Banquet Set

Managing Editor

The Thomaston-Upson Sports Hall of Fame will hold its fourth annual induction banquet on February 23. 2008 at 6:00 PM at Upson-Lee High School. Those being inducted at the affair will be Willie Crummie, Willie Howell, Danny Jones, Tommy Montgomery, Terry Osbolt, Curtis Perry, Harold Tarrer and the 1965 Yatesville High School boy's basketball team. In addition to the induction awards the HOF will introduce a new award this year. No information is available about the award at this time, but it will be announced at the banquet. Tickets for the banquet are $20 and are presently on sale from any member of the board of directors. at the offices of The Thomaston Times. and at Upson-Lee High School. Board members are Jim Fowler, Jim Pruett, Cleve Hendrix, Ronnie Lowe, Kathy Berryhill, Bobbie Hill, Ronald Johnston, Mike Majors, Lynne Sheets, Robert Walker and Joe White. There will be very few tickets available at the door, so those who wish to attend are encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance. A large crowd is expected for the banquet, which has quickly become one of the most anticipated events of the year.

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.