News Summary
The Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame recently honored four new athletes for their remarkable contributions to sports. The inductees include Harry Harley, Charlie Hendricks, Tim O’Neal, and Calvin Weeks, each known for their outstanding achievements in football, golf, and baseball. In addition to athletes, coaching citations were given to Mark Stroud and Kevin Farmer, who have influenced local sports significantly. The event also recognized high school athletes, underscoring the Hall’s commitment to celebrating athletic excellence and inspiring future generations.
Savannah – The Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame celebrated the induction of four new athletes during its awards ceremony held last week. Each of these inductees has made significant contributions to their respective sports, showcasing exceptional talent and dedication throughout their athletic careers.
New Inductees
Harry Harley
Harry Harley played for Savannah High School, where he was instrumental in the 1965 Region 2AAA football championship team. Over his high school career, he rushed for over 1,500 yards and scored 78 points. Harley was recognized as Player of the Week twice and received the Savannah Quarterback Club’s Back of the Year Award. His skills led to his selection for the Georgia South All-Star team, where he showcased his talent by leading the game with 154 rushing yards in 1966. Harley continued his football journey at Scott Junior College, earning honorable mention in the Jayhawk Conference and contributing to the 1966 conference championship team. He was recruited by Florida State University; however, an unfortunate injury cut his college career short.
Charlie Hendricks
Charlie Hendricks was a defensive tackle for Savannah High School and played a critical role on the team that achieved an undefeated 10-0 record in 1965. He garnered recognition as a multi-time Player of the Week from the Savannah Gridiron Club. Following high school, he transferred to Missouri Southern State University, where he helped his team clinch the NAIA Division II National Championship in 1972 and earned All-District NAIA honors. Hendricks also played six years in the Carolina semi-pro League with the Savannah Indians and achieved accolades on both the All-South Carolina and All-Dixie League Teams in 1968 and 1969, respectively.
Tim O’Neal
Tim O’Neal, a graduate of Johnson High School, has made a name for himself on the PGA Champions Tour. He celebrated a significant victory at the Dominion Energy Charity Classic and has achieved five Top 10 finishes across 54 events. Currently ranked 23rd on the 2025 Schwab Cup Points list, O’Neal’s earnings have surpassed $109,496. Since joining the Champions Tour in 2023, he has accumulated over $1.4 million in earnings by March 2025 and has won seven professional events worldwide across continents, including North America, Europe, Africa, and South America. His past triumphs also include winning the 2018 Georgia Open and the 1997 Georgia Amateur.
Calvin Weeks
Calvin Weeks showcased his versatility by excelling in football, basketball, and baseball at Savannah High School. He achieved All-City honors in both football and basketball and was a runner-up for the prestigious Ashley Dearing Award in 1968. Weeks continued his athletic career at Clemson University, where he played baseball from 1968 to 1972. He earned First Team All-ACC honors in 1972 and led his team in batting average with .354 in 1969, playing all positions except pitcher. Weeks also contributed as a defensive back on the freshman football team during his time at Clemson.
Coaching Recognitions
In addition to the athletes, coaching citations were awarded to:
- Mark Stroud, who retired as the winningest football coach in the Savannah area and currently ranks 20th on the state’s all-time win list.
- Kevin Farmer, known for coaching four state champion baseball teams, achieving two titles at Calvary and two at Benedictine.
Recognition of High School Athletes
A number of high school athletes were also honored during the ceremony:
- Ra’Shawn Truell received the Lawton M. Calhoun Award for overall athlete of the year.
- Landon Ludwig (Baseball – Benedictine)
- Caleb Jones (Boys Basketball – Benedictine)
- Destini Gooddine (Girls Basketball – Calvary Day)
- Elijah Griffin (Football – Savannah Christian)
- Abby Walsh (Girls Soccer – Calvary Day)
- Evan Narvaez (Boys Soccer – Islands)
- Jillian Austin (Softball – Savannah Christian)
- Maggie Kyriakides (Volleyball – Savannah Christian)
The Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame continues to honor athletes and coaches who have significantly impacted the local sports community, not only celebrating their successes but also inspiring the next generation of athletes in Savannah.
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Additional Resources
- WSAV: Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame Awards
- Wikipedia: Savannah
- WTOC: Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2025
- Google Search: Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame
- Savannah Now: Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame Inducts Coaches
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Athletic Hall of Fame
- Savannah Tribune: Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees Class of 2025
- Google News: Greater Savannah Athletic Hall of Fame
