How it all began
by Cecil Pruett
Hall of Fame member Will Heath has said, “It took someone who will never be eligible to be inducted in order for there to be a Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame”. He is right. I never played in Cherokee County. I was an Alabama country boy who came to Canton to work.
In 1965 I relocated to Canton. My career had changed from teacher/coach to research and development. My first six months in Canton were spent at the new Pine Crest Motel. The owners were Bill and Joanne Groover. Bill and Marvin Satterfield were very much involved in college basketball and were outstanding players at the old Canton High School. Bill went on to Brewton-Parker College and Marvin to the University of Georgia. Both had outstanding college careers.
Bill and Marvin invited me to join them on trips to Athens to watch college games. As we traveled, I listened to them talk about so many outstanding athletes they played with or had watched in Cherokee County. It became obvious to me that Cherokee County had produced many, many individuals who were quite accomplished in their athletic skills.
The years passed. In 2001 I was invited back to Cullman County, Alabama to be part of the induction of my former high school basketball coach and a college teammate into the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame. It was an impressive ceremony and a very rewarding experience for those who were inducted.
Upon returning to Canton, I requested a copy of the Constitution and By-Laws of the Cullman County Sports Hall of Fame. I contacted some of the initial board members to ask if they would be interested in organizing and participating in a Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame. Every person I asked affirmed my interest and committed their time and talents to have a significant part in what became a reality and a rousing success. We would have an opportunity to recognize those athletes of whom I had heard so much.
Those who deserve recognition for there achievements would receive it; men such as Bill Groover and Marvin Satterfield.
We have now experienced many years of very outstanding recognition for our most deserving Cherokee County athletes. The Cherokee County Sports Hall of Fame…it has been a real pleasure to see it come to fruition. Thanks for letting me be a partner in getting it done.
April 2008