Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

15 Inducted Into Hall (cont)

h, the Lady Devils went to the state tournament each year, never finishing below the quarter finals.

Arthur McClelland was next, introducing her daughter, Kay. "I'm proud of my daughter," she said. "I remember long nights waiting for her to return from games."

McClelland earned several honors while at Gurdon, including All District and All State.

Kay McClelland thanked all for the honor, saying she appreciated it and felt special when she received the letter letting her know she was to be an inductee.

Leta Gattis introduced Cindy Haltom, saying Cindy always had to get the last word in.

Haltom was a cheerleader at GHS and on the first girls track team, as well as playing basketball. "She was notorious for her two-handed jump shot," Gattis said of her friend.

Haltom was a four-time All District winner, and made All State twice. She was also a member of one of the first five- on-five girls' basketball teams in the state.

She now teaches at Benton and crusades against drunk driving.

Haltom thanked everyone for allowing her to share this special time, saying this is a special award.

John Culp had the honor of introducing his father, Tommy. He said those inducted into halls of fame are the best of the best, and that is his father. "If there was a father's hall of fame," he said, "he'd be speaking there."

Culp said he reflected on his time at Gurdon after receiving the letter and had no negative memories. "I appreciate being recognized," he said.

Devil Coach John Ware had some fun with Tony Cunningham, saying he was a long, tall skinny kid with long hair when they first met. Now, Ware added, he's a long, tall skinny kid with no hair.

Cunningham was the second tallest member of the team, who took advantage of his opportunity to play when it came. He made All District and the All State tournament team at Gurdon, spending two years at SAU El Dorado and two at UAM.

Cunningham said Ware was a good friend and coach, thanking all for being named into the hall.

Betty Wood introduced her husband, Ed. "This is a surprise for me and a big honor," she said. "I thought someone was going to talk about him and I would give him a trophy."

She said Gurdon is their home town, with it being carried in their heart wherever they go.

Wood said he had many fond memories of Gurdon.

During his playing days, the Wood family lived in the country, with coaches often taking him home.

"When the letter came," he said, "I thought they'd made a mistake and sent it to the wrong person." Still, he thanked everyone for the honor.

Prewett did double duty on the night, introducing Jimmy Allen. However, before the introduction, the Prewett family did an impromptu comedy act, with the coach playing the straight man.

However, when the laughter died down, Prewett said Allen is a prime example of a man overcoming hardships to make something of himself.

Allen, as a sophomore played guard on the football team, moving to fullback for the remainder of his career at Gurdon.

"I owe a lot to all the educators at Gurdon," Allen said. "Coach Prewett influenced my character. I was shocked and surprised (of being named to the hall) and thought there was a mistake."

He thanked everyone, saying the hall helps continue Gurdon's tradition and 30 years from now, even though students may not know who these players were, will want to be named into the hall of fame.

Pat Talley introduced the final inductee of the night her son, Toby.

"It was scary as a mom," she said, "watching my son play against all those big old football boys."

Still, Talley lettered three years and participated in all sports possible.

The young man earned a scholarship to Southern Arkansas University to play football, but told his mother he'd been called to the pulpit. "We were surprised and thankful," she said of her son, who pastors Bradley Baptist Church.

Talley said he could talk about being a Go-Devil for hours, joking how the committee let the preacher speak last.

But he dedicated the honor to his father, calling him the greatest man he ever knew. "All I am, I credit to him. I always knew he loved me. If I'm ever a father, I'll try to do it like he did."

There were few dry eyes in the house as Talley spoke of his father, because his dad, Trey, passed away not long before the banquet was scheduled. "I dedicate this moment to him," he said.