Glen Alpine HOF announces members of 2026 class

The Glen Alpine Sports Hall of Fame last week announced the names of the five inductees that will compose the class of 2026.

They are Ken Anderson, Ken Black, Janet Greene, David Powell, and Ariyana Williams.

The 2026 class will be enshrined at the 15th annual Glen Alpine Sports Hall of Fame Inductions presented by Herron Heating and Cooling on Oct. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at the Glen Alpine United Methodist Church fellowship center.

Tickets cost $20 each and include a catered meal. They are available for purchase at Glen Alpine Town Hall or at Foxhole Pizza or Carolina Ribbon Crafts, both of which are also located in Glen Alpine.

The inductions will bring the Glen Alpine Sports Hall of Fame to a total of 68 members since being established in 2012.

The newest inductees join a HOF group that already includes: Jim Benfield, Jack Crump, Ralph Hawkins, Wayne Kiser, and Ralph “Jug” Wilson (class of 2012); Charles “Hoof” Bennett, Carol McGalliard Causby, J.C. Fox, and Jack Warren Hyatt (2013); Lane “Doc” Arrington, Jerry Duckworth Sr., Marcus Martin, and Harold “Glenn” Winters (2014); Graham “Pee Wee” Anderson, Tom Biggerstaff, Dale Herron, Greg McGee, and Vonda Stroupe (2015); Bob Benfield, John McGalliard, Ray Merrill, and Victor Scott (2016); Bob Duckworth, Hilda Wells Howerton, Gorman Pitts, Everette Pollard, Raymond Scott, and Bobby Sparks (2017); Frank Kincaid, Gary Meise, Paul Noles, Bill Reep, Richard Smith, and James Wilson (2018); Bob Butler, Harold Daves, Bruce Pollard, Mac Poteat, and Patricia Reeps Williams (2019); Jerry Butler, Jackie Childers, and Reid Pollard (2020); Gary Abernathy, Jerry McCurry, and John Wilson (2021); Steve Carswell, Ronnie Fisher, and Bobby Love (2022); Johnny Berry, Columbus Carpenter, Richard Mode, Larry Scott, and Hank Yelton (2023); Norvin Clontz, Raymond McDowell, Vic Poteat, Una Smith Reep, and Tony Wood (2024); and Gerald Allen, Paul “Buck” Butler, Robert Crawley, Dan Simpson, and Phillip “Bo” Taylor (2025).

Here’s more on each of the 2026 inductees:

Ken Anderson

Anderson is a 1959 graduate of Glen Alpine High School. A two-year starter, tri-captain, and all-conference performer on the gridiron, he helped lead the Green Wave into the new era of the Skyline Conference. Anderson joins his older brother, Graham “Pee Wee” Anderson, in the hall of fame.

Ken Black

Black is a 1964 GAHS graduate. A two sport star for the Green Wave, he was a member of the 1962 NCHSAA Western Regional championship football team. He was named all-conference at center and linebacker in his senior season of 1963. Ken also was a track team member during his junior and senior years.

Janet Greene

Greene is a 1970 Morganton High School graduate. After college, she began coaching and teaching in the Burke County school system at Glen Alpine Junior High. She led a number of volleyball and basketball teams to championships before moving to Table Rock Middle School when the school opened to become its athletic director, a role she held until the 2010s. Greene was recently honored with the Table Rock gymnasium floor named in her honor.

David Powell

Powell was a member of the 1961 and ’62 Western Regional championship football teams at GAHS. He is the last lineman inducted of the five that started for that team and joins seven other members of the ’62 football title team who are already in the hall of fame.

Ariyana Wiliams

A Glen Alpine native and 2017 Freedom High School graduate, Williams is one of the HOF’s youngest inductees all-time as well as one of just a handful who have no direct ties to the former Glen Alpine High School. The two-time all-state selection and three-time Burke County player of the year in basketball led her Lady Patriots to the NCHSAA 3A state championship in unbeaten fashion in 2016 as a junior. Williams led FHS to a 105-15 record in her four years, scored in double figures in each state playoff game she played in, and also played in the East-West All-Star Game before going on to play at East Carolina University.