2019 Inductees

1974 State Champion Baseball Team

Jerry Farrar, Stan Young, David Davis, Jimmy Haynes, Greg Sircy, Ronnie James, Jeff Pruitt, Joey Tuck, Bill Brantner, Greg Hemken, Jimmy Parish, Rick Pless, Dale Mosley, Mike Stamps, Tim Finch, Frank Smith, Bob Riddell, Mike Howell, John Jarratt, Coach: Jerry Mathis

The Wildcats finished the regular season with an impressive 17-2 record and went on to win the District 15 Tournament by defeating Huntland 3-1. Entering the Region Tournament with a 20-2 record, the team saw several standout performances, with Jerry Farrar, Tim Finch, Greg Hemken, and Mike Howell named to the District 15 All-Tournament Team. The Wildcats won the Region in two games and went on to beat Clinton in the Substate, improving their record to 23-2 heading into the semifinal matchup against Knoxville Central. After a hard-fought 5-3 victory, Tullahoma advanced to the State Tournament, where they faced the Cookeville Cavaliers (29-1) in a best-of-three championship series. Going into the State Tournament, Tim Finch was batting .394, Mike Howell .340, and Greg Hemken .322. The Wildcats won the first game 1-0 and then swept Cookeville with an 11-8 victory in game two, capturing the 1974 State Baseball Title. They ended the season as State Champions with a remarkable 26-2 record. In recognition of their achievement, Mayor George Vibbert proclaimed Monday, June 10, 1974, as THS Baseball Day.

Track and Field, Football, Baseball

Camron Howard

During his time at Tullahoma High School, this exceptional athlete became a five-time State Champion in track and field. He earned three state titles in the Long Jump (1995, 1996, 1997), one in the Triple Jump (1997)—becoming the first-ever State Champion from Tennessee in that event—and one in the 100-meter dash (1997). He also set state records in the Long Jump (1996, 1997) and Triple Jump (1997) and still holds THS school records in four events: the Long Jump, Triple Jump, 100m, and 200m. His achievements extended beyond state competition as a two-time USATF High School All-American, All-State selection, Junior National Champion, and bronze medalist at the Junior Pan American Games. He was also a Golden West Champion in California, a four-year THS letterman, and was named Most Outstanding Athlete at the Rudy Hensel Invitational. In 1996, he was selected to the USA Today All-USA Track and Field Team.

At the University of Tennessee, he continued to excel, earning All-American honors and contributing as a scorer in the SEC Championship Conference. He was part of one National and two SEC Championship teams and set the Stockley Facility indoor record in the Long Jump. He ranks sixth in men’s indoor Long Jump in UT history and among the top twenty in outdoor Long Jump. Later, he made history again as Tennessee State University’s first NCAA Long Jump qualifier.

In addition to his track success, he was a standout football player, earning four THS varsity letters. In 1996, he was named to the Nashville Tennessean 4A All-Midstate Team, the All-Region IV AAAA Team (where he was also MVP), the Nashville Banner All-Midstate Team as a wide receiver, and the Sports Writers All-State Team at the same position. He also played in the Tennessee East/West All-Star Game and went on to earn a football scholarship to Tennessee State University.

A talented three-sport athlete, he also lettered three years in basketball at THS. A 1997 graduate of Tullahoma High School, he went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee in 2002.

Track and Field, Football

Antonio London

A 1989 graduate of Tullahoma High School, Antonio was a standout multi-sport athlete, earning varsity letters in basketball, baseball, football, and track. In 1987, he captured the State Championship in the High Jump and quickly rose to prominence as the number one football recruit in the state of Tennessee.

Antonio went on to play football at the University of Alabama, where he was part of the legendary 1992 Crimson Tide team that won the National Championship with a decisive 34–13 victory over #1 Miami in the Sugar Bowl. That Alabama team was especially known for its dominant defense, which led the nation by allowing only 9.2 points per game during the regular season and held Miami without an offensive touchdown in the championship game. Notable teammates included wide receiver Dabo Swinney, with Gene Stallings serving as head coach.

In 1993, Antonio was selected in the third round of the NFL Draft (62nd overall) by the Detroit Lions. He played linebacker for the Lions from 1993 to 1997 and spent the 1998 season with the Green Bay Packers. Over his NFL career, he appeared in 76 games, recording 13 sacks, 78 solo tackles, and 7 forced fumbles.

Following his retirement from professional football, Antonio founded a facilities management company in Pelham, Alabama. He remains active in his community, coaching football at Pelham High School and hosting free football camps for young athletes.

Football

Steve Matthews

Born in 1970 at Harton Hospital in Tullahoma, Tennessee, Steve began his football journey early, playing Pop Warner Football with the Yellow Jackets under Coach Tim Stubblefield in the 5th and 6th grades. By 1982, he was competing at the middle school level under Coaches Allen and Mullins and also played Little League Baseball for the White Sox, coached by Robert Morgan.

At Tullahoma High School (1985–1989), he played freshman football under Coach Clester Winningham before moving up to the varsity team, where he was coached by Dean Rodenbeck and Joe Gaddis. He excelled as the team’s quarterback, earning All-State honors his junior and senior years and leading Tullahoma to the State Semifinal game in 1987.

In 1989, he signed a football scholarship to play quarterback for the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. Two years later, he transferred to Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis), where he went on to set ten school passing records.

Despite breaking his leg in the seventh game of his senior season, he was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs and played in the NFL from 1994 to 1996. In 1997, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and was named NFL Player of the Week after leading the Jaguars to a 40–13 victory over the New York Giants. The following year, he joined the Tennessee Titans, completing a five-year career in the NFL.

In 2013, he transitioned to coaching, becoming the head football coach at Knoxville Catholic High School. Under his leadership, the team won State Championships in both 2015 and 2017.

Football

Frank Mullins

Frank Mullins was a standout athlete and coach whose legacy left a lasting impact on Tullahoma athletics. In 1955, he played on the undefeated Tullahoma High School football team coached by Creed McClure and Tommy Whitaker. The team’s starters included Pete Andrews, Duane Clark, Jack Daniel, Jack Hagewood, Brown Limbaugh, Earle Martin, Frank Mullins, Tommy Pyle, Richard Steioff, Raymond Welch, Harry West, and Ed Winton. During that season, Frank contributed an impressive 1,956 yards of offense, 35 touchdowns, and 210 points—just 14 points shy of the state record. His scoring record for Tullahoma stood until 1987 when it was broken by Maurice Shaw, one of Frank’s former middle school players. For his outstanding performance, Frank received numerous honors, including Central Tennessee Conference MVP, Nashville Banner All Mid-State, and Second Team All-State.

After high school, Frank continued his football career, playing one year at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in 1956 before transferring to Sewanee in 1957 to play under first-year head coach Shirley Major, a longtime friend of his family. That same year, Frank was named to the Nashville Banner All-Midstate College Team as a tailback for Sewanee. In 1958, he played on Sewanee’s undefeated team, contributing 82 points with 727 passing yards and 991 total yards of offense. The team was later inducted into the University of the South Sports Hall of Fame. Several Tullahoma teammates joined him at Sewanee, including Jack Daniel, Dale Ray, Harry West, and Gerald Vibbert.

Frank’s coaching career began in 1970 when he established the Tullahoma Pop Warner Football League. He served as assistant coach of the Rebels in the league from 1970 to 1980, achieving an impressive 82-13-5 record over 11 years. During the 1970s, he also coached Little League Baseball, Babe Ruth Baseball, and Church League Basketball. In 1980, a severe heart attack forced him to retire from coaching temporarily. The following year, the Tullahoma Pop Warner League Board of Directors renamed the organization the Frank R. Mullins Youth Football League in his honor. In 1982, Frank helped start the first Tullahoma Middle School football team through the FRM Youth Football League to bridge the gap between the youth program and the high school level. He continued coaching at the middle school until his passing on August 28, 1986, just before the start of the season. In 2016, he was posthumously inducted into The Great American Rivalry Series Hall of Fame.

Frank’s 1956 Tullahoma High School senior annual quote captured his life philosophy: “Win without boasting, lose without excuse.” Every team he coached heard his trademark message on the first day of practice: “I’m not supposed to tell you that winning is the most important thing in sports, so I won’t. What I will tell you is that when you win, it is a heck of a lot more fun. So that is what we are going to try to do every day. If you want to know how I am when I play a game, I will do everything within the rules to win, regardless of what game we are playing—football, baseball, marbles, or tiddlywinks—it doesn’t matter, I’m going to try to win.”

Track

Larry Nee Jr

In 1969, Larry and his teammates captured victories at both the Mid-State Invitational and the Optimist Track Meet in Nashville. The following year, Larry made history by winning the State Championship in the mile run with a time of 4:15.8, which was a new state record that shattered the previous mark by 2.8 seconds. His record stood for more than 20 years, and he continues to hold the Tullahoma High School record in the mile. After setting the state record, Larry returned to anchor the mile relay team, which entered the State Meet undefeated and went on to place fourth in the state.

Larry earned a full athletic scholarship to Memphis State University, later transferring to Jacksonville State University after a year and a half. There, he served as captain of the cross-country team for two years and captain of the track team for three years, competing in the 800 meters and anchoring the sprint medley relay.

In 1977, Larry set a unique milestone outside of running, he broke the Skateboarding World Record at Talladega Speedway with a speed of 10.660 mph. Beyond athletics, Larry went on to serve his community as the mayor of Normandy.

Football

Dr Jamil Northcutt

Jamil Northcutt was a standout athlete at Tullahoma High School, where he played linebacker, tight end, and fullback for the Class 4A Wildcats from 1996 to 1999. A dominant defensive presence, he was a two-time All-State selection and earned the prestigious American General Mr. Football Lineman of the Year award in Class 4A in 1998. He was also named a First Team All-State pick by both the Associated Press and the Tennessee Sportswriters Association, as well as the Tennessean Defensive Player of the Year. Northcutt was selected to the Tennessean Dream Team and recognized as the Most Valuable Defensive Player in both the region and the mid-state. During his junior year, he recorded 140 tackles, 7 quarterback sacks, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 interception. His senior year was even more impressive, with 189 tackles, 11 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 4 forced fumbles, and 1 interception.

Northcutt continued his football career at Ole Miss from 2000 to 2003, where he played linebacker for the Rebels. His leadership and character earned him the Chucky Mullins Courage Award in 2003, one of the university’s highest athletic honors. That same year, he was named to both the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and SEC Good Works Teams for his excellence on and off the field. During his collegiate career, he made three bowl appearances, finishing with a Cotton Bowl victory in his senior year. Northcutt played in every game during his final two seasons and was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll all four years. His academic accomplishments were equally impressive—he earned three degrees from Ole Miss: a Bachelor’s in Exercise Science (2003), a Master’s in Higher Education & Administration (2004), and a Doctorate in Higher Education & Administration (2013). He later completed the Executive Education Program at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania, in 2014.

Following his playing career, Dr. Jamil Northcutt built an accomplished career in athletics administration and player development at both the collegiate and professional levels. He began as an intern with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in Championships, Marketing, and Administration (2004–2005), before serving as Player Development Coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs (2005–2008). He then returned to Ole Miss as Assistant Athletics Director for Internal Operations (2008–2014). Northcutt went on to hold key leadership roles in the National Football League, including Director of Player Engagement for the Cleveland Browns (2014–2016) and Director of Football Administration for the NFL itself (2016–2017). He also worked as Assistant Director of Enforcement in the NCAA’s Football Development Group (2017–2018).

In May 2018, Dr. Northcutt joined Major League Soccer (MLS) as Vice President of Player Engagement, where he currently leads initiatives to support athletes throughout their professional journeys. In this role, he oversees programs for rookie development, ongoing player training, career transition services, and support for retired players.

Dr. Northcutt and his wife, Kimberly, also an Ole Miss graduate, were married in July 2006. They are the proud parents of four children: a son, Kellen Josiah, and three daughters, Laylah Elise, McKenzie Olivia, and Ava Symone.

Football and Basketball Official

William Francis Pack Sr

William Francis “Bill” Pack, Sr. (1919–1994) was a highly respected football and basketball official whose lifelong dedication to athletics and service left a remarkable legacy in Tennessee sports. Born and raised in Tullahoma, he spent most of his life there and graduated from Tullahoma High School in 1938. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy as Chief Pharmacist Mate aboard the USS Harry F. Bauer, participating in the invasions and bombardments of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. For his service, his ship received the Presidential Unit Citation. After the war, he married Beatrice Marion Daly in 1944, whom he met while serving in the Navy.

Bill built a successful career selling sports and athletic equipment to high schools and colleges across the Southeast for Martin-Thompson and MacGregor Sporting Goods Companies. Together, Bill and Bettie raised six children—five sons and one daughter—all graduates of Tullahoma High School who followed in their father’s athletic footsteps, lettering in multiple sports. In a unique and historic moment, Bill and his five sons officiated two high school football games together, making them the only immediate family to ever comprise an entire officiating crew. Collectively, his sons have served as officials with the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) for a combined total of 219 years.

As an athlete, Bill earned 13 varsity letters at Tullahoma High School—four each in basketball, baseball, and tennis, and one in football. He began officiating high school football and basketball games in 1939 and continued working basketball until 1961, including officiating both boys’ and girls’ state tournaments. His football officiating career spanned 55 years, lasting until his passing in 1994. Throughout his distinguished tenure, he worked numerous high school bowl games and officiated the TSSAA State Football Championship Game nine times. Bill also officiated Division I college football in the Ohio Valley Conference for 34 years, along with the Grantland Rice Bowl, Tangerine Bowl, and several NCAA playoff games.

A pioneer in officiating organization and leadership, Bill founded both the Central Tennessee Football Officials Association and the Central Tennessee Basketball Officials Association in 1947, serving as commissioner and assigning officer for football until 1994 and leading the basketball organization until 1961. He also officiated the Tennessee-Kentucky All-Star Game three times.

Bill Pack’s outstanding contributions were recognized with numerous honors. He was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 1983, named Official of the Year by the Lawrenceburg Quarterback Club in 1987, and later honored with induction into the National High School Federation Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. His life exemplified sportsmanship, dedication, and service—values that continue to influence generations of officials and athletes across Tennessee.

Soccer

Ann Shelton

Ann Shelton was an outstanding soccer player at Tullahoma High School from 1999 to 2002, earning recognition at every level for her skill and leadership. She was a four-time District 8-AAA team selection, a four-time All-Tournament team honoree at the state level, and a three-time Tennessean All-Mid-South Team member. Ann led THS to its first-ever Class AAA State Tournament appearance in 1999, reaching the semifinals, and guided the team to its first state final appearance in 2002. During that 2002 tournament, she notably saved and scored the winning penalty kick in the semi-final match. Playing primarily as goalkeeper, she recorded 12 goals and 4 assists while logging the majority of minutes. She earned accolades including Region 4-AAA Player of the Year (2001), U-17 US National Team pool player (2001), NSCAA All-American nominee (2002), TACA All-State Team (2001, 2002), and NSCAA/Adidas All-Region Team (2001, 2002), and was named Gatorade Player of the Year for Girls’ Soccer (2002–2003).

Ann continued her soccer career at Ole Miss from 2003 to 2007, where she was a four-time letterman and M-Club inductee, earning SEC Player of the Week five times. She was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2003, posting 21 games with 23 goals against, 77 saves, and a 1.07 goals-against average. In 2005, she played 15 games, allowing only 3 goals, making 40 saves, and achieving a .930 save percentage with a 0.27 goals-against average, setting an SEC record that still stands and an NCAA Division I record for goals-against average. She was honored as an ESPN/Adidas All-American (2005, 2006), an NCAA Academic All-American (2005, 2006), and served as team captain from 2006 to 2007. Academically, Ann excelled with a 4.0 GPA for six consecutive semesters, earning placement on the Dean’s List (2003–2006), SEC Honor Roll (2003–2006), and SEC All-Academic Team (2003–2006).

Wrestling

Matthew Brian Sweeton

Matt Sweeton began his wrestling career in the Tullahoma Youth Program as a third grader and quickly established himself as a formidable competitor. Throughout his career from third grade through his senior year of high school, Matt won 26 overtime matches, all in under 15 seconds after overtime began. He became a three-time Tennessee State Champion, winning titles in the 103 lb, 145 lb, and 160 lb classes, and was the first wrestler from Tullahoma High School to capture a state championship. Over his high school career, he compiled an impressive record of 177-15, including a perfect 42-0 senior season, and was a two-time Region 5 Champion. Remarkably, he was only the second wrestler in Tennessee to win a state championship as a freshman and remains the only three-time state champion in Middle Tennessee south of Williamson County. During his junior year, wrestling in the 145 lb class, he earned the distinction of having the best match of the State Tournament. Matt also holds the Tennessee state record for the largest range of weight class championships, spanning from 103 lbs to 160 lbs. Following high school, he wrestled for Lassen Community College in Susanville, California, for one year.

Matt’s accolades include multiple honors from 2000 to 2001. In 2000, he received the Region 5 Best Wrestler Award, Wildcat Invitational Tournament Best Wrestler Award, Cumberland County Wrestling Duals Tournament MVP, and was named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State Team. In 2001, he again earned the Region 5 Best Wrestler Award and Best Match Award, was selected to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association All-State Team, recognized by the Middle Tennessee Dream, received the United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award, and was honored as Tullahoma High School’s Outstanding Wrestler.

Football Coach

William Wallace Wade

William Wallace Wade (1919–1986) was one of the most influential coaches in the history of college football. He began his coaching career at Fitzgerald-Clarke Military Academy and Prep School in Tullahoma, where over two seasons he led his teams to a 16-3 record and captured the Tennessee state prep-school championship. In 1921, Wade joined Vanderbilt University as an assistant coach, helping the team win two Southern Conference Championships with a 15-0-2 record, which earned him head coaching offers from both the University of Kentucky and the University of Alabama.

In 1923, Wade became head coach at Alabama, a position he held for eight years. During his tenure, he led the Crimson Tide to their first four Southern Conference Championships, three national championships, and three Rose Bowl victories, compiling a record of 61-13-3. In 1925, Alabama finished the regular season 9-0, outscoring opponents 277-7. The following year, as heavy underdogs, his team won the Rose Bowl 20-19 over the University of Washington. Legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant credited Wade with establishing Alabama as a football powerhouse; Bryant chose to attend Alabama largely because of Wade’s achievements, which helped generate funding for the construction of Denny Stadium, now Bryant-Denny Stadium.

In 1931, Wade became head coach at Duke University, where he compiled a 110-36 record over 16 seasons, interrupted by four years of service during World War II. In 1937, he appeared on the cover of Time Magazine. His 1938 Duke team went undefeated in the regular season, not allowing a single point. In 1942, Wade resigned at age 49 to volunteer for the U.S. Army, rising to Lieutenant Colonel and earning a Bronze Star, four Battle Stars, and the French Croix de Guerre with Palm for heroism. After the war, he returned to Duke and coached through the 1950 season.

In 1950, Wade was appointed Southern Conference Commissioner, a role he held until 1960. In recognition of his impact, Duke University’s football stadium was renamed Wallace Wade Stadium in 1967, and a bronze statue of him was erected in front of Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2006. The football field on the old Tullahoma High School campus was named Wade Field, and Wallace Wade Avenue now runs alongside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Wade is enshrined in both the National Football Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history.