Pictures of Limestone County Hall of Fame members line the wall at the entrance of the Limestone County Event Center in Athens. A group of 10 more pictures will be added June 8, when the 2019 class is inducted at the 17th annual Hall of Fame banquet.

A new class of Limestone County sports legends will be honored June 8 at the Limestone County Event Center. The Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame recently announced the class of 2019, which will be recognized at the 17th annual Hall of Fame banquet.

The ten members in the class of 2019 are Stacey Atkins, Jeff Harwell, Ben Holt, Philip Jennings, Shannon Davis Rutherford, Jesse Lockett, Jason Lucas, Larry Tribble, Henry Miller and Greg Yarbrough.

Limestone County Sports Hall of Fame president Jeff Hodges credited the Hall of Fame Board of Directors for selecting a group of individuals that well deserving of their election to the Hall of Fame.

“This group has represented Limestone County in an exemplary manner through their athletic achievements and each one is certainly worthy of hall of fame recognition.,” Hodges said. “It is a diverse group spanning multiple generations with many schools represented, a variety of sports represented, as well as representation based on playing and coaching accomplishments. Our board looks forward to inducting this very distinguished group at our introduction banquet in June.”

Stacey Atkins was a former baseball and football star at Trinity High School. He later was a pitcher for the Chicago American Giants of the Negro American League. Once his playing days were complete, he served as the voice of the Trinity Panthers for more than 10 years.

Jeff Harwell was an outstanding track and cross country performer for Athens Bible School. He finished his career at ABS with 13 state championships and five state records. Harwell signed with Troy State and was an All-Conference selection for the Trojans.

Ben Holt was a multiple sport standout for Ardmore High School. He played baseball collegiately for Martin Methodist and Tennessee Tech. Holt led Tennessee Tech in RBIs during his senior season while earning Academic All-American honors.

Phillip Jennings played football and participated in track and field at Athens High School. He earned All-State honors in football and was twice a state champion in track and field. He played football in college at Auburn University.

Shannon Davis Rutherford was a softball shortstop for Athens High School and Calhoun Community College. She was a member of state championship teams at both AHS and Calhoun CC. Rutherford later played quarterback for the Minnesota Vixens of the Women’s Professional Football League.

Jesse Lockett played quarterback in football for East Limestone High School earning All-Conference honors. He was also a standout basketball player, scoring 1,258 career points, and was named Limestone County Most Valuable Player his senior season.

Jason Lucas was three-year starter in football for Athens High School. He rushed for 2,100 yards during his career for the Golden Eagles. He earned a football scholarship to Alabama State University where he played wide receiver and was a kick and punt returner for the Hornets.

Larry Tribble coached at both Ardmore and West Limestone high schools. He coached the Lady Tigers to the softball state tournament. Tribble’s West Limestone girls basketball teams won 249 games during his 11-year career with 10 of those teams advancing to either the sub-state or regional tournaments.

Henry Miller was a dominating fast-pitch softball pitcher. Miller was generally regarded as one of the top pitchers in the state during the 1960s and 70s. Miller possessed an outstanding fastball and recorded numerous no-hitters.

Greg Yarbrough was an All-State basketball player at Tanner High School. He was an USA Today All-American Honorable Mention selection his senior season with the Rattlers while averaging 21 points and eight rebounds per game. He played two seasons with Snead State Community College, averaging 11 points per game.

Tickets for the banquet will soon be available and can be purchased at the United Way office. The annual Martha Jo Leonard Memorial Golf Tournament will take place at Canebrake Club June 6, with proceeds going toward funding scholarships to local student-athletes.

For more information regarding the tournament, contact Barry DeVine at 256-777-3810.