Ebony Lifeline Sports Hall of Fame to induct 16 in Class of 2018

October 18, 2018 at 12:08a.m.

22nd annual event

at Mount Carmel

YOUNGSTOWN

The 22nd Ebony Lifeline Sports Hall of Fame banquet is set for Friday with 16 new members to be inducted at Mount Carmel Church Banquet Hall, 343 Via Mount Carmel Ave.

The new class of honorees includes Tony Bell (football, posthumous), Anthony Boatwright (basketball), Walter Boyd (football), Robert “Bobcat” Greene (football), Madelyn Halfacre (football, track and field), David Hight (football), Kimberly Hight (volleyball, basketball), William Jennings (football), Tim Jones (baseball), Danny Levy (football, track and field), Foy Levy (football, track and field), Henry Lindsey (billiards), Rose Quinones (community service), Wendy Robinson (community service), Alvin Ware (football) and Luella Williams (golf).

For Boatwright, a 1967 graduate of the former South High School, the night will be a chance to visit with some old friends and acquaintances, and to say thank you to his mentor and former coach, Pete Popovich.

“I’ve been all charged up since I received the call telling me about my induction,” Boatwright said. “I am humbled and elated, but most of all appreciative of the people who have not forgotten about me. It will be a fun evening.”

Boatwright earned three letters under Popovich and was an all-City Series selection his senior year, adding that it was Popovich who wouldn’t let him or any of his teammates get out of line.

“Coach was my mentor, a great friend both on and off the court and I have a lot to be thankful for because of him,” Boatwright said. “I really looked up to him and as I look back, the discipline that he taught us in high school I have since applied in my life.”

Retired now and living in Atlanta, Boatwright spent 22 years at Eastern Airlines in passenger service, then another 10 years as a driver for FedEx.

He swims two miles a day, five days a week and teaches kids 3-5 years old how to swim at the local Atlanta Swim School.

“Coach had a special friendship with my mom and she counted on him to keep me on a straight path,” Boatwright said. “He was the very first one to call and tell me that he would be at the banquet, along with his son, Dan.”

Lindsey, a 1968 South High graduate who currently lives in Campbell, also played basketball for Popovich but enters the hall of fame for his billiards prowess.

His third-place finish at nationals in Las Vegas last April is now the highest finish ever for a local entrant since the American Pool Players Association was founded by Bernie Pavlock and his wife, Nouhad, in 1982.

“I’m really excited now, but when I first received the call I really I didn’t think it was such a big deal,” Lindsey said. “I’ve been playing pool for over 50 years because I really enjoy the game.”

Pavlock estimates that more than 1,000 men and women play pool each week at various destinations in the surrounding five-county area. He serves as league operator. He said Lindsey is one of the best players around.

“Henry is an amazing man and a very good captain,” Pavlock said. “He’s very methodical, you have to have a lot of skill and plenty of luck when you play in the nationals and it didn’t surprise me that he finished as high as he did.”

Halfacre played football for the North Side Knights and starred at quarterback and linebacker, helping the team to an undefeated season.

A 1984 graduate of The Rayen School, she also starred in track for the Tigers.

“I’m really glad that I played back then because it opened up opportunities for other girls who wanted to play sports and participate,” she said.

David Hight will join sister, Kim, as an honoree this year.

“It truly is an honor because I now get to join my cousin, Elvin Charity, and one of my idols, Rick Bevly,” he said. “To now be among them is truly humbling.”

Bob Thomas is hall of fame founder and director.

“I started this so that our kids could see what those before them have accomplished, and all the hard work they put forth to be the best that they could be,” Thomas said. “It is going to be a fun evening.”

Tickets are $30, a table of eight is $220 and can be purchased at L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home, F.D. Mason Memorial Funeral Home or by calling 330-261-1825.