MACON SPORTS HALL OF FAME
CLASS OF 2026
EDWANA DEE HAZEL
Dee Hazel was a four-year varsity performer for the Peter G. Appling Lady Wildcats basketball team during an era when the women’s game was 6 on 6. She played a key role in helping the Lady Wildcats win three consecutive state titles in 1962, 1963 and 1964 averaging over 30 points per game as a junior and 33 points per game as a senior. After high school she left her basketball career behind and worked at GEICO and started raising a family. Several years later Dee was spotted at an airport by Mercer Teddy Bears head coach Peggy Collins who eventually persuaded her to come out for the team. Despite a 10 plus-year layoff and helping raise three children, Dee played two solid seasons with the Teddy Bears including a 39 point performance as a freshman in a win over Georgia Southern in the GAIAIW state playoffs, however, knee issues eventually forced Dee to end her basketball playing career.
BRETT HENDLEY
Brett Hendley was a hitting machine during his little league, high school and collegiate career. During his illustrious career at Stratford Academy, he batted over .400 helping the Eagles claim back-to-back GISA State Titles in 1985 and 1986. He belted 11 home runs in 1986 for the Eagles and knocked in eight runs in a game vs. John Milledge. Brett earned All-State Honors in 1984, 1985 and 1986. Hendley’s excellence earned him a baseball scholarship to Georgia Southern where he was a three-year starter for the Eagles. He hit 16 home runs as a freshman. In 1987 Brett was named the Trans America Athletic Conference Tournament MVP. He also earned TAAC All-Tournament team honors in 1987 and 1988. He was a 1989 TAAC All-Conference performer and was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 1989 MLB Draft. Hendley started with the Athletics in the rookie Arizona League. He hit .311 over 56 games that first year, with five home runs. After stints with Modesto and Madison, Hendley eventually retire from baseball. Stratford retired Brett’s jersey and also inducted him into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
BOBBY HUELLEMEIER
Bobby Huellemeier was a fierce competitor who let his strong arm do the talking during his little league, high school and collegiate career. He played four sports at Mount de Sales including football, basketball, baseball and track and field but his talents shined the brightest on the baseball diamond. He led the Cavaliers to the 1966 GHSA State Baseball Championship starting a run that saw MDS win 5 state titles in a 7-year span. He struck out 18 batters in the 1966 Class C State title game vs. Meriwether High while allowing only 3 hits. He picked up another win and a save during the Cavaliers state title run. During the state tournament he allowed only five hits and one unearned run in 14 2/3 innings while striking out 28 batters. In the 1967 Class C Region tournament he struck out 31 batters in 13 innings while batting .300. His stellar work earned Bobby a spot in the 1967 State All-Star game at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers but chose to play baseball at Mercer University under legendary coach Claude Smith. He compiled an excellent career at Mercer including a sparkling 1.86 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 58 innings during his junior season with the Bears.
MAGGIE JOHNSTON WALDROP
Maggie Johnston Waldrop was a prime-time performer at First Presbyterian Day School. She was a 2-time state champion working with Coach Dave Sparrow setting school records in both the Shot Put and Discus. She also played varsity soccer for the Lady Vikings. On one memorable Saturday she won a state title in the discus and scored a goal for the Lady Vikings soccer team. Her success earned her a scholarship to Samford University where she excelled for the Bulldogs and proved to be a relentless competitor. She earned All-freshman honors in both the Shot put and discus. Maggie was named the 2019 Most Outstanding performer at the Southern Conference Outdoor Championships winning both the shot put and discus in 2019 and 2020. She was a 5-time Athlete of the Week, 2-time Athlete of the Month, and a 4-time SoCon Champion in the discus. Maggie also won the outdoor discus event in 2017, 2018 and 2019. She represented Samford and the Southern Conference at the NCAA Regionals, and she earned the 2020 Most Outstanding Field Performer at the Southern Conference Indoor Championships.
CASEY JONES
Casey Jones has had a love for the coaching profession for over 50 years but before he answered the coaching call he was a standout on the court and the diamond. He earned All-State honors as a pitcher and infielder at Mark Smith High School and scored 43 points in a basketball game during his prep career. He played college baseball at Middle Georgia and Appalachian State helping the Mountaineers reach the NAIA World Series. Once his playing days were over, he embarked on a coaching career that has spanned five decades and included stops at 11 different schools in Central Georgia focusing on basketball and baseball. Jones has watched his teams rack up over 1,000 wins while influencing countless lives in the gym and on the diamond. He led the Stratford Academy Eaglettes to three straight Region titles in the mid 1980’s and two state championships earning numerous Coach of the Year honors from various outlets including the Atlanta Tip-off Club who honored Jones as GISA Coach of the Year. He also led the Monroe Academy girls to the state finals and guided three different schools to the baseball state finals including Jonesco and Tattnall Square Academy.
CLINT KENT
Clint Kent was a standout defensive back at Westside High School ranks where he played for legendary head coach Robert Davis. He started for three seasons, was chosen as a team captain and earned All-City, All-Middle Georgia and All-State honors. Kent set a school record for interceptions at Westside and scored five defensive touchdowns. Kent’s ball-hawking skills earned him a football scholarship to James Madison University. At JMU Clint was a key member for the 2004 NCAA I-AA National Champions. He was a highly decorated athlete at James Madison and was named a College Sports Report All-American, a first-team All-Atlantic 10 honoree and a team captain. He finished his career as JMU’s all-time interceptions leader with 13 while also racking up over 200 tackles during his collegiate career. Clint went on to play professionally in the Canadian Football League from 2006-2013 suiting up for the Edmonton Eskimos, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the Montreal Alouettes. He was a team captain on the 2011 Winnipeg team that made it to the Grey Cup finals.
REGGIE MANUEL
Reggie “Doc” Manuel was one of a long line of legendary players to wear the Southwest Patriots uniform and excel under the guidance of legendary head coach Don “Duck” Richardson. Reggie was a 2-time Middle Georgia Player of the Year, a two-time All-State performer and a High school All-America. He played a key role on the 1989 Southwest State Championship team – the school’s sixth title under Richardson. He averaged 15 points per game on that state title team and over 17 points per game during his senior season. He earned a scholarship to UNLV where he played under five different head coaches including the legendary Jerry Tarkanian who recruited Manuel. Despite having to constantly adjust to a new system, Reggie scored over 1100 points during his career with the Runnin’ Rebels. He averaged over 21 points per game during his junior year in Vegas. He also earned Big West All Freshman honors in 1992 and was named All Big West first team in 1994. The Las Vegas Review Journal ranked Manuel among the Top 50 players to ever wear the UNLV uniform. He enjoyed a successful career overseas after leaving UNLV playing in Israel, Poland, Switzerland and Cypress.
JOSHUA TRIESTE
Josh Trieste has built excellence on the soccer pitch at First Presbyterian Day School, becoming the school’s boys coach in 2002 then adding girl’s head coaching duties in 2007. During his tenure he has guided both teams to nearly 600 wins while leading with excellence and dedication. His girl’s teams have emerged victorious over 300 times including a remarkable streak that saw the Lady Vikings capture five state titles in an 18-year period. The FPD girls won GISA State titles in 2007 and 2023. They captured three more titles after switching over to the GHSA raising the championship trophy in 2011, 2012 and 2018. The girls also won at least 20 games six times during a 20-year stretch. His Viking Boy’s teams have captured over 250 wins and finished as State runners-up in 2008. During his tenure, Trieste’s suffered only two losing seasons spotlighting Josh’s commitment to excellence in nearly 40 seasons of combined coaching.
2026 LEGENDS
CLAUDE SMITH
Claude Smith was an All-America athlete at Appalachian State before setting his sights on coaching. In 1948, Smith took over the Mercer baseball program, a role he filled for the next 34 years. During that time his teams amassed over 400 wins including a three-year stretch in the mid 1970’s when the Bears won at least 30 games each season. He also led the team’s transition from the NAIA into NCAA Division 1. He was elected into the Mercer Athletic Hall of Fame, the Appalachian State Hall of Fame and the baseball field at Mercer University proudly bears his name.
ANDY SUMMERS
Andy Summers was a standout high school football player at Lanier High School. In 1969, Summers scored 12 touchdowns and showcased his speed and elusiveness by ripping off touchdown runs of 50, 72 and 82 yards leading the Poets to the state playoffs. Andy earned a scholarship to the University of Florida where he started his collegiate career as a running back before switching over to defense for his final two seasons. During his time in Gainesville, Summers earned a reputation as a hard-hitter and he also excelled on special teams. After graduating, Andy went into high school coaching and worked under the legendary Gene Brodie at Tift County High School.
BOBBY POPE SERVICE AWARD
OBIE SMITH
Obie Smith knows what it means to give back to his community. That’s why he’s the perfect recipient of the Bobby Pope Service to Sports Award. Obie grew up in the Unionville area of Macon and attended Southwest High School where he proudly played for the Patriots. He passed up an opportunity for a college scholarship and stayed home to help raise a family. He has spent the past 30-plus years serving his community in a variety of roles with an emphasis on helping young people stay focused on the path to success. He’s been a driving force behind the Middle Georgia Community Youth League helping kids succeed on the field, court and diamond. Among the graduates of that league – future pro’s Jeff Malone, Sharone Wright, Kareem Jackson and Roger Jackson. He’s also served in a variety of roles with the Southwest High School Kickoff and Tip-off Clubs again with a focus on helping improve the lives of young people.
