The Caldwell County Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremonies are set for Monday, October 28th at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center. Four new members will be inducted into the Class of 2019. It marks the 31st class
of inductees since the service project was started by the Caldwell County Rotary Club in 1989. Ceremonies begin
at 6:30pm with a catered meal by Myra’s Catering.
The 2019 inductees are Johnny Hatton, a baseball star at Lenoir H.S. that was drafted by and played minor
league baseball for the New York Yankees.; Bruce Suddreth, a multiple sport athlete at Happy Valley H.S. that
became a golf professional; Ray Suddreth, long-time coach of both track and field and cross country teams at
Hibriten H.S.; and Gary Phillips Jr, a recording setting running back for the West Caldwell Warriors, who will be
inducted posthumously.
Two championship winning teams will also be honored at this year’s banquet: The 1956 Granite Falls H.S.
football team that won the 1956 state championship and the 1958 Lenoir Teener League All-Star baseball team
that won the state and regional championships and was the national-runner up.
The four new inductees bring to 126 the number of individuals recognized during the 31 years of ceremonies.
Plaques for all previous inductees are displayed at the Civic Center. Assisting the Caldwell County Rotary Club
with the community service project is corporate sponsor, Blue Ridge Energy.
Tickets for the induction ceremony are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Advance tickets may be purchased
at the Downtown Lenoir branch of Capital Bank and the Lenoir News-Topic. For more information about the
Sports Hall of Fame or to obtain a nomination form for future consideration, contact Chris Cole at 757-4048 or
Karen Trivett at 828-244-5511.
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