The Walker County Sports Hall of Fame inducted the Class of 2022 at Jasper High School’s Pam Brown Theater on Sunday afternoon. Sixteen athletes and coaches made up this year’s class.
The 2022 inductees were Blake Boshell (Dora), Michael “Bay Bay” Bridges (Cordova, Dora), Jerry Chappell (Oakman), Sandy Ivey Farris (Walker), Elisha Gaines (Dora), Jesse George (Curry), Tab Hudson (Walker), John Karrh (Carbon Hill), Chad Key (Walker), Roy Martin (Oakman), Herbert Morrison (Oakman), David Muncher (Dora), Shay Oliver (Curry), William “Billy” Robison (Dora), Ralph Sandlin (Cordova) and Terry Smith (Carbon Hill).
“The main reason I played football was to be with my friends. I knew they would be at practice so I wanted to be at practice,” Bridges said during his acceptance speak. “When I got older it was more because I wanted to be an example to the younger guys. I wanted them to see they could work hard and go to college. That’s what led me j to coaching and teaching. I’ve always wanted to make a difference.”
Key also expressed his gratitude for being inducted and said he’s also wanted to impact people.
“I’ve been beyond blessed to have so many mentors, wonderful players and wonderful coaches,” Key said. “While I’m here I want to have a positive impact in someone’s life. That’s the legacy Chad Key wants to have. I want to pass down to everybody like opportunities were passed down to me.”
The group also recognize a special “Team of the Year” from each school in the county.
This year’s teams were the 1988 Carbon Hill High School state championship volleyball team, the 1995 Cordova High School state championship football team, the Curry High School 1995-1996 football teams, the 1984 Dora High School baseball team, the 1964 Martin High School football team, the 1989 Oakman High School football team, the 2003 Parrish High School state championship football team, the 2004 Sumiton Christian School state championship baseball team, the 1999 Walker High School state championship tennis team, the 1959 Walker County Training School Basketball Team and the 1982-83 Walker College Basketball Team.
This will mark the ninth class of the Walker County Sports Hall of Fame.
Here is a short bio on all 16 members of this year’s class.
Blake Boshell
A 2013 Dora High School graduate, Boshell was the school’s first ever three-time state wrestling champion — winning titles in his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. He compiled a record of 132-7 over his final three seasons.
Over his high school career, he compiled more than 200 wins with over 150 pins.
Michael “Bay Bay” Bridges
A 1983 Cordova High graduate, Bridges an All-County selection in baseball, basketball and football during a stellar career with the Blue Devils.
He was a two-sport star at the University of West Alabama. He scored eight touchdowns his senior season for the football team while hitting .383. Bridges embarked on a coaching career in 1995 and is currently the Dora boys basketball coach.
Jerry Wayne Chappell
A multi-sport athlete at T.W. Martin, Chappell was a running back and linebacker for the football team. He was named All Wal-Win Conference in football in his sophomore, junior and senior years. Also in his senior year (1967), he helped lead T.W. Martin to an area championship and a 24-7 record while earning All Wal-Win Conference honors.
Sandy Ivey Farris
A 1998 graduate of Walker High School, Farris was a three-sport star for the Vikings. Participating in softball, volleyball and basketball, Farris helped lead the Vikings to three straight softball championships (1995-97). She led the team in doubles, home runs and batting average. In 1998 she received a full basketball scholarship to Shelton State and later opted to play softball at Calhoun where she an All-American and won a national JUCO championship.
Elisha “Eli” Gaines
Gaines starred in basketball and football at Dora High School, graduating in 1987. In his freshman year, Gaines was part of the Dora’s state runner-up basketball team. He was a starting defensive back on the football team as a sophomore. As a junior, Gaines’ football team advanced to the state championship game, losing to Colbert County. Gaines was a first-team All-State running back in both 1985 and 1986.
Jesse George
George played football and basketball at Curry High School, leading the Jackets to a third-place finish at the state tournament in 1956. After college, George had a lengthy basketball coaching career at Cold Springs High School, leading the Eagles to five straight county titles in the 1970s. The gym at Cold Springs is named in his honor.
Travis “Tab” Hudson II
Son of legendary coach and golf teacher Travis Hudson, Tab was a two-sport athlete at Walker High School as part of the Vikings’ basketball and golf teams. An exceptional golfer, Tab won his first state title at 13 years old and won the Dixie Jr. at age 16. At the collegiate level, he lettered four years at Alabama and was selected first team All-SEC in 1976, leading the Tide to a third-place finish in the NCAA.
John Karrh
A multi-sport athlete at Carbon Hill High School, Karrh earned All-State honors in both 1964 and 1965. He was selected to play in the State All-Star football game in Tuscaloosa. Following his high school career, Karrh signed with Samford University. A knee injury ended his career following his freshman season. In his professional life, Karrh got his law degree and served as a county, district and circuit judge in Tuscaloosa from 1976-1993.
Chad Key
A 1991 graduate of Walker High School, Key was a four-sport athlete for the Vikings, taking part in football, basketball, baseball and track. He continued his football career at Alabama, winning a scholarship after his freshman year. He was part of the 1992 championship team, was a three-year letterman and an Academic All-SEC selection.
Roy Martin
A star football player at Oakman, Martin played guard and linebacker for the Wildcats for five years. In 1964, he was selected to the All-State Team and played in the Alabama All-Star Game in 1965.
Following his high school career, Martin was awarded a scholarship to play football at Howard College (Samford).
Herbert Morrison
An Oakman High School graduate, Morrison was known as the “Voice of the Wildcats” Morrison started announcing the Oakman High School home football games in 1960. He continued in the role for more than 40 years.
David Muncher
A three-sport athlete at Dora High School, Muncher was a three-year starter on the football team, leading the Bulldogs to their first ever playoff appearance in his senior season of 1978. After signing to play baseball at Calhoun, Muncher decided to continue his football career and went to Alabama where he was a member of the Crimson Tide from 1980-82.
Shay Oliver
A 1986 Curry high School graduate, was a multi-sport athlete, earning All-County, All-Area, All Wal-Win and All-State honors. Oliver continued his college career at Livingston University (West Alabama). After redshirting his freshman year, he started in 44 games over the next four years. Following his playing days Oliver had a 26-year coaching career.
Billy Robison
A 1986 Dora High School graduate, Robison was a star player for the Bulldogs after transferring from Walker High School. He played defensive back, receiver and punter for the football team that finished 12-2 and played for a title in 1985. He signed with Samford to continue his career and played for the Bulldogs from 1986-90, earning All-American honors.
Ralph Sandlin
A 1956 Cordova High School graduate, Sandlin starred in football, track, basketball and baseball for the Blue Devils. In his senior season the first Walker County Track Meet was held with Sandlin winning three events. He was selected as the best all-around athlete in the county. He continued his track and baseball careers in the U.S. Army.
Terry Smith
Smith lettered in baseball, basketball and football at Carbon Hill for his entire high school career (1974-78). He was selected honorable mention All-State as a junior, leading the team to eight wins. On the basketball court, Smith was elected All-County in his junior and senior seasons, averaging 18 points and 16 rebounds in his final season. He continued his football career at Tennessee State University.
