Cherokee County Alabama Sports Hall of Fame

Celebrating the BEST of Cherokee County

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    • Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame (Cherokee County Inductees)
    • Kaitlyn Storm Griffith Revette – Athlete (2018 Inductee)
    • Marc Johnson – Athlete (2018 Inductee)
    • Danny Stubbs – Athlete (2018 Inductee)
    • Arthur “Tarzan” White – Athlete (2018 Inductee)
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Victor Lamar “V.L.” Crane – Athlete (2014 Inductee)

2014 Crane, VL
V.L. Crane

Gaylesville High School – Five year letterman in Baseball and Football
Gaylesville High School – Four year letterman in Basketball
1964-1965-1966 All-Cherokee County Football Team
1966 All-State Honorable Mention Football 13 TD’s Rushing, 10 Passing, 3 Punt Returns
1965-1966-1967 All-County Basketball Team
1967 All-Tournament Area 12 Region 6 Basketball
1967 Cherokee County Basketball Tournament Co-Most Valuable Player
1967 All-State Basketball 22.6 point, 8.0 rebounds, 5.8 assists per game
1965-1966-1967 All-County Baseball Team

At 5’8” inches tall, Victor Lamar “V.L.” Crane possessed a lethal combination of speed, strength, skill and game sense that baffled and bewildered larger opponents. Although a team championship eluded the Trojans during his time at Gaylesville High School tales of Cranes encounters with the giants of his era are plentiful. A fearless competitor, Crane would reach the end zone 16 times his senior campaign (13 rushing, 3 punt returns). Additionally, Crane would throw for 10 more Trojan scores. Crane’s efforts propelled the Trojan back to all-state honorable mention status. Later in his senior season Crane also achieved all-state recognition on the basketball court averaging 22.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. An excellent student, Crane was a member of the Beta Club and served as the schools newspaper sports editor. He was honored as Mr. Gaylesville High School his senior year. Crane made the most of limited baseball opportunities afforded at that time. He was a regular on the Babe Ruth All-Star rosters. Crane also excelled on the first American Legion squad Cherokee County that had formed in nearly twenty years. As a result of his all-round talents, Crane entertained offers from Mississippi State, Jacksonville State and Dartmouth. Crane would complete degree work at Northeast State Junior College and then obtain a B.A. in Economics from Jacksonville State University. Between Northeast State and Jacksonville State, V.L. served his country in the U.S. Army and worked for Reigel Textile Corporation in Trion, Ga. At Reigel, Crane participated on the company softball team leading them to four national tournament appearances. Later, Crane returned to Jacksonville State where he received his B.S. in Recreation and began his pursuit of a Master’s Degree in History. Still a scholar, Crane was named to the President’s List four times and the Dean’s List twice. Crane still gives back to the athletes in Cherokee County, serving as a volunteer coach. Crane was part of the Cedar Bluff baseball coaching staff in 2014 that guided the Tigers to a state semi-final appearance against Athens Bible. In V.L. Crane, heart and spirit trump size. Without reservation, coaches, players and spectators could attest that with his compact 5’8” frame Crane possessed an undeniable fiery spirit and the heart of a champion.

Inductees

  • Hall of Fame Class of 2005
    • Dana Bright Austin – Athlete (2005 Inductee)
    • Jana Bright McGinnis – Athlete (2005 Inductee)
    • L.D. Bruce* – Coach (2005 Inductee)
    • Greg “Boo” Jelks – Athlete (2005 Inductee)
    • Bobby Joe Johnson* – Coach (2005 Inductee)
    • Roy Knapp* – Coach (2005 Inductee)
    • Wendall Lawson – Athlete (2005 Inductee)
    • Ronnie Shaw – Athlete (2005 Inductee)
    • Paul “Shorty” Trammell – Athlete (2005 Inductee)
  • Hall of Fame Class of 2006
    • Ed Arnold, Jr.* – Athlete (2006 Inductee)
    • Leah Monteith Nelson – Athlete (2006 Inductee)
    • Martin Houston – Athlete (2006 Inductee)
    • Waymon Wester – Coach (2006 Inductee)
  • Hall of Fame Class of 2007
    • David Bedwell – Athlete (2007 Inductee)
    • Jim Bouchillon – Athlete (2007 Inductee)
    • Ralph Hilburn – Coach (2007 Inductee)
    • Carl Stanford – Athlete (2007 Inductee)
    • Dale Welsh – Coach (2007 Inductee)
  • Hall of Fame Class of 2008
    • Michael Stimpson – Athlete (2008 Inductee)
    • Earl D. Cleland – Athlete (2008 Inductee)
    • Tim Cronan – Athlete (2008 Inductee)
    • Bobby Beckett – Coach (2008 Inductee)
  • Hall of Fame Class of 2009
    • Brad Johnson – Athlete (2009 Inductee)
    • John Miller – Athlete (2009 Inductee)
    • Bob Wheeling – Athlete (2009 Inductee)
  • Hall of Fame Class of 2010
    • B.T. Law – Athlete (2010 Inductee)
    • Eddy Norris – Athlete (2010 Inductee)
    • Jack Green – Athlete (2010 Inductee)
  • Hall of Fame Class of 2011
    • Jeff Bullen – Athlete (2011 Inductee)
    • Jessica Ford Davis – Athlete (2011 Inductee)
    • W. David Boatfield – Athlete (2011 Inductee)
  • Hall of Fame Class of 2012
    • Lance Mackey – Athlete (2012 Inductee)
    • Ronald Rooks (aka Ickey) – Athlete (2012 Inductee)
    • Harry Tucker – Athlete (2012 Inductee)
  • Hall of Fame Class of 2013
    • Terry Gamble – Athlete (2013 Inductee)
    • Jack Kines – Athlete (2013 Inductee)
    • Steve Ray – Athlete (2013 Inductee)
    • Eugene F. Weatherly* – Coach (2013 Inductee)
    • Amber Wood – Athlete (2013 Inductee)
  • Hall of Fame Class of 2014
    • Victor Lamar “V.L.” Crane – Athlete (2014 Inductee)
    • Russell Jacoway – Athlete (2014 Inductee)
    • Doug Palmer – Athlete (2014 Inductee)
    • Robert Thornton – Athlete (2014 Inductee)
    • Ronnie Whorton – Athlete (2014 Inductee)
  • Hall of Fame Class of 2016
    • Paige Anderson McDonald – Athlete (Inductee 2016)
    • Taylor Burt – Athlete (Inductee 2016)
    • Jamie Hampton – Athlete (Inductee 2016)
    • Lucus McMichen – Athlete (Inductee 2016)
    • Josh Moten – Athlete (Inductee 2016)
    • Bobby Sanders – Athlete (2016 Inductee)
    • Charley Whorton – Athlete (Inductee 2016)

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Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame
P.O. Box 36
Centre, Alabama 35960
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Cherokee County, Alabama Sports Hall of Fame