Former athletes, friends and family, and community leaders all gathered in the Taylorville High School cafeteria for the 28th Annual Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet. There were five individuals and one team recognized on Saturday night and a meal was provided by Judy Foxall Catering and National Honors Society students were on hand serving and cleaning up food.

The individual athletes that were inducted into the Taylorville Sports Hall of Fame was: Zach Beaty, a 2002 graduate and a three-year starter for the basketball team, earning MVP honors in all three years. Amy Hughes, a 1997 graduate and a four-year letter winner for Taylorville Softball, and is now an educator in the district. Nate Turner, a 2005 graduate and a three-year letter winner for the Taylorville Baseball Team and a two-letter earner for football. James Achenbach, a 1960 graduate, lettered in basketball and golf. And Howard “Whitey” Long, a 1956 graduate and a two-year letter winner on both Taylorville Baseball and Basketball teams.

Rounding out the inductees, the 1968-1969 Boys Basketball Team was honored. Coached by Don Williams, athletes, Mark Stevenson, Bob Bonn, Willie Walker, Wayne Orr, Andy Lovekamp, Chuck Martin, Dick Adams, Bob Fleming, Tom James, John Coady, Jim Hurtte, and Mike Durbin, were welcomed to the stage and recognized for their successful seasons.

Chuck Martin, a junior starter for the 1969 Tornado Basketball team, spoke on the honor his team received and the community engagement he felt during his years on the court.

Dave Hixenbaugh, a keynote speaker at the banquet, spoke on what it meant to remember these athletes and to continue a tradition of success.

We here at Regional Radio News congratulate all who were inducted into the Taylorville Sports Hall of Fame.