American Legion baseball for the last 33 seasons, mostly with Cherryville Post 100. In all, Reynolds has a combined 1,308 head coaching victories, along with a .715 winning percentage.
Ray Rice
Ray Rice's Martial Arts career has taken him all over the world, but he still has deep Rutherford County roots. A 1973 graduate of Chase Rice began pursuing Martial Arts in 1971 and has since attained Black Belts in three different disciplines: Japanese Shotokan, Korean Tae Kwon Do and Aikido. In 1976, he opened the Ray Rice Martial Arts Center and has trained thousands of students in the past 46 years. Rice began his competitive career in 1982, eventually garnering a #1 World Ranking in 1992 for Kickboxing in the Super Middleweight division. Rice has also trained with Martial Arts legends Chuck Norris (Walker Texas Ranger) and Jason David Frank (Power Rangers).
Wendy Stafford
Wendy Henson Stafford became a record-setter in the pool from an early age, setting team records for both the Forest City and Rutherford County Swim teams even before a stellar career at Chase. She never lost a race while swimming for the Trojans, setting NCHSAA records in multiple events and was a three-time high school All-American, along with earning NCHSAA Swimmer of the Year honors all four years at Chase. Stafford continued to set records for Clemson in college, claiming 30 first place finishes in her Tiger career, earning her multiple awards and accolades.
Eric Starr
Eric Starr lived up to his name on the gridiron, no matter the level of competition. As an East Rutherford Cavalier, he was a two-time 1,000-yard rusher and played in the 1983 Shrine Bowl his senior season. In college, Starr was a four-year starter for UNC. In 1985, he intercepted three passes as a defensive back, which was fourth most in the ACC that season. Starr moved to running back to finish his Tar Heel career, scoring a combined eight touchdowns and rushing for 1,028 yards. After college, Starr went on to play professionally in the NFL and Canadian Football League.
Billy Ray Vickers
Billy Ray Vickers played football at Chase under RCSHOF member, Coach John Keeter. He led the Trojans to an undefeated regular season and Southwestern Conference Title as a senior in 1975, by rushing for over 1,200 yards and was named Most Outstanding Defensive Player at the Shrine Bowl later that year. During his college career at NC State, Vickers was the featured running back that secured a Peach Bowl victory vs. Iowa State in 1977. In 1979, Vickers helped the Wolfpack win the ACC regular season title. After his NFL career was cut short, Vickers entered the business world and is the founder, owner and CEO of seven different companies.
Lewis Young
Lewis Young found success on the basketball court both at home and abroad. As a senior in 1975, he averaged a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds for R-S Central. He was named Conference Player of the Year and MVP of the East-West All-Star Game that season. During his college career at Gardner-Webb, Young scored 1,703 points, earning NAIA All-American honors. Young then earned tryouts with the NBA's Detroit Pistons and the world-famous Harlem Globetrotters, but found a home playing overseas. He holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the most points ever scored in a basketball game with 108 while playing in Scotland. Lewis also played and coached in Australia for many years.
For additional information, please visit the RCSHOF website (rcshof.org) or call The Foundation Box Office at 828-286-9990.
