Seahawks’ Smith among North HOF inductees

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

Seattle Seahawks running backs coach Sherman Smith was among the 13 athletes who were inducted as the first class of the North High School Hall of Fame during last summer’s All North High Reunion.

Smith was a running back for the North football team and a basketball player from 1970-72. After playing for Miami University, Smith played eight seasons in the NFL with the Seahawks and San Diego Chargers.

“Creating a Hall of Fame to honor past athletes, coaches and teams who propelled North High School to success from 1948 to 1980 is commitment to honoring the past and creating the future,” said Sam Barganier, North High Hall of Fame chairperson.

Other athletes inducted were:

Ray Carter (football, basketball, track and field, 2014 ICON Award).

Rick Bevly (football, basketball; 1969-71).

Earl Taylor (football, track and field; 1970-72).

Cleveland Moutry (football, basketball; 1971-72).

Thomas Hight (football, basketball; 1971-72).

Earl Moore (basketball; 1971-72).

Rodney Eskew (football; 1971-72).

Robert Eskew (football; 1971-72).

Mike Cobb (football, basketball; 1972-73).

James “Jimbo” Smith, (football, basketball, track and field; 1972-73).

Raymond “Be Be” Brown, (Football, basketball, track and field; m1972-74).

Ajai Yeldell (Judy Wynn), (basketball, track and field).

The following teams inducted were:

1971-72 football team.

1970-72 basketball teams.

1972 track and field relay team (state champions).

1976 girls track and field relay team (state champions).

And, other inductees included three coaches: George Ritz, basketball; Charles Bush, basketball; and Clifton Knox, football.

Special contributors honored were: Dr. Ernest Perry (team physician); Dolly Haskins (school mother); Mickey Kennedy (Visionary Award); and North High Boosters.

“We have such a long and distinguished athletic legacy at North High that it really made sense to start to honor the people who contributed to it,” Barganier said.

Among those choosing the honorees were Karl Eskew, Maurice Harris, James Dobbs and Darla Brown.