It was another special night in Calhoun and Gordon County sports history on Saturday as seven more names were added to the list of legends enshrined in the CalhounGordon County Sports Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame held their second-ever banquet and induction ceremony at Georgia Northwestern Technical College as the Class of 2016 inductees were honored and officially became members of the exclusive club, which now stands at 21 following the inaugural class of 14 in 2015.
Members of the 2016 class included Maude Chattam, Michael Durham, Zeke McDaniel, Helen Jane McDonald, Kenneth Moore, Mike Nance and Matthew Pitts.
Calhoun-Gordon County Sports Hall of Fame President Dewayne Bowen said this group is just as special as the first group and their accomplishments and accolades speak for themselves.
“I think that this second class is amazing,” said Bowen. “Even though they are the second class, they are just as incredible and deserving as our inaugural 14 from last year. There are so many legends from this city and county, and these seven are right up there at the top. What this group accomplished was really phenomenal.”
The night began with the invocation by CGCSHF Secretary and Board of Directors member Chuck Ruth followed by a steak dinner catered by Oakwood Café of Dalton. Bowen then had the welcome and introduction, which was followed by vice president Scott Fletcher serving as master of ceremonies for the program.
Before the new Hall of Famers were honored, the 1952 Calhoun Yellow Jackets football team, which won the program’s first-ever state title, was recognized. Several members of the team were honored on stage, and Jimmy Prater, also a member of the championship team, gave a short speech talking about the special season and the players that made it happen.
The Hall of Famers were then introduced one-by-one with a short video tribute before being awarded their plaque, and they were given the chance to speak to those in attendance. Lynn Dee McDonald accepted the award and spoke in honor of her late mother Helen Jane McDonald, who passed away in 2015.
“I think as a whole it went well,” said Bowen of the ceremony. “Even though we didn’t have as many inductees this year, we still had a big crowd. We sold right at 280 tickets. This was a very strong class, and we were extremely happy to honor them.”
Bowen said the next item on the agenda for the Hall of Fame is to finish construction on the physical building they leased a few months ago next to the GEM Theatre in downtown Calhoun that will serve as the physical Hall of Fame headquarters, complete with displays of artifacts and memorabilia of local sports history and the Hall of Fame members accomplishments. He said they hope to have a grand opening and ribboncutting ceremony sometime later this year.
Here’s what each new Hallof-Famer or those accepting the honor on their behalf had to say about the special night and now being among an elite class of former local athletes, coaches and contributors:
Maude Chattam
“After all these years, it’s really a surprise. I finished school in 1959. It’s a great accomplishment. I’m proud to be back in Calhoun and receive this award.” -Chattam
Michael Durham
“It’s exciting for people to recognize the accomplishments you had. Even though it was a long time ago, people still remember the things you did when you were in high school and college. And a lot of people know me from coaching also. I’m very, very thankful for that, and that’s what I enjoy. That’s why I mentioned Coach (Lynn) Walter because he’s still at it, and he’s a big influence in my life. I understand why he still coaches. It’s the same reason I still do it — just the impact you have on kids. The impact he had on me is what I hope to accomplish in my time teaching and coaching. I had a great career at Calhoun and enjoyed every minute of it. Seeing Lynn Dee (McDonald) here was great. She had a great high school career. And going in with Mike Nance was awesome. We grew up together just a year apart so it was great going in with him. Just seeing some other people here that I played with and that coached me was pretty awesome.” –Durham
Zeke McDaniel
“This is one of the greatest thrills that I’ve received especially at this stage of my life. I’ve had many thrills and many victories and awards, but this seems to be the culmination — just the fact that it’s Calhoun and Gordon County. This is where I grew up. I got my start here on the dirt courts over on the west side of town. To think that one night I would get to this point where I would be recognized as an outstanding sports figure in Calhoun is really beyond words.” -McDaniel
Helen Jane McDonald
“Well, I just wish it was a year earlier, but it’s an honor. I’m emotional about it. She did a lot of great things for Calhoun High School, and she enjoyed all of her students. She tried to instill the best in everything to bring out the best in her students and athletes. It’s just an honor to be able to accept it for her.” –Lynn Dee McDonald, who accepted the honor on behalf of her late mother
Kenneth Moore
“I think it’s fantastic. It’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I guess you could say, of my athletic career, it’s probably the high point. Being recognized by your peers, your family and your hometown… I don’t think it can get much better than that.” –Moore
Mike Nance
“Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is really special for me. My dad was in the inaugural class last year, and my family was born and raised here. My parents graduated from Calhoun in 1959, I graduated in 1981, my sister was in 1983, another sister was 1991 so it’s awesome. My whole life we’ve lived here. To be included in something like this, it’s just unbelievable stuff.” –Nance
Matthew Pitts
“It means everything. It was kind of surreal. Growing up watching all these people when I was little, people I looked up to and coaches I looked up to, to get to be included with all those guys is pretty awesome. I don’t know if it sinks in that much. Maybe a little later, I’ll appreciate it a little more. It’s really cool. It’s cool that a lot of family, friends and wrestlers that I coach came to be a part of it too. That was really neat.” -Pitts