2018 Hall of Fame Inducties Announced

       His college education began at UNC Chapel Hill where he was a math major. He later transferred to NC A&T State University where he graduated with honors with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and is member of Pi Tau Sigma, the Mechanical Engineering Honors Fraternity. Dezi resides in Garner North Carolina.<01>William Howard Kershaw Sr.; William Howard Kershaw Sr. graduated from Hoke County High School in 1970.  Raz Autry, former Hoke High principal loved to tell the story of how he went to William’s home and asked his father, Boyd Kershaw, to let his son come and play football for the now integrated high school. William became an instant all-star on the field.  His most memorable game was the Homecoming game in 1970.  The Bucks defeated Dunn 24-0.  William carried the ball 22 times with a total 222 yards and 3 touchdowns.  In 1970 he was named to SEC All-Conference Team.  William received the team’s Best Back Award.  In track he was an instant success.  William ran the 100 yard dash and was on the 440 relay team.  He received All-Conference honors in track.  

      William attended the Worth Business School and played sports on an athletic scholarship.  He currently resides in Raeford with his wife Betty.

Glenn Langdon; Glenn Langdon came to Hoke County High School in the fall of 1969.  He was the Assistant Football Coach under Head Coach John Pecora for the 1969 through the 1972 seasons.  The teams finished with a 25-13-2 record over those four seasons. The 1970 team had a 9-0-1 record, the only regular season undefeated football team in the school history.  The 1971 team had an 8-2 record and lost in the second round of the State Playoffs. Glenn coached the Boys Track Team which was Conference Champions in 1973.  He was also the faculty sponsor of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a Social Studies Teacher, and an Assistant Principal. Glenn continued these duties at Hoke County High School until the fall of 1975, when he became the head of the Hoke County Audiovisual Department/Teacher Center.  Glenn also served as the High School\Middle School Supervisor for Hoke County Schools, and as Principal at West Hoke Middle School.  He retired from the Hoke County School System in 1997. Glenn had a way of letting the students and athletes he taught and coached, know that he cared, was supported, and advised them with their best interests at heart.  Glenn was a motivator, an instigator, and a creator of methods and schemes to which students responded in a positive manner.  Due to this philosophy, his students and athletes still know him as “Coach”.

Michael "Mike" Morrisey; Michael (Mike) Morrisey graduated from Hoke County High School in 1989.  He excelled in two sports.  Mike was a wide receiver on the football team where he made All-Conference in 1987 and 1988.  He led the team in receiving in 1987 and led the conference in 1988.  Mike was known for his crisp patterns and soft hands.  If the ball was catch-able, he caught it.   Mike was voted team MVP in 1987 and 1989.  In basketball he was team leader in all offensive categories.  In 1989 Mike was named to the SEC All-Conference Team.  In 1989 he was named Athlete of the Year.  Today, Mike continues to support the athletic teams at Hoke High.

Winfred Winston; Winifred Winston graduated from Hoke County High School in 1992.  She was a three sports star.  Winifred ran Cross Country, Indoor Track, and Outdoor Track.  She earned the Antler Award two years in a row.  In Cross Country, Winfred was MVP three years in a row.  Her senior year she was All-Conference and participated in the NCHSAA State Championships where she finished 12th.   On the Indoor track Winfred was MVP her Junior and Senior years.  In the NCHSAA State Championships she finished 3rd in the 600 meter run.  In outdoor track Winfred was the Conference Champion in the 1600 Relay and the 800 and 3200 meter run for three years in a row.  She was MVP her Junior and Senior year.  In Winifred’s Senior year, she was regional champion in the 800 and 3200 meter run.  In the NCHSAA State Championships, Winifred finished first in the 800 meter run.  She was named Female Athlete of the Year in 1992.  Today Winifred lives in Baltimore and is still very active in distance running.

Jimmy James Sr.; The late Jimmy James was Band Director from 1964 to 1985. His marching bands won many awards and played in numerous parades. It was common practice for Jimmy’s bands to attend all away football games.  At home football games his music was always in chime with the success of the football team. Halftime shows always proved entertaining with Jimmy at the helm.  His support in athletics did not stop in the fall.  Hoke County High School was one of the first schools to have a Pep Band at its basketball games.  Jimmy’s bands set a norm in musical support for Hoke County High School athletics.

William E. Hollingsworth Sr.; William E. Hollingsworth graduated from Upchurch High School in the Class of 1966.  He was the only 4 Sport-Letterman in his graduating class, lettering in football, basketball, baseball and track.  He was an accomplished athlete.

In football, he played offensive and defensive end.  On the field, he and his brother Daries, was a force to be reckoned with.  If an opponent came their way, William would hit them high and Daries would hit them low. The two of them had the right side of the field covered.

In basketball, William was a starter all four (4) years in high school, playing the forward position.  In a game with Armstrong High School in 1965, he was told by H.L. Blue that there was a record at Upchurch of thirty-five points and twenty-eight rebounds.  He took that as a challenge and broke the record that night.

William was also a 4 year starter in baseball, playing as pitcher and first baseman.  He remembers once, stealing home, while his teammate, Eric McPhatter was at bat.  He was known for taking chances.

His fourth and final sport was track.  As a shot-putter, he broke a record. That trophy was and maybe still displayed in the trophy case at what is now Upchurch Elementary School.  He loved all types of sports and still does.  It was his desire to attend college, but that dream was never realized.  William has been told by former County Commissioner, Mrs. Ellen McNeill, that she saw a letter while working at Upchurch High School as a secretary, stating that William was actually recruited by Villanova University.  Neither he, nor his family ever received that letter.