Surry County Parks and Recreation recently announced it is accepting nominations for the Surry County Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Ring of Honor. The period of nomination to recognize both individual and team achievement in sport is open through 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 9.
The Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor has celebrated some of the best and most memorable athletes, coaches, teams, and supporters in Surry County since 2006. The Hall of Fame recognizes individuals for outstanding achievements in the field of athletics as a player, coach or administrator.
Ring of Honor nominations recognize individuals, teams, businesses, or organizations that have made a significant impact on sports through contributions in the field of athletics.
Only individuals may be nominated for the Hall of Fame and organizers said the individual must be of good character and must have completed their athletic achievement or service at least five years immediately preceding the date of induction. The decision committee may waive the five-year waiting period under special circumstances.
There are some conditions that must be met in order to be considered for either the Ring of Honor or Hall of Fame.
Athletes must have received local, state or national recognition and meet at least two of the following criteria: 1. was born or raised in Surry County, 2. attended at least two years of high school in Surry County, 3. had two years of athletic achievement while a resident of Surry County and 4. made a significant impact on sports in Surry County.
Similarly, a coach who has received local, state or national recognition must meet at least two of the following criteria: 1. was born or raised in Surry County and had ten years of coaching achievement while coaching either inside or outside of Surry County, 2. was not born or raised in Surry County but had ten years of coaching achievement while coaching in Surry County and 3. made a significant impact on sports in Surry County.
For an administrator to be considered they must have also received local, state or national recognition and meet two of the following criteria: 1. was born or raised in Surry County and had ten years of administrative achievement either inside or outside of Surry County, 2. was not born or raised in Surry County but had ten years of administrative achievement in Surry County and 3. made a significant impact on sports in Surry County.
Last November, Surry County Parks and Recreation honored the most recent inductees into both the Surry County Sports Hall of Fame and Ring of Honor.
Hall of Fame Inductees for 2023 were: Harry Odell Downs, Donald Harbour, Stephen Holloway, Richard “Rick” Thomas Hurt, Anthony Moore, and Zim Zimmerman.
The Ring of Honor selected Leah Tunstall and the 1955 — 1959 Men’s Tennis Team from Elkin High School for induction.
Bradley Key of Surry County Parks and Recreation encouraged those making a nomination to send along newspaper clippings or other documentation of the nominee’s contribution to Surry County sports. He noted that submitted documents will be kept by the committee and encouraged submitters to make copies of anything that is of sentimental value and send the duplicates instead of the original.
To nominate someone for the Ring of Honor or Hall of Fame find more information on the county’s website or at the Parks and Rec office located at 122 Hamby Road, Dobson. Nomination forms can also be found on the county’s website: www.co.surry.nc.us/departments/(k_through_z)/park_and_recreation/index.php.
Questions on the process or eligibility should be directed to Key at 336 401-8235.
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