MISENHEIMER — The Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame will soon induct four new local athletes for its 2024 class of inductees as part of its 32nd annual induction ceremony.
On June 3, the event’s dinner social is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the banquet is set for 6:30 p.m. at Pfeiffer University’s Merner Gymnasium.
This year’s inductees for the Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024 are Jack Gaster, Bill Mauldin, Darrell Mauldin, and Fran Watson.
Over 60 men and women have been inducted into the Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame, to date.
Gaster led the Albemarle High School football team to a remarkable record of 121 wins and 25 losses from 1993 to 2003, securing state 1-AA championships in 2001, 2002, and 2003.
Bill Mauldin, a graduate of Albemarle High School and Appalachian State, led Watauga High School to the NCHSAA 3A championship in 1978 and guided Catawba College to a South Atlantic Conference title in 1988.
Darrell Mauldin, who graduated from North Stanly High School and Campbell University, was a two-time all-conference basketball player and the North Piedmont Conference MVP in 1976. During his 1978-79 season at Campbell, he topped the nation in free throw percentage.
Watson set records as a basketball player at Richfield High School and Pfeiffer University. After graduating, she pursued a career in education, becoming a long-time teacher and a highly successful coach for volleyball, basketball and softball teams at East Rowan High School.
Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame member Rod Broadway will serve as the event’s keynote speaker.
After a renowned high school football career at West Stanly, Broadway received All-ACC and All-American honors at UNC-Chapel Hill. He then began a football coaching career at North Carolina Central, Grambling State, and North Carolina A&T.
Tickets for the 2024 Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame can be purchased for $35 in advance and $50 on the day of the event. To buy tickets by phone, call Albemarle Parks and Recreation at 704-984-9560.
They are also currently on sale at the Niven Community Center, Waddell Community Center, Starnes-Bramlett Jewelers, Uwharrie Dash, Locust City Hall, and the Oakboro Parks and Recreation.
The Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame dates back to Jan. 23, 1989, when the event sponsored by the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce had its first induction ceremony; coaches Toby Webb and Frank Mabry made up the first class of inductees.
Over the years the Sports Hall of Fame committee — with the influence of Albemarle natives and famous ACC announcers Woody Durham (UNC) and Bob Harris (Duke) — has managed to land sports figures such as Roy Williams, Dale Jarrett, and Mike Krzyzewski to serve as guest speakers.