Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame to induct trio

Spectators at the Atlanta – Liberty-Eylau game this Friday night will see a trio of Atlanta sports greats added to the Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame (HOF). Established last year, the HOF began with five honorees as the Class of 2018. Now the Class of 2019 will be inducted shortly before the game’s kickoff.

Two of the honorees starred as all-around athletes but excelled as football players and later as outstanding gridiron coaches.

Both played here in Atlanta during the 1950’s. Freddie James was a Booker T. Washington Wolverine while across town George Jackson led the Atlanta Rabbits. Despite the then segregated schools, the two became friends by virtue of a summer job.

James went on to play for a national championship team at Prairie View A&M and became a distinguished Texas high school football coach. He compiled an amazing won-lost record and guided Dallas Carter to a state title in 1988.

Freddie is already a member of the Dallas Coaches HOF and the Texas Black Sports Hall.

Jackson helped lead Texarkana College to a nationa title in 1957. Then at Sam Houston State he led the then named Lone Star Conference as its leading rusher in both 1958 and 1959.

During his long coaching career he spent three years as the Rabbits’ head man and achieved success at schools all across the state. He also is a member of the Sam Houston State Sports HOF.

The third member of this year’s class is a young lady who may have been the Lady Rabbits’ most valuable athlete. Ravon Justice played all girls sports and excelled in each one. She earned a college basketball scholarship and went on to stardom at that level.

Then entering the coaching ranks, she worked her way up to stints as head women’s basketball coach at Prairie View A&M and in 2018 moved on to the same position at Sam Houston State. At the latter, Ravon was voted 2019 Coach of the Year in the Southland Conference.

Black granite plaques honoring each of these new members have been mounted on the wall of the Rabbit Stadium entry way to join the five from last year. Etched in the granite is a short summary of their careers.

Prior to the game the trio will enjoy a supper in their honor. Family members and close friends will be guests at the meal. Then the three will view their plaques at the stadium entry before moving with friends and family out on to the field.

At this time each new member will be presented a framed replica of the black granite plaque.

Lewis Lincoln will present to Coach James. Lincoln is an alum of both Booker T. Washington and Atlanta High schools. George Jackson will receive the plaque from former 1955 Rabbit football teammate Howard Carney.

Coach Donna Walker will give Ravon Justice her plaque. Walker was a longtime girls coach in Atlanta and mentored Ravon during her four years of high school athletics here in the late 1990’s

Established in 2018 to highlight and maintain Atlanta’s numerous outstanding sports achievements by individuals, the HOF has gone as far back as over 100 years to select deserving athletes.

This past year focus for the men’s nominees has been on those who began their Atlanta athletic careers during the 1950’s. Nominations in each decade going forward will be considered.

A tax exempt organization, the HOF needs donations to pay for the beautiful plaques each year. Please continue to support Atlanta Pride with nominations and donations to Atlanta Athletics HOF P.O. Box 637 Atlanta, TX 75551.