Announces Class of 2008 Inductees

Managing Editor



The Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame has again selected deserving local athletes for the Class of 2008.

An independent selection committee representing Upson County and the City of Thomaston selected the inductees, consisting of seven men and one team from a pool of 62 individual nominees and eight team nominations, to the four-year-old Hall of Fame.

“Every individual nominated was brought before the board and discussed out loud,” said T-U SHOF Chairman Jim Fowler. “This is a smaller class than in the past because as the years progress, the pool of nominees will naturally lessen.”

Fowler says he is pleased with this year's class selection.

“This is a great class,” he said. “Five of these fellows played major college ball, and the other two played pro baseball. The team was 1965 State Champions, so we think this is a great representative class.”

Fowler says although he and his committee are able to review many submissions for induction, not everyone can be inducted in one class.

“We still have a number of very worthy people who have not been inducted,” he said. “Hopefully those individuals will be voted into the T-U-SHOF in future years. As a board of directors, we understand there are citizens who may be concerned that some have not been inducted. We appreciate the concern and will strive to continue to work diligently to induct all worthy individuals.”

The inductees are as follows.

The first 2008 inductee into the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame is Curtis Perry. Perry is a 1984 graduate of R. E. Lee Institute, where he lettered for three years as a running back on the Rebels' football team. At the time of his graduation he was Lee's career leader in rushing yards with 3733, touchdowns scored with 58, and points scored with 354. His 253 yard rushing effort against Jackson in 1982 ranks as the 4th highest total in Lee history. He averaged 8.3 yards per rush in 1983, which is the best in Lee history. Perry holds or shares numerous other game, season, and career records at Lee. He also led Region 3M in rushing in 1983. Perry was named to The Macon Telegraph's All-Middle Georgia team in 1983 and was a member of The Atlanta Journal's AA All-State team in 1982 and 1983. After graduating from Lee, Perry received a football scholarship to Florida A&M University.

The second 2008 inductee into the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame is Tommy Montgomery. Montgomery is a 1976 graduate of R. E. Lee Institute, where he was an outstanding pitcher on the Rebels' baseball team. As a youth he participated in the Little League and Pony League baseball programs in Thomaston and was an all-star at every level. He was drafted by the California Angels in the 1976 free agent baseball draft, but chose instead to accept a baseball scholarship to Columbus College. In his three seasons at Columbus he put together a celebrated career as a pitcher. In 1979 Montgomery was again drafted, this time by the Montreal Expos in the 24th round. He chose to sign with the National League team at this time and went on to play for several years in the minor leagues before retiring.

The third 2008 inductee into the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame is Terry Osbolt. Osbolt is a 1964 graduate of R. E. Lee Institute where he was an outstanding lineman on the Rebels' football team. He was named as Lee's Most Improved Player in 1962. Because of his impressive play during his 1963 senior season, he was chosen to be a member of the North team in the 1964 Georgia High School All-Star game. After his graduation from Lee, Osbolt received a football scholarship to the University of Georgia, where he was a three-year letterman from 1966-68. While at Georgia he was voted Lineman-of-the-Game in Georgia's 1968 games against Florida and Georgia Tech. He also played on Bulldog SEC championship teams in 1966 and 1968 and participated in both the Cotton Bowl and the Sugar Bowl.

The fourth 2008 inductee into the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame is Willie Crummie. Crummie was the shortstop and team captain of Thomaston "Legion Aces" American Legion baseball teams that won four consecutive state championships in the mid-1940s. These teams also won regional championships, which covered eight states, in 1944, 45', and 46'. In 1946 Crummie was offered professional baseball contracts by several major league teams and chose to sign with the Chicago Cubs. He played in the Cubs' minor league system for several years and had good success before choosing to retire. Crummie was also a member of the 1947 East Thomaston semi-pro team that won the Georgia state championship.

The fifth 2008 inductee into the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame is Danny Jones. Jones was a standout defensive lineman on Rebel region championship teams in 1966 and 1967 before moving on to play at Gordon Military College. He then received a football scholarship to the University of Georgia, where he was a three-year letterman and two-year starter as a defensive guard for the Bulldogs. He was named to the All-SEC 2nd team in 1973. Jones played in both the Gator Bowl and Peach Bowl while at Georgia.

The sixth 2008 inductee into the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame is Willie Howell. Howell is a 1979 graduate of R.E. Lee Institute: where he was a three-year starter in football and a two-year starter in basketball. A versatile performer in football, Howell finished as the 8th leading pass receiver in Rebel history. He was also a starting forward on the Rebels' 1979 region championship basketball team. After graduating from Lee he received a football scholarship to Auburn University, where he was a four-year letterman as a running back and special teams' player. He played in the 1982 Tangerine Bowl.

The seventh 2008 inductee into the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame is Harold Tarrer. Tarrer is a 1965 graduate of R.E. Lee Institute where he was a standout guard and linebacker on the Rebels' football team. He was voted Most Valuable Lineman at Lee in 1963 and 1964 and was team captain in 1964. He was then named to the AAA All State team in 1964 by The Atlanta Journal and was a member of the North squad in the 1965 Georgia High School All-Star football game. Tarrer then received a football scholarship to The University of Georgia, where he was a three-year letterman and a two-year starter on defense. He was a member of Georgia's SEC championship teams in 1966 and 1968 and played in the Cotton Bowl, Liberty Bowl, and Sugar Bowl during his outstanding college career.

The eighth 2008 inductee into the Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame, and the second team to be inducted, is the 1965 Yatesville High School boys' basketball team. The Yellow Jackets of Coach Paul Sheets finished the 1965 season with a 29-1 record and captured the State Class C championship with a 80-67 win over Attapulgus at the Macon Coliseum. Along the way this team also won the mid-season Tri-County Tournament and the Region 4C title. The Jackets won the final 24 games of their season and captured 16 of their wins by 20 points or more. Their average winning margin in their 29 wins was 22 points.