SALISBURY ROWAN SPORTS HALL OF FAME
For more information call: 704-216-PLAY
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Class of 2002 |
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James Walt Baker |
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Vernon Benson |
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Vernon
Benson was an outstanding
member of the Catawba Baseball Team (1940-1943). He was signed by
the Philadelphia
Athletics in 1943. His sports career was interrupted at a young
age as Vernon courageously served in WWII. He then returned from military
service to play with the St. Louis Cardinals and won a starting 3rd base
position in 1951. He also coached for the St. Louis Cardinals, New
York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds, Atlanta Braves and San Francisco
Giants. In addition, he served as a major league scout.
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David Drechsler |
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Jimmy Heggins |
 Jimmy
Heggins was an exceptional
multi-star athlete at North
Rowan High School (1970-1974) participating in track, wrestling and
football. During
senior year, he set a Rowan County football rushing record of 1,606
yards. Heggins caught 11 passes for 162 yards and scored 138 points.
He also set Rowan County records in three track events including "9.7 -
100 yard dash". He won the Western North Carolina High School Athletic
Association Wrestling Championship and received a football scholarship to
Florida State University where he played as fullback and nose guard.
He was
named FSU's outstanding defensive player in 1976. He currently lives
in Tallahassee, Florida and serves as the FSU Offensive Line coach. |
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Bobby Pharr |
 Bobby
Pharr was a former
Salisbury High School Head Coach and Athletic Director. He was
one of the
most winning basketball coaches in Rowan County history. His teams
were known for their outstanding defense.
During a four-year period (68-69 through 71-72), his teams amassed a
100-5 record including: three straight Western North Carolina High School Athletic
Association Championships and four straight 3A South Piedmont Conference titles.
His overall record at Salisbury High School was 252-100 over 14
seasons. He also coached the West team in the East-West All-Star
Game. Under his leadership, the school won
three straight Wachovia cups for
having the top athletic programs among 2A schools in North Carolina. |
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James Teal |
 James
Teal was a versatile
athlete at Boyden High School where he lettered three straight years in football, basketball and track.He played offensive tackle and defensive linebacker and was named to 4A All-Conference teams in 1966. He won the Coca Cola Gold Helmet Award in 1966 and 1967. In 1967, he was selected as All Rowan County, All Conference, All State, WBTV All State and played in the Shrine Bowl. He was also named the most outstanding athlete for that year. He went on to be a four year starting lineman at Purdue University, earning Big 10 Honors and Honorable Mention All-American in 1971.He also played Inter-Collegiate basketball at Purdue. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1972.In addition, he played for the Birmingham Americans/Vulcans in 1974/75 and the Ottawa Roughriders in 1976/77. He currently lives in Michigan, although a lot of his family and friends still reside in this area |
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Larry Thomason |
 Larry
Thomason was a North
Rowan High School
player lettering in football, basketball and track. He also lettered at Wake Forest University before injuries ended his play.
He returned to NRHS in 1968 and began his outstanding coaching and
teaching career. He has received numerous county and state teaching
awards and is active in teaching associations. Today he continues to teach in
and out of the class room and on the athletic fields. He has
served 19 seasons as
head football coach, 11 seasons as a freshmen track coach, 8 seasons
as JV basketball coach, 5 seasons as head track coach and meet
director. He's been a five time Rowan County Coach of the Year as
well. His football teams won three
conference titles, two division titles and made the state playoffs
five times. He's married to his wife Brenda and is still actively teaching and volunteering in
this area. |
James
Walt Baker was a standout
basketball player at former Spencer High School. He served for 33 years
as coach, athletic director and principal of North Rowan High School
(retired in 1989). He attended Appalachian State University as
successful student and athlete and began his coaching career at Spencer
High in 1958. He was the first basketball coach in 1960 and recorded 231 wins
and six
championships. 1976-77 Cavaliers were 23 and 6 (3rd best team in
school history). Baker was also a founding committee member of Salisbury Rowan Sports
David
Drechsler was a three-star
athlete at West Rowan High School (1974-1978). He won All Rowan County, All
State, All
Conference Football Honors and played in the East-West All Star and Shrine
Bowl games. He received a football scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill with
Academic and First Team All America and All ACC Honors in 1981 &
1982. He was awarded the Patterson Medal as an outstanding senior student
athlete. After college he was a second string selection and signed
to play with the
Green Bay Packers. He earned Rookie of the Year honors with Green Bay
in 1983. |
Click the link above and enjoy viewing our Program Brochure for exciting opportunities being offered throughout the city. |
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Nominate
Teams or Individuals To submit on an individual for committee review for 2008, please do the following:
Please
click on the Hall of Fame Application (pages 1-4) links below to
print forms and mail to: Visit the Parks and Recreation Administrative Offices at the City Office Building, 132 N. Main Street, Downtown Salisbury, to obtain a printed form and return to this same location.
Hall
of Fame Application Page 1
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Salisbury Parks & Recreation Department 132 North Main Street, Salisbury, NC 28144