Between the Girls and Guys Basketball games Friday, January 13, Gilmer County recognized and honored six new inductees to its Hall of Fame.

Those inducted into the Hall of Fame included Greg Burrell, Del Land, Susan McVey, Eddie Stegall, Bobby Teague, and Bill Wright. FYN caught up with the inductees to speak about the honor and their careers.

Greg Burrell was a 1994 graduate who lettered four years in football, two years in basketball, and 3 years in track. Burrell received several awards including Best Defensive Lineman 1990 1991, Most Valuable Defensive Player 1992, Coca-Cola Achievement Award 1992, and Captain’s Award 1992 all while playing for the High School. He returned to Gilmer County where he has served as a Teacher, Coach, and Administrator for the school system as well as a member of the Board of Directors for the Christian Learning Center. “I’ve spent my whole life as a Gilmer County Resident, as a youth athlete through Park and Rec, as a High School Athlete, and a Coach, and an Administrator. It is honor because I’ve seen a lot of talented players come through during that time, since the late 70’s and early 80’s. Just to be part of them is an honor.” Burrell also recalled his time playing and it’s effect on his life now teaching him dedication and determination, but also how sportsmanship teaches athletes how to be good people. He went on to say “It’s been great to coach some really good kids, to coach in Gilmer County… to see them excel in athletics, academics, and in life. It’s just remarkable and it’s come full circle from my youth until now being a Bobcat. I’ve been a Bobcat all my life, and it’s an honor to be recognized.” Burrell left a piece of advice for student athletes today saying, “Be dedicated. So many student athletes aren’t dedicated to the cause. They’re not all in. I see a lot of student athletes that have a lot of quit in them. So they need to be determined, the need to be focused, and they need to follow through with their commitment to the team.”

Del Land was a 1977 graduate who played both baseball and basketball in high school. While his sports career was cut short by a tragic accident, he has continued to serve the community including over 30 years as the “Voice of the Bobcats” in media coverage. Receiving honors from ETC3 including Professional Achievement, Del Land continues his service in both his church and community services as a mentor. While Land stated his athletic career was not stellar, he praised a friend from Blue Ridge who got him into announcing games on the radio which has led to a 40 year career of sportscasts spanning radio and television as well as exerting his competitive nature coaching sports. When asked about his career and inspirations, Land stated, “I’ve been inspired by folks who played for me… Watching kids play for 40 years, I’m watching the children that I started with now. It’s great to watch them grow up, go off to college, and come back home… It’s an awesome thing to watch that whole cycle.”

Susan McVey was a 1990 graduate with 11 varsity letters in basketball, softball, and tennis. McVey holds the honor of being the winningest varsity basketball player in GHS history with 81 wins. She was the third Lady Cat ever to score 1,000 points in her career. She has received honors at GHS including Most Improved Player, Best Offensive Player, Team Captain, and Player of the Year during her high school career. She currently is a real estate agent and a part of the Re/Max Hall of Fame. “It’s definitely an honor, I’ve always bled purple blood. I guess I didn’t realize until seeing everything, really what I accomplished.” said McVey. She went on to say her time playing has greatly influenced her throughout her life and even today, “It’s the hard work you put into it, and I’ve found that even through my real estate job… setting goals. We would set goals at the beginning of the season, and I think that’s how we ended up at State so many times.”

Eddie Stegall was a 1966 graduate who played football, basketball, and baseball. He received honors as the football Team Captain in 1965 and the GHS Back of the Year in 1965. As he continued his career in all three sports, Stegall also received an honorable mention as the Atlanta Journal Constitutions All-State Football Team in both 1964 and 1965.

Bobby Teague was a 1994 graduate who played football, basketball, and baseball. He was honored with the Football Captain’s Award and Most Valuable Player in 1993. In Basketball, he received Most Valuable Player Offensive in 1993, Player of the Year 1994, and Senior Award in 1994. Further into Baseball, he received Most Valuable Offensive Player for both 1992 and 1993. He continues his sports career now as a coach in the Recreation and Parks Department in Gilmer County in Soccer, Tee-Ball, Baseball, Football, and Basketball. Regarding his induction, Teague said, “The honor is huge. Just being involved with peers and coaches who tutored me in life or in sports, it’s a very humbling experience for me.” As he moved from playing to coaching now Teague gave credit to his own coaches, as each had their own method and way of coaching throughout the different sports he played, he moved into coaching knowing that each athlete is different and gets taught in different ways for each sport. Though he stated, “I’ve enjoyed coaching probably more than I had playing,” Teague did recount his fondest memories revolving around the bonding experience with teammates in practices, games, and all his activities. “That’s probably been the most important thing to me because we’ve continued to carry it on after high school and into life as we stay together and then bring our children up with the same demeanor, the same approach, and the same encouragement to be more of a family and grow together instead of being an individual.”

Bill Wright was a 1967 graduate who played football and baseball. He received honors as Co-Captain in 1966 and as Honorable Mention to the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s All-State Team in 1966. He has also served the Gilmer County School System as a teacher for 31 years. “It was just great,” said Wright who said it was a different time in the sixties when he played. He emphasised his respect for his coaches and teachers saying, “I call them Mister… Mister shows the honor that these people deserve.” He offered a piece of advice to the athletes today saying, “Work ethic. On the field and off the field, work ethic is all it boils down to.”

Check out more on the members of the Hall of Fame by visiting the Gilmer Sports Hall of Fame Website.