Norcross Shines at Sports Hall of Fame

Norcross rocked Coolray stadium this weekend, as inductee after inductee into the Hall of Fame spoke of their connection to Norcross High School as either student or coach.

Mary Ellen Blanchard, Ted Roof, Eddie Martin, George Rogers and brothers Red and Ivey Wingo were all inducted into the Gwinnett County Public Schools Sports Hall of Fame on May 1.  Coolray Field hosted the ceremony before the Gwinnett Braves whipped the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees 4-1.

“When, as a basketball coach at Norcross High School, I couldn’t beat Eddie (Martin), I just went and hired him!” remarked countywide Athletic Director Mike Emory. Martin went on to win a record number of AAAAA state boys’ basketball championships as the coach at Norcross High School.

Martin choked up as he accepted his award, “When you surround yourself with good people, you can always succeed,” he said.

Former Norcross High School swimmer Mary Ellen Blanchard left her 2-year old with a sitter while she and the rest of her family enjoyed the day’s accolades.“Our 2-year-old would be knocking over camera tripods right now,” Blanchard joked, before getting serious.

As a student Blanchard stood apart from her peers as someone focused on a goal. She won 10 national titles, represented the U.S. at the 1992 Olympics, as well as being a nine time All American in the pool.

Members of the Wingo family gave heartfelt speeches thanking everyone who played a part in honoring their grandfathers and uncles, two brothers hailing from Norcross who drafted into the Big Leagues during the 1920s.

“Red and Ivey certainly had the skills of their sport to qualify for this honor,” James Wingo, Red’s grandson, noted. “Getting back to Norcross after more than 30 years and connecting with our Georgia family has been a wonderful result of this induction to the Hall of Fame.”

The posthumous induction of the Wingos was also thrilling to Norcross Baseball legend Carl Garner who beamed as he greeted the Wingo family. Together they admired the banners bearing the images and stories of the two souls who played the game on the old field in town.

“They changed railroad street to ‘Wingo’ Street sometime after WWII,” Garner shared, “Norcross was so proud of the boys and I am proud today.”

Duluth hero, George Rogers, gathered his family and accepted his honor with a broad smile. “It’s all about family,” Rogers, a Super Bowl winner with the Washington Redskins, remarked from the podium, “I want to thank my family for being here with me.”

Away from the microphone Rogers referred to Norcross specifically, laughing deeply, “Norcross… I just know sometimes we beat up on them and sometimes they beat up on us.“ He was no doubt referring to the long-standing rivalry between the bordering towns.

Rogers’ eyes twinkled as he boosted his grandchildren on his knee and said, “I am happy that Gwinnett County has collected this showcase of local athletes,” he continued, “And I am honored to be among them.

“The county’s goal in preserving the history of those who dedicated themselves to excellence in sports is to offer shining examples for the youth of today,” concluded Committee Head Aaron Lupoloff.