Masters Games Hall of Fame 2011Below is what a Masters Games Board Member read at the Banquet when announcing the 2011 Masters Games Hall of Fame Award Winners. Click on winners below if you would like to skip straight to specific winners. One of my favorite parts of the Masters Games is the awards banquets. It is our chance to recognize in a special way some of the people who not only take an active part in the Games, but also share their enthusiasm of living with other participants, so that everyone has a better experience. Over 700 people have taken part in the State Games this year, but we will be presenting awards to just 13 of them. To read their stories is to truly be inspired. I would like to thank Carol Morris and Cindy Roberts for helping me with the Awards Committee this year. The first award category is the GOLDEN ALUMNI AWARDS. These awards are given to people who have been active in the games in the past, but who are no longer able to take part. Behind every champion is great character, and tonight’s winners certainly have shown character. Our first winner, from District 2, is DORIS WILLINGHAM. Doris was from Fort Payne, and she really loved the Masters Games. She participated in the bowling events with a senior league, and came to the Masters Games several years. She won ribbons each year at the District level, but won several medals at the state level as well. A retired school teacher who served in the Panama Canal Zone, not only did she love bowling, but she also played golf. Staying active after retirement, she frequently visited area nursing homes and played piano for the residents. The last time Doris won bowling medals at the state games, she was 88 years old. Her family could not be here tonight, but accepting the Award will be Marilyn McCorkle from District 2. From District 4, the Golden Alumni Award honors the late JAMES BROWN, from Jacksonville. He started participating in the Masters Games at age 94. For the last 6 years, Mr. Brown battled cancer, yet seldom used that as an excuse to slow down or not to do for others. He rarely ever missed a Masters Games practice, saying often “I know I can get this one in there!” He was even known to slip away from his wife a few times to come to the Senior Center to practice the games. She would call and say “You tell that James Brown to get back to this house, he needs to rest.” WILLIAM “TY” FLEMING is the Golden Alumni Award winner from in District 7. He was born in 1919, and turned 92 in August. Ty has participated in Masters Games for over 6 years, taking part in as many games as possible, and winning a state medal in Basketball free throw at age 91. He is a true competitor, as well as a good sportsman. From District 9, WILLIE JAMES FOWLER from Montgomery is the winner of the Golden Alumni Award. Mr. Fowler has been a faithful participant in Masters Games for 16 years. Recently he experienced problems with his eyesight and was unable to participate as a competitor, but continues to encourage others to p Our first Award will be presented to District 1's MARTHA HILL from Florence, better known as “MOT”. The All Stars Award from District 2 goes to REGINA PIERCE. Serving as the center manager at Athens, she is known for her enthusiasm, dedication, and hard work. She is always among the first to volunteer for any task, and she rolls HUGHLENE LAW, of Anniston, AL, is the All Star Award winner from District 4. For one special athlete, the spirit of competition runs deep. A son that coached high school softball and volleyball for 23 years, a granddaughter who
From District 6, Mrs. TOMMIE BROWN, of Valley, AL, receives the next All Star Award. The All Stars Award for District 7 goes to two people, TOM AND ELAINE JORDEN, Our next All Stars Award goes to District 8's BEA MILLS, from Dothan. Known as “Granny” Our last All Star Award recipient is ELIZABETH HOWELL, from Verbena. Our last award of the evening is the President’s Award, chosen by our Board President, and presented to someone who has contributed in a major way to our Games. |
He loved the Nerf and Frisbee throws, and played a mean game of Shuffleboard. A big Auburn fan, he even had his own orange and blue Nerf football that was his Lucky Ball. His age did not stop him from swimming, and diving off the diving board once a week.
articipate and win for his Senior Center, the Normandale Senior Center in Montgomery. He has been a true inspiration to all the participants, continuing to be involved even after suffering a debilitating stroke. 
She has taken part in almost all the games for 20 years, partnering with her sister Charlene Cooper in the games that need a partner. For the first time this year, the second generation of their family is participating in the Games, as her sister has two lovely daughters that are now also participants!
up her sleeves and gets the job done volunteering for fundraisers and many other civic events.
was 4A softball pitcher of the year - Hughlene Law now shines in her own light as an experienced athlete having won more than 11 Masters Games medals in the last several years. Hughlene might have started into Masters Games later than some athletes, but she caught up quickly! She visits the Oxford Civic Center frequently to practice and hone her skills. 
They say that dynamite comes in small packages, and Tommie Brown is truly a testament to that old saying. In the 12 years she has competed in Masters Games, she has won 115 medals at the State Games! Is that even possible? And Tommie isn’t your normal 78 year old grandmother - last year she jumped into the pool and swam a total of 475 meters in 8 different events, and added 8 more Gold medals to her war chest. After toweling off, Tommie proceeded to win a gold medal in Table Tennis. In addition to the swimming and table tennis, she is also a member of the newly formed line dance team that competed this year at the State Games.
from Orange Beach. They have been participating in the local and state Masters Games for 5 years. They are both very active, and have won several ribbons and medals in numerous games. They are the true definition of active seniors.
to most, Bea Mills has been attending the Masters Games for 18 years as a member of Rose Hill. She has won over 45 medals, with 10 being gold medals for competing in Dominoes. She also competed in several other events. Despite health issues that put her in a wheelchair, she refuses to stop competing. She is a role model for our other seniors, motivating them to keep going.
She has been actively involved since the beginning, and has probably won more ribbons than any other single participant in District 9. She also volunteers to assist with the Games wherever needed, including chasing balls, and even risking life and limb by holding the hula hoops for the Frisbee toss.
the logo. She has hosted the Games 4 times, but has worked on events year after year no matter where they were held. She has never turned down an assignment, and often volunteers to lead a committee.
