Recreation center taking names for Hall of Fame

Good deeds may soon be rewarded for supporters of Columbia County athletics.

Nominations for the Columbia County Recreation and Leisure Services Department Hall of Fame are currently being accepted through Monday .

Nominations can be made by the general public, recreation department staff and the Columbia Country Recreation Advisory Board and turned into the Columbia County Recreation and Leisure Services Department.

Each year, the Recreation Advisory Board chooses two inductees for the Hall of Fame. Those inductees can be individuals, groups or businesses who have distinguished themselves with the recreation department.

The person, group or business chosen must have been involved with recreation department programs for at least four years. They must have made an impact on the program as a player, coach, volunteer or working with the department. The nominees must have established themselves in an outstanding way and made a direct impact on a specific program or the department for at least five consecutive years.

"(The nominees) must have made some type of commitment to the department or the county itself in service of the recreation department," said Charlie Beale, the recreation manager of the Columbia County Recreation Department."It could be somebody who has sponsored events with us for a number of years or somebody we've been able to call on if we need some help."

Last year, major league playerTodd Greene was an inductee. His baseball career started in recreation ball and continued to the Texas Rangers.

"He started as a 7-year-old in our programs and played every sport possible up until high school," Beale said. "Even then he kept on playing baseball with us. He went on to Georgia Southern (University) where he set a home run record. Last season, he caught the ball thrown by President Bush in the World Series."

While their story may not be as dramatic, Beale says last year's other inductee, Coca-Cola, was equally deserving.

"The Coca-Cola company has been a major sponsor in every large event we've done for years, including all of the (Little League) World Series we've hosted."

Individuals wishing to make a nomination must submit a typed page bio in a 12-point font and double-spaced on the individual, group or business that includes their accomplishments and impact on the department.

The recreation department will review the nominations and select the inductees at their meeting Thursday.

The inductees will be honored Jan. 6 at the Columbia County Recreation Department Volunteer Coaches Banquet at the Patriots Park Gym.

For more information, call the Columbia County Recreation Department at 863-7523.