Alexander, Dale – Class of 1922
Inducted October 19, 2007

Dale Alexander was a starting tackle and punter for two years in ’21 and ’22, and was the starting center those years on the basketball team.  His high school football skills carried over into college, at Tusculum, and at Milligan where he led the nation in punting in the 1923 season.  Since baseball was not an interscholastic sport at GHS until 1939, Dale did not play his number one sport in high school. He had an illustrious professional baseball playing career from 1923-1939.  In 1929, he joined the Detroit Tigers and had a spectacular season: batting .343 with 215 hits, 110 runs, 137 RBIs, 25 homeruns, 43 doubles and 15 triples.  In 1932, he played his last full season of major league baseball with the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox hitting .367 for the season, which led the American League in batting. An injury in ’33 sent him to the minors for the next years where he continued to hit over .300 in every season. In 1975, Baseball Digest named Dale to the All-Time Major League Baseball Rookie Team, recognizing him for having the best season of any rookie first baseman to ever play the game. Following his playing career as a scout for the New York Giants, he successfully helped send many local baseball players to colleges and professional careers.

Adkisson, Grady – Coach
Inducted October 19, 2007

Grady Adkisson joined the GHS staff in 1928 as a history teacher and football coach.  He laid the groundwork for success in GHS athletics by being hired as the first true football coach.  As coach through the 1933 season, he turned the football program from a constant loser to a 3-3 season in ’31; 5-2 in ’32 and 4-3 in ’33.  Grady also was the boys’ and girls’ basketball coach from the ‘29-’30 school year through the ’33-’34 school year.  Grady moved into administration and turned the coaching duties over to Buddy Hackman beginning with the 1934-’35 school year.  In the fall of ’36, junior high was opened as another Greeneville City School and Grady Atkinson was the first principle.  He formed and coached the first junior high football team that fall.   Following a successful career with the Greeneville school system, Grady moved to the University of Tennessee as Dean of Men where he continued to help GHS students.

Barefield, Grady – Class of 1960
To Be Inducted October 24, 2008

Grady Barefield played on the 1957-60 football teams and lettered all four years.  He played as a freshman on the varsity football team at the position of fullback and linebacker and was co-captain of the 1960 team.  He was the only GHS player selected to the All Big 7 Conference Football 1st Team in 1960 and was selected to the 2nd Team in 1959.  An All East Tennessee second team selection in 1960, he received honorable mention for the All State Football Team for both 1959 and 1960.  Grady stated he ran track all four years, and he is pictured with the 1961 team. (No teams were photographed during the other years.)  He was class president his freshman and sophomore years and vice-president his senior year.  He served on the student council for two years.

Bible, Johnny – Class of 1936
Inducted October 19, 2007

Johnny Bible was tailback for GHS in the 1934-35 football seasons.  The arrival of Coach Ty Disney, who brought Leonard Coffman with him, turned the 1935 Greene Devils into one of the best football teams ever at Greeneville High School with a 9-1 season.  It was the running and passing of Johnny Bible that led the Devils all year.  The contributions of Bible, along with the outstanding punting and defense of Bruce Barnes, and the great offensive and defensive play of Coffman turned the ’35 team into the ace of GHS’ best teams.  Bible died on Monday, October 15, 2007, in Maryville, just five days prior to his induction into the Hall of Fame.  He had intended to attend the induction ceremony on Friday, October 19.

Brenizer, Todd - Class of 1970
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

While at Greeneville High School, Todd Brenizer was a member of the GHS basketball and baseball teams.  He was named the team's MVP and 1st Team All Big Seven Conference in 1968, 1969, and 1970.  Todd was named Conference Player of the Year in 1970.  He averaged 18.0 points per game, 7 assists, and 11 rebounds per game his senior year while serving as co-captain.  He was also selected 1st Team All State that year, thus being teh first basketball player in GHS history to receive this award.  He was also named as a Sunkist High School All American.   He was chosen to participate in the TSSAA East/West All Star Game where he was co-captain of the East Team.  He was a pitcher on the GHS baseball team during 1968-1970.  Todd was chosen for the All Big Seven Conference Team in 1969 and 1970.   He was recruited by Vanderbilt University, Stetson University, and Furman University for both basketball and baseball.  Todd was drafted by the Washington Senators right out of high school.  Furman University is the school he chose to pursue his athletic career.  He was a member of the freshman basketball team in 1971 and a member of the varsity basketball team from 1971 through 1973.  Todd did not play his senior year, 1974, due to an injury.  He pitched all four years he attended Furman University and was named the team's MVP during his junior and senior years.   He was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year and Souther Conference Pitcher of the Year in 1974.  Todd was drafted in 1974 by the Philadelphia Phillies.   He pitched at Class A in Spartanburg, South Carolina, in 1974.  He pitched at Class AA in Redding, Pennsylvanie, in 1975-1976.  In 1977, Todd pitched in Class AAA in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  While he resided in Greene County, he was active in Greene County League Baseball, Volleyball, Basketball and other Parks & Recreation League Programs.  Todd resides in Dandridge, Tennessee.

Calkin, Jim – Class of 1949
Inducted October 19, 2007

Jim Calkin moved to Greeneville in the summer of 1947 because his dad had become manager of a manufacturing company.  Since Jim was an Illinois All-State player his sophomore year, he became the catalyst that helped bring boys’ basketball (dropped in 1939) back to the scene as an inter-scholastic sport at Greeneville High School.  Jim was an outstanding center on the basketball team and a pitcher on the baseball team, lettering in both sports for two years.  Utilizing his experience and talent, the GHS baseball team was also re-established (having only been active for the ’39 and’40 seasons).  He carried those two sports for GHS until his graduation in 1949.  Jim turned down a professional baseball contract from Dale Alexander and entered Tusculum College to continue his basketball career.  The Korean War caused his entry into the Air Force.  Following the war and after finishing his college education, Jim entered the business world where he established himself in the insurance business.  All this led him to be the General Manager of the Atlanta Hawks.  Because of Jim’s success as general manager, the Hawks played the first two years in the Georgia Tech gymnasium until the Omni, where they presently play, was finished.  Jim later moved to Maryville Tennessee where he was again associated with GHS as a contributor to GHS athletics, especially in building the baseball batting cage.  Jim died in 2005.

Coffman, Leonard – Class of 1936
Inducted October 19, 2007
For more information on Leonard Coffman, CLICK HERE.

Leonard Coffman was brought to Greeneville by Coach Disney who was hired as GHS coach for the ’35-’36 school year.  From the day he arrived in Greeneville, Coach Disney used Coffman, combined with the other good athletes, to turn the athletic program into a highly competitive one on an interscholastic level.   Coffman was a success story.  First, Leonard was a standout fullback and linebacker for GHS football.  Second, as a player at UT for three seasons from 1937-39, Leonard excelled as both a linebacker and fullback. Leonard started both offensively and defensively on the 1938 and 1939 Tennessee teams.  The 1938 team defeated Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl and finished as National Football Champion. The 1939 team was undefeated, untied, and unscored upon during the regular season.  They played in the Rose Bowl, losing their only game of the year to the University of Southern California.  Leonard was also attributed as being the first player ever to dive over the line in a goal line offense for a touchdown in the Tennessee - Alabama game in 1938.  Third, Leonard was a captain in the U.S. Army 1^st Corps.  Fourth, he was an assistant football coach on Bowden Wyatt’s staff at the University of Wyoming.   Fifth, he was head coach of GHS football from 1955-59 with a record of 30-19-4, and finally as an administrator and teacher of GHS students until his retirement.  No question that Coach Coffman is a big reason that GHS is recognized as one of the leaders in high school athletics. He has also been inducted into the Benham County High School Hall of Fame, the Northeast Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Demo, Jimmy – Class of 1952
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

Jimmy Demo played guard on the Greeneville High School football team from 1948 - 1952.  He was selected All-State for two seasons.  He also lettered in baseball in 1951.  Jimmy was one of the finest guards in the history of G. H. S.  He was selected and shifted to tackle on the 17th annual All-State Tennessee High School Football Team.  He was also selected to the News-Sentinel All-East Tennessee football team and signed a grant-in-aid scholarship to the University of Tennessee.  He received a nomination for All-Southern honors.   Coach Ty Disney one said that Jimmy Demo was the first Green Devil ever to be selected on the All-State first team to the best of his knowledge.  He was also dubbed the most aggressive lineman in East Tennessee.  He had offers to attend college at the University of North Carolina, University of Florida, Vanderbilt University, William & Mary, University of Georgia, Emory & Henry, and East Tennessee State College.

Disney, Jere Michael – Class of 1958
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

Jere Disney attended Greeneville High School from 1955 - 1958.  During his senior year, the 1957 season when he played tailback, Jere was one of the best known high school football players in the state.   Jere practically rewrote the Big 9 Conference record books in the 1957 season when he led the Greene Devils to an 8-2-1 season, which included a 32-7 romp over Middlesboro in the Pinnacle Bowl in Middlesboro, Kentucky.  He scored a total of 174 points his senior year, rushed for 1,988 yards, passed for 457 yards, and averaged an astounding 48.7 yards per punt.  He was named All East Tennessee Player of the Year, All Big 9 Conference, All State, and All Southern by the Associated Press, and was a Sporting News honorable mention for All-American.  He signed a football scholarship for the University of Tennessee Volunteers, and Coach Robert Neyland, famed UT football caoch and then athletic director, called Jere "perhaps the most outstanding footballer I have ever seen at the high school level.  He can do all the things expected of a triple-threat single-wing tailback.  He runs with great authority, kicks the football a country mile, and is better than adequate passing the ball."  Neyland personally presented him with the scholarship fo the University of Tennessee where Jere played on the freshman team, then was red-shirted his sophomore season.  After his sophomore year, he transferred to UT Medical School in Memphis.  He graduated from medical school at the top of his class in orthopedics.  As a physician, he served as flight surgeon in the Nave and was attached to the U. S. Marine Corp during the Vietnam years.  He completed his residency training at Campbell's Clinic in Memphis where he practiced medicine.  Dr. Disney died of a heart attack in 2000 at age 59.

Disney, Theodore “Ty” – Coach
Inducted October 19, 2007  

Ty Disney coached both of the undefeated teams in GHS history.  Following a very successful playing career at the University of Tennessee as a tailback, Ty accepted his first coaching job at Benham County High School in Middlesboro Kentucky in the fall of ’33.  For the next two years he had a successful career at Benham County High with Leonard Coffman as one of his players.  Coach Disney was persuaded to come to Greeneville by Dr. C. B. Laughlin, the chairman of the City Board of Education, and brought Leonard Coffman with him.  Coach Disney started a winning tradition in GHS football, by selecting the 11 best defensive players to start on both the offensive and defensive sides. His next concern was selecting the best punter on the squad, and followed that with choosing the best fullback and tailback.  Disney’s coaching strategy was followed by all the GHS football coaches through the end of the ‘59 season.  Coach Disney’s ’35 football team was 9-1, the only loss being 7-6 to Kingsport Dobyns-Bennett.   The ’36 football team had a record of 9-2.  The girls’ basketball team under Coach Disney’s direction was undefeated in 1936-37.  Boys’ basketball did not fair as well, because players were declared ineligible mid-season causing games to be forfeited.  Following the ’36-37 school year, Coach Disney joined Dr. Laughlin at the hospital as a physical therapist and Laird Holt became the coach for the next 3 years.  Coach Disney returned as Coach in 1940, and his 1942 football team was undefeated.  Because the GHS gym had been condemned in 1939, football was the only inter-scholastic sport at GHS from 1939 until the 1947-48 school year.  Disney continued as coach of the football team until he retired after the 1954 season.  Coach Coffman replaced him as head football coach in 1955, and because Coffman needed someone to help him, Coach Disney returned as his assistant in 1957.

Dixon, Joe – Class of 1955
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

For the Greene Devils, Joe Dixon was a passing and running threat at tailback where he played from 1951 - 1955 starting his last two years.  Tiny Day stated prior to the Elizabethton game that "Dixon has been close to spectacular this season and is by far the most improved Greene Devil from 1953's disasterous season."  In th win against Erwin, Day wrote that "The Green Devils used Dixon and Brooks, a pair of top-flight runners to amass a total of 193 yards on the ground."  Joe was a three year letterman and starting quarterback for the East Tennessee State Buccaneers in 1957, 1958, and 1959, with an overall team record of 5-6, 5-4, and 6-3 and a 4-2 Ohio Valley Conference record both his junior and senior years.  He also ran track for two years at ETSC.  In 1966, Joe started the football program at South Greene High School, where he was a teacher and athletic director from 1966 through 1968.  He left South Greene and moved to Grundy, Virginia, in the fall of 1968 to teach and coach football.  From 1979 through 1989, Joe was assistant principal in two high schools in Polk County, Florida.  He moved to the position of coordinater of school bus training from 1990 through 1998, and continues to teach in the computer lab at the elementary school level since 1999.

Gray, Mary Frances “Happy” Boles – Class of 1938
Inducted October 19, 2007

Happy Boles was a very big reason the 1936-37 girls’ basketball team was one of the two undefeated teams in GHS history, with a record of 18-0 in regular season, 4-0 in the district tournament, and 4-0 in the regional tournament, defeating Bradley County in the finals of the regional 49-44.  Happy was the guard who drew the defensive assignment of the best offensive performer for the team they were playing.  Following her career, she joined Greene County Bank where she worked until her retirement.  She was also a role model in her early years through her work with youth in the church. 

Greene, Brumley – Class of 1949
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

Brumley Greene was a three sport lettermen at GHS.  In football, he played six years from 1943 through 1948 and lettered three years as tackle and defensive end.  (He left school after the fall semester of 1943 and 1944 to help on the farm, since his brothers were in service, and returned for a second senior year, staying until the end of the first semester.  He missed the first two games of the 1948 season because he was still playing professional baseball.   Basketball returned to Greeneville in 1947 after a five year hiatus, and Brumley was a two-year letterman, starting at guard on the 1947-48 and 1948-49 teams.  He was a pitcher and outfielder for GHS on the 1946, '47, and '48 teams.  He signed a Class AA professional contract with the Giants organization and pitched for three summers from 1948 through 1950.  Brumley served in the 172nd Army Infantry for two years where he played baseball and football.  He graduated from East Tennessee State College, where he also played football, and was hired in 1055 as a teacher and girls basketball coach at Greeneville Junior High School, and assistant football coach at GHS.  In 1956 he moved to GHS where he assisted coaching track and football, and served as head boys' basketball coach.  He led the 1956-57 basketball team to a record of 24-9.  In '57, Brumley took at job at Magnavox. He began playing on their semi-professional baseball team in '56 and continued pitching for them through 1960, after which he was pitching coach and business manager until their last team in 1970. For 15 years, from 1956-1970, Magnavox was National Baseball Conference Tennessee State Champions holding the record for all-time consecutive state crowns. They made eight appearances at the national tournament in Wichita Kansas, finishing as high as fifth. Brumley also was NBC Baseball Commissioner for the State of Tennessee from 1959 to 1971, and was recreation commissioner for the City of Greeneville during the '60's. In the late '60's and early '70's when he wasn't announcing sports for WSMG he was on the golf course winning back to back club championships at Link Hills Country Club. He served as a teacher-coach for 25 years from 1970-1995 at Morristown Hamblen High School - West, where he coached golf, boys' b-team basketball, girls' basketball, freshmen football, and varsity baseball. He served as head baseball coach from '79 to '95 with a record of 253 - 150 - 6. His biggest baseball accomplishments at West were going 12-0 in the Inter-mountain Conference and being undefeated in district tournament play. His team also held the national home run record for a season with 55. Greene's baseballer's received more college scholarships than all the other sports combined at West High. He coached freshmen football from '70-'95, taking the head job in '78, and amassed a record of 107-28 with six undefeated seasons and 31 straight wins. In '95, he returned to GHS to coach basketball and baseball, turning down a football position to coach the Optimist Eagles team, his grandchildren's, from 1995 to 2000. Brumley served GHS as junior varsity baseball coach until 2004; and as head junior varsity and assistant varsity basketball coach until 2008, which included the first of three state tournament appearances with the 2000-2001 team reaching the final four. As a supporter of GHS athletics, he spearheaded the 50 year reunion of the 1947-48 GHS basketball team to appreciate their efforts and bring in alumni funds to support GHS athletics. He also brought together the old Magnavox and county baseball teams for an Old Timer's Game at Pioneer Park. His supportive efforts have included acquiring the funding and building of a year-round batting facility, and prompting a new tiered GHS athletic sponsorship program so that $50,000 could be raised and businesses were contacted once a year. He established the GHS Sports Hall of Fame Committee in 2007, hoping to recognize the accomplishments of those of the past who had encouraged him and to inspire GHS athletes today toward greatness on and off the field. In his personal life he has served as elder, deacon, and clerk of the session of the Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and has taught the same Sunday school class for over 47 years.

Harmon, A. J. – Class of 1953
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

A. J. Harmon played football and baseball during his years at GHS. He played both offense and defense and lettered in football four years and was co-captain for two years. He received scholarship offers from the University of Tennessee, East Tennessee State College and Emory & Henry University. He also played baseball and lettered two years. Besides playing sports at GHS, he also served as Senior Class President, Vice President of the Student Council, and was on the Yearbook staff. He was a member of the Science Club and the G Club. After high school, A.J. played one year at East Tennessee State College. He entered the Army where he served one year in Germany. He worked at Weavex for 35 years and retired in 1993 as Manager of Marketing Services. He currently serves as a Laughlin Hospital Volunteer and on the Health, Education & Housing Facility Board of Directors for the City of Tusculum.

King, Clarence Wayne "Bud" – Class of 1957
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

Clarence Wayne "Bud" King played baseball, track, and football while attending Greeneville High School from 1953 to 1957. He had an outstanding football career. He was selected as captain during his senior year. He played center and linebacker. Bud was selected to the All-Conference Team his senior year and also was presented the first Greeneville Sun Player of the Year Award. Bud was very involved at GHS, where he was an officer of his class, on the annual staff, a home room officer, Treasurer of the Student Council, Treasurer of his junior class, Reporter of his sophomore class and a member of the Future Farmers of America. He signed to play at the University of Tennessee under Bowden Wyatt. During the summer of 1957, he was selected to play in an all-star game. While practicing for the game, Bud suffered a torn ACL. He went on to UT and stayed for two years. In 1959, he transferred to East Tennessee State College, where he played for four years and was selected captain of the team his senior year. Bud was named to the second team All-Ohio Valley Conference during his junior year and to the first team all-OVC as a tackle his senior year in 1963. He was named most valuable lineman in 1963 and was a member of the "T" Club. While at ETSC, he was involved in the ROTC program and majored in Industrial Arts. In the fall of 1965, Bud was a graduate assistant at ETSU. After graduation and receiving a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, Bud served two years in the United States Army. He served 13 months in Korea during this time. While in Korea he was a member of the base football team which played other base football teams. Bud was a 1st Lieutenant when he was discharged from the Army. When he returned from the service, he taught and coached at Alcoa High School for two years. He then moved to Kingsport and coached at Dobyns-Bennett High School for four years before retiring from teaching. Bud resides in Church Hill where he is very active with his church and his community.

King, James “Bad-eye” – Class of 1944
Inducted October 19, 2007

James King, the starting tailback on the ’42 undefeated football team, carried most of the offensive load for the Greene Devils all year.  In the game that placed GHS in the state championship limelight, against Knox Young a top ten team, Badeye King scored one of two Greene Devil touchdowns. The ’42 Greene Devils, following the opening victory over Erwin, were ranked 8^th in the Litkenhous ratings.  This system, at that time, determined who received the Banner-Litkenhous trophy which was presented annually to the team declared state champion by this rating system.  After the victory over Knox Young, this ‘42 team was ranked at its highest, 6^th in the state, and Knox Young was ranked 9^th.  “Bad-eye” entered into the military shortly after the football season was over.  Bio information is not available for him after the war. 

Linebarger, Doug – Class of 1965
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

Doug Linebarger's outstanding career at Greeneville High School included two years as letterman in basketball, three years in football and 3 years in track. He was an All Big Seven Conference footballer in 1963 and 1964. He won the Big Seven Conference 440 yard dash in the spring of 1965. Following his high school career, he signed with East Tennessee State University, where he became a member of the All Ohio Valley Conference team in 1967, 1968, and 1969. Doug was also voted a member of the All Ohio Valley Conference 25 year team. He was an All American in football at ETSU and is a member of the ETSU Hall of Fame. Doug has continued to give back by refereeing in the TSSAA, Southern Conference, and the Southeastern Conference. He worked the National Championship game in January 2005, eight bowl games, three SEC championship games, and five IAA play-off games. He presently is working games in these conferences.

Mason, Boyd – Class of 1943
Inducted October 19, 2007

Boyd Mason was the wingback and punter on the ’42 undefeated team.  He was a starter on the ’40 and ‘41 teams and was well trained to be a key player and starter on the ’42 team.  In the opening game of the season against Erwin, he averaged 56 yards a punt in the 13-0 victory.  The game that placed GHS in the state championship limelight was against Knox Young. In the 1^st quarter, Mason ran a reverse 75 yards for a touchdown and the extra point was kicked and good.  In the 2^nd quarter, Young recovered a fumble in Greeneville territory and scored on the drive.   The extra point was blocked, leaving Greeneville on top 7-6.  In the second half, Greeneville continued to pick up yardage because of Boyd’s great punting ability. Greeneville started a drive reaching the Young 2 yard line at the end of the 3^rd quarter, with Badeye King scoring after two plays in the beginning of the 4^th quarter.  The extra point was blocked and GHS had the lead 13-6.  After the kick off to Young, Greeneville held and forced a punt.  For the remainder of the game, each time Young punted the ball, Greeneville’s Boyd would immediately punt it back to them on 1^st down.   GHS was moving down field more and more on each punt, until time expired with a final score of 13-6 with Greeneville not allowing Young a first down in the second half.  Following graduation, Boyd entered the military in Tullahoma TN.  Following service, he was a technician for Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma where he retired and still lives today.

McAmis, Agnes – Class of 1938
Inducted October 19, 2007

Agnes McAmis, captain and center of the 1936-37 undefeated girls basketball team, was listed in the newspaper articles and yearbooks as the person who was always there to hold the team together.   After graduating in ’38 and receiving her degree from Tusculum College, she entered the military and made it a career, reaching the rank of lieutenant colonel.  She returned to Greeneville after her military career ended, and continued to be very active in sports, giving of her time to both GHS and Tusculum College.  An accomplished golfer, she supported the GHS golf teams financially, and upon her death left an established trust at Tusculum College to be used for golf scholarships.was the wingback and punter on the ’42 undefeated team. 

Noel, Henry W. “Billy” – Class of 1938
Inducted October 19, 2007

Billy Noel was a sophomore starter on the 1935 football team (Disney’s first) with Coffman, Bible, and Barnes.  He continued to be a starting performer on the ’36 team (9-2) and the ’37 team (Laird Holt’s first).  Following graduation in ’38, he moved on to the University of Tennessee where he was a letterman on the football team in 1940 and ‘41.  After serving in the military during WWII, he returned to Greeneville as an assistant coach at Tusculum College. At the end of the ’47 GHS season, the first season played in the new Burley Stadium, Billy coached a group of GHS football alumni from the ’40 -‘41- ‘42 teams against the ’47 Varsity team with proceeds going to finance the new stadium.  Dr. Maggie Yost was his water boy and Bill Doughty was his manager.  GHS varsity won the game 18-14.  Billy stayed at Tusculum as an assistant to Head Coach Marion Edens until Tusculum dropped football.

Pierce, Jack D. “Copper – Class of 1948
Inducted October 19, 2007

Copper Pierce was a three year letterman in football, playing tailback and linebacker, with a team record during those three years of 17-4-1.  He was also a one year letterman in basketball as a guard, and in baseball as an outfielder.   After an outstanding career as an athlete at GHS, he moved on to walk-on at the University of Tennessee where he sustained a shoulder injury in the pre-season of his freshman year.  Copper returned to Greeneville where he attended Tusculum College and played football as linebacker and fullback under Marion Edens, and received his degree in engineering.   Copper continued to live in Greeneville supporting GHS athletics and Tusculum College until his retirement as a field engineer with the State of Tennessee.

Pierce, Jimmy – Class of 1956
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

Jimmy Pierce played football for four years and was a starting tailback and punter on the GHS 1955 football team. He led his team to an 8-2-1 season and an appearance in the Tobacco Bowl. Greeneville Sun Sports Editor Claude "Tiny" Day stated, "what John 'Drum' Majors is to Tennessee, Pierce is to the Greene Devils. In practically every football detail, Pierce excels. Opponents of the Greene Devils for 1955 rate Pierce as one of the best defensive halfbacks they have come across. On blocking on faking assignment, Pierce has also been deadly but the most important job turned in by the shifty tail back is his running prowess. In ten regular season contests, Pierce, playing only minutes in a quartette of easy contests, has run up 799 yards rushing. Adding this to his 17 pass completions for 327 yards gives a total offense of 1,136 yards." Over the course of the season, Pierce was referred to by Tiny Day as "a fleet footed back", "practically unstoppable on offense" and garnered headlines such as "(he) did practically everything expected last night," and "Jimmy Pierce stages offensive show". Jimmy was selected from athletes from Knoxville throughout upper East Tennessee in 1955 when he was named to the Knoxville News Sentinel's All East Tennessee 2nd team missing the first team by only one vote. He was on the GHS junior varsity basketball team in 1954 and 1955, and he lettered in varsity basketball in 1956 playing guard.

Rader, Charles "Mutt" – Class of 1953
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

Charles "Mutt" Rader lettered in 1949, 1950, 1951, and 1952. He played every line position except center. His senior year he also played fullback. He was co-captain in 1951-1952. He was Valedictorian of the 1953 graduating class at Greeneville High School. His grade point average was 97.36 out of 100. He was listed as one or the top three hundred science students of the Nation. He was editor of the 1953 Auctioneer. In football, he was All-East Tennessee Honorable Mention. He went on to play varsity football at the University of Tennessee from 1954-1956. He was awarded All Chemistry All American and All Scholastic All American, while there. He was first string offensive tackle/defensive guard on the 1956 SEC Championship team, and this team was also runner-up for the NCAA Championship. He was on the first team College ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Team for the year 1956 as a tackle with an A- in Chemistry. Charles was selected to the America Peoples Encyclopedia's 1956 All-Southeastern Conference Scholastic Football Team while at the University of Tennessee. He had an undergraduate GPA of 3.81 out of 4.0 and a graduate GPA of 4.0 out of 4.0. He received the Roy N. Lotspeich Memorial Trophy that is awarded to a senior UT footballer that has the highest scholastic average. He was one of eleven that was selected for the Torchbearer award in 1957 at UT. Battalion commander, Cadet Lt. Col. Rader received the Reserve Officers Association medal in May 1957. He also was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States citation for his inspiring high scholastic standing and his outstanding performance as a football star at the University of Tennessee. In his work career in the rubber industry, he became CEO of the Akron Manufacturing Corporation, and later was CEO of the Research Division. Following retirement in 2001, he now serves as chairman of the world-wide rubber industry research organization.

Rippetoe, Thomas Bennett (Benny) – Class of 1967
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

Benny Rippetoe was the quarterback on the Greeneville High School freshman football team in 1963. He was also a starting pitcher on the GHS Varsity baseball team. During his sophomore year, he moved from Greeneville and then returned and joined the football team mid season. He threw the winning touchdown in the 2nd quarter to Dick Williams against Bill Justice and Knox Farragut in the Tobacco Bowl. Benny pitched a one hitter against the Science Hill Hilltoppers. He also played B-Team and varsity basketball. Benny was the starting quarterback and pitcher and guard during his junior year. He was also active in the Key Club. While the starting quarterback during his senior year, Benny led the conference with 9 touchdown passes. He was also voted the best defensive player on the basketball team. He was also voted the most athletic at GHS and was a member of the Key Club. Benny was selected to play quarterback in the Tennessee's 1st TSSAA All Star game in Nashville and orchestrated the winning drive when East beat West. In January 1967, Benny signed a grant-in-aid scholarship with the University of Alabama under Paul W. (Bear) Bryant. Benny was the only one that remained a quarterback in his five year tenure after nine other quarterbacks were signed in 1967. Benny was compared to Joe Willie Namath while at Alabama and was tagged as being quicker than Mr. Namath because his wrist action was faster. 

Saulsbury, James “Buddy” – Class of 1951
Inducted October 19, 2007

Buddy Saulsbury had a career in football at GHS from 1947-1950 where he was a fullback and one of the best hard nosed linebackers that played for Coach Disney at the old high school, with a team record for those years of 25-9-2.  After completing his career at GHS, Buddy continued to play at a junior college in Mississippi for one year, then transferred to East Tennessee State College from ‘52-‘55 where he finished his college career as fullback and linebacker.  Buddy earned a number of honors at ETSC including All-American status.   Following his playing career, Buddy spent two years in the military during the Korean War.  After military service, he started his teaching and coaching at Rogersville High School under Burleigh Davis.  He moved with Burleigh to Morristown High until the new high school, Morristown West, opened.  There he was West’s first head football coach, enjoying an outstanding coaching career and sending a number of his players to college on scholarship.   Buddy is retired from the Hamblen County School System and still lives in Morristown.   The field at Burke-Toney stadium in Morristown is named Davis-Saulsbury-Siler Field in his honor.

Thomas, John E. – Class of 1965
To be Inducted October 24, 2008

John Thomas was an outstanding player both offensively and defensively on the GHS football team. He played for four years and was a three year starter at either guard or fullback and linebacker. He was one of the leading scorers his junior year with 8 touchdowns and 2 extra points and was an All Big 6 selection. In 1964, his senior year, the Devils were Tobacco Bowl Champs and the undisputed Big 7 Conference Champions, the one and only time they were to win that honor. In '64, John was selected to the All Big 7 Conference Team, the All East Tennessee Team, Knoxville News-Sentinel's East Tennessee second team, and United Press International's All State Team. Upon graduation John was recruited by the University of Tennessee, but accepted a four year scholarship to play football and continue his education at East Tennessee State University. He was a three year football letterman at ETSU from 1966-68. From 1971-79, John coached football for South Greene High School serving as head coach from '76-79 and won the conference in 1975.

Warden, Eugene “Patcheye” – Class of 1945
Inducted October 19, 2007

Gene Warden was another of the undefeated ’42 team’s outstanding members.  With Warden at fullback, King at tailback, and Boyd Mason at wingback and punter, GHS had plenty of ways to score.  This coupled with the fact that the ’42 team only gave up a total of 12 points for the season, six points to Newport and six to Knox Young.  The Newport points came after Greeneville had scored to go up 21-0 just before half time.  Coach Disney had removed all eleven starters using 11 new people for the kickoff.  Newport ran it back for a touchdown. After the ’42 season “Patcheye” entered the military where he was a glider pilot landing behind the German lines on “D” Day.  When he returned from the war, Patcheye finished requirements for his GHS diploma following which he was signed to a professional baseball contract by Dale Alexander.  He played a couple years in the Carolina League and also was a member of the outstanding Magnavox semi-professional team.  Patcheye then started his career as an X-ray technician at a Kingsport hospital.   He continued to live in Greeneville and support GHS athletics until his death.