Athletics Hall Of Fame

alumni — Mason Plumlee '09 and Ali Knowles '09 were inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame during Alumni Weekend in 2022.

Inducted Athletes

Mason Plumlee '09

Basketball and Track & Field

Two-time all-state selection, two-time team MVP, and three-time all-conference pick who led the Greenie basketball program to a 99-8 record and state championships as a sophomore, junior, and senior.
2009 McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand All-American, Parade All-American, and SLAM magazine All-American who averaged 15.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game as a senior.
Also competed in track and was a state runner-up in the high jump. His personal-record height of 6 feet, 8 inches is one inch off the school record.
Signed with Duke University. Part of 2010 NCAA championship team.
10-year NBA veteran who has played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Portland Trailblazers, Denver Nuggets, and Detroit Pistons.

Auggy Campbell '09

FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL

Three-year all-conference and two-time all-state football player who made 237 career tackles, 16 sacks, seven interceptions and seven fumble recoveries, while scoring six defensive touchdowns on four interceptions and two fumble returns.
As a senior, finished with 91 tackles, four sacks, three fumble recoveries, and two interceptions in his final season for the Greenies. Scored four defensive touchdowns.
Played college football for Duke University. Set a school record for the longest fumble return for a touchdown (95 yards) in a 2010 game versus Boston College.
Two-time all-conference baseball player in high school who batted a career-high .431.

Lakeem Jackson '09

Basketball and Track & Field

Two-time all-state selection and back-to-back state champion (2008 and 2009) who scored more than 15 points a game as a junior and senior. Averaged 15.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in his final year of high school basketball to share Team MVP honors and make the All-Carolinas Athletic Association and Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina teams for the second time.
Played college basketball for the University of South Carolina, choosing the Gamecocks over Clemson and Marquette.
Post-college career included playing pro internationally from 2013 to 2022, retiring after a second and final season with Japan's Aomori Wat's.

Ali Knowles '09

BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, AND FOOTBALL

Three-year baseball player and two-time all-state selection.
Hit .618 as a senior and .500 as a junior.
Also lettered in football and basketball for two seasons.
Signed with Troy University.

Malik Cooke '07

BASKETBALL

Two-time team MVP in basketball and school's all-time leading scorer (1,375 points).
All-conference: 2005, 2006, and 2007.
All-state: 2006 and 2007.
Asheville Citizen-Times WNC Player of the Year: 2007.
Two-time state champion: 2005 and 2007.
Played college basketball at the University of Nevada and University of South Carolina.
Scored more than 1,000 career points in college.
Played professionally in the United States, France, Austria, Chile, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, Israel, and the United Kingdom.

Rett English '08

CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD

Two-time cross country team MVP.
Set school records in track for the 1,600-meter run (4:30.97) and 3,200-meter run (9:45.67). Set school record for cross country in the 5-kilometers (15:54).
Cross country state champion: 2006 and 2007.
Track state champion: 3,200-meter run (2007).
Track state runner-up: 1,600-meter run (2007).

Sam Redmond '08

SOCCER

All-conference: 2007 and 2008.
All-state: 2007 and 2008.
Two-time All-American and four-year letterman.
Two-time team MVP.
Played college soccer at Wake Forest University and College of Charleston.

Miles Plumlee '08

BASKETBALL

All-state: 2007 and 2008.
All-conference: 2007 and 2008.
Asheville Citizen-Times All-WNC team: 2007 and 2008.
Two-time state champion: 2007 and 2008.
Scored 796 career points in high school. Greenies had a 63-6 record with Plumlee in their lineup.
Played college basketball at Duke University, winning a NCAA championship in 2010.
Had 654 career rebounds and 650 career points in college.
Selected 26th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by Indiana Pacers, becoming Christ School’s first-ever NBA player.
Played professionally in the NBA for Atlanta, Charlotte, Indiana, Milwaukee, and Phoenix.

Jamie Locke ’07

LACROSSE

Team MVP: 2007.
Conference Player of the Year: 2007.
All-state: 2007.
All-conference: 2006.
Made 730 career saves in high school (72 percent save percentage), Greenies had a 40-20-1 record with Locke as goalkeeper.
Played college lacrosse at the University of North Carolina.

Chavis Holmes ’05

BASKETBALL

Led Christ School to back-to-back state championship appearances (2004 and 2005) and scored 1,060 career points.
2005 All Western North Carolina, 2005 NCSIAA All-State
2005 Greenies captured their First State Basketball Championship
Overall Record in two seasons, 59-7
2005-09 Played for VMI, finished in TOP ALL TIME scoring
Along with brother, Travis, set the NCAA record for scoring by two brothers.
Scored 2,065 points in his VMI career, 5^th All Time, had 304 steals, 2^nd ALL TIME
488 three pointers in college career

combinedholmes — Chavis Holmes '05 and Travis Holmes '05.

Travis Holmes '05

BASKETBALL

Sixth All Time Lead Scorer, 1,120 Points
2005 All Western North Carolina, 2005 NCSIAA All-State
2004 and 2005 Led CS to back to back Championship games
2005 Greenies captured their First State Basketball Championship
Overall Record in two seasons, 59-7
2005-09 Played for VMI, finished in TOP ALL TIME scoring
Along with brother, Chavis, set the NCAA record for scoring by two brothers.
Scored 1,733 points in his VMI career, 8^th All Time, had 309 steals, 1st ALL TIME
182 three pointers in college career.

Calvin Covington '01

BASKETBALL, FOOTBALL, AND TRACK & FIELD

Scored 1,167 points for basketball team.
Named to 2000 and 2001 all-conference teams and Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina team as a senior. Team MVP as a junior and senior.
Named to all-state football team and team MVP in 2000, as well as All-Western North Carolina and all-state.
Continued football career at the University of North Carolina as a walk-on linebacker.
Member of 2000 state-championship 400-meter relay team.

Manuel Garcia '94

WRESTLING, FOOTBALL, and track & field

Totaled 100 career wins (81 pins) with state championships in 1992, 1993, and 1994, and a state runner-up showing in 1991.
Went 43-0 his senior year.
Three-time team MVP and Most Improved Wrestler in 1991.
1994 Western North Carolina Minor Sport Athlete of the Year.
Placed fourth in prep nationals, was a Greco-Roman style state champion, and wrestled for the Puerto Rican Pan Am Games team.
Wrestled collegiately at Purdue University.
Played varsity football for three years and was an all-conference selection.
Lettered three years in track.

Mike Hill '90

TRACK & FIELD, BASKETBALL, AND SOCCER

Set state record for the high jump (6 feet, 8.75 inches) in leading the 1990 track team to a state championship.
Most Valuable Athlete in McDonald's Invitational.
1989 and 1990 team MVP.
All-conference basketball player in 1990.
Star goalie on soccer team that went undefeated in conference play.

Andy Taylor ‘87

CROSS COUNTRY, TRACK & FIELD, AND BASEBALL

Cross country state champion (1986) and two-time all-state runner (1985 and 1986).
Two-time team MVP.
Ran cross country and track for four years at Duke University (cross country MVP and placed in 1,500-meter run at ACC track meet).
Most Improved Player in baseball (1986). Batted over .400 as a junior and over .300 as a senior.

David Gaines '84

BASKETBALL AND FOOTBALL

Two-time Asheville Citizen-Times All-Buncombe County player in basketball with 1,091 career points. Buncombe County Player of the Year and All-Western North Carolina player in 1984. Scored in double figures 50 of his 55 games as a Greenie.
Averaged 24.1 points, 6.3 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.0 steals per game as a senior.
Signed with Roanoke College basketball.
Passed for 2,168 yards and 22 touchdowns and was named to 1982 and 1983 All-Buncombe County football teams as a quarterback. Made 1983 All-Western North Carolina team.
Western District State Player of the Year in 1983.
Coached Greenie teams to nine state championships, six in basketball and three in golf.

Bill Atwill '79

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, AND TRACK & FIELD

Co-MVP of 1977 and 1978 football teams.
MVP and captain for 1979 basketball team. Averaged 14.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game as a senior.
MVP and captain of 1979 baseball team with a .488 batting average as a senior.
Winner of 1979 Bill Sewell Hustle Award.
Part of 440-yard relay team that ran a conference record.

Anthony Howard '78

FOOTBALL, TRACK & FIELD, AND WRESTLING

Asheville Citizen-Times Western North Carolina Athlete of the Year in 1978.
Played three years of varsity football, part of 1976 state runner-up team.
Two-time all-state selection (1976 and 1977).
Made 1977 All-Western North Carolina team as a running back.
Signed with Presbyterian College to play football and run track.
Wrestled for three years.
Three-year member of the track program and contributor to 1978 state championship.

Rusty Crutchfield '77

FOOTBALL, SOCCER, BASKETBALL, AND TRACK & FIELD

Captain and MVP of 1976 football team. Named to Asheville Citizen-Times All-Buncombe County team in 1975 and 1976.
Led all Western North Carolina receivers in single-season yards in 1976 and finished with 1,007 career yards and 147 points scored.
Three-year soccer player (and leading scorer each year); captain and MVP of 1977 team.
Scored 59 career goals.
Three-year baseball player.
Three-year track athlete. Part of school record 1-mile relay.
Asheville Citizen-Times Outstanding Scholar-Athlete for Buncombe County in 1977.
Senior Athletic Cup Winner.

Greg Hoke '76

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, and track & field

Played one year of quarterback for Christ School football after transferring from Charlotte Myers Park.
Team MVP and Senior Athletic Cup winner who was selected to Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina and All-Buncombe County teams, as well as all-state team.
Captain, MVP, and leading scorer for 1975-76 basketball team.
MVP of 1976 track team. Named Most Outstanding Performer in field events at 1976 T.C. Roberson Invitational.

John F. Campbell '73

BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, AND TRACK & FIELD

Three-year football player and winner of the 1973 Senior Athletic Cup.
Captain and team MVP in 1972. Selected to the Asheville Citizen-Times All-Buncombe County team.
Leading scorer on 1972-73 soccer team that went 15-0-1.
Two-year baseball player. All-conference in 1973, team Co-MVP and leading hitter on conference championship team with 15-1 record.
Two-year track athlete.

Walter Hannah '72

FOOTBALL, WRESTLING, AND TENNIS

Three-year all-conference football player who was co-captain and named to the Asheville Citizen-Times All-Buncombe County team in 1971.
Buncombe County Lineman of the Week in 1971.
Captain of 1972 wrestling team and finished with a career record of 35-2-2. Most Outstanding Wrestler at 1972 Billy Dunn tournament.
Conference champion playing No. 3 singles for tennis team.

Arthur “Tino” Swanson '71

FOOTBALL, SOCCER, AND BASEBALL

Named Buncombe County Back of the Year by Asheville Jaycees in 1970 and was twice selected Buncombe County Back of the Week while playing quarterback for Christ School football.
Team captain for 1970 team, all-conference selection, and named to Asheville Citizen-Times All-Buncombe County team.
Three-year soccer player.
Two-year all-conference baseball player for teams that never lost to Asheville School. Undefeated as a pitcher both years.
Co-winner of Senior Athletic Cup for 1971.

David Pharr '71

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND TENNIS

Three-year player and two-time all-conference selection for Christ School football.
Named to 1970 Asheville Citizen-Times All-Buncombe County team.
Three-year basketball player. Second team all-conference selection and second-leading scorer for 1970-71 season. Team MVP as a senior.
Three-year tennis player and winner of Mable Morgan MVP award.
Co-winner of 1971 Senior Athletic Cup.

Tom Myer '67

FOOTBALL, SOCCER, AND TRACK & FIELD

Member of undefeated 1965 football team and co-captain in 1966.
Four-year soccer player.
Four-year track athlete. Set a school record for the long jump and led 1965 and 1966 teams in individual points scored.

Tom Suiter '67

BASKETBALL AND BASEBALL

Captain of 1965-66 and 1966-67 basketball teams.
Averaged 24 points as a senior with a school-record 48 points in a game versus Rosman.
Batted .451 his senior year and was never caught stealing a base in his high school baseball career. Stole 18 bases as a senior.
Reached base at least once in every game of his career.
Pioneering sportscaster who was inducted into the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame in 2022. Worked the majority of his career for WRAL-TV out of Raleigh.
Also part of the N.C. High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame, North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Nash-Edgecombe County (N.C.) Hall of Fame, and the National Academy of Arts and Sciences Silver Circle.

John Hine '67

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND TRACK & field

Team MVP and starting quarterback for football team as a senior.
Two-year basketball player, named to conference all-tournament team in 1967.
Lettered five years in track and set school pole vault record. Co-MVP of team his senior year.

Larry Miller '66

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BASEBALL

Three-year football player and member of the undefeated 1965 team.
Played basketball from 1964-66 and was part of the 1965-66 team that had a 18-2 record.
Four-year baseball player and team MVP in 1966.

Wyndham Manning '66

FOOTBALL, WRESTLING, AND TRACK & FIELD

Four-year football player, captain and MVP of undefeated 1965 team.
Most Outstanding Lineman his junior and senior years.
Four-year wrestler and captain of undefeated 1966 team.
Four-year track athlete and team captain. Set a school record in the shot put.

Larry Knight '66

FOOTBALL, WRESTLING, and baseball

Four-year varsity letterman in football and captain of undefeated 1965 team.
Three-year varsity letterman in wrestling. Undefeated as a senior in 1966.
Earned two varsity letters in baseball and was team MVP as a senior.

Chad Drayton '66

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, TENNIS, AND TRACK & FIELD

Part of undefeated 1965 and 1966 football teams.
Played varsity basketball from 1964-66. Co-captain and leading scorer for 1965-66 team.
Four-year tennis player. Played No. 1 singles for the Greenies.
Four-year track athlete. Mostly participated in field events and was part of school record in the Distance Medley Relay.

Magnus “Goose” Halldorson '62

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BASEBALL

Four-year football player who earned two varsity letters and was an honorable mention Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina selection.
Earned two varsity letters in basketball, leading team with 279 points (an average of 16.4 per game) as a senior.
Three-year varsity letterman in baseball.

Craig Wardlaw '62

FOOTBALL AND TRACK

Named to Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina football team as a quarterback in 1961.
Played college football.
Played basketball from 1959-62 and was second-leading scorer for 1961-62 team.
Four-year track athlete.
Runner-up for overall Most Valuable Athlete at 1962 Western Carolina Relays meet.

Chuck Norlander '61

BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, AND FOOTBALL

Most Valuable Player for basketball and football teams as a senior.
Captain of the 1960 football team that went 6-1.
Averaged 20.6 points per game, including career-highs of 32 points and 19 rebounds, his senior season of basketball.
Batted .471 in final season of baseball.

Hudnor

Jim Martin '57

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BASEBALL

Two-year varsity football player and captain of 1957 team.
First NFL player in school history (Cleveland Browns). His career was cut short by military service after playing collegiately at Wofford.
Played varsity basketball from 1955-57 and was captain of 1956-57 team that went 15-1.
Played varsity baseball from 1955-57 and was team captain in 1957.

Frank Hudnor '57

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, AND TRACK & FIELD

Three-year football player and Most Outstanding Lineman in 1957.
Leading rebounder for 1955-56 and 1956-57 basketball teams.
Played third base for 1955 and 1956 baseball teams.
Set a Western North Carolina record for the 880-yard run in 1956.

Julian McCracken '51

BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, AND BASKETBALL

1951 winner of Warrior Division Athletic Cup.
Four-year letterman in baseball.
Member of 1949 Blue Ridge Conference championship team. Batted .342 his sophomore year and .351 as a senior.
Team captain and quarterback his senior year, led the team to an upset win over Brevard High School.
Two-year letterman in basketball.

David Murray '49

BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, AND BASKETBALL

Played two years of varsity baseball and was team captain as a senior.
Pitched a no-hitter against Brevard High School.
Struck out 24 batters in a game (twice), which is a school record.
Career earned-run average under 2.00.
Played varsity football as a senior.
Two-year varsity basketball player, captain both years. Averaged over 15 points per game.

John Moore '40

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BASEBALL

Two-year varsity football player and team captain in 1939.
Captain of 1938-39 basketball team, center and leading scorer.
Played center field and first base for 1939 and 1940 baseball teams. Led team in home runs, including three in one game against Asheville School in 1938.

Clay Croom '40

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BASEBALL

Winner of the 1940 Senior Athletic Cup. Earned seven varsity letters at Christ School.
Two-year football player who continued his career at the University of North Carolina.
Co-leading scorer for Christ School's 1939-40 basketball team.
Star pitcher and catcher for 1939 and 1940 baseball teams.
Played one year of minor league baseball for Kinston (N.C.).

James Picklesimer '38

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BASEBALL

Selected to Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina football team twice (1936 and 1937) and team captain as a senior.
Attended Auburn University on a football scholarship.
Played two seasons of varsity basketball and was leading scorer for 1937-38 team.
Two-year baseball player, starred at outfielder and pitcher for 1938 team.
Initial recipient of Senior Athletic Cup.

John D. Jones '36

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BASEBALL

Four-year football player.
Played basketball from 1933-36, earning two varsity letters.
Played baseball from 1933-36, earning two varsity letters.
Recognized by Richard Fayssoux '1916 as one of the eight best all-around athletes in his first 20 years (1923-43) at Christ School. Made Coach Fayssoux's list of his best all-time football players between 1923 and 1954.

phelps

Edward "Red" Phelps '32

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BASEBALL

Captain, quarterback, and leading rusher for the undefeated 1931 football team. Named to 1931 Asheville Citizen-Times All-Western North Carolina team.
Credited with the longest touchdown run in Christ School history (105 yards).
Guard and leading scorer for 1931-32 basketball team.
Set a Western North Carolina baseball record for single-game strikeouts (20).

Walter Shuford '1922

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, TRACK & FIELD, AND FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND TRACK & FIELD COACHING

Starred in football, baseball, and track for Christ School in the 1920s.
Co-winner of the initial Norris Athletic Trophy with his brother, Charles, denoting the top athlete at N.C. State University.
Made All-Southern Collegiate team at halfback in 1923.
Coached football, basketball, and track in Western North Carolina for more than 36 years, retiring in 1965.
Received Charlie Justice Award in 1962 for his contributions to sports in Western North Carolina.

Manly 'Red' Whisnant '1922

FOOTBALL AND BASEBALL

Played football for six years as a guard and fullback.
Four-year starter for the University of North Carolina and team captain.
Named to 1925 all-state team, All-Southern Guard winner, and UNC Norris Trophy winner for outstanding academics and athletics.

Charlie Shuford '1922

FOOTBALL, BASEBALL, AND BASKETBALL

Football star of the 1920s who went on to play at N.C. State University.
Recipient of N.C. State's Norris Athletic Trophy for top athlete (co-winner with his brother, Walter).
Leader of basketball and baseball teams at Christ School.

Coaches Section

Richard Fayssoux '1916

BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AND BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, AND FOOTBALL COACHING

Quarterback for the first-ever organized Christ School football team (1915) and all-time leader in coaching wins (175) for a career that spanned 42 years (1923-65).
Christ School's football field and bleachers were dedicated to "Fessor" in 1972.
Played baseball and won a school-record 291 games as a coach from 1923 to 1966.
Played one year of professional baseball (1921) for Asheville's team in the Western Carolina League.
Founded the basketball program starting with the 1922-23 season and won 310 games as a coach from 1923 to 1963.
Inducted into Western North Carolina Hall of Fame.
The Fayssoux-Arbogast Trophy goes to the winner of the annual Christ School-Asheville School football game and was introduced into the rivalry in 1971.

Bill Sewell '57

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, AND FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND BASEBALL COACHING

Asheville Citizen-Times Western North Carolina Back of the Week and co-captain for 1957 football team.
Team MVP, co-captain, and all-conference selection for 1956-57 basketball team. Averaged a school-record 27.9 points as a senior and finished with 1,117 career points.
Team MVP for 1957 baseball team. Hit for the cycle.
Coached at Christ School from 1962-79. He had a career record of 119-31 in baseball and his football teams were 43-16-1 with state runner-up seasons in 1977 and 1978.
Qualified for first independent school state football playoffs in 1975.

Reed Finlay '58

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, TRACK & FIELD, TENNIS, AND CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK & FIELD COACHING

As an athlete, was a part of football, basketball, track & field, and tennis programs. Received a Hunter Caldwell MVP trophy as a senior.
Coached at Christ School from 1971-90.
Coached Little Greenies and JV Basketball from 1973-79.
Reintroduced cross country as a sport in 1972 and coached track from 1973-90.
Coach of 1990 state championship track team and three individual state champions.
Coached tennis in 1972.

Jim Heinold

FOOTBALL, SOCCER, AND TRACK & FIELD COACHING

Coached at Christ School from 1944-52.
Founded the track & field program in 1944 and coached the team to a Blue Ridge Conference championship in 1952.
Reintroduced soccer in 1948. Teams had a 19-game winning streak enroute to Blue Ridge Conference championships in 1950 and 1951. The 1951 team was 7-0.
Assistant football coach under Richard Fayssoux '1916.
Worked in the area as a football referee and was elected president of the Western North Carolina Officials and Coaches Association in 1952.

Hess

Jerry Hess

FOOTBALL, BASKETBALL, AND TRACK & FIELD COACHING

Coached Christ School football, basketball and track teams from 1962-1973.
His football teams only lost a single game between 1966-68, beat Asheville School four consecutive years, and had an overall record of 33-17-4.
Christ School's 1965-66 basketball team had an 18-2 record under Coach Hess and 1966-67 team went 15-5. His career record at Christ School was 128-65.
Coached the track team to eight undefeated seasons, winning 47 dual meets in a row.
Co-founder of the Carolinas Athletic Association.
Member of the Hiram College Athletic Hall of Fame and the inaugural class of Carolina Day School's Athletic Hall of Fame (2005).

Pat James

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AND BASEBALL, BASKETBALL, AND FOOTBALL COACHING

Served as Athletic Director for 16 years and was head coach for varsity basketball and varsity baseball teams from 1976-1995.
His basketball teams were conference champions in seven of 19 seasons and reached the state playoffs 11 times.
Won a school record 294 baseball games and 14 conference championships in 26 seasons (1976-1995 and 2010 to 2016). His teams qualified for the state playoffs 10 times and once had a 43-game winning streak in conference play.
Member of the N.C. Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Served as assistant varsity football coach.

Mike Knighton

ATHLETIC DIRECTOR AND FOOTBALL COACHING

Won 36 games in two stints as football coach (1981-91 and 1996-97), including the 1983 Asheville School game, considered one of the biggest upsets in the 98-game series.
His best team, record-wise, was the 1996 team that went 6-3, finished in a three-way tie for the Carolinas Athletic Association championship, and qualified for the NCISAA state playoffs. At the time, it was the first playoff appearance in 19 years for the Greenies.
Also served the school as Athletic Director, Dean of Students, Director of Admissions, English teacher, and Director of Alumni Relations before retiring in 2008.
Coached at McCallie School (Tenn.) in the 1970s and early 1980s before coming to Christ School.
Native of Cedartown, Ga., who majored in English and played football at Vanderbilt University. He earned a master’s in Education at West Georgia College.