Hall Of Fame - 2000

     
 

 

GLORIA BIRMINGHAM - Influential in developing the girls’ athletic programs at Grissom High School for 24 years, she built the volleyball program into a state powerhouse that won four state championships, was runner-up four times and made 13 consecutive appearances in the state final four. Her 848 career wins makes her the sixth winningest girls high school volleyball coach in the nation. Her contributions to girls’ athletics has been recognized by the Huntsville City Schools and her induction into the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996. A graduate of Butler High School and the University of Montevallo.

 

L. D. DOBBINS - Spent 29 of his 31 years in coaching basketball at Collinsville High School with a career record of 511-311, a state championship in 1975 and five county titles. He coached two years at Southside High School (Gadsden). He was state coach of the year twice and a nominee for national coach of the year by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. The Collinsville gym is named in his honor and he is a charter member of the DeKalb County Sports Hall of Fame in 1997. A graduate of DeKalb County High School and Jacksonville State University.

JIMMY FOSHEE - Coached football for 34 years, 25 of those at Stanhope Elmore where his teams compiled a 212-81-1 record and never had a losing season. Three teams went undefeated and all but five made the playoffs, including the last 16 in a row. His teams advanced to the semi-finals four times, losing each time to the eventual state champion. Named coach of the year in 1998, he coached in four all-star games, once as head coach. The Millbrook stadium is named in his honor. He has served on the AHSAA Legislative Council. A graduate of Dadeville High School and Auburn University.

  L. C. FOWLER - Is a legend in Marion County where he spent 29 of 34 years in coaching-24 at Hamilton and one at Marion County. He also coached at Reform and Carbon Hill. With a career football record of 206-131-23, he was named conference coach of the year four times and coached in two all-star games. He also was conference coach of the year after his only season as girls basketball coach. A member of the Marion County and Lamar County Sports Hall of Fames, he was elected a member of the Marion County Board of Education in 1998. A graduate of Sulligent High School and Florence State Teachers College.

GERALD GANN - Enjoyed a successful, 34-year coaching career at Gordo, Berry, Homewood and Hoover. His 12 baseball teams at Berry won over 250 games with a state championship in 1972. His 14 basketball teams - 5 girls squads at Berry and nine at Homewood-also logged over 250 wins. During his 16 years at Homewood and four at Hoover he compiled a 130-97-2 overall record in football. He served on the AHSAA Central Board and Legislative Council, was a member of the inaugural state prep hall of fame committee, and was president of the coaches association. A graduate of Winfield High School and the University of Alabama.

 BUSTER GROSS - Coached football for 30 years, 19 at Emma Sansom High School where his teams compiled a 127-73-4 record, won a state championship in 1984 and finished second in 1983. Posting a 200-104-10 career record, He also coached at Southside-Gadsden, Arab and won a state championship at Walnut Grove in 1964. He coached in two all-star games and was state coach of the year twice. He is a member of the Etowah County Hall of Fame. The City of Gadsden held a day in his honor in 1995. A graduate of Emma Sansom High School and Auburn University.

CHARLES LEE - His name is synonymous with athletics at Jeff Davis High School where he joined the staff when it opened in 1968 and served as head coach in five sports and also athletic director during a 30-year career. His 18 football teams compiled a 141-59-2 record and won the state championship in 1996, the second straight year in the finals. Named state coach of the year four times, he was cited as one of the most highly-regarded coaches in America and voted one of the top 10 coaches in the state. He coached in four all-star games and served as an AHSAA Legislative Council member. A graduate of Sidney Lanier High School and Huntingdon College.

HARLEN ROBINSON - Coached football at Ranburne High School for 37 years with an overall record of 244-115-6 and state championships in 1966 and 1975. Posting a 29-game unbeaten streak during the mid-1960s, he guided his teams to 18 playoffs and enjoyed eight undefeated regular seasons. He also coached basketball for 21 years, finishing as state runner-up in 1966 and fourth two years earlier. He was named coach of the year in both basketball and football and coached in the basketball and football all-star games. A graduate of Ranburne High School and the University of West Alabama.

BILL SPARKS - Made countless contributions to public education for 39 years as a teacher, coach and administrator. Spent 21 years at Midfield High School where his football teams posted a 136-73-2 record with six playoff appearances. Also serving as athletic director and assistant principal, he helped implement the nation's first mandatory drug testing program for all school athletes. He coached baseball for 15 years at Ensley and Phillips, compiling a 327-120 overall record. He served two terms as AHSAA Central Board president before retiring as Shelby County school superintendent. A graduate of Jones Valley High School and Samford University. 

PERCY VINES - This legendary basketball coach at Corner High School for 44 years compiled a 614-253 record, a winning percentage of .708 and an average of 19.8 wins per season. His teams were state champions in 1949 and 1954, second four times and third once. His 1926 team won the prestigious Boys Club championship in Birmingham. This unique coach had quite an impact on the development of basketball in Alabama, using shot charts, the shuffle, a one-hand jump shot and a zone press long before other coaches attempted such new things. His untimely death came months after his retirement in 1969. A graduate of Birmingham-Southern College. 

DAN WASHBURN - Served 17 years with distinction as the third full-time Executive Director of the AHSAA. Several new and revitalized AHSAA events have flourished under his leadership, including The Super Six (football), State Finals (basketball) and Elite Eight (volleyball) championships and the All-Star Sports Week in the summer. He coached 15 years at Lanett, one year at Autauga County (Prattville) and five years at Valley as an assistant. His head-coaching record was 115-49-4. He served on the AHSAA Central Board and Legislative Council and was Superintendent of Lanett City Schools for seven years. A graduate of LaFayette High School and the University of Chattanooga, he was inducted into the NFHS National Hall of Fame in 2011.

GLENDA WRIGHT - Spent 31 of 34 years in coaching at Hazel Green where she built one of the most successful volleyball programs in the state with six state championships and a final four finish for 16 years. Her career record of 1060-433 makes her the second winningest volleyball coach nationally. She never had a losing season in any sport she coached and received 17 coach of the year awards in volleyball and track. She initiated some of the first girls teams in Madison County and was instrumental in getting supplements for women coaches. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Alabama Women's Athletic Association. A graduate of East Tallahatchie High School (Miss.) and Delta State University.

     
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