Thursday April 30, 2009

Future Hall of Famers

Future Hall of Famers
This week Clemson announced eight new members of the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame that will be inducted in September. One of the new honorees is Chuck Kriese who has retired last year. I was grateful the athletic department wasted little time in inducting Kriese. They did the same in inducting former women’s basketball coach, Jim Davis, shortly after his retirement.

I hope the athletic department will do the right thing and give Bob Pollack the same honor as soon as possible but I would not blame Pollack if he declined it.

Some may not know that former Clemson legend Bill Wilhelm has declined for many years. He will not let the athletic department honor him, put him in the Hall of Fame or name the field after him.

I am looking forward to a day in the near future where Clemson honors Tommy Bowden with the Hall of Fame honor.

I know Bowden will have his detractors in the next few years but that will settle down in time and I look forward to the day where Bowden can return to Death Valley and get the honor he deserves.

Bowden is the third winningest coach on school history. He coached in the third most games in school history. He represented Clemson with class and dignity even until the end. I respect the man, the father and the husband.

When looking back at tenure at Clemson you can point to the fact that he never won a championship despite getting so close, so often. But you can also point out the following positives of a 10-year stay:

*Only Frank Howard and Danny Ford won more games as the head football coach at Clemson.

*Those two are the only people to be the head coach in more Clemson games.

*Every team Bowden coached at Clemson was bowl eligible.

*He never had a losing season in Tigertown.

*Many records on both sides of the ball were broken during the Bowden era.

*Bowden’s players and staff were great ambassadors for the university.

*Bowden was responsible for some of the best wins in Clemson football history.

*He was also responsible for some of the best recruiting classes in Clemson history.

So when I consider the entire picture of the Bowden era at Clemson I see it as a very positive experience. I don’t know of anyone that can dispute the fact that he left the Clemson football program in better shape than he found it.

It is no secret to those that listen to my radio show or read this blog that I thought it was time for Bowden to step aside. I felt the time was right. I did not see how the Tigers could have salvaged the season or moved forward in the off season. The program had hit the point of diminishing returns and needed a new direction.

However, that should not cloud the accomplishments or my true feelings for the person. Tommy Bowden is a Hall of Famer here and again, I look forward to that day.

Future Hall of Famers
I am sure when their times come Clemson golf coach Larry Penley and soccer coach Larry Penley will be honored with the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame.

It is pretty obvious to me that Oliver Purnell will have his day as well but we all hope that day will be later rather than sooner.

It takes a little more time for football players to get in because of the number of competitors in the sport. Here is a list of former Clemson stars that are not currently in the Hall:

*Raymond Priester RB 1994-97-School’s all-time leading rusher.

*James Davis RB 2005-08-Second on the all-time rushing list.

*Travis Zachery RB 1998-2001-Third in rushing and second in rushing touchdowns.

*Kenny Flowers RB 1983-86-Fourth leading rusher in school history.

*Terry Allen RB 1987-89-Fifth leading rusher in school history.

*Charlie Whitehurst QB 2002-05-Clemson all-time leader in attempts, completions, yards and touchdowns.

*Aaron Kelly WR 2005-08-Clemson’s all-time leading receiver.

*Derrick Hamilton WR 2001-03-Second in school history in receiving.

*Rod Gardner WR 1997-00-Third on Clemson’s all-time receiving list.

*Terry Smith WR 1990-93-Fourth leading receiver in school history.

*Justin Miller DB 2002-04-Third in Clemson history in interceptions.

*Gaines Adams DE 2003-06-Tied for the school record in sacks.

Other defensive stars that deserve future consideration include players like Anthony Waters, Keith Adams, Leroy Hill, Tye Hill, Robert Carswell, Antwan Edwards, Ed McDaniel, Wayne Simmons, Chad Carson, John Leake, Brentson Buckner, Robert O’Neal, Dexter McCleon and Dexter Davis.

I think Cliff Ellis and Rick Barnes deserve consideration from a basketball standpoint and there is little doubt Cliff Hammonds should get in as soon as possible.

There are many others in all Clemson sports but I thought it was a timely discussion that brought back a lot of memories.

The Brad Hughes All-State Insurance Agency

Prayer List
We have started a prayer list on the blog. Here are the guidelines:
*If you are offended by prayer or prayer lists then I apologize in advance. The blog is free and the prayer list will be on the bottom of the page so you don’t have to read it.
*If you would like to add someone to the list please e-mail me at mickeyplyler@hotmail.com
*If you want the reason for the prayer to be added to the name please specify in your e-mails.
*Please let me know when it is appropriate to take the person off of the prayer list

Those who need our prayers include:
Finn Brookover, Mrs. Kathleen Bowers, Larry in Naples, FL, RTG-Pawsitive Tiger, Mary-Louise Pawlowski (John's daughter), Sandy Wright, Jo Ann Bachman, Frank Taylor, Kenneth Bryant, Pruitt Martin, Got igers and his family, David Rowland, Leonard Gillespie and his family, Jim S, Christine Hepfer, Daniel Rosborough, Amy Murphey, Jack Huffman, Nancy Winkler, Dr. Nancy Strom Morgan, Edward Putman, John Reeve, Eileen Woodrum, Ethel Southard, Vinnie Brock, Jean-Pierre Bailey, Kaitlyn L, William Perry.