Quote of the Day: “The talent of success is nothing more than doing what you can do well, and doing well whatever you do without thought of fame. If it comes at all it will come because it is deserved, not because it is sought after.” –Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
It is only natural, and I think good that people will complain about how the Jackson County Hall of Fame is being established. It proves the need for one if nothing else. TB already has seen several things I would’ve done differently so I’ll try not to be too defensive about whatever criticism comes my way on this. I find in other parts of my life that if you take action, you almost always later realize you could have done something better. But if you take no action you can be certain you do nothing right. I can assure you of one thing–that my intent is to produce a real Hall full of deserving members.
To make this thing work, I need your help. Constructive criticism is unwelcome but necessary. I’ll make some changes and not others. Though this is a collaborative effort, I have to make the final calls on a lot of issues. But one of those will not be membership. Whoever finds the site gets an equal voice in this and your participation is vital. Next, spread the word about the Hall. The more memories we tap, the better the final product will be.
So the Hall will be more than just another internet list, I’m also asking for your help on filling up these virtual walls with memorabilia. If you have video of an enshrinee or a great game (particularly title games), I want to post them. In particular, if someone can turn the old football game tapes into digital form, they would make the site gold. Post video to youtube and send me the link or send me a dvd or email and I’ll get them on the site. Just brainstorming, old news clips and home videos would also be welcome. I know at least one poster has access to some old newspaper files. Articles about our members or our great teams would be great and I’ll post them all. You can also scan in articles and photos from your scrapbooks, email them to me and I’ll get them on here. I think it would be cool to get photos of some of the old high school trophies if someone can score them. Photos of old programs, ticket stubs, yearbook pages–whatever else you can think of–think what a historical repository we can make of this with enough participation! I’ll be scouring the web for links and bios and will also use any links you folks send me.
I’d also love to collect your stories as a fan and a participant in the great sporting events of our county’s past. The discussion thread has been a good start on this, and you will see some of that in the new hall. Finally, if anyone is able to get comments from the players we induct, or their families, it would add a lot to the record.
I’m fully aware of the possibility this request will be met with the sound of crickets, but if I don’t ask, the result is no better. But if I can get some good material, I’m going to set up a separate website that we can all enjoy and improve for years to come. So help dammit.
My email address is benwhite731@aol.com
Travellinbaen 
TB, one area that I would like to see explored is state championship teams. I tried to search for a listing of all state champions in all sports, but I could not find such a list anywhere. I think everyone knows about the 87 football team, but there are many other championship teams from further back and in the minor sports. I think it would be interesting to see which sports had dominant runs and when those runs occurred. For example, I know the PHS golf team won 2 and maybe three titles in the late 80’s and early 90’s and had something like a 10 year run of never finishing outside the top 5 in the 5A state tournament.
Good idea. I’ve thought about that too. I’ll devote a page to this for sure.
Another thing I thought of just now surfing the web on the first 6 guys–if you have football or baseball cards of them, take a pic of front and back and send them to me. Fish–you are probably the only one with Sam Leslie so I want a photo of that asap.
You would think that MHSAA website would have something on it, but it doesn’t appear to. I figured they would at least have a list of past champions in all sports. Unfortunately it didn’t appear to.
TB,
I still have the trophy and ring individual players got from the 83 state championship. Used to have scrapbook but Katrina washed that puppy away. I’ll take digital pictures of what I have and send to you.
Two people, I know who may have stuff are Moreland and Stephen Hawkins. Hawk was the statistician and now an AP reporter in Texas somewhere. Don’t know if he still has it, but the dude had stats, newspapers, pics., etc. on Goula baseball going back to the 50s. When I played all Goula games were filmed from the top of the dugout. Don’t know where those tapes are. Maybe ask Olsen.
TB, I will try to get you a copy. It is in a hard case at my parents house on Dauphin Island. It is a 1934 card that is pretty cool. Gary Holliman gave me the card as a gift when I was in college. His wife was Sam’s niece and they live in Sam’s house on River Road in Moss Point.
His grandson graduated with you guys (Scott Leslie) works at Northrop Grumman. We got our masters together.
Fish, I have to make a correction. Gary’s wife, Mary Ann is his granddaughter and 1st cousin to Scott. Scott’s sister and I go way back (PHS Class of 1977) and sometime last year I obtained a lithograph of Sam Leslie on ebay for her. To say she was thrilled is an understatement.
BTW, I also should point out that Wikkopedia has an article on Sam Leslie and it is full of bad info. I’m sure any of the family would be more than happy to provide his bio.
Thanks alot. For some reason I was thinking she was his niece.
Anyway, great point. Scott would probably do the bio for this. I can try to email him and see if he would.
I had someone scan a copy of my Sam Leslie card and also a picture I had of Sam with some team mates on the New York Giants 1936 team.
Sam Leslie
Burgess Whitehead
Dick Bartell
Mel Ott
If anyone wants a copy shoot me an email.
fishburn.christopher@ism-hq.com
Fish, if Scott will do one, that would be great.