Hank Cole: A Track and Swimming star at ORHS during the late 50's and early 60's. In 1960-62 Hank won 16 District, Regional and State Championships in the 440 and I and 2 mile relays; Team champs in '61 and '62 (Co-Captain). Hank's state record 440 remained the Oak Ridge record for over 25 years. In Swimming, 1958-1962 he was the State and Southeast Champ and All Star in breast (record), fly, and medley. National Age Group Champion in the 50 free (record) medley; Team Champs 4 times. At Yale, Hank was Track Captain; Maryland and Penm Championships ofAmerica winner at Johns Hopkins-Baltimore Olympic CIE. and winner in Europe. He helped coach Johns Hopkins Swim Champs and has won US Masters Nationals in breaststroke.

Megan Dunigan: ORHS Class of 1998, Megan is a tennis great who went undefeated at ORHS (82-0). She and her team won numerous awards during her time at ORHS and at Furman University. She led Furman to four conference titles and the college's first appearance in the NC championships. While at ORHS Megan led the lady Wildcat tennis program to a pair of state championships, the first time a public school had pulled that feat in 17 years. At college she was named the Southern Conference Player of the Year all four seasons.

Allen Etheridge: Allen Etheridge is a 1984 ORHS graduate who ran track for former ORHS coach Jim McNamee, and was a member of the 1983 State Championship team. Etheridge was an ORHS assistant 1995-1997 and 2001-2002 before becoming head coach in 2004. During his tenure, Etheridge has coached six State Championship teams and and four runners-up as well as Oak Ridge's first individual cross-country state champion ince 1990 (John Sharpe). In 2007, Etheridge's boys team won the Nike Tean Nationals Southeast Region and placed 15th NTN Championships. Etheridge was the Boys coach of the year in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2014, and was the Girls coach of the year 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. He was the TSSAA State Coach of the Year in 2006.

Bill Lanter: great all-around athlete at ORHS. He was an all-state football player for the Wildcats in 1952 and went on to sign a scholarship with the University of Tenn. In 1953. Lanter was student council president his senior year and class president his junior year/at ORHS. At UT he was part of the 1956 team which captured an SEC championship after going 10-1. After his playing days , Lanter became a sports announcer for WATO. At ORHS he lettered in four sports (football, basketball, baseball and track).

Palo O'Neal: Palo was highly regarded as one of the best basketball players (guard) at ORHS during the 1950's and received a scholarship to Tennessee Tech. O'Neal excelled at most any sport he played. He has a reputation as an excellent golfer and at one point finished second in the state to Mason Randolph, a nationally known golfer. Palo held the low score at the Oak Ridge Country Club and was thought to be destined for a professional career in golf. He was also known as an competitive billiards player and by winning several tournaments qualified and finished high in the nationals in St. Louis.

Mary Troutman Birdwell: Mary Troutman was a real pioneer for women's sports in Oak Ridge because at the time she was at ORHS organized sports for girls was not offered. She became a dominant force in the church leagues and eventually the Appalachian League, a newly formed basketball league that was played in Knoxville. Mary averaged 32 points per game with her unstoppable hook shot, leading her team to six straight titles. A Physical Education major from the University of Tennessee she went to Alabama to begin her career. She eventually wound up at what is the nationally known Hoover I-figh School, where she led cross country, indoor and outdoor track, to several state championships. The track at Hoover ffgh is named in her honor. She is a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.

Charley Kirkwood: Charley Kirkwood was the man for ORHS in baseball and basketball. After being named the first ever sophomore to the varsity basketball team, Kirkwood would be named a starter after game three. He went on to be an All-District performer his junior and senior years. Many people have credited Charley with being the first in East Tennessee to employ the jump shot he has taught several players over the years this technique of shooting basketball. Charley was named second team of the Knoxville Region. Kirkwood was also a standout member of Oak Ridge's first ever baseball team; a three year starter at pitcher. Despite having the opportunity to play college basketball and baseball, he went to work at the Y-12 facility.

Gene Pharr: A 1952 ORHS graduate, Gene was an all around athlete. In his 3 years of Junior High, he was an undefeated boxer. At ORHS he was a four sport athlete participating in football, basketball, baseball and ran hurdles in track. A four year letterman at Oak Ridge High, Gene was offered and had accepted a scholarship to play football at UT for General Robert Neyland but plans changed. Just days before it was time to report to the UT campus, he was offered and accepted a bonus contract with the Philadelphia Phillies to play professional baseball. Pharr became the first Oak Ridge graduate to sign a professional sports contract and had three excellent seasons in the minors.

Cyle Sage: A 1984 ORHS graduate, Cyle excelled at swimming. In his senior season he captained the team to an undefeated season and a state championship. Individually, he won the boys' 200 freestyle and was second in the 500 freestyle, setting swimming records that still stand today for OR swimmers. While in high school Cyle posted 23 Top 10 state times, qualified for nationals in seven different events and won the Southeastern Regional title in the Men's 1000-yeard freestyle. He accepted a swimming scholarship to the University ofMiami (Fla.) where he was an Atlantic Coast Conference finalist and varsity letterman. After college, Sage turned to the sport of triathlons. He won the US National Spring Triathlon and signed a professional contract with Pepsi AllSport . He was also a member of the US team in the 1997 Pan American Games. As a coach, Cyle was instrumental in the founding and developing of the US Junior Triathlon program and also served as an Olympic coach in Guam during the 2000 season. Sage is currently the men's and women's cross country and swimming coach at Saint Leo University and started their swimming program in 2005.

Jay Searcy: Jarrell "Jay" is the first entry into the Tennessee Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Searcy caught the writing bug while delivering The Oak Ridger as a young boy and started early earning $1. per story as a stringer for The Oak Ridger. Jay went on to the Kingsport Times-News and Chattanooga Times, where he was both a writer and sports editor. After that, he went national and worked for the New York Times before becoming the executive sports editor and writer at the Philadelphia Inquirer. Searcy won many awards along the way for his writing and won a national award for a piece about growing up in Oak Ridge during WWII. Jay is a member of the Chattanooga Sports Hall ofFame and past president ofthe Associated Press Spons Editor.

Jim Shelton: ORHS Football:- Class of 1952. A single-wing tailback, field goal kicker and extra point kicker. Shelton was named All-American, All-East Tennessee, All State, All Southern and winner of the Lotspeich Award (top player in the area as named by The Knoxville Journal) Shelton was named Most Valuable Player in East Tennessee Played college football at Auburn University and later transferred to Memphis State to complete his college career.

Skippy Brinkman: ORHS Football at its best! Skippy Brinkman was the right tackle in the three member powerftil front line that led the Wildcats to a State and National Championship in 1958. JJHS -- participated in boxing, track, basketball and football -- 1953-56. Only freshman member of the varsity football team (1956) All East Tennessee Football -- 1958 ORHS Three year Letterman Scholarship to Ole Miss. Only father and son in the history of ORHS football with both their teams winning state championships and both teams being ranked nationally.

Mike Brady: ORHS Football at its best! Mike Brady was the center in the three member powerful front line that led the Wildcats to a State and National Championship in 1958. Team Captain -- 1958 ORHS Three year Letterman All State and AllEast Tenn- 1958 Ran track and was a three year letterman in that sport; Mike came in 4th in the discus his senior year Honorable mention All American First Team All State Performer National Honor Society Student Body President -- 1959 Scholarship to Brigham Young University - Three year Letterman in Football and received numerous accolades and awards.

Larry Brown.: Larry had a prestigious career as a member of the ORHS Track and Field team. A 1965 graduate that accumulated seven school records in the low and high hurdles and a state championship in 1964. He was a runner-up in the prestigious Lobetti Awards, given to the top high school athlete in the state, as well as earning many additional accolades. Brown's career started at JJHS when he established the record in the 120-yard low hurdles. While in Junior High, he ran a 14.4 second race during a district meet, and that is just one of his records; that same year Larry was reported as having the fastest time in the entire stat. In 1980, track events changed overto the metric system, changing the face of the records. Brown held all of his records until that point and they are still on the books that way.

David Clary: Sportscaster for several years, starting in 1984 to present. Clary is also known as the "Voice of the Wildcats" for football and basketball, including the Lady Wildcats basketball. He started his career while a student in the late 70's at ORHS, and after graduation (class of 1980) was hired by the cable station to continue the game broadcasts. In 1984 his childhood dream was realized when he became the play-by-play announcer on WATO, Clary has served as the Wildcat Boosters President.

Larry Richards: ORHS Football at its best! Larry Richards was a guard in the three member powerfil front line that led the Wildcats to a State and National Championship in 1958. All East Tennessee Football -- 1958 All State Football -- 1958 ORHS Football Two year Letterman Scholarship to University of Tennessee University of Tennessee All Freshman SEC -- 1959 Three year Letterman at U.T Captain for the UT team his senior season.

Mike Stevens: RJHS - High Jumper (1960). ORHS Basketball (1961) - state Champs (1963) ORHS All prep East Tenn Basketball (1963). . ORHS Pole Vault (1964) Recipient of the Lobetti Award for Outstanding Track Athlete in East Tenn. (1964) Scholarship to MTSU holder of the high jump and pole vault record at MTSU Coached football Clinton and ORHS . Oak Ridge team was state champs in 1991. Stevens is a Vietnam War veteran and three decades later was deployed to Iraq in Operation Freedom War as a Blackhawk helicopter pilot. In 1993, Mike received the Adjutant General's Ribbon for Valor for saving the lives of stranded children in the blizzard of '93 in the Cherokee National Forest. Some Military awards include the Army Achievement Medal, the Air Medal and the Bronze Star -- Aviation.

Nikki Caldwell: Outstanding ORHS Lady Wildcat basketball star. Her 1987-88 team went undefeated and won the state championship. Oak Ridge was a runner up the next season and in her senior year the team again made it to the state's final four. Currently Caldwell is ninth on the all-time scoring list, pouring in 1, 505 career points, despite playing just three seasons. She set a single season scoring mark of 819 points. Her record of 116 free throws is the most of any player in the program. Nikki played under Coach Pat Head Summitt at UT and after graduation was added to Coach Summitt's coaching staff; she is currently an assistant coach to the outstanding UT women's basketball program.

Ernest Cosson: Defensive coordinator and kicking coach for Oak Ridge Wildcats from 1965 -- 1973. Dilling a game in 1968, Oak Ridge vs. Maryville (#1 in the state), the Wildcats set a record for most interceptions in a game -- seven. "Coach" Cosson taught Spanish at ORHS. He was associated with several football programs in East Tennessee, one of them was Clinton High as their head coach from 1975 -- 79. Cosson received a football scholarship to Carson-Newman and started every game (even in his freshman year), except when injured; in his senior year he was named the team' s MVP.

Robbie Robinson: A 1961 ORHS graduate, Robinson participated in football, basketball and track. He excelled at swimming and was associated with the Atomic City Aquatic Club for several years, both as a swimmer and coach. The ACAC won three consecutive state titles (1959-61). In AAU swimming competition, his team placed second in the National Junior Olympic Finals in1954.. The following year his squad took first in the nation in the 200m medley relay, and individually Robinson won the highly-contested 100m freestyle. He coached swimming with fellow ORSHF inductee, Bill Lewis and coached basketball and football at Robertsville Junior High with fellow inductees, Winston Russell and Bob Stuhlmiller. He was five times AAU Southeastern All Star (1956-61). In the field of education he has numerous awards as a teacher, principal and administrator.

Dennis Rush: Oak Ridge High School Soccer 1974 -- 2001. By the time his coaching career his teams had a record of 335-97-28 -- more victories than anyone who has ever coached boys high school soccer in Tennessee. The SoccerCats won state championships in 1978 and 1982, earned 19 district championships, six region titles, and made 12 appearances in the state tournament. In addition to the two state titles, the SoccerCats were state runner-up in 1997. His teams never suffered a losing season. Rush coached 56 All-State players, 12 All-South players and 4 High School All-Americans. Thirty-seven of his players were National Merit Scholars He was named National Soccer Coach of the Year in in 1992 and Tennessee Soccer Coach of the Year in 1995.

Gerald Walker: 1949 ORHS graduate and member of the football team. 1954 --Teacher at Elm Grove School and organized one of the first physical education programs in O.R. for grades 5 and 6. 1959 -- Started teaching at Jefferson Junior High School. 1964 - Asst. track coach and head track coach for 20 of the 25 years at JJHS. 1975 -- Asst. football coach. 1974 - Organized first girls intramural basketball teams. 1980-82- Cross country coach. 1965-84 -- Head boys basketball coach; in those 19 years created a dynasty that took him to retirement in 1984. Also served on the OR City and Anderson Country School Boards.

Jim Miller : He is known as the Supervisor of the Sidelines for ORHS football for well over 30 years. Miller has been a vital role for the football program in many capacities from handing out equipment to designing and developing the program for many season. He did "hands on work" in the renovations to the Field House and other Facilities at Blankenship Field. Jim has served as booster president and remains active in the Oak Ridge Quarterback Club.

Carmen Dowdell Toy-Fouse : Played on the first ORHS Lady Wildcats Girls Basketball Team 1973-1976, Coached by Sudartha Vann. TSSAA designated half court basketball rules were (3 forwards and 3 guards). Only Forwards were shooters for each team. On 3 different occasions Carmen pumped in 55 points. Total 2,408 career points scored for Lady Wildcats in only 3 years. All-American (1976), All-State (1975-1976), and second leading scorer in the state. Freshman year (1976-1977) she Played for Flying Queens at Wayland Baptist College. Started all 3 seasons at Tennessee Technology University where she was the third woman in Tech history to score more than a 1,000 points during her career. 1980 Carmen was Drafted by St. Louis Streaks of the Women's Professional Basketball League(WBL) but never played due to medical issues. The Wayland Baptist Flying Queens Teams Of 1948-1982 was enshrined in Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame Class Of 2019 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Emmon Love : ORHS football standout (34 years later and his record still ranks No. 2 all time at O.R. in career catches) All-State and All-American. Played basketball at ORHS for 3 years, leading the scoring for two seasons. Received 90 college scholarship offers for basketball and football ---could not refuse home state. A standout pass catcher for the UT Volunteers; in his 3 seasons with the Vols they won 31 of the 36 games. A major supporter of Oak Ridge Athletics

Salil Niyogi: A founding father of Soccer in Oak Ridge Player, Coach, Referee and organizing leagues for more than 30 years Started organized youth soccer in Oak Ridge - 1974

Jim Summer : Captain of first Jefferson Jr. High Football team. JJHS Track. Lettered in both. ORHS: Football - starting center & lettered for 3 years; captain, senior year. Baseball - catcher & outfielder; lettered for 3 years. Academics: Class President (10th) Student Council - Pres. (12th), V.P. (1 Ith). Boys State (1 Ith) Georgia Tech Football Scholarship (3-year letterman). Played in Sugar Bowl & Cotton Bowl.

Joe Tittle, MD: Dr. Joe Tittle was the team physician for Oak Ridge Teams from 1962 to 1982. He became interested in athletic injuries after being introduced to the subject by Dr. Robert Brashear, team doctor for the University of Tennessee. Dr. Tittle missed only three games in those 20 years and in addition to those Friday football games, he attended three practices each week. He saw many changes in sports medicine during his tenure as the volunteer team physician.

David Webber: ORHS Football (their season of 1977 was the first undefeated season in 15 years). All-State; Chattanooga Times' All-Tri-State team; News-Sentinel's All-East Tennessee team, and the Knoxville Journal's All-East Tennessee team. He was an excellent quarterback as well a good leader for the team; was hard to beat as a combination runner and passer. Played quarterback for Wake Forest College.

Dave Griffith: At ORHS he was known as "Old Smoky" and his record for piling up 2,677 yards in one season (1951) is intact 51 years later. Another record(also 51 years ago) that is intact is a 100 yard kickoff return. In another game Dave had a 97-yard touchdown run from scrimmage. He went on to earn first-team All-Southern and All-State honors in the 1951 season; ORHS wound up ranked #2 in the State. Played left halfback at U.T. and received varsity letters in1952 and 53.

Tom Hamrick: Tom Hamrick was known for 25 years (1965-90) as the "Voice of the Wildcats" A 1948 graduate of ORHS, he played football and attended Vanderbilt University on a football scholarship, later transferring to the University of Tennessee. Volunteer coach for the Boys Cluo. He sper-f many hours as a scout for the ORHS football team and was considered true Wildcat his entire life.

Joe Mason: Oak Ridge Baseball mainstay for 50 years ORHS: Baseball - lettered for 3 years as their shortstop (1956 graduate) Basketball - team made it to district tournament semifinals (senior year) Track - Ran 220, 880 relays & long jump; member of 1956 state champs team College: Baseball at Lincoln Memorial Univ. in Harrogate

Larry Mason: ORHS: Football, Basketball, Baseball & Track (graduate 1960) Football - member of '58 championship team (wingback & safety); later kicker/punter During his 3 years had 50 career TDs, 3000 all-purpose yards & 10 interceptions Basketball - played in state tournament in 1958 & 1960 Track - State championship in long jump and runner-up in high jump

Buzz Muckenthaler: Umpired: ORHS Baseball, 1950 - 1976 Softball for City & PlantLeagues 1951 - 1985 Refereed High School Basketball in Oak Ridge & surrounding counties: 1951 - 1980 Coached Church League Basketball (St. Mary's Girls): 1965 - 1976 Brief career in Minor League Baseball. Played on ORNL baseball/basketball teams (1950s) Inducted to Rockhurst College Sports Hall of fame - 1996

Lois Weir: Competition Age Group & Masters Swimmer: 1942 - 1990 Red Cross Instructor (swimming): 1963 - present (2003) in Knoxville & Oak Ridge Coach with Atomic City Aquatic Club: 1974 - 75 One of the original starters of Learn To Swim of Oak Ridge - 1976 Mother of 5 sons and still coaching with ACAC & head of Learn To Swim of O.R., 1976 - 2003

Sam Hurt: ORHS Football: Standout triple threat tailback, 1945 - 47 All State honorable mention - 1947 College Football: Played both offense (running back) and defense (safety) for University of Chattanooga: graduate class of 1952 ORHS Football: P.A. announcer, scout; 1967 - 1985 OR Boys Club: Coach football, basketball, baseball 1960 - 1980

Liz Lieberman,: ORWGA Champion 12 Times 1955 1992 Club or regional golf champion in Michigan or Tennessee in seven consecutive decades 1939 1992

Tom McGrew: ORHS Football: All East Tennessee, All State, All Southern, All American (first ORHS player to be selected to all the above teams set several school records) Voted Most Athletic his senior year: 1951 One of ORHS first great tailbacks UT football signee: 1951 • ORHS Baseball: 1949 - 51 ORHS Basketball: 1949-51

Harold Newton: Harold Newton moved from New York to Oak Ridge in 1953 and was disappointed to discover the city did not have a fencing program; he changed that quickly as he started the Oak Ridge Fencing Club which still operates today. A champion fencer, Newton was coached by some of the greatest fencing masters in the US. and intemationally and he transferted that knowledge to many young people in Oak Ridge for over 30 years.

Martha Swasey: Physical Education teach at ORHS from 1951-68; introduced and organized gymnastics, tumbling, and modern dance programs into the curriculum. After leaving Oak Ridge she became the women's Athletic Director at the University of the South. She competes regularly in state and national Senior Olympics competitions. Recently she earned a gold medal in archery and a silver medal in racquetball. Earlier she earned 10 medals in the Tennessee Senior Olympics.

Roy Towns: In his almost 70 years of playing tennis, Roy has won 3 - National titles, 4 - Southern titles, 7 - State titles and over 100 other tournaments, both locally and across the U.S.A. Roy learned the game of tennis from Lloyd Budge, brother of tennis great, Don Budge. He was the first player to play on the Jackson Square Courts that were constructed during World War IL