Last week’s Sunday at the Museum was more grand than usual at The Plaza Arts Center. Eleven local sports greats were honored on April 7 at the unveiling of the Sports Wall of Fame. These men were recognized for excellence in their fields and most importantly have important ties to Putnam County.
Tom Rosseter, whose passion shines through this project, was overjoyed at the excellent turnout for the event, with more than 150 people in attendance for the presentation and unveiling. Rossester introduced each member of the Sports Wall of Fame to the crowd before everyone moved to view the wall and partake in the reception festivities.
Blake Adams, a professional golfer, was the first to be recognized in the presentation. He graduated from Gatewood School in 1994 and attended Georgia Southern University. Adams turned pro in 2001 and joined the PGA Tour in 2010.
“There was never, in 18 and a half years of playing golf for a living, they never announced me at a single tournament that I wasn’t from Eatonton, Georgia,” he said. “Eatonton’s always been home to me, even though I’ve lived elsewhere.”
James “Jimmy” Carnes was next. Born in Eatonton, Carnes attended Putnam County High School.
He went on to Mercer University on a basketball scholarship and was a member of the track team. Carnes would go on to be one of the nation’s most successful track coaches, eventually coaching in the Olympics.
Brent Cunningham, an Eatonton native, also attended PCHS. He was a member of the state championship football team and was voted the best back in the state. He attended Georgia Tech on a football scholarship from 1968 to 1972.
Vincent Hancock grew up in Putnam County and graduated from Gatewood. He received a business degree from Troy University and a bachelor’s degree from DeVry University. He served in the U.S. Army for seven years, achieving the rank of sergeant. A four-time Olympian, Hancock is the first skeet shooter to win gold medals in the same event in consecutive games.
William W. “Tiny” Hearn got his nickname from his impressive 6-foot-9 stature. He was born in Eatonton and attended the old Eatonton High School. After graduation, he attended Georgia Military Academy, earning four athletic letters before transferring to Georgia Tech. At Georgia Tech, he became one of the Institute’s all-time great basketball players.
His granddaughter, Tammy Walker, attended the event to represent him.
“I think it’s so special to be able to walk into The Plaza and be able to see history on the wall like this,” she said.
David Lutz entered Georgia Tech on a football scholarship in 1978. He was voted the offensive lineman of the year in 1980 and 81. In 1982, he was voted the offensive player of the year, earning him the ACC’s Hubble Award. He also received Honorable Mention All-American in 1981 and 1982. He was elected team captain in 1981 and 1982.
In 1983, Lutz was selected as the 34th player in the NFL draft by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he started as a rookie.
Sammy R. McFaddin, D.V.M., is passionate about leading and guiding young shooters in Georgia. In 1993, after attending his first 4-H shotgun team meeting, McFadden began working to promote, teach, and coach younger members.
In 2002, he formed a Scholastic Clay Target Program youth shooting team at Lake Oconee.
Since that time, he has continued helping young people develop shooting skills, encouraging them to participate in the sport and promoting gun safety.
“What it means to me to be on that wall is that I’m humbled by the fact that I’m getting recognized with a lot of outstanding athletes and people,” McFaddin said. “And I was fortunate enough to get the opportunity to work with the state program and national programs and introduce a lot of kids to the school. It’s been very rewarding for me.”
In his 38 years of coaching career, Alfred “Al” Reeves led his teams to five regional championships, one state championship, two state runner-up titles, and 217 wins. He also served as head baseball coach, winning three championships, one regional, one state runner-up, and one state championship.
Dale Van Sickel was born in Eatonton in 1907. His family moved to Gainesville, Florida, in the early 1920s. Van Sickle was generally regarded as the best high school player in Florida before 1930. Van Sickel attended the University of Florida, where he lettered in football, baseball, and basketball.
Glenn Wilkes, Ph.D., of Eatonton, attended PCHS, where he was an outstanding student and basketball player. After graduation, he attended Mercer University, where on the basketball team he scored 1,738 points. As a senior, he averaged 24.3 points per game.
After graduation from Mercer, he was drafted into the NBA but instead served as an Army communications officer in the Korean War.
Last but not least, Charles “Charlie” Winslette was introduced. He won 260 games as a head coach, with victories over 111 different schools. He won two state championships and was runner-up twice. He played on the 1967 PCHS state championship football team, earning two honors as a two-time All-Middle and All-State selection and tackle.
Winslette's coaching career began in Fayette County, and he served the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association as president, board of directors, and Hall of Fame committee.
“I do want to thank all the families who came with all these honorees. That’s exciting to me, but it’s very special because we don’t want these people to be forgotten,” Rosseter said.
At the reception, guests could read the plaques for each member of the Sports Wall of Fame and browse a selection of artifacts for each honoree.
Their legacy will forever be remembered and respected on this wall at the Plaza Arts Center, where the Old School History Museum aims to “preserve the past for the future.”