UNION — They earned honors for their respective high schools and on Friday night five former athletes and a former coach were honored for their accomplishments with induction into the Union County Hall of Fame.
Russell H. Bates, Donald “Duck” Addis, Andre Powell, Kimberly Dianne Booker, Paul Davis and Todd Davis were inducted in a halftime ceremony at the Union County Stadium during the Yellow Jackets game against Broome.
Earlier that evening, a dinner was held in honor of the inductees at the Union County Fairgrounds. During the dinner, some of the inductees spoke about the honor of being inducted into the hall of fame while some school officials spoke of the honor of being associated with their induction.
Will Hickson, Union County High School athletic director, talked about the inductees and the selection process.
“It was a great time for me and the committee,” Hickson said. “There were five people on the committee. Your awards and what you did in high school are what got you into the hall of fame. We took the names off the top, so the committee did not know who they were voting for.”
Floyd Lyles, UCHS principal, said “excitement is in the air, and I’m honored to welcome this new class into the Union County Hall of Fame.”
Todd Davis described being selection for induction into the hall of fame as humbling.
“I am humbled and honored for someone to think my athletic accomplishments are worthy of the hall of fame,” Davis said. “You never think of yourself in that category. For somebody else to think you’re HOF status — to be chosen — is just humbling. This is another moment in my life that I will always remember and something my kids will remember.”
Bates thanked the community for the honor of being inducted into the hall of fame.
“I think one of the greatest honors that could be bestowed upon anyone is to be recognized by their hometown,” Bates said.
Bates, Booker and Todd Davis took part in the dinner and the ceremony while Paul Davis was represented by his wife, Elizabeth, Addis by his wife, Dena, and Powell by Coach Billy Jack Moore. Paul Davis was unable to attend because he is coaching in Colorado. Powell was unable to attend because he coaches with Marylyand and the team was scheduled to play Wake Forest Saturday.
Todd Davis played football at Union High School where he played both offense and defense in his junior and senior years. He helped lead the Yellow Jackets to a 4A State Championship in 1995. Davis also lettered in wrestling and track.
Powell was a three sport letterman at Lockhart High School from 1981 through 1984. He excelled in football, baseball and track.
Addis was a three sport standout at Jonesville High School from 1978 through 1981. He received the three sport award as a sophomore, junior and senior. Addis led the Wildcats to the Upperstate championship in 1979.
Booker was a three sport standout at Union High School from 1980 through 1984. She led her team to three state championships in softball and a state championship in basketball for a total of four state championships.
Paul Davis is one of the premier rifle coaches in the country. He served as coach at Union High School from 1978 until 2003. During his tenure as coach of the Union Stingers, the team won 11 national championships.
Bates was a two sport letterman at Sims High School from 1960 until 1963. He lettered in four years in basketball and track and was named most valuable basketball player in 1963. Bates was also named All State in band his junior and senior years.
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