About The Hall

An organization of EE Smith HS Alumni.

To preserve our athletic history, the E.E. Smith High School Sports Hall of Fame was founded in 2021. The Sports Hall of Fame is organized for the purpose of recognizing the rich tradition of athletic success at E.E. Smith High School. It serves as a means of honoring and recognizing the athletes, teams, coaches, and supporters who made significant contributions to the Golden Bulls tradition of excellence. The Sports Hall of Fame honors the contributions and accomplishments of these individuals and teams who are worthy of recognition as examples for others to emulate. Induction ceremonies are held annually.
Permanent members:
  • a. 2 from the HOF Initiative Committee
  • b. 2 from the National Alumni Board of Directors

Standing members:
  • a. Athletic Director EES
  • b. A current coach at EES

  • At-large members:
    • a. 1 person from each of the following decades: 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s
    • b. 1 historian
    • c. 2 from the community at large
    A minimum positive vote of 75% of members present is required for induction.

    Nominations:
    The Selection Committee will develop a form upon which nominations will be made. The form must be completed, and the qualifications of the proposed inductee must be clearly set forth in the form. Nominations may be made by anyone; however, self-nominations or unsigned/anonymous nominations will not be accepted. The form must be completed, and the qualifications of the proposed inductee must be clearly set forth in the form. Nominations for consideration may be made by the Selection Committee or by public nominations. Applications for nominations are available at the office of the Athletic Director and on the Alumni Association’s website. Nominations must be received by specified deadline to be considered for the current induction class. Nominations must be returned to the Alumni Association by the specified deadline on the form to be considered for the current induction class. The Selection Committee shall have the discretion to narrow the field of nominees. Nomination forms will be kept and reviewed annually for up to three years if candidate is not inducted for current class.

    Eligibility/Criteria
    Athletes:
    Eligible 10 years after graduation from EES, special circumstances excepted. (i.e., 2008 grad for 2018 induction) (i.e., death, accident). Must be an EES graduate - selection committee will have discretion in unique, special circumstances. Athletic ability, sportsmanship, character, leadership, contribution to team and the games he/she participated in. A similar standard of ethics shall have characterized the years following their time at. E.E. Smith High School, to the best of the committee’s knowledge. Awarded All-State, All-Conference, any individual or team championship, any record or winning streak, league leader in recognized statistical category, college scholarship, etc. Achievements should be on record and verified by copies of news clippings, yearbooks, certificates of awards, etc. All-star teams, tournaments, and awards were less common in earlier eras and documentation of achievements might not exist, especially for older nominees. This should be taken into consideration.
    Committee may also consider post-graduate activities including college and professional experience.

    Coaches:
    Any coach with at leaat 7 years coaching experience at EES is eligible (the Committee may make exceptions as to years of experience in unique, special circumstances). The nominee must be inactive. Accomplishments (individual or teams) must have merited league and/or statewide recognition, as well as made significant contributions to the athletic programs at EES. Coaching ability, loyalty to EES, leadership, character, athletic expertise, significant contribution to their teams and to the sports they coached must have been demonstrated. The same ethical and life standards expected of his/her athletes shall also characterize the life of the coach.

    Teams:
    Championship teams having attained record status.

    Administrators/Staff/Volunteers/Supporters
    Exceptional leadership, character, loyalty to EES and the passion for, and support of, the success of Golden Bulls athletics is paramount.
    An individual who has made outstanding contributions to the interscholastic athletic programs at E.E. Smith High School other than coaching or playing.
    The E. E. Smith High School Sports Hall of Fame reserves the right to remove any individual from the Hall of Fame for personal conduct, which reflects discredit upon the school.
    Under unique circumstances, the Hall of Fame Committee can waive the number of years requirement and or graduation requirement with a two-thirds majority vote of the committee. The following athletes, coaches, teams, and sport contributor candidates shall be eligible for nomination:
    • Selected into any national hall of fame. Achieved a world record.
    • Has participated in the Olympics, World Games, representing the USA.
    • Played for or won a championship on an amateur national championship or as an individual; or as a member of a professional championship team (WNBA, NBA, NFL, MLB, etc.) or as an individual (PGA, a national tennis association, etc.).
    EE SMITH SPORTS HOF

    MISSION | COMMITTEE | GUIDELINES

    REMEMBERING OUR INAUGURAL HONOREES

    2023 HONOREES

    COACHES

    HENRY A. BLACK

    1929-1940

    Coached the men’s and women’s basketball teams and the football team from 1929-1940. His 1937,
    1938, and 1939 teams were North Carolina State Champions. His 1939 basketball team were runner up in the National
    Championship game. He led Fayetteville State to the Eastern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (EIAC) Championship in football and basketball in 1940 and 1941.

    IDA ASKEW

    1963-1981

    Coached for 18 years at EES, from 1963-1981. Coached basketball, volleyball, track and field, tennis,
    cheerleading, and golf. Her Women’s Track and Field team won the State Championship in 1981. Coach Askew won several City, County, District, Sectional and Regional Championships.

    MILTON A. BUTTS

    1995-2006

    Coached at EES for 15 years. Served as Head Football Coach from 1995-2006. During is tenure at EES, Coach Butts, led his teams to 6 playoff appearances, 2 conference championships, and two 4A Eastern Championship games. Three players he coached went on to play in the NFL. The Mid-South Sports Radio Network gave out an academic
    award for the Cumberland County football team with the best grades during the season. EES won it 7 out of 10 years while Coach Butts was head coach.

    Our Talented Crew

    Our HONOREES

    PLAYERS

    JOYCE VAUGHN BATTLE

    EESHS - BASKETBALL

    Graduated from EES in 1981. Lettered in basketball, volleyball, and track. She also played tennis. She was a member of the 1981 Women’s State Championship Track and Field Team and All-CIAA in
    basketball at Fayetteville State University. Inducted into the Fayetteville State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. Played professionally in the National Women’s Basketball Association for the Virginia Express.

    CARL GALBREATH

    EESHS - FOOTBALL

    Graduated from EES in 1945. All-State running back in football. He also played basketball. Earned
    a scholarship to North Carolina College to play football. Named All-CIAA in each of his four years at NCC. Selected as a Small College
    All-American two times. NCC’s MVP in 1946 and 1948. Inducted into the North Carolina Central University’s Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the CIAA Hall of Fame in 1995. Played in the Canadian Football League and was also an All-Star in 1950.

    SAMARA DOBBINS JOHNSON

    EESHS - BASKETBALL

    Graduated from EES in 1991. A three-year letterman in basketball. All-Conference in 1990 and 1991. MVP in 1991. A member of the 1000 points club. A three-year letterman in Track. All-Conference 1989, 1990 and 1991. Silver medalist in the 4X 200 Relay in 1991. E. E. Miller Award for Senior Athlete in 1991. Earned a scholarship to North Carolina A&T State University for basketball. Held the A&T assist record for 11 years. A member of A&T’s 1994 MEAC Women’s Championship Basketball Team. Inducted into the A&T Hall of Fame in 2016.

    GARVIN STONE

    EESHS - FOOTBALL

    Graduated from EES in 1969. Starting quarterback for three years. Captain of the football team his
    junior and senior years. Led EES to its only state championships in football in 1967 and 1968. All-State in football his junior and senior years. Also, a member of the basketball and baseball teams for three years. Earned a scholarship to North Carolina Central University for football. Captain of the football team from 1970-1973. Led NCCU to the MEAC Championship in 1971. Inducted into the NCCU Hall of Fame in 1988 and into the Fayetteville Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.

    COLETTE WILLIAMS VALENTINE

    EESHS - TRACK & FIELD

    Graduated from EES in 1982. Earned three letters each in volleyball,
    basketball, and track. Voted E.E. Smith High School’s Female Athlete of the Year in 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1982. 1981 State Champion
    in the Triple Jump. 1982 State Champion in the 100m hurdles. 1982 State Champion in the Triple Jump. Member of the 1981
    Women’s State Championship Track and Field Team. Earned a scholarship to South Carolina State University in Track and Field. South Carolina State University’s team captain in 1985 and 1986. Member of the MEAC Championship Team in 1986. Inducted into the South Carolina State University Hall of Fame in 1998. Named to the MEAC 50th Anniversary All-Time Outdoor Track Team in
    2021.

    ROBERT BRICKEY

    EESHS - BASKETBALL

    Graduated from EES in 1986. Three-year letterman in basketball at EES. He earned All-State, All-Conference, All-County, and High School All-American Awards. Named Mr. Basketball in North Carolina in
    1986. Lettered in Track and Field for 2 years at EES. All Conference and Conference High Jump champion in 1986. Played college basketball at Duke University. He was on the ACC All-Tournament Team in 1988 and 1990. Team captain in 1990.
    Played professionally in NBL and Canada.

    ANGELA HILL

    EESHS - BASKETBALL

    Graduated from EES in 1990: Played basketball, volleyball, and track and field. In 1988 earned All-
    Conference in volleyball. In 1989 earned All-Conference in basketball, volleyball, and MVP in basketball. In 1990 earned All-Conference in basketball, volleyball, track and field and MVP in basketball, and volleyball. Earned the E.E. Miller Award as the outstanding senior athlete. Earned a scholarship to North Carolina A & T State University. Played basketball for A&T, earning All-MEAC in 1993 and Female Athlete of the Year. Led A&T to its first MEAC Women’s Basketball Championship in 1994. Inducted in the North Carolina A&T Hall of Fame in 2016.

    BRANDON WALLACE

    EESHS - WRESTLING

    Graduated from EES in 2005. Earned 3 varsity letters each in wrestling, soccer, and tennis. Two-time EES Athlete of the Year 2004 and 2005. Four-time state placer in wrestling. State Wrestling Champion in 2005 in 152 lb. Class, with a record of 42-0. Three-time All-Conference, Three-time All-Region and Four-time All-State in Wrestling, Earn a scholarship to UNC-Pembrooke.

    CONNELL MAYN0R

    EESHS - FOOTBALL

    Graduated from EES in 1987. A three-year letterman in football and basketball. All-Conference his
    senior year. Four-year letterman and starter on the baseball team at shortstop. Earned a scholarship to Winston Salem State University, but later transferred to North Carolina A&T State University. Two-time MEAC Player of the year. Two-time First Team All-MEAC. Inducted into the A&T Hall of Fame in 2014. Inducted into the MEAC Hall of Fame in 2020. Played professionally in the Arena Football League for 12 seasons. Was a part of four AFL World Championship teams. Head football coach at Winston Salem State University, Hampton University and Alabama A&M University. His teams won 1 SWAC and 2 CIAA Championships.

    NETTIE TOOMER COUNCIL

    EESHS - BASKETBALL

    Graduated from EES in 1948. Selected as Miss Homecoming in 1945. She used the opportunity to lobby to restart the girls basketball team. She asked, then principal, Mr. E.E. Miller for permission to start a team. He agreed if she could find a coach. She played on the team from 1946-1948. She served at captain during her junior and senior years.

    CAREY HUGHLEY

    EESHS - FOOTBALL

    Graduated from EES in 1961. Three-year letterman in football, and basketball. Two-year letterman in
    baseball. One-year letterman in track and field. Captain of the football team in 1960 and won the sportsmanship award in 1961.
    Earned an athletic scholarship to Hampton Institute for football. Voted the Outstanding Freshman at Hampton in 1961. Was the
    MVP for Hampton in 1964 and 1965. Led the CIAA in total offense in 1963. Earned a PhD from The Ohio State University. Taught and
    coached at several universities. Was the Athletic Director at North Carolina Central University from 1991-1994.

    EARL MCNEILL

    EESHS
    BASKETBALL & BASEBALL

    Graduated from EES in 1968. Was a three-sport starter in football, basketball, and baseball. All-State in basketball and baseball. Captain of both the basketball and baseball teams. MVP of the baseball team. A starter on the 1967 Championship football team. Earned a scholarship to Fayetteville State University. Two-sport starter at Fayetteville State University in basketball and baseball. Captain of the baseball team. Two years All-CIAA in baseball. Inducted into the Fayetteville State University Hall of Fame in 1992.

    BOBBY EARL WILLIAMS

    EESHS - FOOTBALL

    Graduated from EES in 1958. Lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. All-State and All-Conference in football and baseball. Played in the East-West Shrine Bowl Football Game as a senior. In baseball, he hit for the cycle,
    (single, double, triple and home run in the same game) three times. Earned a scholarship for football to North Carolina A&T College.

    ROSZELLA MAJOR WILLIAMS

    EESHS - TRACK & FIELD

    Graduated from EES in 1978: Lettered three years each in Track and Field, volleyball, and basketball. Named Fayetteville City Schools Female Athlete of the Year in 1978. Named the MVP in track, volleyball,
    and basketball for three years in a row for each sport. Won the Leadership Award, the Sportsmanship Award, the Best All-Around Award, and the E.E. Miller Award. Named All-State, All-Region, and All-Conference. Earned a scholarship to East Carolina University. Returned to EES as a teacher, administrator, and coach.

    LEGACY FAMILY: THE COLE BROTHERS

    EESHS

    BEN

    1957

    Football-star running back. Basketball-one of the top scorers, Baseball-a leading hitter. Lettered in all three.

    FUZZY

    1961

    Football-Star running back, All-State and All-Conference. Played in the East-West Shrine Bowl Game. Also lettered in basketball and baseball. Played football at
    Fayetteville State University.

    ALLEN

    1962

    Football-Star running back, All-State, All-Conference. Lettered in basketball. Star running back at Johnson C Smith University, All-CIAA.

    LAMB

    1967

    Football-Star running back. All-State and All-Conference in football and track and field as a sprinter and long jumper. Also lettered in basketball. Earned a football scholarship to Northern Arizona University. Later transferred to Clinton College in Rock Hill, SC where he played basketball for two years.

    Our Talented Crew

    Thank you for being a part of the E.E. Smith Legacy.

    &

    This is Our Mission