Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame announces 2020 inductees
20th Annual Hall of Fame Banquet Postponed until 2021.
The Hickory Metro Sports Commission’s Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame 2020 class highlights the county’s rich basketball tradition and the diversity of athleticism that has long existed in the region.
“These are some of the finest individuals and one of the most successful teams to represent not only Catawba County, but their respective sports as well,” said Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame Chairman JuJu Phillips. “This year’s class once again has brought pride, honor, and esteem to Catawba County sports history.”
Members selected for induction in 2020 represent the Hall of Fame’s 20th Anniversary Class. Unfortunately, a global pandemic and ensuing COVID-19 (Coronavirus) response will delay recognition of these distinguished athletes.
“This was to be a very special year for the Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame,” Phillips said. “We were celebrating a major anniversary, while honoring another very worthy and outstanding group.”
In response to North Carolina and federal guidelines regarding COVID-19, the 20th Annual Catawba County Sports Hall of Fame Banquet has been postponed from May 11 to May 10, 2021.
The Hall of Fame’s 2020 inductees who will be permanently enshrined at the Hickory Highland Recreation Center include:
● North Carolina State Basketball Champion, Appalachian State University Top 10 all-time three-point leader and multi-sport athlete at Bandys High School Tiffany Chappell Freeman.
● Nine-time Wrestling Conference Coach of the Year with 600 wins, 10 conference titles and three state dual runner-up teams over 25 years of coaching, St. Stephens High School Coach Billy Baker.
● University of Georgia defensive lineman, N.C. Shrine Bowl player, four-sport high school letterman and 25-year Southeastern Conference Football Official James A. “Pud” Mosteller.
● Professional basketball player, All-World Selection, 2,100-point scorer for Maiden High School and 1960 first-place finisher and conference tournament champion Jo Anne McCaslin Potts.
● North Carolina State Football Champion and multi-sport athlete at Hickory High
School, Lenoir-Rhyne University second all-time leading basketball scorer, South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame Member and current Citadel Associate Head Basketball Coach Daniel Willis.
● Team of Distinction: 1964 Ridgeview High School Panthers football team, the 1964 North Carolina state champions that finished the season outscoring opponents 446-0, earning the title “The Untouchables.”
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.
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