CLASS OF 2002
CINDY BROGDON
Cindy Brogdon was born in Buford and led Greater Atlanta Christian to three high school state titles and a state runner-up from 1972 to 1975. Brogdon played basketball for Mercer University before transferring to the University of Tennessee. She was a Kodak All-American as a freshman at Mercer and then again as a junior and senior while at Tennessee. She was the first female from the State of Georgia to earn a full athletic scholarship, was the first Georgian to play as a member of a United States Olympic Basketball team, winning a Silver Medal as part of the U.S. Women’s team in the 1976 Montreal games. She played professionally with the New Orleans Pride of the Women’s Professional Basketball League and is a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame.
LOU HUDSON
Lou Hudson was born in Greensboro, North Carolina where he was a multi-sport star high school athlete. He was an All-American at the University of Minnesota before heading to the NBA after being selected 4th overall by the St. Louis Hawks. He made the NBA All-Rookie Team in 1967 after averaging 18 points per game. Hudson would go on to be a six-time All-Star, scoring 17,940 total points in 13 NBA seasons (1966–1979). In 890 career NBA games, Lou averaged 20.2 points per game. Eleven of his NBA seasons were spent with the Hawks organization, nine in Atlanta. He is considered one of the best shooters of all time. Hudson’s #14 is retired by the University of Minnesota and his #23 is retired by the Hawks. After his playing days, he relocated to Park City, Utah where he was elected to City Council. He was the first African-American to win elected office in the State of Utah. Hudson’s contribution to basketball continued in Park City where he created a recreational league and coached for over 20 years.
CHIP KELL
Curtis Cliff “Chip” Kell grew up in Atlanta and was a standout high school athlete at Avondale High School. In 1966, he set the Georgia All Classifications record in the shot put, at a distance of 66' 7", which is a record that stood for 50 years. Kell went on to play football at the University of Tennessee, where he was a three-time All-SEC and two-time All-American as an offensive lineman. He was also SEC Champion in shot put in 1969. Kell played two season of professional football with the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL. He is a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
ROGER KINGDOM
Roger Kingdom grew up in Vienna where in excelled in multiple sports at Dooly County High School. He attended The University of Pittsburgh on a football scholarship but ultimately became a track star, winning two NCAA championships as a hurdler in 1983 and 1984. He went on to a long and distinguished career in the 110 high hurdles, including Gold Medals at the in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games as well as the Pan-American games in 1983 and 1985. Kingdom is considered one of the greatest hurdlers of all time and was ranked as the top hurdler in the world four times. He has also made significant contributions as a track coach at the college level and as a strength and conditioning coach in the NFL. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and the University of Pittsburgh Athletics Hall of Fame.
NANCY LOPEZ
Nancy Lopez was born in Torrance, California, raised in Roswell, New Mexico, and played collegiate golf at the University of Tulsa. She turned pro and was 1978 Rookie of the Year on the LPGA tour. She was the Rolex Player of the Year winner (1978, 1979, 1985, & 1988) and captured the LPGA Championship in 1978, 1985, and 1989. Lopez was recognized during the LPGA's 50th Anniversary in 2000 as one of the top 50 players and teachers, and named 'Golfer of the Decade' (1978-1987) by GOLF Magazine in 1988. She is arguably the most recognizable and famous golfer to ever play on the LPGA tour. She relocated to Albany with husband, Ray Knight, and since 1986, she has hosted the Nancy Lopez Hospice Golf Classic at Doublegate Country Club to raise money for Albany Community Hospice. She has been a positive ambassador for the game of golf in the State of Georgia and beyond.
A.L. WILLIAMS
A.L. Williams was from Augusta and graduated from Richmond Academy, Augusta Junior College and later Wake Forest. Williams became a legendary high school baseball coach in his hometown at his alma mater, Richmond Academy. He coached the Musketeers to seven straight baseball championships from 1951-1957. This record still remains for all high school classifications in Georgia. From 1951-1957, his squads compiled an astonishing record of 147-13. He was selected as the GHSA All-Star Baseball game coach in 1951, 1957, and 1969. Williams coached Richmond Academy to the 1951, 1952, and 1953 Southeastern Regional Tournament titles in Alabama. Over 60 of his players played on the collegiate level, and over 30 had the opportunity to sign professional contracts. Richmond Academy's baseball field was named in his honor in 2000.