CLASS OF 2017

  • Steve Carter

    After graduating from HCHS in 1975, the feared defensive lineman pursued a walk-on spot at UT before the exit of coach Bill Battle. He then received a full scholarship to North Alabama, and became on of the most decorated athletes in school history. He was named Team Captain, 1st Team All-Gulf South Conference, led the team to a Gulf South Championship and also their first ever NCAA playoff bid. As a coach, he served for 12 seasons as an assistant at UNA, and was defensive coordinator at Delta State. He was a member of UNA All-Decade Team (80s), the UNA First Forty Year team, and the UNA 50th Anniversary team. Carter was inducted into the UNA Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010.

  • Fred Mangum

    As a standout player at Central High, Mangum was the undisputed leader of Coach R.C. Johnson’s loaded “Fabulous Five” 1956-57 basketball team that was ranked #1 in West Tennessee. Fred’s team won two District titles, a Region Championship and advanced to the state tournament in ‘57. A quick 5’10” guard, Mangum was named All-District, All-Region, Honorable Mention All-State, and was awarded a basketball scholarship to Memphis State University. While there, he played in two NIT Tournaments in New York City. After college he coached in high school for several years before rejoining Memphis State as Recruiting Coordinator for coach Billy “Spook” Murphy.

  • Steve Smith

    One of the truly great ambassadors of Hardin County sports, Smith became the first principal of Hardin County Junior High where he organized their athletic program. During the 70s and 80s, he worked as a public address announcer for HCHS football , and later logged countless hours as a radio commentator for HCHS baseball, basketball, football, and youth baseball from the 1990’s until 2014. Memories of his broadcasts still evoke fond memories in the hearts of Tiger fans, and he was a constant source of encouragement to student athletes. His lifetime of service led to the naming of the Steve Smith radio booth in McCaleb-Welch gymnasium. Smith passed away in 2014.