Inaugural Class (2022)
1965-66 Weakley County Training School
1966 Region 7 Champions, TSSAA State Tournament
This year’s recipient is the 1965-66 Weakley County Training School, Region Seven Champions. History was made for the first time in regional tournament play as the Bombers defeated Jackson Merry to secure the region championship, advancing to the state tournament. This was the first time an all-black team represented Weakley County in the state tournament prior to statewide integration in 1969. The men were coached by John Greene and finished the season with a 24-4 record. John Latham was selected to the Region’s All-Tournament Team for his efforts in the tournament. The team consisted of Latham, Donell Jones, Louis Lairy, Kenneth McDonald, Michael Benford, John Patton, Wayne Patton, Charles Tansil, Paul Wilkens, Thomas Fulton, Grandville Templeton, and Rodney Royster.
Graham Vowell
McFerrin School, University of Tennessee
John “Graham” Vowell was born February 27, 1895 in Martin, Tennessee. He attended McFerrin School. Vowell played for the Tennessee Volunteers from 1914-1916, and in 1921 after serving the country during the 1st World War. During his time at UT, he played on the 1st championship and undefeated team in 1914. He scored three touchdowns in the win over Kentucky to secure the unblemished record. It was during that season that the Vols beat Vanderbilt, a powerhouse in the south, for the first time, 16-14. In 1916, Graham Vowell was named to the All-Southern team, and the only player to do so unanimously. He was also selected to be on the John W. Heisman All-Time Southern team in 1916. That same year, Vowell was named to the Walter Camp’s All-American “3rd 11” team. This was the first time a Tennessee Volunteer had ever been named to an NCAA approved and recognized list. After serving the United States with the Marine Crops, Vowell returned to UT in 1921 and played for the Vols one more season. He competed at the first contest at Shield Watkins Field on September 24, 1921. Despite the long lay-off and position change, he was still named to the All-Southern team that season. Graham Vowell was named to the “All Time Pre-1940 Team” by the University of Tennessee in 1990 as a part of the “100 years of Volunteers” celebration. He, along with Chad Clifton and Ashley McElhiney Ayers, was one of three individuals from Weakley County to be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.
Tara Tansil-Gentry
Greenfield High School, University of Tennessee at Martin
Tara Tansil-Gentry was a fiery competitor whose will to win was infectious. A highly recruited athlete out of Greenfield, Tansil-Gentry graduated with 1,702 career points, despite a knee injury that sidelined her most of her senior year. The 1990 graduate was a four time all district performer, four time all region selection, and two-time all-state honoree. Despite the season ending injury, Tansil-Gentry signed with the University of Tennessee at Martin and started all 105 games of her collegiate career. By the time it was over, she led the Lady Pacers in scoring all four seasons, secured the record for career points (currently 3rd), and was a named to the All-OVC team two times. She was instrumental for UT Martin in the transition from Division II to Division I and was an assistant coach in 1999, when the Skyhawks secured their first NCAA Division I post season win over Ole Miss in the Women’s NIT, 77-67.
Ashley McElhiney Ayers
Gleason High School and Vanderbilt University
During the historic women’s basketball run in Gleason, Ashley McElhiney Ayers etched her name in the record books. The 1999 Gleason High School graduate lead her team to the State Championship and captured the 1st Ms. Basketball award in Weakley County’s history. She finished her prep career as the Lady Bulldog’s all-time leader in both scoring and assists. She finished her prep career with 2,074 points while handing out 604 assists. McElhiney Ayers signed with Vanderbilt and was named the team’s Most Outstanding Defensive player in 2001, 2002, and 2003. She was Vandy’s CO-MVP in 2001. During her time at Vanderbilt, she led the Commodores to an SEC Championship and a runner-up finish. In 2001, she was a member of the Gold Medal team, representing the USA in the World University Games. McElhiney Ayers was named as the Tennessee State Amateur Athlete of the year in 2002 and was drafted by the Indiana Fever as a 3rd round selection in 2003. She became the first female to coach a men’s professional team when hired by the American Basketball Association’s Nashville Rhythm’s in 2004. McElhiney Ayers is a 2017 inductee to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Popeye Jones
Dresden High School, Murray State University, NBA
Popeye Jones, a 1988 graduate of Dresden High School, used his size and athleticism to help the Lions secure a state championship in baseball, a state tournament appearance in basketball, and deep playoff runs in football during his high school career. Known for his soft hands, the 6’ 8” center signed with Murray State, where he led the NCAA in rebounding in 1991. He was a three-time 1st team all OVC performer, two-time OVC player of the year, two-time OVC Athlete of the year, and two-time honorable mention All American. Jones is the only player in Murray State history to amass more than 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in his career. As a result, he was the 41st pick in the 1992 Draft by the Houston Rockets. He played for six teams over his 12-year career in the NBA, with his best season coming with the Dallas Mavericks in 1995-1996, where he averaged 11 points and 10 rebounds per contest. He is a member of the Murray State and Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Jones is currently an assistant coach for the Denver Nuggets.
Mark Hardy
Palmersville High School, University of Tennessee at Martin
Dr. Mark Hardy, a 1988 graduate of Palmersville High School, is widely regarded as one of the top players to ever hail from Weakley County. The 6’ 1” power forward dominated his competition while playing for one of the smallest schools in the state. During his junior year, without a three-point line, he scored 60 points against Lake County. Despite being undersized in most games, Dr. Hardy was often the best player on the floor. This was confirmed as he was named to the 1st Team, Class A All-State teams in 1986, 1987, and 1988. Dr. Hardy went on to represent the United States a member of the Junior Olympic basketball team, where they beat China in the World Cup in Stockholm and he was named to the All-World Team. Hardy also excelled on the diamond as well, before continuing his basketball career at the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Bettye Giles
The University of Tennessee at Martin and Women’s Athletic Pioneer
Bettye Giles, a Clarksville native, has spent over seventy years in the Weakley County community. Giles started the women’s athletic program at the University of Tennessee at Martin and served as the athletic director for the department from 1952-1973. She is also credited with starting volleyball and basketball at UT Martin. In 1966, she helped create the Tennessee College Women’s Sports Federation, and grew the membership from 18 to 34 by 1973. Widely considered the Godmother of Title IX, her work was a key component in the Educational Amendment Act of 1972, which required institutions of higher education to provide equal opportunity to their male counterparts in receiving federal funding. Ms. Giles has also been an advocate for over 50 years in her work with the Special Olympics. Just two weeks ago, she was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Lin Dunn
Dresden High School, University of Tennessee at Martin, NCAA/WNBA Coach, Lifetime Contributions
Lin Dunn graduated from Dresden High School and went on to become one of the premier coaches in nation. During her high school career, she amassed over 2,000 points, averaging 42 points per game as a senior. As Purdue’s head coach, Dunn was named the Big 10 coach of the year three times, won three Big 10 Championships, and led the Boilermakers to the 1994 Final Four. She also served as a coach on the United States Olympic, World Championship, and Pan American teams. In 2000, she because the first General Manager and Coach of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm. In 2012, she coached the Indiana Fever to the WNBA championship. Coach Dunn has amassed over 500 victories and is a member of multiple Halls of Fame. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014 and a winner of the Coaches Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Today, Coach Dunn is the general manager of the WNBA’s Indiana Fever.
Chad Clifton
Westview High School, University of Tennessee, and The Green Bay Packers
Chad Clifton, a 1995 graduate of Westview High School, was a highly decorated student-athlete from his prep days under Don Coady, to his induction into the Tennessee Sports and Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. The 1994 Mr. Football lineman in the state of Tennessee enjoyed a collegiate career that saw Clifton garner two all SEC selections, All-American status, and a the first ever BCS National Championship in 1998 for the University of Tennessee. In 2000, he was selected in the second round (44th overall) by the Packers and assumed the role of the starting left tackle midway through his rookie season. From there he became a mainstay at left tackle, protecting the likes of Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. In his 12-year NFL career, Clifton was the Super Bowl XLV champion, and garnered Pro Bowl selections in 2008 and 2010.
Derrick Jones
Sharon High School
You will be hard pressed to find a senior campaign better than the 1991-1992 season of the Sharon Eagle’s Derrick Jones. A 1992 graduate, Jones averaged 25 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals per game on the way to the team’s first winning season in over a decade. At the season’s conclusion, he finished with 634 points and was named to the Jackson Sun’s All West Tennessee team, Associated Press All-State 1st team, and a Mr. Basketball Finalist. Of the 101 games in his high school career, Jones played in 100 for the Eagles. As good as he was on the court, the old-timers in Sharon will tell you he was even a better baseball player.
Paul Tinkle
Westview High School, Weakley Countian, Contributor
No matter where you go, if you run into someone in the media, they know Paul Tinkle. A graduate of Westview High School and UT Martin, Tinkle began working at the radio station at 15 years of age. For 50 years, he has covered countless football, basketball, baseball, and softball games in Western Kentucky, and all six Weakley County High Schools. He’s had the pleasure of being on the microphone for nine Weakley County state championships, bringing the games back the community. Mr. Tinkle’s passion and love for the games he calls is felt over the airways of Thunderbolt Radio. His Saturday morning radio show, Coaches Corner, has been the focal point for high school coaches to share information about their schools, teams, and student-athletes for over 46 years. He is the ultimate ambassador for Weakley County. He is an inductee to the Tennessee Association of Broadcaster’s Journalism Hall of Fame for his lifetime work in News and Sports. Just two weeks ago, he was enshrined into the prestigious Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.
The Class of 2023
1983-84 Greenfield Yellowjackets
TSSAA State Champions
In 1984, the Greenfield Yellowjackets made an historic run to capture the first state championship in school history. It was also the first for a Weakley County School after several visits from the county dating back to 1959. Greenfield knocked off Denmark West to advance to the semi-finals where they defeated Knoxville Webb 54-53. The Yellowjackets would face the highly favored Bolton Wildcats, led by Sylvester Gray, in the state championship game. The Yellowjackets won every quarter, securing the 69-63 victory. Jeff Crouse, the tournament MVP, dropped 28 points, with Malcom Skinner and Stephen Crouse adding 19 and 18 points, respectively.
Team Members: Jeff Bills, Billy Callins, Mark Callins, Eddie Cash, Jeff Crouse, Stephen Crouse, Paul Drewry, Jeff Leyhue, Jeff Perkins, Antonio Shane, Malcolm Skinner, and Jim Staley
Hugh Adams
Dresden High School, Mississippi State University, Weakley County Schools
Hugh Adams is a 1964 graduate of Dresden High School where he starred in football and basketball. During his junior year in 1962, Mr. Adams was 1st team all-conference, and repeated that feat in 1963 as the Lions football team tied South Fulton for the Reelfoot Conference Championship. Not only was he named the Most Valuable Player of the football team, but he garnered the same award in basketball, leading the Dresden Lions to the 1964 state basketball tournament. After high school, Mr. Adams received an athletic scholarship to Mississippi State University where he played football for the Bulldogs. As a junior in 1967, he was on the All-Academic team for the Southeastern Conference. The following season as a senior, he was named captain. Mr. Adams returned to Weakley County where he became Coach Adams, taking over the Greenfield football program in 1970. He led the Yellowjackets to the Reelfoot Conference championship in 1971, and he was selected as the conference coach of the year.
Don Durden
Greenfield School
Coach Don Durden is a long-time presence on the hardwood in Greenfield. Despite beginning his career as a football coach, he is best known for his intensity on the basketball court. That fire and grit was rewarded in 1984 as Coach Durden navigated the treacherous waters of West Tennessee basketball, leading the Greenfield Yellowjackets to the first state championship of any kind in school history. Coach Durden has been named a “mentor” by many colleagues throughout his 50+ year coaching career. As an assistant coach, he was also a part of the second state championship at Greenfield when the Lady Jackets brought home the hardware in 2018.
Phil Gordon
Sharon School
In 1963, Brownsville, Boliver, Dresden, Gleason, Martin, and Memphis Catholic were regarded as some of the best football teams in West Tennessee. However, the best player was widely considered to be clad in Purple and Gold. Phil Gordon was a scoring machine for the Sharon Eagles. In his final two games, he visited the endzone nine times as the Sharon Eagles routed Decaturville and Alamo. He finished in the top 10 in the state in scoring, racking up 90 points, which was tops in the county. Gordon was the only player from Sharon named to the All Reelfoot Conference team. He did so on the strength of 7.4 yards per carry. He also hauled in 21 passes for 384 yards. The next closest receiver to him had six for eighty yards. Gordon was also a standout on the hardwood. A five-year starter for the Eagles, the guard had an uncanny ability to “score amongst the trees”. In 1964, he was an integral part of the state record, 9-overtime win against the Dresden Lions that captured the District 27 title. In that game, Gordon scored 11 points, three of which came on an old fashioned three-point play, late in regulation.
The most amazing part is Phil Gordon’s athletic prowess was all accomplished with sight in only one eye.
Randy Frazier
Gleason Junior High and High School Basketball Coach, Weakley County Superintendent of Schools
For 25 years, Randy Frazier patrolled the sidelines for the Gleason Junior High and High School Lady Bulldogs basketball program. The Greenfield High School and UT Martin graduate spent his entire career in Weakley County. While coaching in the high school ranks, he amassed 613 wins against only 123 losses. Gleason advanced to the state tournament nine times, capturing three state titles (1992, 1999, and 2007) and a runner up finish (1993). His junior high squads tallied a 299-68 worksheet, 12 county championships, four runners-up, and 16 invitational tournament championships. When it was all said and done, Coach Frazier won 82.7% of the games he coached, finishing with a 912-191 combined record. During that time span, Coach Frazier was the district coach of the year 17 times, was named the Jackson Sun Coach of the Year on three occasions, TACA Coach of the Year 15 times, and was the “Best of the West” coach of the year six times. Through his tutelage, 20 players earned athletic scholarships, 11 state tournament honorees, 13 All-State selections, five Miss Basketball finalists and three Miss Basketball Award winners (Kara Sanders Adkins, Ashley McElhiney Ayers, Kayla Hudson Irvin).
In 2022, Mr. Frazier was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame.
Leigh Avery Hart
Dresden Middle School, Contributor
One of the most impactful individuals in the history of Weakley County Schools is the late Leigh Avery Hart. Originally from Memphis, Leigh Avery was as student-athlete at UT Martin, graduated with a teaching degree, and immediately made her presence felt in the Dresden community. A long-time girls’ softball and basketball coach, “Coach Hart” mentored hundreds of young ladies through her work in the classroom, court, community, and region. An Olympic torch bearer in 2002 and Dresden Iris Festival honoree, her ability to inspire people in her community left an indelible mark on those who encountered her. Coach Hart had the honor of coaching over a dozen sets of mother/daughters in her time in education. Despite her passing in 2021, her kindness and ability to help those in need still permeate through the halls of Dresden Middle School in the “Lion’s Den”, and student reward-based store that she created.
Jerry Carpenter
University of Tennessee at Martin, TSSAA/Collegiate Official, Weakley County Contributor
Jerry Carpenter has been a staple in the Weakley County community since receiving his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin in 1966. Mr. Carpenter has officiated high school football and basketball for over 50 years. During that time, he officiated 30 sub-state games and seven state tournaments in basketball. He was also an official on the junior college and NAIA circuits before spending 10 years calling men’s and women’s games in the Ohio Valley Conference. On the gridiron, he served as commissioner and assigning officer for the Northwest Football Officials Association for 26 years. He called 82 state playoff games, including eight state championships. Mr. Carpenter transitioned to Coach Carpenter in 2002, taking the golf program at UT Martin to unprecedented heights. He was named the Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year in 2014 and 2016. In 2016, the Skyhawk golf program qualified for the NCAA Regionals after capturing the first OVC championship in the program’s history.
Mr. Carpenter was elected to the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 2006, the UT Martin Hall of Fame in 2021, and the OVC Hall of Fame in 2023.
Kayla Hudson Irvin
Gleason High School, Union University
A winner. That’s the one word that sums up Kayla Hudson playing career as a Bulldog. After the completion of her 8th grade season, Hudson was an immediate impact player for Coach Frazier and the Lady Dawgs on the high school level. Her five-year playing career saw her score 2,292 points while dishing out 686 assists. She was a 4-time All- District performer, three-time All- State Selection, and took home district MVP honors her junior and senior year.
As a senior in 2007, she led her team to a 36-1 record, a state title, State Tournament MVP, Class A Miss Basketball, West Tennessee Player of the Year, Golden Circle All-Star Game MVP, and a member of the TACA East/West All-Star Game.
She continued her winning ways in her second stint as a Bulldog at Union University. Hudson started every single game (149), garnering All- American Status all four years, capturing back-to-back NAIA national titles in 2009 and 2010. She is the all-time leader in assists, 3-point percentage and free throw percentage.
While at Gleason and Union University, she posted 265 wins against only 20 losses…..a winning percentage of 93%.
Justin Harrell
Westview High School, University of Tennessee
A 2002 graduate of Westview High School, Justin Harrell was a commanding presence on the gridiron and hardwood. On the court, he averaged 17 points per game in his career, logging time as a freshman. A recruited athlete in both sports, his size and athleticism dominated the football field. A sure handed tight end and edge setting defensive end, Harrell was named Mr. Football in 2001 and helped lead the Chargers to their first ever appearance in the state championship game. Harrell signed with the University of Tennessee, where he was dominate force at defensive tackle for the Vols. He was an all-SEC performer in 2005 and named the Cotton Bowl Classic Defensive MVP that same season. He was a first-round draft pick (16th overall) in 2007 by the Green Bay Packers and captured the Super Bowl XLV championship in 2010.
Induction Banquet will be held August 10, 2024 with ticket sales beginning July 15, 2024.
Join us for an incredible night for Weakley County.
You may reserve your tickets by calling (731) 587-3135.
Orders can be placed beginning Monday, July 18, 2022.
Tickets are $ 75/each and seating is limited.
For more information about the Induction Banquet please check out our Events page or you can Contact Us for more information.