THOMASVILLE — The honorees at Thursday night’s Thomasville-Thomas County Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony said they wouldn’t have made it where they are with the support of others.

The 26th class of inductees included Dr. Robin Hines, the executive director of the Georgia High School Association, Mike Owens, golf professional at Country Oaks Golf Course, Col. Todd Williams, Pam Palmer Little, Joe Peeples and Mike Pack.

Hines, just the sixth executive director in the GHSA’s history, said he was humbled by the honor.

“I’ve been a lot of places in my career and it’s all been good,” he said, “but there is only one place that is home. To receive this honor from your home folks is a really big deal.

“Thomasville is a great place to grow up. The community does such a great job of just surrounding everybody.” 

Hines praised his wife for being alongside as he went from teacher and coach to administrator to superintendent to GHSA executive director.

“I’m glad she picked me to be on my team,” he said.

Hines also said that growing up, he wanted to be like his coach, Jim Hughes.

“The impact he had on my life, I wanted to have on others,” he said.

Pack said he was surprised to get the call from Bill Raney about his induction. 

“I’d like to thank the board for this honor, and I’d like to thank Thomasville,” he said.

Little said she was deeply honored by the induction. 

Little said she was grateful for her husband, her children, her grandchildren and her parents who supported her. She also said coaches play a vital role in a child’s development.

“They can help a child feel confidence about themselves,” she said. 

Hines also pointed out sports and athletics teach lessons that can help people off the field as well.

Sports can be fun but also can help students learn discipline and hard work and can be an avenue to further their education, Little added.

Peeples said the experience of growing up and being a part of the environment in this city and playing in team sports were major building blocks for him. 

“It helps build character and integrity,” he said. “It is something I have carried throughout my entire adult life.”

Williams said he and friend Tom Jones, as sixth graders, were put up against the eighth graders in football practice, including John Henry Davis and Alfred Cole. 

“They would run me over every single time,” he said. “I said, ‘this has to stop.’ I knew I could defeat my opponent no matter how big he was or how fast he was. That’s the mantra I carried over to Central and then I went to FAMU and did the same thing.”

Little pointed out that the school lunchroom ladies and their fifth-period teachers were especially helpful for her and her Central girls basketball team. Their practices weren’t held after school but rather during PE in fourth period. That meant they were often late getting to their next classes.

“There were so many people who came to our games and supported us,” she said.

Owens thanked his wife and two sons for putting up with his long hours.

“Those three have endured lots of long weekends,” he said. “I don’t think I’d be here without their love and support.”

Owens said coming back to Thomasville to run Country Oaks was “the best decision of my life. I truly believe the city of Thomasville is the best place to live.”

Calling his inclusion into the Hall of Fame “mind-blowing,” Owens said he was now more determined “to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Peeples’ two sons flew in from out of state to surprise him by being at the ceremony.

“I’m just blown away,” he said of being named a Hall of Fame member.

Williams thanked his parents and coaches, along with his former teammates, including longtime friend Jones, whom he called “the best linebacker in the state of Georgia.” 

“I am grateful to all of you for deciding that contributions to sports are noteworthy enough to be elected as a Hall of Fame member,” he said.

The Bill Raney Student Athletes of the Year awards went to: Holland Walker and Jacob Hilson of Brookwood School; Lindsay Tillman and Maylon Cochran of Thomasville High School; Kiana Ocasio-Molina and Ben McFarlane Barnes, whose mother flew in from England for the event, from Thomas University; and Chandler Craven and Bryce Barwick, who also is Raney’s granddaughter, of Thomas County Central High School.