Lewisville to induct third athletic hall of fame class
Lewisville’s athletic hall of fame will induct its third class of members in early March.
Three athletes, two teams and a coach will be honored during the now annual ceremony at the Gateway Center in Richburg.
“We feel like really there’s been a tradition of athletic excellence all through the history of the school,” said football coach Will Mitchell.
The school’s 70 years of history provide the nine-person committee with plenty of options, this year proving no exception. Principal James Knox, athletics director Rusty Pemberton, baseball coach Billy Keels, football coach Will Mitchell, former football coach Bennie McMurray, faculty member Susan Varnadore, alumna Susan Helms, Richburg mayor James Harris and Nikki Nash make up the selection committee.
The group added an award this year, the “Once a Lion, always a Lion,” award.
“From now on it’ll be in conjunction and it’ll be part of the hall of fame display,” said Mitchell, “but it’s a way for us to recognize people – individuals and groups – that have made contributions to the athletic department, or to our history and legacy that don’t necessarily meet the strict criteria.”
The 2016 inductees:
Coach Doug Harrison guided the 1976 Lewisville boys’ basketball team to the school’s first hoops state title in 1976 and to a state runner-up finish in 1986. Harrison was also a very successful track and field and football coach.
Dennis Hemphill was a three-sport standout at Lewisville in the mid-1980s, playing in the North-South All-Star game in both football and baseball. He continued his athletic career at Wofford College where he still holds school records in football and baseball.
Chuck Mozingo was the Class A Lineman of the Year and helped lead the Lions to 30 football wins in a row and back to back state titles in the mid-1980s. He became a fou- year starter on the defensive line for Wofford College.
“Dee Dee” Howze was an All-State player in both baseball and football at Lewisville and an integral part of the 1986 and1987 state championship teams under Jimmy Wallace and Bennie McMurray. After an injury early in his career at S.C. State, Howze went on to a distinguished career in the military.
The Lewisville Lions 1976 boys’ basketball team became the first boys team at Lewisville to win a State Championship. Coached by Doug Harrison, the Lions defeated Clio to win the 1A championship.
The “Once A Lion, Always A Lion” Award will be given to Lonzo Giles’ 1953 football team, the first in school history. The Lions posted a 5-3 record in the inaugural season.
Want to go?
The Lewisville High School athletic hall of fame will induct the class of 2016 on March 5 at the Gateway Center in Richburg. The ceremony begins at 6 p.m., and 1980 Heisman Trophy winner and former South Carolina Gamecocks standout George Rogers will be the guest speaker. A silent auction will be held to raise funds for Lewisville athletics.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased by calling coach Will Mitchell at 704-641-8709, or can be purchased at the front office of the high school or from members of the hall of fame committee.
All members of the 1976 boys basketball team and the 1953 football team who wish to be a part of the celebration should call Mitchell no later than Feb. 28.
This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 4:51 PM with the headline "Lewisville to induct third athletic hall of fame class."