The focus of this weeks’ column is on a new batch of Hall of Fame inductees. OK, I can’t wait any longer. Let me tell you about the Class of 2012 inductees. I will give you a brief sketch of each. The names and thumbnail sketches of the inductees are listed in alphabetical order.
Chappel Allen, Contributor/Athlete
Allen was a letterman in football and basketball at Trigg County High. He graduated in 1954. He was one of the first players to ever score 30 points in a varsity game at Trigg. Allen went on to be a successful businessman in our community, owning and operating Kentucky Machine and Engineering. Allen has been a major supporter of all Trigg County Athletics programs for over 40 years. Former AD Jim Perrin said, “In all my years involved with athletics, I have never seen one individual that has given so much to a school and community.”
Duke Burnett, Basketball Coach
Burnett served as coach of the Wildcats from 1960-1967. Burnett’s teams won 3 district championships. His overall winning percentage of .633% is second highest ever among Wildcat coaches. His 133 total wins are the 3rd highest for all Trigg County basketball coaches.
David Butts, Baseball/Basketball/Football
Butts graduated from Trigg County in 1981. Butts was a 3 sport standout at Trigg County High School. His best sport was baseball. After graduation Butts went on to play four years at Murray State. He then played professional ball in the Atlanta Braves minor league system for several years. Butts quarterbacked the Trigg County football team and was a guard on the basketball team.
Selby Grubbs, Football
Grubbs was a 1973 graduate of TCHS. He was an all everything running back at Trigg County. Grubbs made All-WKC and All-State. He led the Wildcats to back-to-back state championships. Grubbs ranks fourth on the all time rushing list with 4,560 yards. He still holds the single season rushing record with 2,242 yards in the fall of 1972. Grubbs signed a scholarship with Western Kentucky University.
Joe Jaggers, Football Coach
Jaggers was Head FootballCoach from 1971 through 1976. He won .648% of his games, which is the second highest winning percentage in school history. Jaggers’ overall record was 46-25. After leaving Trigg County, Coach Jaggers went on to win three more state championships at Fort Knox High School. He retired as the all times wins leader among Kentucky High School football coaches with 273 wins.
Sam “The Fox” Love. Cross-Country/Track/Basketball
Love was a two time state cross-country champion. He also won multiple state championships in many track events. Love was also a key member of the basketball team. Love was named the Male Athlete of the Year in the state of Kentucky his senior year. He signed a full scholarship to run at the University of Kentucky.
David Radford, Football/Basketball
Many Trigg County fans consider David Radford one of the best all around athletes in school history. He was a standout in football and basketball. David graduated in 1968 and ranked second on the basketball career-scoring list. He has one of the highest career averages in school history. He also holds the record for most tackles in a game. He had 21 vs. Russellville in 1967. He played collegiate football at Jackson State in Alabama.
Gary Siegmund, Athletic Trainer/Coach Of Multiple Sports
For over two decades Coach “Sieg” manned the sidelines, courts and fields as Trigg County’s athletic trainer. Siegmund was as respected as any trainer in all of Western Kentucky. Siegmund also worked closely with legendary Murray State trainer Doc Simmons. Siegmund served as a coach in just about every sport that Trigg County offered. He was a Football Assistant, Boys and Girls Basketball Assistant, Head Baseball Coach, Head Softball Coach and Track Coach. Siegmund coached many middle school sports teams as well.
Buddy Sivills, Basketball
A 1965 graduate of Trigg County, Sivills finished his high school career as 2nd on the career scoring list with 1262 points. Sivills was All-District and All-Region. Sivills single game scoring record of 37 points in a game stood until 1980. Sivills went on to play four years of college ball at Carson Newman College in Jefferson City Tennessee. After college Sivills was invited to try out with the Dallas Chaparrals of the ABA.
Ginger Wallace, Basketball/Cross-Country/Track
Wallace was a 1986 graduate of Trigg County High School. She was an All-State Basketball player. Wallace is the only Trigg County basketball player ever, male or female to make the Kentucky Senior All-Star Team. She played in the Kentucky Indiana All-Star game. Wallace was also a key member of the Trigg County Girls Cross-Country State Championship team of 1982. For her efforts in Cross-Country she was named All-Sate. She was a standout in Track as well. Wallace went on to play four years of college basketball at the United States Air Force Academy. She is now a full Colonel in the United States Air Force.
These athletes, coaches and contributors will be honored at the Friday, Jan. 27th Trigg County/Christian County basketball game. On Saturday Jan. 28th, the school cafeteria will be open at 4:00 pm. and the Hall of Fame meal and program will begin at 5:00. Let’s fill the cafeteria to honor these Trigg County legends.
OT: A special thanks to Trigg County Athletic Historian Scott Brown for his help with the dates and numbers listed in the above sketches. Listen to WKDZ for more info from Scott on these fabulous athletes and their contributions to Trigg County sports history.
Enthusiasm Makes the Difference
Mike Wright is the head coach of boys basketball and cross country at Trigg County High School. Emails concerning Coach’s Corner can be sent to jmcgill@cadizrecord.com.
