Dawson County High School inducted these long-serving Tigers to the school’s Hall of Fame

By Rio White rwhite@dawsonnews.com

Dawson County High School honored 10 individuals at its Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday, Feb. 10, for the class of 2023 — the first group to be recognized this way in 20 years.

These individuals each made significant contributions to the school in different capacities — leaving influences that are still felt today.

The DCHS Hall of Fame class of 2023 includes Chad Cunningham, Charles Finley, Lloyd Harben, Jim Howington, Dianne Mayfield, Gene Odom, Reggie Stowers, Steve Sweat, Grady Turner and Tim Whitmire — as well as the 1991 state runner-up Lady Tigers basketball team.

Several previously inducted members of the DCHS Hall of Fame spoke in support or on behalf of the inductees.

The ceremony began with the induction of the late Finley, with his wife Kathy and longtime friend Nicky Gilleland speaking on his behalf.

A teacher in Dawson County for 42 years, Finley was an everpresent figure in the community and helped found the Dawson County Jaycees club, which helped establish the Mountain Moonshine Festival and the Empty Stocking Fund — now known as KARE for Kids.

Finley authored the book “Yesterday Once More: A History of the Schools of Dawson County” and currently has a collection of historical information available at the Dawson County Public

Library.

“Charles loved Dawson County and its people,” Kathy Finley said. “Any time he was asked to serve in any way, he wanted to do that to the best of his ability.”

Next to be honored were former Lady Tigers basketball head coach Steve Sweat and members of the 1991 state runner-up team. Former DCHS coach Phil Moore joined Sweat at the podium to recall the latter’s history with the program.

Sweat spent nearly four decades as a high school basketball coach, serving as head coach of the Lady Tigers for two separate stints.

He first came to Dawson County in 1984, serving as an assistant coach under head coach Stan Worley. After two seasons, Sweat became head coach and quickly turned the Lady Tigers into a contender — with the team making three straight state semifinal appearances in the early 1990s.

Sweat would later leave Dawson County before coming back in 2006, leading the Lady Tigers to a 2013 state runner-up finish before retiring in 2020. In total, he coached 24 years at DCHS.

“I just can’t be thankful enough for what [Dawson County] has done for me, my family and everyone who has been involved in my coaching career,” Sweat said. “The players…I look around now and see what you all have done, the things you’ve accomplished and what you mean to this community now…it sure does do the heart good.”

Harben was next to be recognized, with Dawson County Board of Education member Elaine Wilson speaking on his behalf.

A lifelong resident of Dawson County, Harben helped transform agriculture education at DCHS, serving as a vocational agriculture teacher for two decades before later serving as the county superintendent.

Harben’s influence on DCHS remains to this day through the school’s vibrant FFA program and continued participation in several aspects of agriculture.

“Agriculture in Dawson County was here before [Harben] came, but it really took off when Lloyd became the head of it,” Wilson said. “He was a good pillar to this community and just somebody you wanted your kids to look up to.”

Stowers was the next inductee, with Wilson also recalling her time working with him.

A graduate of DCHS in 1975, Stowers returned to Dawson County in 1982 as a teacher, completing the remainder of his 34-year career at his alma mater.

Stowers, having been mentored by Harben in his high school and college years, went on to establish Dawson County’s success in FFA competitions and in many other disciplines.

His passion led to the school’s area and statewide recognition in events such as dairy cattle evaluation, poultry evaluation, agricultural mechanics, agriculture sales, forestry, electrical wiring and public speaking.

“I was blessed to be able to come here when I did because I had great students to work with,” Stowers said. “Lloyd had a great program going, and all I had to do was pick it up where he had it and move on. [Harben] was my best friend and mentor.”

The next person inducted was Mayfield, a teacher who spent her entire 40-year career in Dawson County, beginning in 1979 right out of college.

A two-time Teacher of the Year winner, Mayfield began as a business education instructor — experiencing the gauntlet of technology from IBM Selectric typewriters to green-text monitors to modern computers.

Mayfield helped usher in work-based learning to Dawson County, later serving as the head WBL coordinator for the State of Georgia.

Her lasting legacy lies in the DCHS chapter of the Future Business Leaders of America, which she helped build a foundation of success for. She was named as an honorary lifetime member of FBLA in 2015 — with her name etched at the FBLA national office in Virginia.

“I truly consider myself a very blessed Tiger,” Mayfield said. “In 1979, when my dad had to drive me to Dawson County because I didn’t know where it was, and I went in to interview for this job…God did open a door for me. What Dawson County represents to me is a community where everybody celebrates every kid’s successes.”

Next to be honored was Turner, the school’s longtime athletic director and the man who played a critical role in establishing several programs and updating facilities.

A 1976 graduate of DCHS, Turner was a versatile individual — a decorated athlete, musician, public speaker and member of the drama program.

Grady worked in Dawson County for 30 years before retiring in 2018, serving in several roles before becoming the athletic director. He was a two-time Region 7-3A AD of the Year.

“I was thinking about the people on the stage and the people who are being inducted tonight…my life is here,” Turner said. “I have been blessed to do what I have done. I worked with great people.”

The next inductee was Jim Howington, a 1983 graduate of DCHS who was one of the most successful members of a thennew wrestling program. He helped the program earn its first state team title.

DCHS Assistant Principal Charles Beusse read a message written by Howington in lieu of his presence at the ceremony.

“He would like to recognize Randall Townley for convincing the board to implement a wrestling program,” Beusse said. “[He also recognizes] Sandy Walls, who without his third-place finish at state, there may not have been a second season of wrestling at DCHS.”

Odom was the next to be inducted, with Rodney Robinson joining on stage to share stories.

The first breakout basketball star of Dawson County, Odom graduated in 1966 having averaged 31 points per game in his senior season — without the help of the three-point line.

Scoring 1,024 total points in his senior campaign, Odom was ranked as one of the top 25 players in the state by the Atlanta Journal, placing as high as seventh on that list before finishing as the ninth-ranked player.

“The first [basket]ball game I ever saw was in the seventh grade…so [I] was behind,” Odom said. “I saw what I wanted to do, I wanted to be a ballplayer. The faculty at Dawson County High School was fabulous to me…the people who came forth to help me were unbelievable.”

The penultimate inductee was 2006 DCHS graduate Chad Cunningham, a star football player for the Tigers who later became the longtime starting punter for the University of Tennessee. Former Dawson County superintendent Keith Porter joined him on stage.

Cunningham was a four-year starter for the Tigers, playing quarterback, safety, punter and kick-off specialist. He threw for over 4,200 yards and accounted for over 40 touchdowns, leading his team to the state playoffs in 2004.

He was on the All-State team in 2005 and later played in the Georgia High School All-Star game.

“Some of my best memories are right here,” Cunningham said. “I liked what [Porter] said about paving the path for other kids in this area. Anybody can go anywhere, you just have to set your mind to it.”

The final inductee in the class of 2023 was Tim Whitmire, the longtime voice of Dawson County athletics. Barry Slaton joined him on stage.

A 1980 graduate of DCHS, Whitmire was a three-year football letterman for the Tigers. After graduating from UGA, Whitmire became most known in Dawson County and surrounding communities for his devotion to local athletics.

He began his sports reporting career while still a high school student in 1978, submitting his first written story in the Dawson County Advertiser. Whitmire would also contribute sports recaps and photography to the Gainesville Times.

But in 1991, Whitmire began his prolific play-by-play broadcasting career, calling Dawson County games on the local radio before later establishing a local television presence. He continues to broadcast the Tigers through his North Georgia SportsLink program.

“I’m motivated by thank-yous,” Whitmire said. “I couldn’t have done this without the support from the coaches. Throughout the years, it’s [been] all about the coaches trusting me and respecting what I’m trying to do for the students of Dawson County.”