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RONNIE BAYNES - Coached for 32 years at Banks, Selma , Alabama School for the Deaf, Tallassee and Mountain Brook high schools. His 17 baseball teams at Tallassee won five state championships (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990 and 1991) and was runner-up in 1985. With a career baseball record of 419-179, he coached in the North-South all-star game and officiated football, basketball and baseball for three years. He also officiated football in the Southeastern Conference for 12 years and in the National Football League for the last 15 years. A graduate of Talladega High School and Auburn University .
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MARY BIRDWELL - Spent the last 15 years of her 35 years of coaching at Hoover High School (formerly Berry ) where her cross country and indoor track teams have won eight state championships. She guided two swimming teams and one gymnastics team to titles. In addition, her freshman teams won nine state crowns in the three-phase track program. She also coached at DAR and Guntersville plus middle and elementary schools in Hoover . She has received numerous awards for her skills in teaching and coaching. A graduate of Oak Ridge High School (Tenn. ) and the University of Tennessee.
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GEORGE EVANS - Has been associated with the AHSAA basketball officiating program for over 30 years. As a member of the Selma Basketball Officials Association, he has officiated in numerous playoff games and several state tournament championship games. Since retiring as an active official in 1998, he has served as an AHSAA District Director. He also distinguished himself as an NCAA official and currently serves as Officials Coordinator of the Southwest Athletic Conference. Serving the students of Dallas County for 35 years as superintendent, principal, coach and teacher, he is presently president of the Selma City Council. A graduate of Hudson High School and St. Mary’s College.
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LAMAR HARRIS - Spent 24 of his 31 years in coaching at Hubbertville High School where he has been successful in four sports. During his 16 years as softball coach, his teams won three state championships and compiled a 403-135 record. He coached girls basketball for 23 years and captured two state titles with an overall record of 293-170. His 24 football teams compiled a 142-110 record with seven playoff appearances and his 24 boys basketball teams won four area crowns. The winner of several coaching awards, he coached in the 1999 all-star football game. A graduate of Lanett High School and Samford University .
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ROBERT HIGGINBOTHAM - Coached football for 28 years at three schools with a career record of 206-105-3. One of his three Mountain Brook teams won a state championship in 1975 with a perfect season. He spent 22 years at Shades Valley with a 163-83-2 record along with two state runner-up finishes and three undefeated regular seasons. All three of his Tuscaloosa County teams made the playoffs. He was named the first head coach in the Alabama-Mississippi all-star game in 1988 and was selected again in 1997. He is the first son of Hall of Fame member (his father Morris was inducted in 1993) to be selected. A graduate of Hueytown High School and the University of Alabama.
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ED LATHAN - Has been involved with high school athletics in Mobile County for 33 years as a coach and administrator. He coached one year at Davidson and 18 years at B. C. Rain and remained highly involved in athletics for 14 years as principal at Alba, Alma Bryant and UMS-Wright high schools. A member of the AHSAA Legislative Council for nine years and the founding committee of the Alabama-Mississippi all-star football game, he currently serves as chairman of the selection committee. He fostered a new athletic spirit during the merger of rival Alba and Grand Bay high schools into Alma Bryant school. A graduate of Murphy High School and Mississippi State University .
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WALLACE SANDERS - Coached basketball for 30 years at Union Hill, Brewer and Decatur high schools and carried a team to the state tournament from each one. His 15 years at Decatur with thee state tournament appearances and a 217-192 record put his career mark at 427-369. He coached golf for 10 years with a second and third place finish in five state tournament appearances. He was named District Coach of the Year in 1999 by the National Federation coaches association. Currently he is an instructor in the AHSAA Coaches Education Program. A graduate of Eva High School and Florence State College (now the University of North Alabama ).
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LARRY SINYARD - Enjoyed quite a successful 20-year career as girls basketball coach at Lauderdale County High School where he compiled a phenomenal 434-88 career record with five state championships and two-runner-up finishes in 10 state tournament appearances. His teams also won 13 county titles and 11 area championships. A three-time coach in the Alabama-Mississippi all-star games, he was the first coach to guide the Alabama girls team to a win the series. Before taking over the varsity he coached the Lauderdale County junior boys team for five years. A graduate of Lauderdale County High School and Athens College .
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