Seven state championships in one family is unusual, but for Bill Ming, the family’s trove of trophies, medals and rings should be attributed to team chemistry and having extraordinary coaches and teammates.

Ming, a member of the Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame’s 2017 class, played linebacker, tight end and punted for the state champion Athens football team in 1975. He also competed on the Golden Eagles’ 1975 and 1976 state champion outdoor track teams, earning an individual gold medal in shot put at the indoor state track meet his senior year. His three children — William (football), Elizabeth (softball) and Sarah (soccer) — also played on Athens teams that won state titles.

“As a family and with our children, we enjoyed sports,” Ming said. “It teaches good life skills and teamwork, and you develop relationships with other people that last for years. Just like when I was in high school, our children were part of state championship teams because of great players, good coaches and great team-member families. It’s all about the team and having chemistry.

“By far the most memorable (moment) is winning the 1975 state football championship in Athens versus Andalusia in my senior year among 15,000 fans,” he said. “It doesn’t get any better because it was Athens’ first state football championship.”

Larry McCoy, Freddie Smith, Steve Parker and Charles Harris are among the former Golden Eagle greats enshrined in the LCSHOF. Ming played for McCoy and with Smith, Parker, Harris and fellow 2017 inductee Thomas Woodroof Jr.

“On that 1975 team, we had a lot of outstanding players, and Bill was one of our leaders,” McCoy said. “He was not only an outstanding football player and track athlete, he was a good person and student. He responded to coaching very well. Bill had a lot of good qualities — speed, size, strength and good football smarts.”

Following his prep career, Ming started at offensive guard and punted four seasons at Middle Tennessee State University, where he earned a business degree and served as an offensive team captain in 1979. After a stint as a bank president, he opened a commercial real-estate development company, Ming Enterprises LLC in Athens.

“I’m very honored to be considered and selected,” said Ming, who first shared the induction news with his wife, Susan. “I was very fortunate to play with some great players and their success afforded me the opportunity to play at MTSU.”

The hall of fame induction ceremony is 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at the Limestone County Event Center in Athens. Tickets are $30 and are available at the United Way office at 419 S. Marion St. in Athens.