Bethel, a high school with one of the area’s most storied athletic histories, announced the first class to its hall of fame.
Some of the inductees need little, or no, introduction, after being chosen by a selection committee of administrators, community members, booster-club members, alumni and coaches.
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Allen Iverson, after whom Bethel’s gym is named, and former Olympic gold-medal runner Francena McCorory are among the most recognizable names. So is Dennis Kozlowski, who coached Bethel to football and track glory since the school opened.
Also named: former pro golfer Skeeter Heath, former Tennessee Volunteers and NFL defensive end Todd Kelly, wrestler Stephen Forbes, Iverson’s basketball teammate Tony Rutland, football player Michael Dunn, coaches Mike Bailey and Eddie Williams, and contributor Liberty Baptist Church.
The induction is set for 2 p.m. Aug. 31 at a site to be announced. Area sportscaster Craig Loper will be the emcee.
Aug. 30, when Bethel plays Nansemond River in football at 7 p.m., is the Alumni Night of Champions. All championship-team alumni are asked to participate and be part of halftime activities.
In a release, Bethel athletic director DeRocke Croom — who used to compete against Kozlowski’s teams as a Hampton Crabbers quarterback — said, “We want to recognize as many as we can in the coming induction years. This is long overdue and we want to recognize all good things within our school, which includes athletics.”
