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Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame inductees (from left) O.C. Hailey, Matthew McCargo and Cathy Rice, Dr. James Priest (father of the late Dr. Michael Bedford Priest who was inducted) and Hall of Fame President Carlysle Wimbish pose for a picture after Saturday night’s ceremony.
(From left) Frank Lee, Halifax County softball standout Destiny Talbott, baseball standout Trey Comer and Hall of Fame President Carlysle Wimbish pose for a picture with their scholarships after Saturday night’s ceremony.
Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame inductees (from left) O.C. Hailey, Matthew McCargo and Cathy Rice, Dr. James Priest (father of the late Dr. Michael Bedford Priest who was inducted) and Hall of Fame President Carlysle Wimbish pose for a picture after Saturday night’s ceremony.
Life is a fleeting thing. It’s what makes it special. Therefore, it makes sense we try to fill our lives with as much as possible.
Four people were honored for doing just that in an induction ceremony at the Washington Coleman Community Center in South Boston.
Former basketball standout and longtime South Boston Recreation Department director Matthew McCargo, former South Boston Speedway General Manager Cathy Rice, high school and collegiate baseball standout the late Dr. Michael Bedford Priest and former high school and collegiate multi-sport athlete O.C. Hailey were all inducted into the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame in front of their coaches, teammates, families and friends Saturday night.
Hailey, who played football, basketball and baseball at Halifax County and was team captain of all three sports his senior year and went to play football at James Madison University, started the evening with a speech about growing up in the Carter Fabrics community and the competition he faced and how it made him better. He also shared an anecdote about his brothers showing him a little tough love after he got down over not getting a trophy.
Hailey was presented by former teammate and friend Stan Bradshaw who recalled Hailey’s athletic ability and fun-loving personality.
(From left) Frank Lee, Halifax County softball standout Destiny Talbott, baseball standout Trey Comer and Hall of Fame President Carlysle Wimbish pose for a picture with their scholarships after Saturday night’s ceremony.
Davin Wilson/Gazette-Virginian
Former basketball standout and longtime South Boston Recreation Department director Matthew McCargo took the podium next after being presented by fellow Hall-Of-Fame member Frank Lee. McCargo played youth ball for the legendary Hugh Moore before going on to star at Halifax County and Lees-McRae College, Lynchburg College and Averett University. He also coached the 2011 Halifax County girls basketball team that finished 20-0 in the regular season and 21-2 overall, the best season in Comets’ history.
McCargo told a funny story about nearly bringing down the house with a dunk at his tryout for Lees-McRae and shared some of his poetry, including a piece from his youth concerning his desire to use his talents to be a benefit to others. In addition, he also shared his biggest honor was getting to coach his oldest daughter and recalled a note his daughter wrote him on Senior Night telling him how lucky she was to have him as a coach and father.
High school and collegiate baseball standout and the late Dr. Michael Bedford Priest was honored next. Priest was an outstanding ballplayer at every level, including T-ball, minor and major leagues, American Legion, middle and high school and collegiately at the University of Virginia and Campbell University. At the time of his passing, he was working in family medicine at Smith Mountain Lake.
Dr. Chris Barker gave the remarks, recalling what a great teammate Priest was and his fun-loving personality. His father, Dr. James Priest, accepted his late son’s induction and shared several anecdotes involving his late son and reminded those in attendance to tell the ones closest to them they loved them.
Former South Boston Speedway General Manager Cathy Rice was the last inductee of the night. Rice served as the general manager at South Boston Speedway for 21 years beginning in 2000 and was only the second woman to become a general manager at a NASCAR-sanctioned speedway. Altogether, she worked at the iconic speedway for 34 years. In addition, Rice also served several volunteer roles in the community.
Colleague Joe Chandler gave the remarks, highlighting Rice’s contributions to not only the racetrack, but the community as well. Once on the microphone, Rice recalled serving as a bonus mom for racers such as Jeff Burton and Elliott Sadler.
Before the induction kicked off, three scholarships were given out. Halifax County student-athletes Andrew Duffey, Destiny Talbott and Trey Comer were all awarded scholarships for the academic and athletic efforts.
