2022

Mike Bolton

Mike Bolton graduated from Hewitt-Trussville High School in 1974 and graduated from the University of Alabama in 1980. For the past 38 years, Bolton has been a sportswriter for the Birmingham News.
He is an eight-time Associated Press Sweepstakes Award winner for the Top Alabama Sports Story of the Year; and a two-time Herby Kirby Award winner for the Top Alabama Sports Story of the Year.
He has had an Outdoor column in the Sunday edition of the Birmingham News for almost four decades. He and his dad, legendary writer and columnist Clyde Bolton, were recently voted as members of the Top 50 legends of Alabama sportswriters.

Andy Eden

Andy Eden graduated from Pell City High School in 1985. He graduated from Auburn University in 1989 with a Business Administration in Finance and then graduated from JSU in 2001 with a teacher certification.
After nine years in the banking business, Eden’s teaching and coaching career started in 1997 at St. Clair County High School. In 2001, Eden made the move to Ragland High School, where he still is today.
As varsity boys basketball coach, Eden has led teams to seven area titles, 12 sub-regional and five regional appearances, three regional finals, one regional championship, one Final Four appearance in 2013, and one St. Clair County championship. He was named St. Clair County Coach of the Year in 2013.

Rachel Ford

Rachel Countryman Ford graduated from Ashville High School in 2000. For three years, she excelled in volleyball, basketball and softball winning All-County, All-State and various MVP honors.
During her senior year, she was also the Scholar Athlete Army Reserve recipient, the Jim Nunnally Award winner, the Area Bryant-Jordan Scholar Athlete winner and earned a softball scholarship to JSU. During her senior year at JSU, she set single season records in homeruns (22), RBIs (66) and runs scored (63).
She graduated Magna Cum Laude from JSU in 2005. After graduating, she signed a professional softball contract to play with the PFX Tour, something she did for three years.
In 2009, Ford became the softball coach at White Plains High School and has led them to area and regional championships and several state tournament appearances.

Hobart McLendon

Hobart McLendon graduated from Ashville High School in 1984 where he played baseball, basketball and football. He made All-County two years playing basketball.
While at Ashville High, McLendon was Student Council President, Mr. Ashville High School, Boy’s State recipient, Who’s Who Among American High School, and won the DAR Good Citizenship Award.
He attended Alice Lloyd College from 1984-85 where he played basketball and was a member of the Student Government Association.
He is an officer for the Boosters of Ashville and a founding member of The Ashville Spirit Club. He is currently vice-president at CrossMark Home Services.

Matthew Sanders

Matthew Sanders graduated from Ashville High School in 2000 where he was an All-State player his junior and senior seasons in baseball and football. He led the state in punting his junior year with a 47.6 yards per punt and again his senior year with a 45.4 yards per punt.
He won the Bryant-Jordan Achievement Award and the Jim Nunnally Award during his senior season.
He played football for the University of Alabama in 2000 and dressed every game.
He transferred to Wallace State where he was a pitcher on the team that won the AJCC state championship and played in the JUCO World Series in Colorado.

Leon Taylor

Leon Taylor graduated from Springville High School in 1981 where he played football and basketball. He was named All-County in football for three seasons, but basketball was where he excelled.
In 1980, he was named All-County, All-Area and All-State as he led the Tiger basketball team to the state title game. 
In 1981, Taylor was named Honorable Mention to the McDonald’s All-American Team and named Team MVP as he averaged 18 points and 12 rebounds per game. He was the Fan MVP, had the most rebounds, steals and blocked shots.
Taylor played basketball for Wallace State in 1981 averaging 14 points and nine rebounds per game. From 1984-86, Taylor played at Bethel University averaging 15 points and 10 rebounds per game. He was named team captain and was named MVP of the Northern Kentucky Tournament.
In 2010, Taylor coached the Hayes High School girls basketball team. The next two years, he coached the AAU Birmingham Raptor basketball team.