Honorees reflect the county’s rich and diverse sports heritage.
The Hickory Metro Sports Commission’s Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame 2019 class highlights the county’s championship football tradition and its rich auto racing heritage.
“This is another very worthy and outstanding group. We are recognizing some really fantastic people who have brought, pride, honor and esteem to Catawba County sports history,” said Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame Chairman JuJu Phillips. “The Selection Committee did a fantastic job in nominating some very deserving individuals.”
The Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2019 includes:
● Catawba College all-time interceptions leader, three-sport Maiden athlete and current Western Carolina University coach Keith Henry.
● Two-time NASCAR Cup Champion Crew Chief, auto racing broadcaster and Richard Childress Racing Vice President of Competition Andy Petree.
● Lenoir-Rhyne University Hall of Fame linebacker and college football coach for 35 years, Georgia State coach Brad Lawing.
● Baseball and softball champion, motorsports public relations mainstay and local athletics supporter Dennis Punch.
● All-American running back, NFL player and athletic director John Mackorell (1912-1980).
● Undefeated North Carolina 3A State Football Champion 1996 Hickory High School, the Hall of Fame’s 2019 Team of Distinction.
Established in 2000, the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame recognizes the
extraordinary efforts and achievements of athletes, coaches, teams and contributors, while also reinforcing a sense of history and tradition in Catawba County. This year’s inductees will join 89 Hall members recognized in a permanent display at Hickory Highland Recreation Center and www.hickorymetrosports.com .
New inductees will be celebrated during the annual Hickory Metro Sports Commission’s 19 th Annual Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet on Monday, May 13 at the city of Hickory’s Highland Recreation Center.
For hotel and area information, 