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Three new members join Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame
Mar 3, 2009 12:00 AM
By Tannika King - Faculty
Written by Alex Farrer, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer, published 3/3/09
The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority inducted three new members into the Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame on Monday night.
Darlington head boys basketball coach Jim Van Es was inducted in the lifetime achievement category for his service at the school that spans more than 40 years as an educator and coach. He has served many roles at Darlington in the athletic department as head coach in varsity boys and girls basketball, varsity football and varsity baseball.
Van Es was inducted in part to former players and students writing the RFPRA on his behalf. Two of these letters came from University of Texas defensive coordinator and Darlington 1990 graduate Will Muschamp and Shorter men’s basketball head coach, Chad Warner, a 1994 Darlington graduate. Van Es said that letters like these is why the recognition means so much to him.
“I really appreciate it because it came from kids that I have coached and kids that I have taught and that’s what means the most to me,” said Van Es. “They have always been a very important part of my life and if I’ve helped them in any way then I’m blessed.”
In the category of professional athlete, former Pepperell star Ken Irvin was inducted into the hall after spending 12 years in the NFL for three different teams. Before his professional career, Irvin was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track before moving on to Memphis State University where he started all four years at defensive back on the football team. He was also recognized for his extensive charity work off the field.
“This is the highest honor that I could have ever received, and I mean that from the heart,” said Irvin. “Mostly because this is Rome and Floyd county, and this is people that know me as an individual. It means as much to me as Canton would.”
The late Gary Tillman was inducted into the hall as an amateur athlete for his service to the community as well as his career in track and field. He was a former star at West Rome High School before moving on to earn a varsity letter at the University of Georgia. From there he transferred to Cumberland University where he became an All-American in outdoor and indoor track and cross-country.
Tillman served as Berry men’s cross-country and women’s track coach after college while also assisting with the Rome Relays Invitational Track meets. Tillman died tragically in 2005 in a plane crash.
Two area high school athletes were honored as the John Pinson Jr. Award winners for outstanding student athletics. The recipients were Model seniors Laura Heida and Jamie Palmer. Each area high school had a male and female nominee; Darlington's were seniors Dylan Baker and Alexandra Dodd.
The Rome-Floyd Parks and Recreation Authority inducted three new members into the Rome-Floyd Sports Hall of Fame on Monday night.
Darlington head boys basketball coach Jim Van Es was inducted in the lifetime achievement category for his service at the school that spans more than 40 years as an educator and coach. He has served many roles at Darlington in the athletic department as head coach in varsity boys and girls basketball, varsity football and varsity baseball.
Van Es was inducted in part to former players and students writing the RFPRA on his behalf. Two of these letters came from University of Texas defensive coordinator and Darlington 1990 graduate Will Muschamp and Shorter men’s basketball head coach, Chad Warner, a 1994 Darlington graduate. Van Es said that letters like these is why the recognition means so much to him.
“I really appreciate it because it came from kids that I have coached and kids that I have taught and that’s what means the most to me,” said Van Es. “They have always been a very important part of my life and if I’ve helped them in any way then I’m blessed.”
In the category of professional athlete, former Pepperell star Ken Irvin was inducted into the hall after spending 12 years in the NFL for three different teams. Before his professional career, Irvin was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and track before moving on to Memphis State University where he started all four years at defensive back on the football team. He was also recognized for his extensive charity work off the field.
“This is the highest honor that I could have ever received, and I mean that from the heart,” said Irvin. “Mostly because this is Rome and Floyd county, and this is people that know me as an individual. It means as much to me as Canton would.”
The late Gary Tillman was inducted into the hall as an amateur athlete for his service to the community as well as his career in track and field. He was a former star at West Rome High School before moving on to earn a varsity letter at the University of Georgia. From there he transferred to Cumberland University where he became an All-American in outdoor and indoor track and cross-country.
Tillman served as Berry men’s cross-country and women’s track coach after college while also assisting with the Rome Relays Invitational Track meets. Tillman died tragically in 2005 in a plane crash.
Two area high school athletes were honored as the John Pinson Jr. Award winners for outstanding student athletics. The recipients were Model seniors Laura Heida and Jamie Palmer. Each area high school had a male and female nominee; Darlington's were seniors Dylan Baker and Alexandra Dodd.
