Reginald Hunter still holds the Oglethorpe County High School record for the mile run — nearly 50 years after graduating.
It’s one reason he was inducted into the inaugural class of the OCHS Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. His photo on the wall honors his accomplishments, but he also wants it to inspire.
“I’m a product of Oglethorpe County,” Hunter said. “I want the young people to know that they need to be recognized, and they can do things.”
Hunter, a 1975 graduate who went to Albany State University on a track and field scholarship, helped create the OCHS Hall of Fame after he had established a similar athletic hall of fame at his university.
“I started it there, and we saw how it was very rewarding and people really loved it, and I wanted to bring that same atmosphere to Oglethorpe County,” Hunter said.
Barbara Cabaniss, member of the Hall of Fame committee, said the reputation of the honor has only grown since 2019.
“I think it has made the community more aware,” she said. “We have received more applicants, and I think it gives the athletes we have now something to strive for.”
That was Hunter’s goal all along.
“It’s to recognize athletes that accomplished great things at Oglethorpe County, but also to help the young people coming up to aspire to be great athletes,” Hunter said. “Because somebody’s gonna look at those pictures on the wall and the trophy case and say, ‘I want my picture there one day.’”
Now, the committee is taking nominations for its next class, seeking to recognize student athletes, coaches and members of the Oglethorpe County Schools community who “have made significant contributions to the school’s athletic program.”
Applications must include dates the nominee attended OCHS, any athletic honors or recognitions, and any school athletic records. Nominees must also be out of high school for at least five years.
The number of applications have increased each year, so the process is more competitive, making evidence important.
“Documentation is critical,” Cabaniss said. “We can only judge on what we receive, and we are very conscientious and try very hard to give every candidate the benefit of the doubt. But also we have to have that information in order to make the best decision.”
For Oglethorpe County student-athletes who aren’t yet ready for the hall of fame, Hunter has some advice.
“If they’re looking to go to college, looking at that wall and if they take time to do a little research, I think it will motivate that student to give all they can,” Hunter said. “If you’re going to go to college, you’ve got to have some decent grades, so it's gonna motivate you to be a good student, stay out of trouble and also be the best you can be in your particular sports.”
Nominate for the Sports Hall of Fame
The committee is accepting nominations for the next class of the Oglethorpe County High School Sports Hall of Fame through June 28. Go to oglethorpe.k12.ga.us or stop by the Central Office, 735 Athens Road in Lexington, for a nomination form.
OCHS Sports Hall of Fame
- John Burgess, basketball
- Stephanie Cleveland, track/cross country
- Anthony Collins, track
- Doug Eberhart, wrestling
- Reginald Hunter, track
- Wesley Jackson, wrestling
- Charlie Jennings, basketball
- Delbra Bonds Kendrick, track
- Gary Mathews, coach
- Ralph Maxwell, supporter
- Scott Maxwell, football
- Loretta Morse, basketball
- Bill Nunally, coach
- Clare Frey Stevens, track
- Paul Stevens, football
- Jim Stoudenmire Sr., coach
- Tim Stoudenmire, wrestling
- Michael White, basketball
- Stella Burgess Winfrey, basketball
- Michelle Baughens Freeman, track
- Derrick Gregory, wrestling
- Frederick Gresham, basketball
- Bobby Mitchell, basketball
- Leslee Smith, softball
- Sherri Smith, basketball
- Loretta Stribling Smith, basketball