A packed house was on hand Saturday night at Southeast Bulloch High school to celebrate the induction of the 2013 Athletic Hall of Fame class.
    The 19th Hall of Fame class consisted of five inductees.
    Tyrone Cone (class of ’91) starred for both the football and basketball teams. Gerald Ellis (’85) was a standout football player before representing SEB in the Ivy League as he attended Princeton University following his high school career.
    Ann Glisson (’61) served as co-captain of the basketball team in her senior season and led the Lady Jackets to their first team trophy in school history. April Dawn Shuman (’93) did it all during her high school career. Shuman competed in four different sports at SEB before accepting a dual scholarship to Brewton-Parker for softball and basketball.
    Delores “Dee” Stewart joined the Hall of Fame as an honorary inductee. Stewart spent a long career at SEB coaching the JV girls’ basketball team as well as the girls’ track squad.
    “I’m excited that we were able to bring in such a great group of people to this year’s induction class,” Mike Sparks, longtime SEB coach and fellow Hall of Fame member said. “These five special people mean so much to the school and to the community. It’s great to honor them and recognize their accomplishments.”
    Over one hundred fans and alumni of the school gathered alongside the friends and families of the inductees to take part in the celebration. While the inductees served as a reminder of past greatness, there was an obvious link to the present day student body.
    Current members of the SEB cheerleading squad and JROTC greeted the inductees before helping to officially start the ceremony.
Sparks — who introduced three of the inductees — remarked that a future Hall of Famer could be in attendance, recognizing Preston Smith, who had qualified for the state track meet in two events and who had set a new school record in the triple jump earlier in the day.
    “That’s one of the great things about our school,” Sparks said. “This is a tightly knit community and everyone sees it as a family. A lot of our Hall of Fame members have gone on to great things, but many are also still living around town.”
    That tradition and loyalty was obvious in looking at the main table Saturday night.
    In addition to the five new inductees and Sparks, three other Hall of Famers helped to make the night memorable. Gene Eden served as emcee for the evening while current boys basketball coach John Page brought the evening to an end with his closing remarks.
    As always, inaugural Hall of Fame inductee and two-time state football champion head coach Fred Shaver was on hand to welcome all of the new members to the elite, but growing, club.
    “It’s an honor to do this every year,” Shaver said. “It’s a night that’s always circled on the calendar. It’s a great night to be a Yellow Jacket.”

    Mike Anthony may be reached at (912) 489-9404.