Nominations are being accepted for the second class of inductees into the Madison County High School Mountaineers Athletic Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame was created in 2025 as a way to honor and recognize outstanding athletes and coaches who have made a lasting impact on the school and the community. A committee governs the hall of fame and is composed 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 are 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 are honored in the fall at a Friday night football game with a formal dinner Saturday. Inductees will be invited to the annual induction events.
The first inductees were honored during the Sept. 5, 2025 varsity home game with a dinner the following night. The inductees were Eddie Dean, Class of 1974’s Jeff Early, Class of 1973’s Carlton Johnson, Class of 1975’s James “Sleepy” Johnson, Katherine Johnson, Raymond Kirkley, Class of 1946’s Billy Mitchell, Class of 2011’s Claire Moretz, Class of 1992’s Melissa Morton, Class of 1952’s Betty Utz and the 2010 State Championship Boys Basketball Team.
Now, it’s time for a new class to join the hall. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 Hall of Fame class. The eligibility rules remain the same as last year. Criteria for selection includes achievement and/or leadership in sports competition as evidenced by post-season honors, holding the position of team captain or a record-setting performance; participation in several varsity sports; postgraduate achievement in sports; and a general contribution to society as evidenced by service to and leadership in the community or church affairs, professional affairs or Madison County Public Schools.
Nominations can be submitted online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeimli91P-v0U3e1-oMHSRYDomZeuzYGWYqhRw2njke1H6t9w/viewform or mailed to Madison County High School, 68 Mountaineer Lane, Madison, VA 22727.
The deadline to submit a nomination is March 30.
