The Roanoke Rapids High School Athletic Hall of Fame Foundation is honored to announce its Class of 2018 who will be inducted into the RRHS HOF Saturday night at is banquet.
The purpose of the Roanoke Rapids High School Athletic Hall of Fame is to recognize, honor, and provide an enduring memorial for those persons whose outstanding contributions have enriched the athletic program and brought honor to the school. Several outstanding athletes, coaches, and a team have been elected to the Class of 2018 of the Roanoke Rapids High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
They will be enshrined during an induction banquet on Saturday evening, October 20, 2018, at the Kirkwood Adams Community Center. Special recognition will be given the previous Hall of Fame inductees.
Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the induction ceremony will begin after the 6:30 p.m. dinner. The Hall of Fame is housed in the lobby of the Joseph W. Talley Physical Education and Music Building on the campus of Roanoke Rapids High School. The 2018 inductees will also be introduced to the community on Friday night, October 19, 2018, during half-time of the Roanoke Rapids South vs Rocky Mount Prep football game.
Tickets for the banquet are $20 each or a table may be purchased for $200. Tickets are available at RRHS, Bones Quality or from committee members: Rocky Lane, Rex Stainback, Steve Holliday, Andre Stewart, Randy Archer, Cindy Boone, Eric McDaniels, Lynn Little, and Randy Wrenn. Call the High School office at 252‐519‐7200 for further information.
The 2018 RRHS HOF Class :
Woodrow Wilson “Buddy” Wrenn, Class of 1946, Baseball
Buddy Wrenn graduated from RRHS Class of 1946 where he played basketball and baseball. His senior year baseball team was conference champions and lost to Sanford in the State 3A Playoffs. That team as Buddy proudly notes is unique in the annals of RRHS sports, and maybe even farther, in that each of the starting nine went on to earn a four-year degree.
After graduation he went to a Dodger tryout camp and the St. Louis Browns offered him a scholarship to Ohio State University, but he had to enter the Army. Upon his discharge Buddy entered Wake Forest College on a partial baseball scholarship. His career at Wake Forest was highlighted by playing in the NCAA Tournament finals in 1949, coming up just short, losing to the University of Texas. Buddy’s baseball career continued, playing twice for the Raleigh Capitals in the Class B Carolina League and for the Wilson Tobs, of the Class D Coastal Plain League. Having not served the minimum time earlier, he was drafted again into the Army in 1954 during which time according to him, he mostly played baseball, with his team playing in the Sixth Army Tournament.
Buddy returned to Roanoke Rapids, married, raised a family and retired from J. P. Stevens. But his relationship with baseball was not over. Buddy assisted Coach Bobby Carter and Buddy’s son Jeff to coach the baseball team beginning in the late 80’s, imparting his knowledge, wisdom, and love of the game of baseball to another generation of Yellow Jackets.
Arthur Morris Davis III, Class of ’61, Football, Basketball and Baseball
Arthur Davis was a humble giant in the history of Roanoke Rapids High School Athletics. He was a three-sport letterman and was awarded the Sam Owen Award, given at that time to the most outstanding senior athlete for the 1960-61 school year.
Arthur lettered in football in ’60 and ’61, basketball in ’59, ’60, and ’61, and baseball in ’59, ’60, and ’61 for a combined eight letters in his three-year varsity career. He earned All-Conference honors in football his senior year, and in both his junior and senior years in basketball and baseball. During his junior season he scored 40 points in a basketball game only to be bested by Tommy King with 41 points later that season. In his senior season he equaled King’s 41 points in the first game and went on to average 26.4 points per game in the pre-three-point field goal era. Arthur’s senior season was highlighted by his being chose All-East and All-State in basketball.
After High School Arthur accepted a scholarship to Elon College to play basketball and baseball. He was a four-year starter in baseball for the Fighting Christians.
Arthur came back to Roanoke Rapids after serving his country in Viet Nam with the U.S. Army. He worked with Gowen Chemical Co. in sales for a number of years before establishing a residential construction company. Arthur, in addition to his athletic prowess, was a good friend to many and was always available to help with and emergency no matter how large or small.
Robert “Bobby” Edison Carter, Teacher and Coach
Bobby Carter graduated from East Carolina University where he played football and baseball. After a stint in the U.S. military, he began his teaching and coaching career. Coach Carter taught and coached at Williamston, Perquimans, and finally ended up in Roanoke Rapids High School in 1968. Here he taught history, driver’s education, and coached football and baseball. During his tenure in coaching he had the privilege of being associated with future major league players Gaylord Perry, Jim "Catfish” Hunter, and our own Brian Barnes. Coach Carter led the Perquimans High School to a 1963 state baseball championship and 1964 runner up. Coach Carter remained at Roanoke Rapids High coaching and teaching until his death in January 1991. Here he had a big influence on students and athletes. Brian Barnes on his acceptance speech induction for the Clemson Hall Of Fame credits a lot of his success to Coach Carter. He stated "Coach Carter was old School and he challenged you by questioning your commitment and effort, he always wanted to get the best out of his students and players."
Ronald Ray Sewell, Class of 1970, Football
Ron Sewell was an integral part of the 1968 and 1969 Yellow Jacket football teams as a placekicker and quarterback, earning All-Conference honors his senior season. After graduating from RRHS in 1970, Ron attended NC State where he joined the football team as a walk-on placekicker. Ron played on Coach Lou Holtz’s Wolfpack teams of 1972, and the ACC Championship squad of 1973. He played in the 1972 Peach Bowl and the 1973 Liberty Bowl, both Wolfpack victories. Ron set seven NC State kicking records, three ACC records and one Peach Bowl record in his two-year career. And although his straight-on kicking style has long since been replaced by the side-winding soccer style, his Peach Bowl and two NC State records are still standing 45 years later.
After serving various roles for multiple communities in North Carolina and Kentucky, Ron harnessed his entrepreneurial spirit and started a software business which he sold in 2001. In 2006 he founded PayGo Utilities, where he is currently President, to provide payment services to major utility companies. He currently holds one US Patent, with three pending.
Ron is also an avid pilot with an Airline Transport Pilot License with jet type ratings in multiple aircraft, and volunteers for the Angel Flight organization flying organ transplant patients. He and a fellow NC State teammate founded a non-profit organization, Wings From Above, whose sole purpose is to provide free transportation for critical care and transplant patients of all ages. Along with Coach Holtz, he co-founded the Willie Burden Memorial Foundation at NC State, to fund athletic football scholarships.
David Allen Butts, Class of 1977, Football, Basketball and Baseball
David Butts was an all-round student athlete who was a three-year starter in the varsity sports of football, basketball and baseball in addition to serving as a Junior Marshall and a member of the National Honor Society. David was a running back in football as well as a defensive safety, he played guard in basketball and third base in baseball.
In his sophomore year he was named All-Conference in baseball. During his junior year he was selected as a Co-Captain of the basketball team and was voted by his teammates at the conclusion of the season as a Co-MVP. He also received All-Conference Honorable Mention in baseball that same year.
In his senior year David was a Tri-Captain on the football team, was named All-Conference and received All-East Honorable Mention. In basketball his senior year he was also a Tri-Captain, was named All-Conference and All-East. David was selected as one of 10 players to play for the East in the East-West All-Star game in the Greensboro Coliseum in 1977.
David was named All-Conference in baseball his senior year.
At the conclusion of his senior season he was voted MVP in basketball by his teammates and also MVP in baseball and was awarded the Sam Owen Athletic Award. David went on to play basketball for two years at Greensboro College before transferring and graduating from NC State.
Pamela Ann “Pam” Andrews, Class of 1981, Basketball and Softball
Pam Andrews was an outstanding two-sport student-athlete in basketball and softball from 1977-81. Pam was the starting point guard all four years. She was known for her ball handling skills, long distance shooting, and leadership on the court. She was chosen co-captain, MVP, and all-conference honors her 10th and 11th grade years. One of the most memorable moments in her high school career was making an 85 foot shot in a game. Pam was instrumental in starting the softball program in 1978 and played on the first softball team in RRHS history. She played shortstop and earned MVP and all-conference honors in 10th and 11th grades.
After suffering a torn ACL at the beginning of her senior year of basketball, Pam remained very involved in the sports she loved. As co-captain of the teams, she took on a new role as motivator and became the assistant coach. Despite the knee injury, her peers still voted her “most athletic” senior superlatives and received the Sam Owen Award. Pam was also a member of the RRHS band and served as Vice-President of the junior class. Prior to high school, Pam was the first girl to play Little League Baseball in Roanoke Rapids.
Pam continued her academic and athletic career at UNC-Greensboro playing basketball and softball for the Spartans. Pam was a three-year starter in softball receiving all-conference and all-tournament team recognitions. In her senior year, softball transitioned to fast-pitch and Pam was the first pitcher in fast pitch softball history at UNCG. Pam received her B.S. Degree in Physical Education and held the position as President of the PE student majors of North Carolina her senior year. Pam continued her love for sports after college playing USSSA softball for more than 25 years.
Pam has had a very successful and rewarding teaching and coaching career in Wayne County for 33 years. She has coached basketball for 33 years, softball for 15 years, volleyball for 8 years, and cross-country for 4 years. She has won 17 conference championships, 11 coach-of-the-year awards, and received the model teacher award. Throughout her teaching and coaching career, Pam has dedicated her life to teaching and coaching young girls both on and off the court. Pam has exhibited the kind of dedication, discipline, integrity and passion that has made her a great coach.
Wallace Edward “Ed” Nelson, Teacher and Coach
Coach Ed Nelson was born in Commerce, Georgia, where he was an outstanding member of the football, wrestling, and track teams at Commerce High School. Coach Nelson attended East Carolina University where he lettered in football under Coach Pat Dye and graded in 1979. He began teaching physical education and coaching at Roanoke Rapids High School in 1982. While at RRHS, Coach Nelson served as assistant and head football coach, head wrestling coach, and head track coach. He started the RRHS cross country team and served as its first head coach. His coaching accomplishments include 6 conference championships in wrestling, 9 conference championships and 1 regional championship in track, 6 individual state champions in men’s track and 4 individual state runners up in women’s track. In 1997, Coach Nelson was named Coach of the Year for RRHS and in 1998 he was named the Northern Carolina Conference Women’s Track Coach of the year. In 2011, he was nominated by the RRHS Administration for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Spirit of Sport Award which seeks to recognize individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive spirit of the sport.
Ed Nelson, nicknamed “D Genius” by the football players for his knowledge of defensive plays, not only taught sport skills, but also taught character, values, and citizenship to his players. He led by example thus gaining the respect of his players and peers. Coach Nelson retired in 2014 after a 35 year career dedicated to educating and coaching the youth of North Carolina and Georgia. He continues to serve the youth of Roanoke Rapids by volunteering through the athletic program at RRHS.
Walter Linwood Jones III, Class of 1988, Football, Basketball and Track
Walter was born the fourth of five children to parents Walter and Roxie Jones. He grew up in the Roanoke Valley area where he was mentored by many dedicated educators and coaches. Walter began playing team sports in the Roanoke Rapids T-ball league and later participated in Little League baseball and Midget football programs. Walter went on to play sports at both Weldon and Chaloner Middle Schools. He attended Roanoke Rapids High School from 1984-1988 and received All-Conference honors in football, basketball, and track. In his junior track season, Walter won the state title in both the 100M and 400M events and was named the meet MVP. In football, Walter earned All-East and All-American honors. He was also selected to both the NC Shrine Bowl and NC East-West all-star teams. In addition, Walter was recognized as a NC Academic Scholar for his performance in the classroom. Walter accepted an athletic scholarship to Duke University where he was a letterman in football and indoor track. He ended his football career at Duke as the fourth all-time leader in career receiving touchdowns and yardage, and seventh all-time in career receptions.
Walter currently resides in Apex, NC, and is the father to a fifteen-year-old daughter, Madison, who is an aspiring collegiate volleyball player. He has worked in the IT field over the past 26 years and is currently Director of International Finance for MetLife in Cary, NC. Walter is also a volunteer for various youth mentoring programs.
Virginia Lee “Gin” Watson Jenkins, Class of 1995, Tennis, Basketball and Soccer
Gin Watson Jenkins was an outstanding student-athlete in soccer, tennis, basketball and track at RRHS from 1991-1995. She was the first female athlete to represent RRHS at the East-West All-Star Games in any sport and s cored the East’s only goal. Gin was all-state, all-region and all-conference in soccer. She was conference co-player of the year her senior season and played on the NC Olympic Development team. She represented NC at the ODP regional pool. Gin led the effort to begin RRHS girls’ soccer program and played on its first three teams from 1993-1995, serving as captain and earning MVP each season. She went on to play soccer from Wake Forest University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Accountancy.
Gin earned MVP and served as captain each of her four years in basketball for the jackets and won all-conference and a two-time Roanoke Valley all-area honors. Gin was a member of the 1993 state championship tennis team and the 1992 and 1991 state runners-up. She was the individual regional and conference singles champion in 1992 and the individual regional and conference doubles champion in 1993, with partner Leslie Waring.
After graduating from Wake Forest, Gin continued her love of sports and played soccer, basketball and tennis in New York, playing in the Bronx Irish Soccer League, for the Central Park Rangers soccer team, USTA tennis, and various basketball leagues. Over the course of the last decade, Gin has transitioned from player to coach for her four children’s teams.
1968 Football Team
The RRHS football team entered the 1968 season projected to finish dead last in the conference, winning only one or two games. Graduation had hit the team hard leaving only a few starters from the 1967 team, which was rated as one of the best in the state.
But on a cool September night, a 14-7 victory over Greenville set a pace faithfully followed for the next seven games. The highlight of the season coming with a victory over Kinston in the final regular season game, securing the NEAC 3-A Championship for the Jackets. The magical season ended with a controversial loss to Roxboro in the first round of the State Playoffs.
The accomplishments of the ’68 team brought much in the way of personal pride to the team, the school, and the community who gave them such loyal support all season, many attending every game, home and away. The Championship was the first in 32 years and it would be 32 years before the next one.
The reason for the Team’s success; “Team effort” was the answer universally supplied by the players themselves. “We didn’t have any special stars this season. We just all worked together.”
