Friday, December 20, 2013

2005 AHS Sports Hall of Fame

Posted by don at 5:43 PM

2014-2004 AHS Sports Hall of Fame Link

http://asheboroahs.ss3.sharpschool.com/students/athletics/hall_of_fame___forms
2005 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
WELDON CLARKSON “SPARKY” JOHNSON, Class of 1966
Johnson was a talented athlete playing football, basketball and baseball. He was named All-Conference in basketball and baseball his junior and senior years; and All-Conference in football his senior year. Upon graduation, he attended The University of North Carolina at Wilmington where he played basketball and baseball. He served two years in the military, followed by two years with the Cleveland Indians minor league baseball team. Mr. Johnson has coached little league and served as an umpire. He is retired from the Asheboro Fire Department.
GEORGE WILLIAM “BILL” JOYNER, JR., Class of 1962
Bill Joyner embodied the Blue Comet spirit and helped the Comets win the 1961 3-A State Championship in basketball. In 1962 he was the captain of the basketball team and again led the team to the championship. That same year he was named Most Valuable Player of the East/West All Star game. Mr. Joyner also played on the AHS Golf Team, winning the 3-A State Championship in 1961. After graduation, he attended Wake Forest University where he was a three-year letterman (1964-66) in basketball and played in three ACC Basketball tournaments. In 1969 Mr. Joyner went to work for Wake Forest University, where he remained until 1999. He retired as the Senior Vice President of University Development.
THOMAS “TOMMY” LEWIS, CLASS OF 1964
Lewis is synonymous with tennis. As a young athlete in the early sixties, Lewis was the number one seed his sophomore, junior and senior years at Asheboro High School. He was a semi-finalist his junior year and finalist his senior year in the WNCHSAA Championship. Upon graduation, Mr. Lewis attended Pfeiffer University where he continued to excel in tennis, winning the NAIA District 26 Doubles Championship in 1966. Mr. Lewis has earned numerous tennis titles during his 45 years playing the sport. However, one of his greatest accomplishments has been coaching tennis at Asheboro High School. Mr. Lewis was selected as the Men’s Tri-County Coach of the Year in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004. In 2001 he received the A.J. “Tony” Simeon Courage Award by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association.
JOHN FREDERICK PHILLIPS, CLASS OF 1973
Phillips contributed significantly to the establishment of the track and cross-country teams at AHS. As a sophomore in 1971, AHS did not have a suitable track for competitions. In 1972, Phillips spoke to the Asheboro City Board of Education as they considered constructing an all-weather track. The track was approved and remains in use today. Also, in 1972 the WCNHSAA added a cross-country program for interested schools. AHS Athletic Director Bill Adkins told Phillips if he could recruit at least ten team members, AHS would provide uniforms and a coach. Phillips was undefeated in track his junior and senior years, and undefeated in all eight regular season cross-country meets. He was voted “Most Valuable Player” his senior year in track and cross-country. Following high school he attended NC State University where he continued to run track and cross-country. In 1977 he served on the Asheboro Parks and Recreation Committee that organized the first Fall Festival 10K Road Race.
CHARLES T. “CHARLIE” ROBBINS, CLASS OF 1941
Robbins is known in Asheboro as “Mr. Baseball.” While at AHS he played baseball and football. Robbins is most well known for his association with the American Legion Baseball, where he coached his team to the state championship in 1966. He has subsequently been inducted into the National American Legion Baseball Hall of Fame. After graduating from AHS, Robbins attended Elon College where he had a notable athletic career. Mr. Robbins is a lifelong Asheboro resident, an avid Blue Comet supporter, and was a long time color analyst for WKXR Radio during baseball season. He served on the Asheboro City Council and is past-president of the Golden K Kiwanis Club.
LACY TORY WEST, JR., CLASS OF 1959
West was an avid ball player throughout his life and excelled in basketball and baseball. He lettered in both sports and led the way to conference championships in both. He pitched several no-hitters in baseball and averaged more than 20 points a game in basketball. He was named All-Tournament in basketball, and received the Junior Sportsman of the Year award. West went on to attend East Carolina University where he continued to play baseball and basketball. In 1961 and 1963 he helped lead the Pirates to win the NAIA championship. After college, West played on the Cincinnati Reds farm team and transferred to the San Diego Padres in 1965. West was inducted as a charter member of the ECU Hall of Fame in 1974. Professionally, he was a teacher and coached for several years and then entered the insurance business. West passed away in 1999 at the age of 58, leaving a wife, three children, and six grandchildren.