Paris-Henry   County
Sports  Hall  of  Fame

Barner played baseball with great passion

By TOMMY PRIDDY


Any discussion of great baseball players from Henry County will certainly have the name Doug Barner in the first sentence or two.

Barner stood out first as a player in the Paris Little League, then Babe Ruth and at Henry County High School. He enjoyed a stellar collegiate career at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro and played professionally in the Tampa Bay Devil Rays’ minor league system.

He is being honored for his athletic prowess by being inducted to the Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame. He’ll receive his honor at the April 14 P-HC Sports Hall of Fame Banquet set for 6:30 p.m. at the Paris Convention Center, 1510 E. Wood St.

Also being honored that night as 2007 inductees are Jerry Brannon, Virgil Wall, the late Earl Mann and the late Vayden Waddy. Post-Intelligencer sports editor Tommy Priddy will receive the Distinguished Service Award.

Barner is the son of Randy and Debbie Barner of Paris.

His former Little League and Babe Ruth coach Ken Russell, who is also a member of the P-HC Hall of Fame, said that he knew Barner had tremendous talent the first time he saw him play baseball as a 12-year-old. Russell said he already had great hands, a great arm and tremendous bat speed.

“One of the gratifying experiences of coaching this young man was his love of the game. No one ever played the game of baseball ever loved the game more including the likes of Ruth, Cobb or Ripken.

“You could practice him for hours and ever fiber and seam of his being would still scream for more of the game,” said Russell, who was elected to the P-HC Hall of Fame in 1997.

That talent helped Barner and 2006 P-HC Hall of Fame inductee Dock McDonald lead the Paris Little League All-Stars to 1986 state championship in Clarksville. The team went on to play in the Southern Regional series in St. Petersburg, Fla., that year.

He would go on to play on two more state champion teams and two teams that finished second in the state in his amateur baseball career.

In high school Barner played baseball, basketball and football as a freshman in the 1989-90 season. He was on the HCHS baseball and football teams as a sophomore but he really blossomed as junior when he was named the District 10-AAA Most Valuable Player in baseball. He was an honorable mention for the All-State team and honored as the HCHS MVP at the spring sports banquet.

As a senior, Barner was again the district MVP in baseball and the team’s MVP. He was chosen to the All-District 10-AAA team in football as a linebacker for the Patriots. He received the Patriot Award and the MVP award at the spring sports banquet and was voted Most Athletic in Senior Superlatives.

He received a scholarship from MTSU where in played on Ohio Valley Conference championship teams in 1993, 1995 and 1996. The Blue Raiders won conference tournament titles in 1994 and 1995 while making an appearance in the NCAA Regional Tournament in 1995. Middle Tennessee recorded 121 wins during his four-year career.

He is in the MTSU record book for second in single-season home runs with 19 in 1996 and third in slugging percentage at .702 for the 1996 season.

He is third in career games played with 208 and fourth in career at-bats with 703. He is second in career home runs with 35. He ranks fifth in career doubles with 45 and fifth in career runs batted in with 137.

While in college, he also got summer experience by playing in the Collegiate League in Illinois, the Jay Hawk League in Red Oak, Iowa, and the Northwoods Collegiate League in Rochester, Minn.

He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 1996 and played in the Rookie League that year in St. Petersburg. He would also play minor league baseball for the Butte Copper Kings in Butte, Mont., the Hudson Valley Renegades at Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and the Charleston River Dogs in Charleston, S.C. He was released by the Devil Rays after the 1998 offseason.

Brannon known for his fancy dribble skills

By TOMMY PRIDDY

It was a smooth behind-the-back dribble that caught fans’ attention but it was an intense determination that made Jerry Brannon a winner at Puryear High School, as a high school coach in Middle Tennessee and as a businessman.

That will to succeed has landed one of the finest Hornets ever in the Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame. Brannon will be enshrined during the April 14 P-HC Sports Hall of Fame Banquet scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Paris Convention Center, 1510 E. Wood St.

Also being honored that night as 2007 inductees are Doug Barner, Virgil Wall, the late Earl Mann and the late Vayden Waddy. Post-Intelligencer sports editor Tommy Priddy will receive the Distinguished Service Award.

Brannon played basketball at Puryear High School from 1949-53. The Hornets compiled a 73-12 record from 1951-53 and earned a berth in the state tournament in 1951.

Despite having only 87 students in grades 9-12, the Hornets were able to compete against some of the state’s biggest schools. Brannon led the Hornets to nine straight wins over Grove High School.

That was largely built on the talents of Brannon who was known as an ace ball-handler and shooter. He perfected the behind-the-back dribble on a horse lot court behind his home and many opponents cried that the maneuver wasn’t legal.

As a senior, Brannon averaged more than 18 points a game and turned in what is now known as several triple-doubles — double figure totals for points, assists and rebounds. He also played baseball at Puryear and won the Henry County cross country track championship in 1952 and 1953.

One story retold often when talking about Brannon playing at Puryear is the time he went in for a breakaway layup in a game at Clarksburg. He was hit from behind so hard that the blow knocked him through the double doors at the end of the gym, down several flights of stairs and then he rolled down a snow covered hill outside the gymnasium. He climbed back up and returned to the gym despite being covered with snow. He was honored with a standing ovation.

He received a scholarship to play basketball at David Lipscomb College in Nashville after graduating from Puryear. He was a four-year starter at Lipscomb. He was an honorable mention selection to the All-Volunteer State Athletic Conference team as a sophomore and was a first-team All-VSAC pick as a senior.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree from Lipscomb, Brannon got his master’s degree at Peabody College before turning to a coaching career at Hillsboro High School in Williamson County. He would later coach at Franklin High School in Franklin for nine years.

In a decade of coaching high school basketball, Brannon’s teams compiled a 193-84 record. He led teams to the state tournament in 1963, 1966 and 1967.

Brannon’s athletic prowess has been recognized by his previous induction into the TSSAA Region VI Hall of Fame and he recently was enshrined into the Franklin High School Hall of Fame.

When he quit coaching, he became a sales representative for Laidlaw Brothers Publishing Co. After holding several management positions, he has retired as regional vice president of Harcourt Brace Publishing.

While at Harcourt Brace, Brannon was well-known among Henry County educators as that company supplies most of the text books for the Henry County School System.

Brannon made it back to Henry County when Puryear School closed and held its final alumni game. He showed off his famous behind-the-back dribble to the pleasure of those in attendance.

Mann was best at playing contact sports

By TOMMY PRIDDY


Upon enrolling at Grove High in 1941, it didn’t take the late Edgar “Earl” Mann too long to learn he had what it took to excel in contact sports.

Mann was a top notch football player as an offensive and defensive lineman at Grove but he also was strong in the classroom. His hard work both on and off the field has led Mann to being selected to be a member of the Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame.

He will be enshrined at the P-HC Sports Hall of Fame Banquet at 6:30 p.m. April 14 at the Paris Convention Center, 1510 E. Wood St.

Also being honored that night as 2007 inductees are Doug Barner, Jerry Brannon, Virgil Wall and the late Vayden Waddy. Post-Intelligencer sports editor Tommy Priddy will receive the Distinguished Service Award.

Those taking the grid iron with Mann as teammates or opponents soon learned that he was afraid of nothing. He was a member of the Grove team for four years and lettered from 1942-44. He was the alternate team captain as a senior.

Although he weighed only 145 pounds, his speed and aggressiveness made him a natural as a pulling guard on running plays. His strong suit was getting downfield to clear a lane for Grove runners. On defense, Mann was able to penetrate often to blow up plays in an opponent’s backfield.

During his junior and senior seasons, Grove went undefeated. Grove was denied the Big Ten championship those two years because the team only played four games within the conference. It beat the Big Ten champion both years with wins over Milan in 1943 and Humboldt in 1944.

Mann was also a boxer at Grove and went undefeated as a member of the 1945 boxing team.

He was involved with school functions off the playing field. He was treasurer of his class in 1942 and 1943. He served as class vice president in 1944 and 1945. Mann was a member of the Hi-Y Club 1943-45 and served as club president in 1945.

Mann was elected to the National Honor Society in 1944 and 1945 and served as president in 1945.

After high school, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps before returning home and accepting a football scholarship at Bethel College in McKenzie. He started at guard on both offense and defense for Bethel in 1946.

He accepted a full scholarship in 1947 at Pearl River Junior College, Poplarville, Miss., and played on line on both offense and defense there. He returned to the Bethel football team in 1948.

Later in 1948, he was married and accepted a position at Holley carburetor plant. In 1949, he became a volunteer assistant coach at Grove. He and another volunteer, Joe Davis, were given much credit for developing a strong Grove line that helped the Blue Devils to an undefeated season in 1949. 
                                                                                                                                     
Mann also attended the former Lee and Atkins-Porter schools in Paris. He died in 1997.

1944

Waddy was strong player at end for Grove

By  TOMMY  PRIDDY

There is no shortage of tales about the exploits of the football teams from Grove High School in the 1940s.

Filling one of those tales is the outstanding play of the late Vayden Porter Waddy Jr. from 1940-43. He is remembered as one of the finest defensive ends ever to play at Grove.

Now his family will have a new title for him as he is being inducted into the Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame. Waddy will be enshrined at the P-HC Sports Hall of Fame Banquet, scheduled at 6:30 p.m. April 14 at the Paris Convention Center, 1510 E. Wood St.

Also being honored that night as 2007 inductees are Doug Barner, Jerry Brannon, Virgil Wall and the late Earl Mann. Post-Intelligencer sports editor Tommy Priddy will receive the Distiguished Service Award.

Waddy is the second member of his family inducted into the local Hall of Fame. His brother Vernon Waddy was enshrined in 1996. They were the sons of the late Vayden and Love Waddy of Paris.

Vayden Jr. attended Atkins-Porter School and graduated from Grove with honors in 1943.

Playing at end, he was a leader on some strong Blue Devil football teams but also played basketball at Grove in 1942 and ’43. He received the Fisk Trophy as Grove’s Most Valuable Player as a senior and was voted as the most athletic boy in his senior class.

He was recognized for his academic leadership at Grove by being a member of the National Honor Society. He also was a three-year member of the Hi-Y Club.

Waddy served three years in the U.S. Air Force before returning to Paris. He accepted a scholarship at the University of Tennessee Junior College in Martin where he lettered in both basketball and football.

He was voted as a team captain and the team’s Most Valuable Player while at Martin. He also was selected Mr. Apollo while at the school. That title was given to the student who was voted the outstanding man on campus by fellow students and faculty.

He finished two years at Martin before returning to Paris to accept a job with the Paris post office. He was active in the then-Paris Jaycees and served as that group’s president. He also served as a volunteer fireman for many years and worked with youth playing baseball in the Paris Little League.

In the early 1960s, Waddy moved to Memphis with his wife JoAnn and their two children, Buzz and Laurie. He worked for the Germantown post office and became the postmaster there.

1943

Wall has found success in athletics, life

By TOMMY PRIDDY


Virgil Wall has been successful as an athlete, coach and businessman in his life.

He is being rewarded for that success with his induction to the Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame. He will be enshrined at the P-HC Sports Hall of Fame Banquet, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. April 14 at the Paris Convention Center, 1510 E. Wood St.

Also being honored that night as 2007 inductees are Doug Barner, Jerry Brannon, the late Earl Mann and the late Vayden Waddy. Post-Intelligencer sports editor Tommy Priddy will receive the Distinguished Service Award.

Wall is past chairman for the local Sports Hall of Fame committee and is known for his 39-years of employment at Paris Manufacturing Co. which was a division of Holley carburetor. He was the first employee hired by Paris Manufacturing in 1949.

In 1989, Wall became executive director of the Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce. During his tenure, the chamber’s current office building on East Wood Street was constructed. After retiring from the chamber, Wall was hired in 1995 to be the industry training coordinator at the Tennessee Technology Training Center. He still serves in that position.

Wall was a noted football and track athlete at Grove High School in the mid 1940s. He played tackle on the football team was alternate captain as a senior in 1945. He played two seasons for Pearl River Junior College in Poplarville, Miss., and also attended Bethel College.

While at Grove, Wall played in the band, was in the Civics, FFA, Hi-Y and G clubs. He served as president of the FFA and secretary-treasurer of the G Club.

“It was my privilege to have coached Virgil in football at Grove High School for two years,” stated the late Bobby Jelks in a letter nominating Wall to the Hall of Fame. “I found him to be a good player and a good leader.”

Wall entered coaching after college. He was the girls’ and boys’ basketball coach at Buchanan High School while teaching physical education prior to accepting the job at Paris Manufacturing. He also worked as a TSSAA basketball and football official for more than 30 years.

As a member of the Paris Lions Club, Wall was named high commissioner of the Junior Softball League in 1949 and worked with youth athletics for many years.

He married the former Jo Hurdle in 1952 and their family includes three sons and a daughter. Wall is a deacon at the First Baptist Church in Paris.

1946

Priddy has lifelong love affair with sports


Have you ever been to a ball game in Henry County and wondered who is that guy you always see holding a notepad and snapping photos ?

Odds are that would be Tommy Priddy. He has been The Post-Intelligencer sports editor for more than 21 years and has been a fixture at local sporting events.

Priddy is the 2007 recipient of the Paris-Henry County Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished Service Award. He’ll be honored at the April 14 P-HC Sports Hall of Fame Banquet set for 6:30 p.m. at the Paris Convention Center, 1510 E. Wood St.

Also being honored that night are the 2007 inductees to the Hall of Fame. They are Doug Barner, Jerry Brannon, Virgil Wall, the late Earl Mann and the late Vayden Waddy.

Priddy has been married for 27 years to the former Barbara Malone of Henry. They make their home near Henry with their 14-year-old identical twin daughters Shelby and Stephanie. He is the son of Thomas H. “Pat” and Jo Priddy of Paris.

A Henry County High School graduate, Priddy attended Murray State University. He was a co-editor of the HCHS newspaper, The First Amendment, as both a junior and senior.

At Murray State, Priddy served as sports editor for the Murray State News and worked in the sports information office. He also wrote guest articles for the Murray State yearbook and other school publications.

He won a National Quill and Scroll Award in high school in investigative journalism for a story on the then-little-known disaster plan at HCHS. In college, he received a Kentucky sports writing award for a story he penned on the hunting options for students at Murray State.

Sports has been a lifelong love affair for Priddy. He played baseball in the former Henry County Little League and the Paris-Henry County Babe Ruth League. He played many more games on the playgrounds at Atkins-Porter, Inman and Rhea Elementary schools.

If there was a pickup basketball, baseball, softball or football game to be found, Priddy was probably in it.

He and his wife were once runners-up in the mixed doubles competition in the City Tennis Tournament and he has twice been a runner-up in Division III of the Paris Country Club’s annual Club Championship golf tournament but it was slow-pitch softball that would really catch his fancy.

He played softball in the Paris-Henry County Softball Association for nearly 20 years. He three times served that association as president and held various other board member positions during the 1980s and 1990s.

Priddy played on two league champions and three squads that placed second in the men’s Industrial League. He also coached women’s teams to four titles and three second-place finishes. Teams he played on won numerous tournament titles around West Tennessee and western Kentucky, including the Fish Fry Tournament in Paris. In those tournaments, he was selected as All-Star many times. He was also a regular participant in the Church League and coed leagues.

He, along with Randy Patton of Camden, brought three United States Slo-pitch Softball Association state tournaments to Paris and he also managed a state tournament in Ripley in the mid-1990s.

After his daughters began playing softball, Priddy gave up playing to coach T-ball in the Paris Little League and then girls’ softball in the Kentucky Lake Amateur Softball Association (ASA) girls’ league.

He led teams to league titles in the 8-years-old and under division and, last summer, in the 14-years-old and under division. He guided the Shady Grove Wrecker Service team to the ASA district championship in Camden last year. He is a past board member of the ASA league.

He also helped coach his daughters’ teams in the Paris-Henry County Basketball League and in the former American Youth Soccer Organization. He served as a volunteer assistant softball coach at Henry School for two years.

Journalism was a great way for an avid sports fan like Priddy to stay involved. He first became interested in journalism when he joined the newspaper staff at then-Grove Junior High School when he was in the ninth grade.

He took journalism at HCHS as a 10th-grader and then HCHS newspaper adviser Ann Landini picked him for the staff of The First Amendment. He has said many time that he doesn’t do anything as a reporter that he didn’t learn to do while serving under Landini in high school.

While in college, Priddy had the opportunity to interview Olympic gold medalist Pat Spurgin who also attended Murray State. Spurgin won the gold medal in air-rifle competition and she did her first interview after the Olympics with Priddy.

Priddy has interviewed several pro athletic figures such as Joe Torre, Dale Murphy, Brett Butler, Stump Mitchell, Randall “Tex” Cobb, Jerry Lawler, Jeff Jarrett and Kirk Hasten. College figures Priddy has interviewed and photographed include many University of Tennessee coaches and players including Pat Summitt, Philip Fulmer, Jerry Green, Buzz Peterson and Don DaVoe.

Some of his favorite interviews have been Hall of Fame speakers such as Archie and Peyton Manning, Joe Dean and C.M. Newton. He also lists several members of the Tennesse Titans to his credits but prefers the challenge of covering local sports.

In addition to working at The P-I, Priddy worked while in college at radio station WTPR as a disc jockey and news reporter. While there, he teamed with the late Jim Moody on several basketball broadcasts. He also has broadcast baseball tournaments for that station.

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