Nominations are being accepted for the first inductees into the Madison County High School Mountaineers Athletic Hall of Fame.
The newly created Hall of Fame is a way to honor and recognize outstanding athletes and coaches who have made a lasting impact on the school and the community. A committee has been created and is comprised of the MCHS Principal or Assistant Principal, the athletic director, two coaches–one each from male and female sports, a school board member and eight at-large members. At-large members are chosen by the superintendent for three year terms and can be community members, MCHS graduates or employees or anyone else with interest and awareness in Madison County. The superintendent serves as the non-voting advisor to the committee.
Each year, inductees will be chosen by the committee from nominations submitted by alumni and friends of the high school. There may be no more than 10 inductees per year for the first three years and no more than five living and one deceased in any year thereafter. Current or recent athletes are not eligible. To be considered, a candidate’s most recent participation in an MCHS sport must have occurred 10 or more years prior. Committee members are ineligible while serving. Nominees can be athletes, coaches, administrators or contributors who, according to the committee bylaws, “have brought pride and distinction to MCHS.” Current coaches are eligible.
Inductees will be honored in the fall at a Friday night football game with a formal dinner Saturday. Inductees will be invited to the annual induction events.
“We really want to make this a community affair,” school board member Christopher Wingate said. “It’s a big deal to recognize those who are outstanding in sports. Some of the biggest crowds in Madison County are Friday night [under the lights] and when the basketball team is playing well.”
Superintendent Anna Graham agreed.
“It’s for the athletes that will be inducted, but it’s also for the community,” she said. “When you [get together] and start telling old stories, it’s fun. It brings pride back to the community.”
Wingate said he’s excited for the first Hall of Fame induction which will occur this fall. He hopes the Hall of Fame will also be a fundraising vehicle for improvements to sports’ facilities and improvements so as to not rely on taxpayer money.
The nomination form for the first Hall of Fame inductees is available online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf-A9qGBcQWFkBPBUogxkUrdgm-9-CptQXqR1TYWAI4EO3NMw/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawJRh3tleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHYMycJkBeCUlOZBUEqd9ec-LANsEFkhCUXO4BdWv7mBqWsGC018XoBAgkw_aem__DW2Di-Y-HoIHBBBIF1q8A. The deadline to submit a nomination is April 11.
