Alexander County Public Education Foundation inducts three into Sports Hall of Fame, highlights $500 teacher grants

Bridget Ryan, president of the Alexander County Public Education Foundation and a member of the Alexander County School Board, opened a ceremony this evening in Taylorsville that inducted three people into the Alexander County Sports Hall of Fame and outlined the foundation’s work supporting classrooms. "We are excited tonight to induct 3 outstanding individuals," Ryan said, adding that the foundation provides "resources and support to the Alexander County Schools through teacher grants."

The foundation was founded in February 2009 and established the Sports Hall of Fame in February 2012, Superintendent Bill Griffin said. "Tonight, we come together to recognize not only the achievements within our sports community, but also the invaluable contributions to education," Griffin said. He told the audience the foundation has inducted 52 people from 2012 through 2023 and that "each year, we award $500 teacher grants," which the foundation says help teachers create classroom projects and experiences.

The three inductees honored were West Deal, Alta Jean Hefner and Celeste Johnston Thicke. Master of ceremonies Rick Gilbert introduced each honoree and led conversations about their careers and community ties.

West Deal was remembered as a standout baseball player and longtime coach and recreation director who graduated from Alexander Central in 1982. Speakers described him as a teacher of the game who emphasized fundamentals and preparation. "He'd teach me how to do it and not really that I just needed to get better," Ethan Deal, identified in the program as Deal's son, said in accepting on his father's behalf. Bobby Bridal, introduced as an Alexander County Sports Hall of Famer and classmate, recalled Deal's temperament and pitching style: "I don't think I ever seen a man ever get mad at all about anything," Bridal said, summarizing the view of teammates and friends. Program remarks noted Deal worked for the county recreation department, owned a sporting-goods store and coached youth baseball and softball; his son Ethan and Bridal accepted on his behalf.

Alta Jean Hefner, a member of Taylorville High School’s teams from 1958 to 1961, was cited for her role on squads that compiled deep winning streaks and captured regional titles in the period before state association play. Hefner described the era and her coach, Pat Gainey, and recalled how the team operated under different rules and a six-player configuration for women's basketball. "He loved his girls," Hefner said of Coach Pat Gainey, and she told the audience she "just loved to play," describing practice and team routines that sustained her across seasons.

Celeste Johnston Thicke, a 1982 Alexander Central graduate, was cited for lettering in four sports in a single school year and for playing on multiple championship softball teams. Program remarks said she later assisted as a coach at West Alexander and Alexander Central and is employed with Sugarloaf Elementary School. In her remarks, Thicke credited coaches and recalled competing in track, softball and basketball; she also described ongoing community involvement and outdoor activities since retiring from the school system. "I have coach Reed to thank for that," Thicke said, describing how she was encouraged into track competition.

The ceremony also named selection-committee members and thanked sponsors; the Alexander County School System was listed as a corporate sponsor. Organizers noted selection criteria and an application form are available on the Alexander County Schools website under the Parents and Community tab and urged nominations for future classes. Ryan reminded listeners that nomination is a multi-step process and that people may be nominated across ballots even if not chosen immediately.

The event emphasized both recognition of athletic achievement and the foundation’s continued support for educators through modest, targeted grants. Organizers closed by thanking volunteers, foundation members and local partners who provided the venue, publicity and the dinner served at the ceremony.

For now, the Hall of Fame’s newest members join a list of inductees the foundation says spans 2012–2023; organizers asked community members to submit future nominees via the school system’s website.