The Jefferson County Sports Hall of Fame will not only welcome a large inaugural class, but it will honor great sports moments, teams, coaches and contributors.
The hall Wednesday announced the remaining entries before a full conference room at the Main Library in downtown Pine Bluff. It was the third news conference leading up to the banquet scheduled for April 26 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The venue will change if sold out.
Among the moments that will be commemorated:
The University of Arkansas’ 65-64 men’s basketball winning against the University of North Carolina, then led by junior Michael Jordan, at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on Feb. 12, 1984. The game is known as Balentine’s Day after Charles Balentine saved a pass from going out of bounds and banking in the winning shot with 4 seconds remaining in an NBC-televised game, one of a few moments in recent decades the network has featured the city.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Then-President Bill Clinton making an appearance at Taylor Field for a baseball tournament on June 24, 1995.
Basil Shabazz rushing for five touchdowns in leading Pine Bluff High School to a 33-13 win over Texarkana (Arkansas High) in the 1990 AAAA state championship game.
The creation of one of the nation’s premier high school basketball tournaments, the King Cotton Holiday Classic in 1983, which ran for 17 years in its first iteration. It was relaunched in 2018 and has been played every year with the exception of 2020.
King Cotton garnering more interest when ESPN aired the first national, live high school basketball game from the tournament in 1987. Dick Vitale was the analyst beside John Saunders when Pine Bluff took on Flint Hill Prep.
The widow of Babe Ruth appearing at the namesake’s league World Series at Taylor Field in 1972.
Muhammad Ali serving as grand marshal of UAPB’s 1990 homecoming parade.
Golf great Arnold Palmer putting on an exhibition at the old Rosswood Country Club in 1964.
The largest in-state crowd for a UAM football game witnessed the Boll Weevils’ 1964 game against Henderson State at PBHS’ Jordan Stadium. UAM was known then as Arkansas A&M College.
Then-Gov. Clinton and Vice President George H.W. Bush attending the 1984 Bassmasters Classic, won by Rick Clunn.
High school teams will be recognized, including:
The 1983 Pine Bluff baseball team that started a string of four straight state championships, finished 19-1 and was ranked No. 7 nationally. The 1983-86 Zebra teams, considered to organize the greatest dynasty, will be honored.
The 1976-77 Pine Bluff boys basketball team that went 30-1 and won the AAAAA state and overall championships.
The 2007-08 Watson Chapel girls basketball team that won a state title with a 24-5 record, the first of five girls titles for the Lady Wildcats.
The 1980 Pine Bluff girls and 1983 Pine Bluff boys tennis teams that won state championships.
The 1984 Pine Bluff boys and girls track and field teams that featured numerous record holders and won state titles. The 1981-84 Fillie teams won four straight titles and the Zebra teams won eight boys team titles in a 10-year period (1981-90), and both programs will be honored as well.
The 1925 and 1939 Pine Bluff football teams that won national championships.
The 1988-93 Dollarway football teams that combined for an 80-4 record, winning 51 in a row through 1991, posting three undefeated records and winning five state championships.
All-time great high school coaches will be honored:
Albert Alexander, Ralph Brooks, Billy Bock, Kirk Bock, Bobby Bolding, Theodis Broughton, Andrew Butler, Allen Dunaway, Marion Glover, Foy Hammons;
Lee Hardman, Johnnie Harris, Leslie Henderson, Buck James, Johnny Jones, Marcus Kaufman, Guy Kochel, Alger U. Nash, Irvin Phillips, Herbert Pryor;
Wayne Richardson, Jerry Rook, George Shelton, Terri Smith, Harold Steelman and Asive Thomas.
Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to those who contributed to the local sports scene:
Elbert Bennett, Joy Blankenship, Ed Brown, Pat Brown, Travis Creed, Heulan Curtis, Abbott Goodwin, Charlie Kalkbrenner, Jim Hill, Bud Isom;
Waple Langston, George Makris Jr., George Makris Sr., Montine McNulty, Harry Quinn, Louis Ramsay, James Reginelli, Harold Seabrook, Lester Silbernagel and Sid Simpson.
Sunday and Monday: The remaining 50 Jefferson County Sports Hall of Fame athletes.