Just Revealed: Jefferson County Sports Hall of Fame’s Inaugural Class!

The Celebration of Greatness

The historic inaugural banquet of the Jefferson County Sports Hall of Fame was a night to remember, as 72 inductees, including 10 non-county natives who competed at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, were recognized for their achievements in various sports.

Honoring the Inductees

The four living greats – Torii Hunter, Monte Coleman, Willie Roaf, and Basil Shabazz – were in attendance, sharing their experiences and insights with the audience. Hunter, a five-time all-star who played with the Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Angels, and Detroit Tigers from 1997-2015, revealed a story of when he wrote a letter to then-President Bill Clinton to request $500 for an opportunity to play in an youth Olympic tournament in Seoul, South Korea, at age 16.

“Kids, if you’re in here, it’s all about your environment,” Hunter said. “It’s all about the people around you. If you’ve got five guys around you, go take a look and see if you need to be with. Are they speaking the same language you’re speaking?”

Roaf, a member of countless halls of fame, many of them connected to Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri, expressed his gratitude to be part of the hall of fame in his hometown. “This is very special. This is the last hall-of-fame banquet I will go in,” Roaf said. “It’s only fitting we would have it in the city of Pine Bluff, where we have all of our homeboys and our homegirls.”

The Story Behind the Hall of Fame

The banquet marked a culmination of nearly a year’s work by a four-man committee led by Jeff Gross to name the greatest athletes of the past 100 years. The county’s rich sports history, dating back to Pine Bluff High School’s football team winning its first national championship in 1923, was highlighted.

A Century of Excellence

The county’s top 10 sports events of all time were also honored, with Arkansas’ 65-64 win over Michael Jordan-led University of North Carolina in an NBC-televised basketball game on Feb. 12, 1984, topping the list. That game was played on the same arena floor.

The Legacy of Bill Carr

The naming of a museum at the Main Library in Pine Bluff, honoring Bill Carr’s two Olympic gold medals, was announced. Carr’s impact on the city’s sports history and his continued connection to the community were celebrated.

Six other men were named All-Time Greats, the original selections for the hall: Torii Hunter (baseball), Don Hutson (football), Rickey Henderson (baseball), Monte Coleman (football), Willie Roaf (football), and Basil Shabazz (multiple sports).

Key Takeaways and Reflections

The inaugural induction banquet of the Jefferson County Sports Hall of Fame was a resounding success, bringing together local athletes, coaches, and fans to celebrate the county’s rich sports heritage. The event was filled with inspiring stories, heartfelt remarks, and a sense of community that reinforced the significance of the hall of fame.

Lessons from the Legends

Torii Hunter, a five-time all-star who played in the MLB for 19 seasons, shared an inspiring story of perseverance and the importance of a supportive environment. Hunter revealed a story of when he wrote a letter to then-President Bill Clinton to request $500 for an opportunity to play in an youth Olympic tournament in Seoul, South Korea, at age 16. He emphasized the importance of having the right people around you, saying “Kids, if you’re in here, it’s all about your environment. It’s all about the people around you.”

Willie Roaf, a member of countless halls of fame, highlighted the significance of the event and the city of Pine Bluff’s connection to the inductees. Roaf, who was inducted into the hall of fame, said “This is very special. This is the last hall-of-fame banquet I will go in. It’s only fitting we would have it in the city of Pine Bluff, where we have all of our homeboys and our homegirls.”

The Power of Community

The event brought together local athletes, coaches, and fans, showcasing the strength of the community’s sports culture. The induction of Hall of Fame Legends, including Dante Wesley, Jim Benton, and others, reflected the county’s rich sports heritage. Wesley, a safety who played in the NFL for seven seasons, said “It’s great to have all this greatness in the room. You all looked up to us. We all looked up to each other, and it’s a tremendous thing to have everyone together.”

The event also honored the county’s top 10 sports events of all time, including Arkansas’ 65-64 win over Michael Jordan-led University of North Carolina in an NBC-televised basketball game on Feb. 12, 1984.

The Future of the Hall of Fame

The induction banquet marked a significant milestone in the history of the Jefferson County Sports Hall of Fame, solidifying its place as a premier institution for preserving and celebrating the county’s sports legacy.

A Permanent Home for the Inductees

The inductees will be enshrined in a museum at the Main Library in Pine Bluff, providing a permanent home for their achievements. The museum, named after Bill Carr, a track star who won two gold medals in the 1932 Summer Olympics, will serve as a beacon for the county’s sports heritage.

The hall of fame’s mission to preserve and celebrate the county’s sports legacy was reinforced, with the induction banquet marking a significant step forward in achieving that goal.

Inspiring Future Generations

The event served as a reminder of the impact that local athletes can have on their community and the world at large. The hall of fame’s potential to inspire and motivate young athletes was emphasized, with the inductees serving as role models for future generations.

The induction banquet was a testament to the power of sports to bring people together and transcend generations. As Charles Washington, a University of Arkansas defensive back in the 1980s, said “Sometimes in life, there’s only one and we got to be part of that one. God gifted us with gifts we were able to give back to you.”