DRAFFENVILLE – The Marshall County Athletic Foundation inducted another special class into the Hall of Fame in its 8th year, with the Class of 2016, in a ceremony on Thursday in the Kenneth Shadowen Performing Arts Center. This year’s class epitomizes the far-reaching impact former out-standing Marshall County athletes continue to have on the Western Kentucky area and beyond.
In the Contributor category, James Burnett Holland was this year’s recipient. Mr. Holland was affectionately known as Mr. Sportsman, a man who loved all sports and in 1977 was voted Marshall County’s #1 Fan. Mr. Holland’s son Joe is an inaugural member of the Hall of Fame, who led the 1943 Benton Indians to the state semi-finals. Eight of Mr. Holland’s grandchildren accepted the award on his behalf saying, “he loved sports and gave us all the love of sports and he loved this community.”
Individuals inducted included John Solomon, a member of the basketball team from 1983-1987. Solomon fondly remembered many great memories of his year’s as a player under Coach Allan Hatcher, saying he would send the players to Mama Mo’s class to learn things like proper dining etiquette and how to tie a tie. Solomon said, “We were fortunate to have played in era we played in” and thanked Coach Hatcher for not only making basketball players out of them but also preparing them for the real world.
Terry Birdsong, also a member of the 1983-1987 teams, thanked members of his family for always setting a great example. Birdsong said, “As you get older, you become much more thankful for the people that have been a part of your life”. Birdsong, who has gone on to achieve success of his own as a coach, thanked all the coaches through the years that have influenced his life.
Jim Griffy played for Benton High School from 1966-1969 where he scored over 1,000 points and selected Player of the Year for Region One his senior year. Griffy said “I thought everybody forgot I even played ball, but I am so honored to be elected to the Marshall County Hall of Fame.”
Rechelle Cadwell Turner played for the Lady Marshals from 1987-1991 under Coach Howard Beth. Turner said, “It is very special to be a part of the tradition at Marshall County High School.” Turner attributed the amazing support system and championship culture she had as a Lady Marshal to the many blessings in her more than 20 years as a head coach “where hard work and sacrifice was required to achieve and maintain excellence.” Turner also thanked Coach Howard Beth saying his program was a “blueprint for excellence”.
Coach Allan Hatcher, Marshals head coach from 1983-1989 spoke of the supportive community and special players he was lucky to coach for the six years he was at Marshall County. Hatcher said, “I had tremendous players who had respect for each other and a special chemistry.” Hatcher has compiled over 800 wins in his career as a head coach.
The team inducted this year was the 1989 Marshals Basketball Team, one that team member Dan Hall said was a “special team, special group of guys and I’m honored to be a part of.” Under Coach Hatcher, they reached the state semi-finals where they were defeated by Pleasure Ridge Park. On the road to the final four they had to defeat the undefeated Clay County Tigers, ranked number one in the state, and in the second round they had to defeat Travis Ford’s number two ranked team, Madisonville.
