Of interest to the UNCP area...

This may not be big news to people in Rocky Mount, but I ran across this story in The Robesonian from the other day, which is the daily newspaper for Robeson County and includes Lumberton, Pembroke, and UNCP.

I bet not too many people knew this about down in this area, especially not up in the Twin Counties.

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Gracious acceptance: The Robeson County Hall of Fame welcomes six new inductees

PEMBROKE — Ruffin McNeill, one of six new inductees into the Robeson County Sports Hall of Fame, summed up the feelings of the night when he said “I know we think all the same in terms that we are honored and blessed to be a part of this first class event.”

McNeill spoke for the other inductees at the end of the R.A. Jeffreys Installation Banquet Sunday night at the University Annex at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

The East Carolina University head football coach added he was proud to have his name mentioned alongside the initial honorees as well as future ones. In addition, McNeill joked the new inductees had to thank one particular group, the Hall of Fame selection committee.

“It really is an honor to be brought in with the first class,” McNeill said. “This is an awesome and first class event. Thanks to the Induction Committee, we’re happy to be here.”

McNeill concluded his brief speech by recognizing the families and friends of this year’s class.

“Surrounding ourselves with family and friends is a reason why things like this happen,” he said. “I know my mother is looking down on this tonight. Every now and then God gives us a wink. I call them God winks. Thank you for the God wink tonight.”

McNeill played three sports at Lumberton High School and continued his football career at East Carolina University. A defensive back, McNeill lettered all four years and was a captain for two seasons. He began his coaching career at Lumberton before moving on to Clemson, North Alabama, Austin Peay, ECU, Appalachian State, Fresno State and Texas Tech. He served as defensive coordinator with the Red Raiders, before he was selected to the ECU post earlier this year.

Joining McNeill to be inducted into the Hall of Fame Sunday night were: Hampton Coleman, Robert “Greasy” Graham, Pauline Bullard Locklear, Lee Vernon McNeill and Roy Vaughn.

A Red Springs native, Coleman pitched professionally for the Brooklyn Dodgers and for several minor league teams. Before that, Coleman led his American Legion team to the national finals in Montana, pitched for Red Springs High School and the Red Robbins, a semi-pro team out of St. Pauls. After two years at The University of North Carolina, Coleman began his professional career with the Boston Red Sox organization. While playing with the Louisville Colonels, the Triple A affiliate of the Red Sox, Coleman’s contract was purchased by the Dodgers. He pitched his team to the Mini-World Series in 1951 and won the title the following year.

Graham is an icon in St. Pauls sports history. He was inducted as a “special contributor” to Robeson County sports. Along with fellow Hall of Fame member Joe Brisson, Graham was “Mr. Baseball” for more than 40 years in the community. Graham was also a Bronze Star recipient in World War II. After the war, he return home to work for Burlington Mills as a mechanic, earning his nickname. After work, he devoted his life to the youth of the town. There is a baseball field named in his honor.

Locklear graduated from Prospect High School in 1950. She attended Pfieffer College and was their starting forward on the basketball team. Locklear was one of the first Lumbee athletes to play collegiately somewhere other than at UNCP. She was also one of the first persons of color to play college sports at an all-white institution in North Carolina.

Lee Vernon McNeill was an outstanding football player and track athlete at St. Pauls High School. He won both the 100- and 200-meter state championships in 1984. At East Carolina University, he was three-time All-American. He teamed with Carl Lewis, Harvey Glance and Robeson County Hall of Fame member Lee McRae to win the 4x100-meter relay at the Pan American Games and was a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic team that competed in Seoul, South Korea.

Roy Vaughn took over a struggling athletic program at Maxton High School in 1971. In just five years, Vaughn guided Maxton to a state basketball championship in 1974 and a football crown in 1975. In the football championship contest, Maxton won the game 86-8, which remains a state record for the most points scored in a title game. Vaughn earned state coach of the year honors. In addition, Vaughn coached track and served as the athletic director.