The Gulfport Sports Hall of Fame will induct 11 members this Saturday! Hear reactions from five deserving inductees.
The Gulfport Sports Hall of Fame is preparing to induct its 10th class which consists of 11 members. Those members include:
Timmy Bowers (Harrison Central HS, Class of 2000)
Sara Carter (St. John HS, Class of 2000)
Robin Fairley Collins (Gulfport HS, Class of 1980)
Rod Davis (Gulfport HS Class of 1999)
Bobby Garner (Gulfport HS, Class of 1999)
Charles Harris (Gulfport HS, Class of 1979)
Leroy Johnson (Gulfport HS, Class of 1998)
Cedric Scott (Gulfport HS, Class of 1996)
Syniker Taylor (Gulfport High School, Class of 1998)
Rick Villarreal (St. John HS, Class of 1975)
Trent Weaver (Gulfport HS, Class of 1984)
On Wednesday, WXXV spent time with five deserving members of the soon to be 10th inducted class. They spoke on their reaction to hearing they would soon be a part of such a prestigious group.
“It was absolutely amazing to be able to be amongst all of these great athletes and be remembered for a lifetime here on the coast, it was absolutely amazing,” said Leroy Johnson.
“It was just exciting knowing that I got recognized for the things I did whenever I played back with Gulfport, you know; just excitement.,” said Syniker Taylor.
“Excitement, actually Bryan Caldwell called me in church and said ‘I got to ask you something. Your name keeps coming up and we’d like to induct you into the Gulfport Sports Hall of Fame.’ I was just super excited honestly, it’s a lot of hard work that goes into it and to be honored for the things you did 20 years ago is pretty cool,” said Sara Carter.
“At first I thought Mr. Steve Williams was playing so I had to ask him again and he repeated it so I did my little happy dance. Being patient, it comes to you,” said Robin Fairley-Hall.
“I was real excited, I got a call from my friend Steve and he told me and I was real excited, you know to go in with all of the great players that’s already in,” said Charles Harris.
“Their actions speak for themselves,” said Hall of Fame Board President, Steve Williams. “I mean you know, we go back and check their file, and make sure they attended college, whatever it is; it has to excel. You know a lot of people’s names are on there, but a lot of people didn’t excel at what they did. You know, you have to have something that makes you over the next person. So that’s how we select the person.”
The Hall of Fame induction will take place this Saturday night at 6pm at the Lyman Community Center. Congratulations to all 11 members being inducted into the 2025 Gulfport Sports Hall of Fame!
