By Jaxson Dabbs
Even though we know we have many others on campus, these faculty and staff members discussed their high school and college athletic life.
Eleven of the 30 played right here at Hartselle High School. Most all said they loved the school pride and being on a team. Suzanne Mizell said, “I loved gymnastics because it was a lot of fun and the other girls on the team were all like sisters. The vault was my favorite event. We actually won state 2 of the 4 years I was in high school! I had two coaches, one of which was Sonie Wilson!”
When we asked why they loved to play sports, we got an overwhelming response: competition. Coach Bryan Moore said, “I loved it because I love to compete. I sort of turn into a different person in competition settings. I’m a pretty laid back person outside of sports but very intense while playing or coaching them. I also love being on teams. Having always been on a team since I was five years old, I really don’t know what it’s like to not be counted on.”
Some admitted that they did not always love the sport, but it did help pay for college. Dr. Brad Cooper said, “I can't say that I loved it. I can say that it paid for 100% of my tuition and books, so it was worthwhile. All of the male cheerleaders were former football players from around my hometown, so it wasn't too bad.”
Many of our Faculty Athletes played for some very influential people. Zack Fletcher learned many life lessons from coaches John Douglas, Dan Hayes, Andre Allen, Dennis Franchione, Kenith Pope, Mike Shula, Dabo Swinney. Coach Gladden enjoyed learning from coaches like Mike Dubose. Pat Smith said, “Coach Dye was a great coach and taught mental and physical toughness.”
Sarah Ellen Anders: HHS - Volleyball, Basketball, Softball; Wallace - Softball and volleyball
Kelley Atkins: McGavock High, Nashville, Tennessee - Cheerleader; Austin Peay State University - Cheerleader
Dyroma Burroughs: Cullman High - Soccer, Cheerleader, Gymnastics Team, and Indoor Track
Brad Cooper: Sardis High - Football; Gadsden State Community College - Cheerleading
Daniel Cooper: Woodland Hills Baptist Academy, Mississippi - Football, Basketball, Tennis; Track Hinds Community College, Mississippi - Track team
Kate Dupuis: Milton High in Vermont - Softball and Field Hockey
Zach Fletcher: Lawrence County High - Basketball, Football, Track, Tennis; Calhoun Community College, City College of San Francisco; The University of Alabama - Football
Amanda Garner: Good Hope High - Cheerleader, Basketball, Volleyball, Softball
Bucky Garner: HHS - Basketball
Chad Gladden: Cherokee County High - Football and Baseball; University of Alabama - Football
Mallori Green: Eufala High - Cheerleading and Volleyball
Charly Kusta: Fort Payne High - Soccer and Cross Country
John Landers: HHS - Basketball and Tennis
Will Lang: HHS - Football, Baseball, and Basketball; UNA - Football
Stacey Lawson: Carbon Hill High - Volleyball and Softball
Donna Legg-Battles: HHS - Softball, Basketball, and Volleyball; Southern Miss - softball
Tanya Lybarger: HHS - Basketball; Austin Peay State and University of Montevallo - Basketball
Jordan LyBrand - Decatur High - Basketball, Softball, and Volleyball; Martin Methodist College - Basketball
Suzanne Mizell: HHS - Gymnastics
Bryan Moore: Valley HS, Springwood School - Football, Basketball, Baseball
Haley Oyervidez: West Morgan High - Volleyball and Basketball
Jesse Perrin: Decatur High - Baseball and Football; Calhoun Community College - Baseball
Margaret Ann Pirtle: HHS - Volleyball and Cheerleader; University of Alabama - Rowing
David Robinson: HHS - Football
Lynne Shelton: East Lawrence High - Cheerleader, Softball, and Basketball; UAH - cheerleader
Pat Smith - Falkville High - Football; College - Auburn University - Football
Jennifer Talbot: Stevens High School in New Hampshire - Cross-country skiing
Sonie Wilson: HHS - Gymnastics team and Cheerleader; Calhoun Community College and Athens State University - Cheerleader
Tiffany Worley: Fairview High School - Volleyball and Cheerleader
Keith Wright: HHS - Football, Basketball, Baseball; Jacksonville State University - Baseball
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