Saturday, December 21, 2013

2012 AHS HALL OF FAME

Posted by don at 2:16 PM


2014-2004 AHS Sports Hall of Fame Link


2012 AHS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
REITZEL SMITH
(Class of 1932)
Reitzel Smith may be the “Unsung Hero” of Asheboro High School athletics. He is a 1932 graduate of AHS, a three year letterman in football, a three year letterman in basketball and served as a manager of the baseball team. Mr. Smith was a visionary who truly admired the educators and life skills he learned as a student and athlete in the early 1930’s. He and a fellow student originated the “Blue Comet” name for Asheboro High School in 1931. Thirty-five years after his graduation, Reitzel was elected Chairman of the Asheboro City School system and strived for our system “to be the best.” Reitzel was a successful businessman in the 1940’s and continued to support AHS athletics and academics. He was instrumental in recruiting the legendary and future N.C. Hall of Fame football coach Lee J. Stone to come to Asheboro High School in 1950. The present day stadium, Lee J. Stone Stadium was one of Reitzel Smith’s prized projects. Reitzel was the founder and owner of Sheraton Finance Corporation in Asheboro. Some of the offices and positions he held include President of the Kiwanis Club; Chairman of Directors of the First National Bank; Corporate Board of the Randolph Hospital; Chairman of the Asheboro Airport; and a member of the North Carolina Railroad Commission. He was married to the late Mary Covington Smith. Their two daughters and son all attended Asheboro City Schools. Reitzel Smith passed away in July of 1996. As one former mayor of
Asheboro said, “If Reitzel Smith got behind something it would happen. And that is really good!” The 1932 Ash-Hi-Life stated, “True and sincere, loyal and kind-you’ll seldom find another like Reitzel.”
STEVE RUMMAGE
(Class of 1966)
Steve “Rooster” Rummage was an outstanding athlete and football player at Asheboro High School. A tremendous defensive player, Steve helped to lead Asheboro High to State Western North Carolina High School football championships in 1963 and 1965. He was named to the All-Conference teams in both his junior and senior years. This All-State player (1965) also was selected and played in the 1965 NC/SC Shrine Bowl Game and the 1966 East-West All-Star contest. Steve signed an athletic scholarship in 1966 to attend N.C. State University and continued to star as a defensive end. The 1971 graduate won the Coaches Merit Award and was named MVP of the North Carolina State Wolfpack his senior year. Steve is a successful businessman and continues to reside in Hartwell, Georgia.
SHELBY HAYDEN
(Class 0f 1978)
Shelby Hayden is a true pioneer in women’s sports at Asheboro High School as well as an early female triathlete and endurance cycler of the 1980’s and 1990’s. She was a member of the first female softball team at AHS in 1977 and was a member of the men’s cross-country team and an All-Conference performer on the first women’s Blue Comet track team in 1978. Shelby was the first ever winner of the Miss Blue Comet Award in 1978. After attending college in Hawaii she began to train in endurance running and cycling events. Shelby entered the Hawaiian Triathlon in 1984 and finished in the top 20 for three consecutive years. This Iron Man competition includes a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike races, and a 26.2 run. This competition led to more endurance type biathlons and bike races. Shelby entered and won the “Race Across America” in 1984 (3047 miles). She also completed and won a 620 mile “Murphy to Manteo” race and broke the existing record in 1984. This Asheboro High School graduate was the winner of numerous events during the 80’s and 90’s. Some of these events include: the Stone Mountain 50 mile run (1991); the Arkansas Traveler 100 mile run (1991); Grandfather Mountain Marathon Champion (1983); and the 1984 Spenco 500 mile bike winner in Waco Texas . Shelby was the 1984-85 North Carolina Triathlete of the Year and the 1985 N.C. Lung Association spokesperson. She resides in Asheboro, N.C.
CRANDEL COLTRANE
(Class of 1991)
“Play ball”! These were words that Crandel Coltrane loved to hear. The 1991 honor graduate of Asheboro High School was very busy with academics, baseball, and band. Crandel was named to the All-Conference team (Piedmont Athletic Conference) three times as a catcher and twice to the All-Randolph County baseball team. A natural and talented hitter, he was named to the 1991 All-State team. A member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Crandel was also awarded the Lee J. Stone Sportsmanship Award and was named Conference Player of the Year (PAC) in the spring of 1991. Crandel signed an athletic scholarship to play baseball at UNC-Chapel Hill and was an Honorable Mention All-Freshman by Collegiate Baseball and a winner of the Most Dedicated Award for two seasons. A four-year starter at first base, Crandel still feels nostalgic when he hears the song, “Put Me in Coach, I’m Ready to Play.” This 1996 UNC-CH graduate is married to Jessica Cramer Coltrane and they have two children. Crandel works for the Healthcare Services Group.
http://asheboroahs.ss3.sharpschool.com/students/athletics/hall_of_fame___forms