Union County Sports Hall of Fame inducting 6.
The seventh annual Union County Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet will be held Saturday, July 29 at the El Dorado Conference Center. This year's class includes: Mike Bender, Tom Bullock, John Gross, Jimmy Howard, Gary Miller and Wren Worley.
Bender, a posthumous selection, earned All State in football at Strong High School in 1960 and All Conference performer at the University of Arkansas in 1965. He was a member of the 1964 National Championship Razorback football team. He coached at the high school (including EHS), college and professional level. He was Brandon Burlsworth’s line coach with the Razorbacks.
Bullock was an All State and All Southern football player at El Dorado High in 1943. He lettered four years in football and lacrosse at West Point and was a teammate of Heisman Trophy winners Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard. He was chosen Honorable Mention All-American in lacrosse.
Gross was All State in basketball in high school and two-time All Conference in college at Arkansas Tech. He is still the career rebounding record holder at Arkansas Tech. He served 41 years with Parkers Chapel School District as coach
(750 wins), principal and superintendent, making a positive impact on hundreds of kids.
Howard is a graduate of Washington High in El Dorado. He is this year’s meritorious selection for his work with youth in the county in the sport of golf. He has served as a mentor and coach to hundreds of kids teaching them the game and life lessons associated with golf. Howard currently coaches with the KidsNGolf program.
Miller is a 1968 graduate of El Dorado High. During his junior year of high school, he began teaching a class in martial arts and the Olympic sport of judo. He formed the El Dorado Judo team, practicing at the El Dorado Boys Club. His teams won numerous state team titles and he had 11 National Champions. He has been an instructor for 51 years.
Worley was a 1942 graduate of El Dorado High. He was selected football All State two times and was also selected All Southern. He lettered four years at Louisiana State University, making first team All-SEC at guard in 1946 and second team the next two years. He was a teammate of LSU quarterback Y.A. Tittle.