Monroe County boasts many Hall of Famers
Every once in a great while, a member of the reading audience will send me an interesting, sports-related question. This week, I’ll attempt to answer a sports question that stems from my column last week about former Monroe County High School coach, Ronnie Dees.
Alvin from Monroeville writes: I read your article last week about Ronnie Dees and saw at the end where you said if he’s elected to the Hall of Fame, he ‘d join other coaches who have ties to Monroe County. I’ve heard of W.C. Majors and Willie Averett, but who are the other coaches you mentioned and what's their connection to Monroe County?
Good question, Alvin. Based on my research, five members of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame have ties to Monroe County: C.D. “Lefty” Anderson, Levaughn Hanks, W.C. Majors, Paul Woolley and Willie Averett. Here’s the breakdown on each one.
C.D. “Lefty” Anderson: Anderson coached at Frisco City and Murphy, where he compiled a record of 95-38-5 in 14 seasons. He served Murphy 10 more years as an assistant principal and principal. He then went on to serve for eight years as the Mobile County Athletic Director. He also served 13 years on the AHSAA’s Central Board and two years as its president.
W.R. “Willie” Averett: Averett served 33 of his 35 years in Monroe County as a successful teacher, basketball coach and athletic director at J.F. Shields High School in Beatrice. He guided the 1972 team, led by John Drew, to its first-ever state title. One of Averett’s most outstanding players, Drew was named state tournament MVP and went on to a successful career with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. The colorful Averett coached in the all-star game and received coach-of-the-year honors three times. The gym at Shields is named in his honor.
Levaughn Hanks: Hanks was a graduate of Frisco City High School. (If anyone knows the year that he graduated from FCHS, call me. I’d like to know.) He coached basketball for 28 years, 13 of those at Murphy. He carried 10 teams to the state tournament and posted a career record of 785-210. He coached football for 16 years with a winning record, coached in the 1954 all-star basketball game and served as president of the state coaches association.
W.C. Majors: Majors, a graduate of Frisco City High School, was one of the best football coaches in the state’s history, posting a career record of 153-46-3. He coached at Excel, Frisco City and Fairhope. At Fairhope, he posted a record of 110-30-1 over 13 seasons and made 10 trips to the playoffs. His basketball teams at Excel and Frisco City, during a nine-year stretch, compiled a 151-41 overall record. He was state Coach of the Year in 1972 and also served on the AHSAA committee that set up the first state football playoff.
Paul Woolley: A former head football coach at Monroe County High School, Woolley reached the elite group of football coaches with 200 career wins during his 33-year career at eight schools – MCHS, Tuscaloosa County, Thompson, Hokes Bluff, Montevallo, Handley, Brantley and Opp. He rejuvenated several school programs en route to an overall record of 202-94-4 and 12 playoff appearances. He guided two teams, Handley and Brantley, to the state finals and was named Coach of the Year 13 times. He also served two terms as the AHSAA’s Coaches Association president.
Alvin from Monroeville writes: I read your article last week about Ronnie Dees and saw at the end where you said if he’s elected to the Hall of Fame, he ‘d join other coaches who have ties to Monroe County. I’ve heard of W.C. Majors and Willie Averett, but who are the other coaches you mentioned and what's their connection to Monroe County?
Good question, Alvin. Based on my research, five members of the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Hall of Fame have ties to Monroe County: C.D. “Lefty” Anderson, Levaughn Hanks, W.C. Majors, Paul Woolley and Willie Averett. Here’s the breakdown on each one.
C.D. “Lefty” Anderson: Anderson coached at Frisco City and Murphy, where he compiled a record of 95-38-5 in 14 seasons. He served Murphy 10 more years as an assistant principal and principal. He then went on to serve for eight years as the Mobile County Athletic Director. He also served 13 years on the AHSAA’s Central Board and two years as its president.
W.R. “Willie” Averett: Averett served 33 of his 35 years in Monroe County as a successful teacher, basketball coach and athletic director at J.F. Shields High School in Beatrice. He guided the 1972 team, led by John Drew, to its first-ever state title. One of Averett’s most outstanding players, Drew was named state tournament MVP and went on to a successful career with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. The colorful Averett coached in the all-star game and received coach-of-the-year honors three times. The gym at Shields is named in his honor.
Levaughn Hanks: Hanks was a graduate of Frisco City High School. (If anyone knows the year that he graduated from FCHS, call me. I’d like to know.) He coached basketball for 28 years, 13 of those at Murphy. He carried 10 teams to the state tournament and posted a career record of 785-210. He coached football for 16 years with a winning record, coached in the 1954 all-star basketball game and served as president of the state coaches association.
W.C. Majors: Majors, a graduate of Frisco City High School, was one of the best football coaches in the state’s history, posting a career record of 153-46-3. He coached at Excel, Frisco City and Fairhope. At Fairhope, he posted a record of 110-30-1 over 13 seasons and made 10 trips to the playoffs. His basketball teams at Excel and Frisco City, during a nine-year stretch, compiled a 151-41 overall record. He was state Coach of the Year in 1972 and also served on the AHSAA committee that set up the first state football playoff.
Paul Woolley: A former head football coach at Monroe County High School, Woolley reached the elite group of football coaches with 200 career wins during his 33-year career at eight schools – MCHS, Tuscaloosa County, Thompson, Hokes Bluff, Montevallo, Handley, Brantley and Opp. He rejuvenated several school programs en route to an overall record of 202-94-4 and 12 playoff appearances. He guided two teams, Handley and Brantley, to the state finals and was named Coach of the Year 13 times. He also served two terms as the AHSAA’s Coaches Association president.
posted by Lee Peacock at 5:58 PM
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