JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman College inducted eight new members in its 2010 Athletic Hall of Fame Class in ceremonies held Saturday morning on the Carson-Newman campus.
The 2010 inductees are: former track All-American Larry Cooke, longtime college coach and administrator Bill Henry, softball All-American Carol Zachary, former football standout and longtime coach Ken Rucker, former Eagle quarterback and New York Jets draft pick Danny Sanders, three-time basketball All-American Lisa Stogner, World War II veteran and legendary Georgia high school football coach Glenn Wade, and former All-American running back and longtime coach at Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett Rodney Wampler.
“This is a truly worthy and outstanding Hall of Fame class,” Barger said. “These inductees represent the wide-reaching legacy of Carson-Newman athletics and broad range of influence the college has had on so many people. We are blessed to have quality individuals that continue to carry on the tradition of Carson-Newman athletics and the spirit of Carson-Newman College long after graduating.”
The 2010 class brings the total number of elected members to the Carson-Newman Athletic Hall of Fame to 70. The hall currently includes C-N head football coach Ken Sparks, former Texas, Texas A&M, and Nebraska head coach Dana X. Bible, current North Carolina women's head basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell, and former Southeastern Conference commissioner Bernie Moore.
Carson-Newman Athletics Hall of Fame
Class of 2010
Larry Cooke (Class of 1978) The most decorated student-athlete to ever run track at Carson-Newman; Cooke was an All-American in 1976 and 1977. He was the NAIA National Champion in the long jump and was undefeated against all competition for two consecutive years. Cooke was also a member of the 440 and mile relay teams.
Billy Henry (Class of 1959) A highly decorated high school and college athlete at C-N, Billy “The General” Henry spent a career advancing college sports. Henry had head basketball coaching stints at North Georgia College, Union University, and Charleston Southern. He also served as Head Tennis Coach at Austin Peay, Athletic Director at Maryville College and retired from the University of Tennessee as Senior Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director.
Carol (Zachary) Mitchell (Class of 1991) Honored as an All-American in 1989, 1990, and 1991, Carol was a dominating softball pitcher at the college. She won 39 games in 1990 and her senior season she had an ERA of .91. Her career stats included 123 wins, an overall ERA of 1.14, 537 strikeouts, and 61 stolen bases. She was inducted into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2007.
Ken Rucker (Class of 1976) One of college football's top assistants at Air Force, Richmond, Texas, Baylor University, and Texas A&M; Ken Rucker is one of the best ever linebackers to play at Morristown East High School and Carson-Newman. His long standing coaching career has been marked by strong family commitments and active involvement with his church and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Danny Sanders (Class of 1979) Sanders was drafted by the New York Jets as a quarterback in 1979. He also played in the Canadian Football League and with the Boston Breakers of the USFL. Inducted into the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 2008, Danny Sanders still holds ten “top ten” individual and team passing records in the C-N Football record book.
Lisa Stogner (Class of 1984) Stogner is the all-time leading scorer in C-N women's basketball history with 2,333 points. She was named NAIA All-American her each of her last three seasons at Mossy Creek. An All-Conference and All-District performer each of her four years at C-N, she is the co-record holder for rebounds in a single game with 20.
Glenn Wade (Class of 1949) A veteran of World War II, Wade played football and basketball at C-N while earning Dean's List honors and graduating in three years. His high school football coaching stints at Rossville and Griffin (GA) High Schools produced a 75-18-10 record and two State Championships. He has coached basketball and tennis as well. Active in church and civic affairs, Wade officiated high school football for 18 years.
Rodney Wampler (Class of 1972) With 2,500 career rushing yards in the C-N record book, All-American Rodney Wampler still ranks as one of Eagle Football's most prolific running backs. Following military service in Vietnam and his football career in college, Wampler coached 30 years at Kingsport DB as assistant football, baseball, softball, and track coach. He was a great influence on the many young people he mentored. Two of his three children are now coaches.
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