2019 Trojan Hall of Fame Class: Nyheim Hines ('15) retired AD Doc Harrell, Robert Hinton ('89), Tony Lee ('84) & Eddie Gray ('70). The inductees of the 9th Hall of Fame class were recognized May 2nd at the annual benefit banquet at the Grand Marquise Ballroom.
(apologies for the missing photos below, with web address changes they will have to be added back. We'll reload in the upcoming days.)
- Robert Hinton, Class of 1989: 3-time all conference wide receiver, Hinton was member of the 1987 NCHSAA Championship team coached by Hall of Famer Hal Stewart. Hinton piled up 812 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns. Garner compiled 37-2 record during his varsity tenure with three consecutive undefeated regular seasons. His game winning touchdown in the right corner of the end zone from Hall of Fame QB Stacey Betts lifted the Trojans to a 28-24 win at Richmond County to propel the Trojans to the Eastern title game at Northern Durham. The Garner Dogs would claim wins over the Knights and on to Charlotte where they claimed 40-21 win over Harding and their first state title. At NC State, Hinton had 958 yards receiving with 6 touchdowns as 3-year starter. He became the Saint Augustine Golf Coach in 2014 after serving as assistant golf pro in Raleigh for five years and two years as a pro golfer on the Hooter's Tour and general manager of Meadowbrook Country Club for 3 years. Hinton was selected to revive Falcon golf after two year hiatus as varsity sport in the CIAA.
- Tony Lee, Class of 1984: 5th round selection in the 1984 Major League Baseball draft by the Chicago Cubs, Lee established phenomenal Garner baseball statistics as dominant flame-throwing pitcher and power hitter. Lee’s 1.29 career ERA remains the Trojan mark of excellence and was the state record at the time of his graduation, still in Top 10 in the NCHSAA after three decades. He still owns the state record with two grand slams in a single inning and his 10 runs batted in vs Athens Drive in 1983 is second all-time in high school history. 27 year realtor in the Garner area:
- Dwight "Doc" Harrell, retired Athletic Director and Coach: Mr. Harrell served GMHS 1999 to 2014, overseeing unprecedented success in conference and state achievements. Trojan football earned 178 wins and 14 conference titles during Doc's tenure, including 19 consecutive state playoff appearances. Basketball claimed 3 consecutive conference titles and five overall, laying the groundwork for the 2015 State title run. Baseball earned 7 conference crowns and 12 playoff qualifications & our Lady Trojan softball claimed 11 GNRC and SWAC crowns & Volleyball won 5 consecutive titles including conference record 59 match win streak. Lady Trojan golf earned six consecutive titles & Trojan swimming earned 7 titles. During Coach Harrell's tenure, 286 Trojans went on to play on the college and professional level.
- Eddie Gray, Class of 1970: Head Coach of Trojan basketball for 29 seasons, 11 time Coach of the Year including 2015 NCHSAA title. 24-time state playoff qualifier, 2001 NC Coaches Association East West All-star Coach, 2015 AP, NCHSAA & NC Basketball Coaches Association District Coach of the Year, inducted in George Whitfield Hall of Fame in 2016
 |
| 2019 Trojan Club scholarship winners |
The 8th Hall of Fame Class: Former Coach and Athletic Director Nelson Smith, Two-time State Champion Cheer Coach Helen Sommerville Stephens (’80), Professional football player Anthony Blaylock (’84) & Two-time National Champion soccer star Kasey Monroe Monaghan (’92). The 2018 class was inducted in ceremonies at the Grand Marquise Ballroom, May 3rd:
 |
| 2018 Hall of Fame Class |
 |
| 2018 Trojan Club Scholarship winners |
Anthony Blalock 1984
| 
Helen Sommerville Stephens 1980 (w/ daughter Katherine Stephens (’09)
| 
Coach Nelson Smith
| 
Kasey Monroe Monaghan 1992
|
- Kasey Monroe Monaghan (’92): 1989-1992 Soccer Captain, team MVP, & All Conference selection; 1991 All-Metro, Inaugural 1992 NC Coaches Association East-West All-star game MVP; All-State 1991 & 1992; 1992 All South Team, NCHSAA academic all-star, 1991-1992 Who’s Who in Sports, Bill Gibson Scholar/Athletic award; 1992 Wake County Student Athlete of the Year, Army Reserve Scholar/Athletic award, 1992 Wake County student-athlete of the year; UNC Chapel Hill 1992-1994, ACC Honor Roll each year, 2 ACC Championships, 2 NCAA Championships, Morehead Scholarship finalist. CASL Hall of Fame inductee in 2011. Her stellar academic resume and work with her husband Pastor Reid Monaghan for the Athletes in Action as well as renowned coaching resume displays the exceptional skills and community service worthy of our Hall of Fame.
- Anthony Blaylock (’84) Mr. Blaylock is two-time inductee into the Winston-Salem State Hall of Fame as individual and this season with his 1987 CIAA Championship Ram team AND member of the CIAA Hall of Fame. Captain of Hall of Famer Hal Stewart’s first Garner football squad laid the foundation and work ethic Garner plays with today and was instrumental in the start of our current 32 year playoff streak. After a stellar football career at Winston-Salem State University Anthony Blaylock was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 1988. A fourth-round selection, Anthony spent four and a half years with the Browns before moving on to the San Diego Chargers. He ended his football career with the Chicago Bears in 1993. While playing in 71 games as a professional, Anthony registered six interceptions, five sacks, and one fumble recovery for a touchdown. He was the 3rd of our 7 professional football players;
- Coach Helen Sommerville Stephens (‘80): 30-year educator with WCPSS. Varsity cheer coach at Garner High School 1989-2014. State Championship squads 1993 and 2008 & 3rd in the State in 1997; Coach Stephens was the 1997 North Carolina Cheerleading Coaches Association (NCCCA) Coach of the Year; 1998 & 2014 National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) Coach of the Year for Section 3 of USA; 2013 GNRC Coach of the Year; Served as President of NCCCA 1999-2001; Founder of Wake County Cheerleading Competition in 1990 which has grown to be one of the largest high school competitions in the NC; Cheerleading Consultant for Wake County Public School System for over 10 years: Responsible for all cheerleading coaches education classes and safety. Considered top cheerleading safety specialist in NC: Presented NFHS Spirit rules to cheer coaches across NC as a presenter at the NCCCA conferences and for other conferences and counties. Coached 16 athletes who earned college cheer team selections. Ms. Stephens was cheerleader for 3 years at Garner; JV team 1977-78 (Captain); Beta Club State Vice-president for NC; Sophomore class officer; Outstanding Math Student sophomore and Senior years, Junior Marshall, Outstanding Senior 1980; JV Cheer Coach at Garner High School: 1987-1989; JV Cheer Coach at Broughton High School: 1984-1987; Pop Warner Cheerleading: 3 years
- Coach Nelson Smith: Legendary NC Coach, 31-year career with Garner as Head Coach 1999-2012 & assistant to Hall of Fame Coach Hal Stewart 1992-1999. Career spans 1987 NCHSAA 4A Championship, title game appearances in 1998 & 2011, 23 conference titles compiling a head coaching career record of 144-30; 102 players earned collegiate careers with 6 professional players; Served as Head Coach of the 2006 NC Shrine Bowl (one of 2 individuals to be former Shrine Bowl Player, Assistant Coach, and Head Coach) 2004 NC Coaches Association East teams; 9-time conference Coach of the Year; Served as Athletic Director at Garner in 2013-’14
The Hall of Fame Class of 2017: 3-time CFL All-Star Brandon Banks (’06), US Paralympic Swim team member and 4-time medalist Tucker Dupree(’07), two-sport star and Coach Mickey Faulk (’60), and two-sport athlete and professional sports psychologist and author Dr. Shaun Tyrance (’96). The inductees were recognized at the Grand Marquise Ballroom May 4th
7th Annual Trojan Club Golf Tournament, was held Friday May 5th at River Ridge Golf Club. Proceeds from the event benefit the student athletes of GMHS, including annual scholarship awards.
 |  |
 |  |
2017 Trojan Hall of Fame inductees: Mr. Mickey Faulk (’60), Dr Shaun Tyrance (’96) with his wife Margaret and daughters, Parents of Brandon Banks (’06) Chet & Marlene Dupree parents of Tucker Dupree (’07)
- Brandon Banks (’06) earned his 3rd consecutive CFL East All-Star honor this season. The reigning CFL Special Teams Player of the Year became the Tiger-Cats all-time kickoff return yardage leader (3,047) in November 2016. He finished the regular season ranked first in the league in missed field goal return yards, second in kickoff return yards and fifth in punt return yards in 16 games. His 4 kick return TD’s in 2015 tied the CFL record for a season. In his 4th year in the CFL, Banks is threatening records established by the 100 year old league with 10 kick return TD’s. His 3,046 return yards is the franchise record. Two-time combined yardage leader, his Tiger-Cats have reached the Grey Cup Championship game twice. He posted 2,233 in 2016, his second +2000 yard season in 4 seasons despite being the smallest man to ever play professional football. He played 3 seasons with the NFL Washington Redskins recording 3 kick return TDs. At Bakersfield Junior College, Banks set school records with 1,461 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning JuCo All-American for the 12-1 Renegades who finished runner-up National Champions. At Kansas State, his 67 catch, 1,048 yard receiving earned All-Conference honors and 2008 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year. On Wildcats special teams in 2008 as he collected 498 yards on 18 kickoff returns and five punt returns for 58 yards. His 98-yard kickoff return against Nebraska tied for the fifth-longest in school history. Banks' 1,731 total all-purpose yardage in 2008 ranks fifth in single-season school history, while his 144.2 all-purpose yards per game mark checks in at No. 8 on the Kansas State single-season records chart. He was a first team Big 12 Conference selection on special teams and he was a second team All-American his Senior Year. The 2006 USA Today All-USA high school track and field team after winning national championships with 10.42 in 100 meter (still school record) and a 21.44 in the 200 meter at the Nike Outdoor Championships. He won the 2006 NCHSAA 200m and long jump State Championships & was a 4-year starter for Trojan football and critical component to the 2006 Trojan football team reaching the Eastern Finals.
- Tucker Dupree (’07) has set 43 American and World swimming records and earned Silver and two Bronze at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London and bronze at the 2016 Rio games. At the age of 17, Tucker began to lose his vision and was diagnosed with a rare disease called Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). In a short period of time, Tucker lost 70% – 80% of his central vision in both eyes. Determined not to let this disability define his life, Tucker continues to become a stronger swimmer while inspiring others with his positive outlook on life. He has represented the United States at the three Paralympic Games (2008 Bejing, 2012 London & 2016 Rio) as well as 2013 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships, Montreal, Canada, the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven, Netherlands, the 2009 World Championships in Rio de Janeiro.
- Dr. Shaun Tyrance (’96) was a four-year Letterman in basketball and three-year Letterman in football at Garner Senior High School. He finished his basketball career as the 12th all-time leading scorer, and he finished his football career 3rd in starts, 3rd in wins, 4th in touchdowns, and 4th in passing yards. Shaun was selected All-Conference in both football and basketball, and he was selected to the All-Tournament team for the 1994 Holiday Invitational Basketball Tournament. While at Garner, he was the first freshman to play varsity basketball in Coach Gray’s illustrious 30-year career. Shaun was a recipient of the WRAL Extra Effort Award, and received North Carolina Hall of Fame Foundation Scholarship. After Garner, he starred at Davidson College where he was a four-year letter winner in football. A professional sports psychologist who has worked with Chip Gannasi Racing, and the NC State athletic program as academic advisor. He authored “Winning at the College Level: Thriving as a First-Year Student-Athlete” and “The Career Game Plan: Preparing Student-Athletes to Compete and Win in the World of Work”. He is currently a Senior Consultant at The Aldridge Group.
- Mickey Faulk (’60) is a legendary baseball and basketball star with Garner High School and Guilford College. During four baseball seasons at Garner, Faulk hit better than .300 each year with a career high of .500+ his sophomore year. His Garner High School baseball team won district titles his junior and senior years. Faulk’s Garner basketball team won conference championships his junior and senior years and went to the state playoffs his senior season, ultimately losing to North Wilkes. He scored 24 points and had 13 rebounds in this last game. One of our school’s first two-sport college athletes, Faulk was awarded a scholarship to play both sports at Guilford College. He hit 10 HRs his freshman year; was team MVP as a junior, hitting .376 for the Quakers; and he served as team captain his senior year. After attending San Jose State on the prestigious RJ Reynolds Scholarship, he returned to Wake County to coach Vaiden Whitley High School to the state basketball playoffs in ’68 & ’69, including his 26-0 regular season in 1969. In 2010, Faulk was inducted into the East Wake Sports Hall of Fame. Professionally, he was an executive with Colonial Life and Accident Insurance Co., serving as vice-president of national sales. He later established his own company and continues to serve on several boards. Faulk partnered with UNC All-American & NFL great Greg Ellis to create the Ellis-Faulk Foundation; the foundation provides scholarships to area kids.
The 2016 Hall of Fame class was honored May 5th at the Grand Marquise Ballroom. A wonderful evening of recognition, heartfelt speeches and trip down memory lane to honor our esteemed alums: Educator and administrator Wayne Bare, professional baseball player Johnny Beck (’90), multi-sport athlete and World War II veteran B.A. Corbett (’41), softball standout Lauren Pleasant Bridgers (’03) and Team Physician and long-time GMHS volunteer Dr. Greg Pleasants (’87).
“Garner remembers athletic past, prepares to move forward” by HOF Tim Stevens ('70), N&O 5/9/2016
- Dr. Greg Pleasants (’87): Team Physician for the Trojans; Athletic trainer for N.C. State and Philadelphia Eagles; Director & Head Trainer for the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas since 2003 and was inducted into the Shrine Bowl Hall of Fame in 2015.
- Lauren Pleasant Bridgers (’03): All-state selection 2002 & 2003; 3-time All-Conference, Garner softball all-time strikeout leader; played at Peace College, setting career records for wins (45) strikeouts (425), shutouts (15) & doubles (39); Named the 2007 Most Outstanding Athlete; 2004 & 2006 Pacer MVP, 2005 Defensive Player of the Year ; 2004 USA South Rookie of the Year; 2005 & 2006 All-conference; Single season record for K’s (165 in 2005 & 3rd highest total with 124 in 2004); Lowest single season ERA (2.02 in 2004; also 2nd lowest 2.12 in 2005); 2006 NCCSIA All-State College Division Softball Team ; Named to the USA South Conference 50th anniversary team.
- B.A. Corbett (’41): Lettered in baseball, basketball, football and boxing. He played basketball at Mars Hill College for a year before joining the Army Air Corps and serving as a B-29 gunner for four years.After playing at graduating from East Carolina, he returned to Garner and taught math and coached from 1953-59, winning conference championships in basketball and baseball. He went back into aviation in 1959 and worked with NASA for more than 30 years.
- Johnny Beck (’90) Four-year letterman in baseball and the conference and News & Observer area player of the year in 1990; career ERA of 1.19 and had an ERA of 0.21 in 1990. 4-year starter at East Carolina, earning all-conference honors as a freshman. He won 12 games as a senior, tying a school record and set career records at ECU for innings pitched (383) and starts (54); He was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies
- Dr. Wayne Bare served as principal of Garner from 1967-71 and played a key role in the integration of Garner High School and Garner Consolidated schools. His extraordinaire achievements in uniting Garner were documenting my HOF writer Tim Stevens ('70) in "68:Our Finest Hour" Dr. Bare was principal at the combined Garner Senior High until 1971 when he was named assistant superintendent of Wake County Schools. He served in that post until 1990.
The Trojans present their 2015 Hall of Fame inductees: Coach Henry Liles, Steve Hudson, (’87), Carol Merritt Lewis (’00) and the 1950's Garner High School Girl’s Basketball Teams.
- Coach Henry Liles, (posthumously) Coach, ’50, ’60s, ‘70: A native of Roseville, NC, Coach Liles played baseball and basketball at Wake Forest University.He coached and taught for over 30 years in the middle school, junior and high school levels and spent 15 years at Garner High School, coaching football, girl’s basketball and baseball. Coach Liles was one of the areas most successful high school baseball coaches in the late ‘60s and ‘70s winning Garner High School’s 10 Conference Baseball Championships, and often made the state playoffs, losing only to the state champions.
- Steve Hudson, ’87: Outstanding Senior, 3-year letterman, Basketball and Baseball, member Garner American Legion Post 232 Baseball team; Mount Olive College Graduate,‘91, Hall of Fame inductee (2010); Carolina Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Baseball Player of the Year, 1991, Set MOC school records for batting average, hits, doubles, at-bats and sacrifices, Mount Olive College Male Athlete of the Year, 1991
- Carol Merritt-Lewis ('00): Graduated with Distinguished Honors, NCHSAA Indoors (300m 1999) and Outdoors (400m, 2000) Champion, 4-time All-State selection, 3-year letterman Track and Basketball, All conference in Track and Basketball, Most Valuable Track Athlete, Broke numerous school Track Records; Graduated Wake Forest University 2004, Wake Forest University Athletics Scholarship, Broke seven University records as a freshman, ACC Indoor 400m Champion, setting new school record; 2001 All-American, 3 year All-ACC Honors
- The 1950s Garner High School Girl’s Basketball Teams: The teams of the 1950’s were the forerunners of what girl’s basketball is today. In many ways these young female athletes exceeded the expectations of successful competition during those challenging times when it was deemed unladylike, unhealthy and inappropriate to play sports. These women proved to be up to the challenge of competing in a tough environment by winning year after year, without the opportunities readable available to today’s female athletes and athletics programs.
Nomination criteria and form for the Class of 2016
]
The 2014 Trojan Hall of Fame class: (from left) Family of the late Raymond Miller ('73), Coach James Farris, John Leach ('90)[/caption]
- Coach James Farris: first varsity basketball, golf & cross-country Coach for Garner Senior High School. Two-time state qualifier as Coach of Garner Consolidated High School, prior to the integration of the two high schools; With Ms. JoAnn Watkins selected the BLUE & GOLD and Trojan logo for the combined school, featuring a color from each school; Coached as Shaw University until returning to Garner 1976 until his retirement in 1992
- Raymond Miller ('73): 4-year letterman with Trojans, All-State, All-Metro, area leading scorer in 1971 & 1972 for Cap-8 Champions; averaged 30 points and 15 rebounds for Brevard Junior College; career 28 points and 14 rebounds average at Furman. Drafted by the Lakers and eventually became a noted basketball official and was one of the top wheelchair basketball officials in the U.S
- John Leach ('90): 4 year letterman in football and track; Starting linebacker (as a sophomore) for the 1987 State Championship team; Compiled a record of 37-2 while at GSHS; 8.9 yards per carry as a Junior running back; All-Triangle team for 2 years (Junior and Senior); All-State team (Senior); Cap-9 Player of the Year; Defensive MVP for the 1989 Shrine Bowl; East/West All-Star game participant; Graduate of Wake Forest University 4 year letterman; 2nd team All ACC (senior year); ACC single game rushing record holder – 329 yards; Led the ACC in rushing – 1089 yards (senior year); Wake Forest record holder for All Purpose yards in a game– 411 yardsn; Canadian Football League – 3 years
GHS Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet & Ceremony
2013 Class:
Stacy Betts ('88), Carl Franks ('79), Amos West representing David West ('98), Coach Paul Faulk
- Stacy Betts ('88) QB for the 1987 NCHSAA 4A Championship team 15-0, All-Conference football & baseball; Selected to NC East All-Star team; Who's Who of American High School Students; NC State baseball, member of 1992 ACC Championship team, All-Academic ACC selection 4 years; Magna Cum Laude graduate in Communications
- Coach Paul Faulk: NC Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame; 10 Conference titles in 13 seasons, Garner baseball lifetime record 145-51 in 8 years at the helm; 33 players received baseball scholarships, 2 MLB draftees; 16 All-State & All-America selections; 9-time Conference Coach of the Year; JV football coach (first 10-0 season); Professional MLB scout, currently with the Washington Nationals
- Carl Franks, Jr. ('79): All-State, All-Metro and All-Cap 8 selection 1978; 1979 Outstanding Male Athlete; Outstanding Senior selection; Academic All-American; Duke University All-ACC and All-Academic ACC in 1982, "Mike Suglia Award" recipient; played professionally with Tampa Bay Bandits of the USFL; Head Coach Duke University (1998-'03); Head Coach of the Gray College All-Star team 1999; Assistant Coach VMI, Florida, Bethune-Cookman, coached in 15 college bowl gamesl Served on Executive Board of Directors for the Spencer Foundation for Spinal Cord Injuries
- David West ('98): All-State, All-Conference 1998; Xavier University, 2003 NCAA, AP & US Basketball Writers Association "Player of the Year", 20.1 scoring average & 11.8 rebounds per game; 2001, 2002 & 2003 Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year; Xavier school record for blocked shots; 2003 Adolph Rupp award, 2003 Oscar Robinson award; 18th draft selection of the New Orleans Hornets 2003; 2006 NBA "Most Improved Player"; Sports Illustrated All-Decade team (2000's); 2008 & 2009 NBA All-Star selection; led Indiana Pacers to franchise record 56 wins in 2013 & Eastern Conference top seed
Billy Stuart; Tim Stevens ('70), Laurie Bailey ('79), Mrs Teresa Johnson, representing her late husband Coach Sherrill Johnson, and his sons, Gary and Sherrill Johnson Jr., inductee Eric WIlliams ('78) did not attend[/caption]
- Coach Sherrill Johnson: (posthumously) coached football, baseball, softball, men & women's basketball and track during +30 year career at all 3 Garner High School locations; 14 conference titles;
- Tim Stevens ('70) member of the National High School Sports and NCHSAA Hall of Fames; Town of Garner James R. Stevens Award for public service; Tim's stellar career is one of the outstanding high school sports writers in the state. graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan, Stevens has written for the Raleigh Times and the News and Observer since 1973 and has won a number of awards for his coverage. He has been the driving force behind such outstanding events as the Holiday Invitational basketball tournament in Raleigh and the Triangle Pigskin Preview. He has served as a member of the McDonald¹s All-American basketball selection committee and was co-author of the original North Carolina High School Record Book. One of only four North Carolinians in the National High School Sports Hall of Fame, he has held membership on a number of NCHSAA committees during his career
- Laurie Bailey ('79): led Lady Trojans to 1978 NCHSAA 4A Championship 26-0, leading scorer 20.8; All-State selection in basketball, volleyball and softball; member of 1979 NCHSAA 4A runner-up softball team; All-Conference selection in basketball, volleyball and softball; Triangle All-Metro basketball selection and outstanding player 1978 & 1979; 3-time All-Conference; Triangle Outstandig Female Basketball (co-recepient with teammate Gail Pittman Walton); Outstanding Senior and Outstanding Female Athlete 1979; East All-Star team selection 1979; UNC softball, selected to AIAW (preceded NCAA for women's athletics) 1st team All-American, finalist for Broderick Award as top female athlete
- Eric Williams ('78): All-State selection in baseball and football; member 1978 NCHSAA 4A Baseball championship team; 3-year All-Cap 8 selection in football; All-conference football; NC State All-time career interception leader, 3-year letterman; professional football with Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions 1983-'87
- Billy Stuart: +40 year volunteer with Trojan athletic department, Pop Warner and various community and civic organizations; National Award recepient for Civitan Club; founding Board member of The Garner Trojan Club
2011 GHS Athletics Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductees:
Hal Stewart (Coach), Anthony Barbour ('88), Barbara Kelly ('56), Pat Watkins ('90), Donald Williams ('91)
- Anthony Barbour ('88): lead Garner to 1987 NCHSAA 4A title, 15-0 with 3,125 yards national record 47 TD's & NC record 15 100-yard rushing games; All-State selection, school record 5,806 career rushing yards; Selected to Top 100 NC High School Athletes; NC State football, 5th All-Time leading rusher; 2nd All-Time yards per carry (5.43); Head Coach Middle Creek & Smithfield-Selma Senior High Schools, currently assistant coach Clayton High School
- Barbara Kelly ('56): one of the first female athlete athletic scholarships in Wake County; Basketball team captain, leading scorer; 1st female member of the University of Virginia Athletic Department, served as Asst Athletics Director; 1st Woman's Basketball Coach at UVA; Founder of ACC Women's Basketball Tournament; First female selected to Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, member of Board of Directors
- Coach Hal Stewart: led Garner to 1987 NCHSAA 4A title, 15-0; career 159-47-1 in 17 seasons, won +10 games 12 times, 11 conference titles, Wake County and NCHSAA Coach of the Year; 1988 NCHSAA 4A runner-up; legendary for motivation and historic halftime speeches; served as Garner Athletic Director
- Pat Watkins ('90): 1990 Triangle Player of the Year, All-State Baseball team; Outstanding Senior; East Carolina, Hall of Fame inductee; 1993 CAA Player of the Year, 1st team All-American; .445 as a junior with 19 home runs and 57 RBIs, career .352 batting average, still 6th highest career average in ECU history; led the Pirates to NCAA Regional appearances in 1991 and '93, and the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Tournament Championship in '93; Cincinnati Reds draft pick in the Major League Baseball Draft (only ECU player ever to be taken in the first round)
- Donald Williams ('91): 1991 "Mr. Basketball" for NC, McDonalds All-American, All-State team, NC record 961 points & 35.6 ppg (still NCHSAA record points for senior year); UNC 1993 NCAA Championship team, Final Four MVP; jersey retired in the Dean E. Smith Dome; played professionally in Cyprus, Germany, Austria, Poland, France, Sweden, Finland, Greece and the Philippines, won a championship in 1998 with Formula Shell; Head Coach of Wakefield varsity girls team (NCHSAA Eastern finalist in his first season) and operates the Donald Williams Academy
