Winston-Salem/Forsyth County High School Sports Hall of Fame

Presented by The Winston-Salem Sportsmen Club, Inc.

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Purpose: "promotion of scholarship & athletic achievement among athletes"

The Winston-Salem Sportsmen Club Inc. in partnership with The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System sponsors the Winston-Salem/Forsyth High School Sports Hall of Fame.

History

In 1957, the Patterson Ave. Y.M.C.A. offered the public a program designed to give its constituents "food for soul and food for thought." The well-attended program came to be known as the "Hungry Club."

During the weekly noon-day luncheons, symposiums were held with a variety of subjects presented and discussed. Because most of the participants were young, male executives and public servants who were former athletes, sports world activities usually dominated the group's attention.

A native son and newly-appointed director of the Winston-Salem Urban League, Samuel D. Harvey, initiated and developed the idea that an auxiliary club should be organized for the sole purpose of pursuing athletic interests and endeavors. The proposal was enthusiastically received and unanimously endorsed by the club members. Harvey was asked to go to Atlanta, Georgia, to observe an organization that was already promoting athletics as a major project. Due to his outstanding report, Harvey was nominated and elected by acclamation to serve as the first president of the newly-organized Winston-Salem Sportsmen Club of the Patterson Ave. Y.M.C.A.

Charter members were: Mrs. Nancy Gannaway,D.D.S., Luix Overbea, W.L. Peay, Dwight Cardwell, H.E. Staplefoote, L.D. McClennon, Marty Penn, E.E. Hill and C.E. Bighouse" Gaines. In an effort to involve the community schools, the club enlisted the support of several associate members: J.A. Carter, Carl Martin, A.H. Anderson, David Lash, and Togo West.

Since the inception of the Sportsmen Club, principals, athletic directors and coaches have expressed their allegiance to the organization through active membership and/or cooperation. Their support has been invaluable in the success of the club's programs to recognize and reward athletic achievement.

The first Annual Banquet of Champions was sponsored by the club in 1957 to honor the Carver High School Western District 3A football championship team because the school lacked adequate funds and community support. Many renowned professional athletes and personalities have contributed to the success of the program.

In the beginning famous sport figures were invited in to speak at the lunch event. Through the years, the club has continued to evaluate and revamp its programs to meet the growing and changing needs of the community. While the Banquet of Champions has been discontinued, currently the Winston-Salem Sportsmen Club pays tribute to outstanding athletes, administrators, and supporters throughout Forsyth County through the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County High School Sports Hall of Fame. This program honors those individuals with an induction banquet which is held in early May every year.

In 1984 the Club created the Mary Garber Holiday Tip-Off Classic, a basketball tournament for the female athletes of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School System.

In 2021 the Winston-Salem Sportsmen Club created the Winston-Salem Sportsmen Club Scholarship Golf Classic to fund its yearly Mary Garber scholarships that are presented to students annually.

In 2024 the Winston-Salem Sportsmen Club partnered with North Forsyth High School to host the Bill Hayes Pigskin Classic. This yearly event will highlight local schools scrimmaging to kick-off the current football season.

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