2004 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
CHARLIE CHAPMAN, CLASS OF 1967 (2004)
Charlie
Chapman was an outstanding team player in football, basketball, and
track. He was All-Conference in football, co-captain of the basketball
team, and tri-captain of the track team. He was a member of a WNCHSAA
state title team in football. After graduating from Western Carolina
University, he began a career in coaching. He returned to AHS and served
in many capacities. He was an assistant football and basketball coach.
As a Student Activities Coordinator, he helped to make AHS a statewide
recognized sports program. Coach Chapman continues to assist the Blue
Comets as a testing assistant and loyal fan.
GAIL “GAILBO” HARRIS, CLASS OF 1961 (2004)
“Gailbo”
was truly ahead of her time. She led AHS to a state title in 1960 while
scoring 45 points in the championship game. An All-State selection,
Harris once scored 57 points in a game. Although softball was not a
school sponsored sport, Gail Harris was very well known for her play.
After graduating from college, she continued to work in education and
was an award winning principal. She retired in 2003.
CHARLES HODGES, CLASS OF 1969 (2004)
Not
only did Hodges excel in football for the Blue Comets, he was a
tremendous track athlete as well. An All-Conference performer in
football, Hodges rushed for over 1000 yards in each of his three
seasons. He was a champion long jumper and sprinter. Hodges is a 1973
graduate of Winston-Salem State University.
He continues to be a leader in the community and finds time to officiate high school football.
DAVID “CHICKEN” JARRELL, CLASS OF 1951 (2004)
David
Jarrell was included in Lee J. Stone’s list of the 20 best players he
ever coached. He was an Honorable Mention All-state performer who helped
Asheboro to the South Piedmont Conference Championship. Jarrell was
also an outstanding third baseman. A 25 year manager for Carolina Power
and Light Company, David continues to display his leadership qualities
as being the present Mayor of Asheboro.
RONNIE JOHNSON. CLASS OF 1964 (2004)
Johnson
was named to the All-State baseball team in 1964. He was also an All-
Conference performer in basketball and football, and was a member of the
1963 WNCHSAA championship football team. Johnson was a three sport
letterman at Asheboro high school and named “Mr. Blue Comet.” He
attended Louisburg College and Atlantic Christian where he starred in
both baseball and basketball.
MARK LEGGETT, CLASS OF 1959 (2004)
Leggett
was MVP of the legendary 1958 football team that was undefeated and is
one of the greatest players in NC history. An All-State performer in
football, he also was a state champion in wrestling. Mark received a
scholarship to Duke University and received All-ACC and All-American
honors. An outstanding business leader, Mark Leggett’s name still
conjures memories of his galloping down the field for another Blue Comet
touchdown.
DARRELL MOODY, CLASS OF 1966 (2004)
Darrell
Moody was the talk of the town in the 1960’s. He led AHS to two WNCHSAA
football titles. An All-American in football, he was also All-State in
baseball and lettered in basketball. He received a scholarship to NC
State University. After graduation he returned to coach and teach at
AHS. Moody continued to coach 27 years in the NCAA at various programs.
He now serves as a scout for the NFL’s San Diego Chargers.
DAVID MOODY, CLASS OF 1973 (2004)
An
All-State selection in both football and baseball, David followed in
the footsteps of his older brother, Darrell. Moody played both football
and baseball at NC State. He has also served as head coach in both
football and baseball at AHS. This former “Mr. Blue Comet” not only
played in the East/West All-Star game, but also was selected to coach in
the game. David Moody served as an administrator at AHS and is
currently the principal at Jordan Matthews High School.
RED O’ QUINN, CLASS OF 1943 (2004)
Red O’ Quinn was
truly a pioneer. A letterman in football and baseball, O’Quinn won many
awards in basketball at Asheboro high school. After being discharged in
the Navy in 1946, he enrolled at Wake Forest where he played basketball
and football. He led the nation in pass receiving and was drafted by the
Chicago Bears. After a short stint in the NFL, O’Quinn became a legend
for the Montreal Allouettes. He has been inducted in both the Canadian
Football Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. He is
deceased.
LARRY BULLA, CLASS OF 1956 (2004)
Bulla was an All-Conference performer in baseball and basketball. An All-Star selection in basketball, he was selected captain in the East/West All-Star Classic. Bulla attended Elon College on a basketball scholarship. He also played five years with the Cleveland Indians Organization in professional baseball. A great sportsman, Bulla continues to serve the Asheboro Community in various organizations.
DON REDDING, CLASS OF 1955 (2004)
Redding
was an All-State performer in basketball and a member of the 1955
WNCHSAA champions. He was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl for
football. Redding was a three year starter in football at UNC-Chapel
Hill. He was drafted by the NFL Chicago Bears in 1959. He pursued a
career in finance and served in many different capacities in numerous
civic organizations. A devoted family man, Don remains very active in
the Rams Club at UNC-Chapel Hill.
SCOTT RUSH, CLASS OF 1970 (2004)
Scott
Rush was a three-sport letterman. He was All-Conference in football and
baseball. Scott played in the East/West Boys Home All-Star football
game. He attended Elon College and excelled in both football and
baseball. After graduation, Scott returned home and opened a very
successful sporting goods store. He was also a founding member of the
Blue Comet Booster Club. The former “Mr. Blue Comet” passed away in
1996, but his spirit continues to be a large part of Blue Comet
athletics.
STAWBERRY WHELESS, CLASS OF 1960 (2004)
The
“Strawberry Blonde Passing Wizard” quarterbacked the Blue Comets from
1957 thru 1959. He helped guide the 1958 team to the WNCHSAA state title
and the Blue Comets were 30-4 with “Strawberry” at quarterback. After a
one year stint at VPI, he transferred to Elon where he still ranks very
high in many passing categories today. According to Lee J. Stone,
“Strawberry” was one of three best quarterbacks he ever coached. The
former “Mr. Blue Comet” passed away in 1997.
JAMES YORK, CLASS OF 1951 (2004)
James
“Brother” York was an outstanding athlete at AHS from 1947 to 1951. An
All-State performer in both football and basketball, he was also an
excellent baseball player. He was selected to play in both the Shrine
Bowl and the East/West All-Star games in football. York received a
football scholarship to Duke University. He passed away in 1997, but
will be recognized as one of the greatest athletes in Asheboro High
School history.
NEAL HUGHES, CLASS OF 1964 (2004)
During his career at AHS,
Neal Hughes excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. A tailback
in football, Neal helped guide AHS to a state title in 1963 and
runner-up titles in 1962 and 1964. He was selected to play in the
East/West All-Star game and later played at East Carolina University.
Neal was All-Southern Conference and was listed on many All-American
teams. After returning to Asheboro he continued to serve on many civic
organizations and was a member of the Asheboro City Schools Board of
Education. Neal Hughes is a true Blue Comet.
ANGIE GLISSON, COACH (2004)
Angie
served as a coach and teacher at AHS for 20 years. She led the Lady
Blue Comets to numerous conferences championships in basketball and to a
state title in 1960. She also served as director of the City of
Asheboro Summer Playground Program. Coach Glisson was a very caring
person for all students at AHS. Her efforts laid the ground work for the
present day women’s athletic programs at AHS.
LEE J. STONE, COACH (2004)
Coach
Stone accepted the position as head football coach at Asheboro High
School in 1949. He won three Western North Carolina High School
Activities Association Championships at AHS in 1950, 1958, and 1965.
Stone coached 29 consecutive seasons without a losing record; was a
two-time head coach in the NC Shrine Bowl, past president of the NC
Coaches Association and inducted into the NC Sports Hall of Fame and the
NC High School Sports Hall of Fame. His service to students did not end
when he retired from coaching; he served on the Asheboro City Board of
Education for 22 years. Coach Stone was one of the greatest teachers and
coaches in North Carolina history.
MAX MORGAN, COACH (2004)
Max
Morgan was an All-State football player at AHS in 1943. After coaching
at Randleman High School, Coach Morgan returned to Asheboro in 1960 to
assist Lee J. Stone and was involved with numerous sports. He was
selected to be head football coach in 1967 until 1974. Max continued to
serve as A.D. until his retirement in 1988. He was selected Region 5
Athletic Director the following year. Coach Morgan was very instrumental
in the lives of many students who still serve the Asheboro community.
He passed away in 2003.
RUSS MURPHY, COACH (2004)
Coach
Murphy was a long time coach of numerous sports in the Asheboro City
School System. A graduate of Winston Salem State University, he played
football professionally with the Philadelphia Eagles. Coach Murphy is a
very passionate person who has touched many students and athletes in the
30 plus years that he lived in the Asheboro Community. He continues to
be a loyal supporter of our many athletic teams today.
