History
After public discussion of need and with some high schools around the state beginning to celebrate their
athletic heritage, City of Florence Parks & Recreation Athletic Director, Rocky Rietkovich organized a study
committee to discuss the possibilities of a local Athletic Hall of Fame. The study committee consisted of
Rocky Rietkovich, William “Scooby” Long, Gerald Holley and Wayne Catoe. After determining that a local Hall
of Fame was important to our High Schools, they issued invitations to local sports leaders, past and present
and the first committee consisted of Ronnie Anderson, Wayne Catoe, Miriam Downs, Gerald Holley, Larry
Jackson, Jerry Lee, William “Scooby” Long, Rocky Rietkovich, Willie Sellers, George Slice, Lloyd Smith and
Debbie Wall. Committee representatives were chosen from McClenaghan HS, South Florence HS, West Florence HS,
Southside HS, Early and Modern Wilson HS, City of Florence Recreation Department and Florence School
District #1 in an effort to cover areas of the City as well as eras of athletes, coaches, schools and
administrators. It was apparent from the excitement of the very first meeting on March 29, 2004, that the
Florence Athletic Hall of Fame would become a reality.
Rocky Rietkovich attended the FSD1 Board and Florence County Council meetings to get their endorsement and
Debbie Wall attended the City of Florence Council meeting to get their endorsement for this endeavor. It was
unanimous votes by all three groups to proceed.
Initial discussion centered around how the Board of Directors would be chosen and function; how eligible
candidates should be selected and recognized; and where the Hall should be housed and how it would look.
With the early meetings, Coach Willie Jeffries was asked to help by meeting with the group and explain how
the state of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame is set up and research was also done into the State
Universities, USC and Clemson Hall of Fame guidelines. Meetings were also held with the Florence Museum,
Florence County Library and Florence Civic Center to visit the idea of partnership in display/housing
opportunities. The new Board also elected officers, decided on terms and conducted straw polls on possible
HOF inductees for membership and selection techniques. Then incorporation, fundraising and induction
ceremony issues were tackled all in an effort to make the dream of a vital, reputable and longstanding Hall
of Fame a reality.
In May of 2004, a constitution and by-laws were adopted. Initial officers were elected in July and terms
drawn in August as the organization began to take shape.
Sponsorship guidelines were developed in May of 2005, an attorney secured in June and in August the Board
entered into contract with the Florence City-County Civic Center to house and display the first Florence
Athletic Hall of Fame where it remains to this date.
Long and detailed discussion ensued on the categories that would be considered for the Hall membership and
it was agreed that athletes, coaches and supporters of Florence athletics should be considered. It was
further decided that Hall membership should be open to all schools, public and private; that all sports be
considered not just those offered thru the schools; that although not legislated by category vote, the Board
had the responsibility to make a conscious effort to select men and women from all eras, sports, schools and
areas equitable as possible based on nominations received and candidate qualifications; that Florence
members of the South Carolina Hall of Fame be encouraged for inclusion in their local Hall of Fame and that
the importance of being a role model be a major consideration in membership selection.
The first 10 members of the inaugural class of the Florence Athletic Hall of fame were elected in October
2005, announced at a Press Conference the following month and recognized at the original induction ceremony
in January of 2006 at the Florence Civic Center. Also in January, the organization began the incorporation
process for 501c3 status and in February our logo was adopted and web site created to introduce the
inaugural class of 2006. In August of 2006, the organizations Standard Operating Procedures were adopted as
we readied for the nine member second class of inductees.
Board membership terms were staggered so that all experienced members would not be leaving the Board at the
same time and while terms were limited to encourage new members and ideas, previous members could return if
they so desired and were so elected.
There is no requirement for how often inductions should he held, however, with such an outstanding pool of
qualified candidates, recognitions have been made every year. From the first induction banquet in 2006 to
the 2023 banquet, 127 inductees have been elected into the Hall of Fame. With the 2011 induction ceremony,
the first cycle of Charter Board members was completed and the Florence Athletic Hall of fame was
established on a solid
foundation.
Revised and submitted: January of 2023
President - Debbie Wall
Vice-President - William Long
Secretary-Treasurer - Rocky Rietkovich
President - William Long
Vice-President - Wayne Catoe
Secretary-Treasurer - Rocky Rietkovich
President - Wayne Catoe
Vice-President - Willie Sellers
Secretary-Treasurer - Rocky Rietkovich
President - Wayne Catoe
Vice-President - Jerry Lee
Secretary-Treasurer - Rocky Rietkovich
President - John Miller
Vice-President - Karen Leatherman
Secretary-Treasurer - Rocky Rietkovich
President - Debbie Wall
Vice-President - Darryl Kelly
Secretary - Missy Burgess-Planter
Treasurer - Pauline Costas
President - Gerald Holley
Vice-President - Terri Planter
Secretary - Missy Burgess-Planter
Treasurer - David Johnson
President - Gerald Holley
Vice-President - Terri Planter
Secretary - Missy Burgess-Planter
Treasurer - David Johnson
President - Terri Planter
Vice-President - Gerald Holley
Secretary - Missy Burgess-Planter
Treasurer - David Johnson
President - Terri Planter
Vice-President - Gerald Holley
Secretary - Missy Burgess-Planter
Treasurer - David Johnson
President - Derick Urquhart
Vice-President - Robbie Smith
Secretary - Rocky Rietkovich
Treasurer - David Johnson
President - Derick Urquhart
Vice-President - Robbie Smith
Secretary - Missy Planter
Treasurer - Rocky Rietkovich
President - Melissa Jarrell
Vice-President - Robbie Smith
Secretary - Missy Planter
Treasurer - Rocky Rietkovich
President - Mark Wade
Vice-President - Robbie Smith
Secretary - Missy Planter
Treasurer - Rocky Rietkovich
President - Mark Wade
Vice-President - Danny Ellerbe
Secretary - Missy Planter
Treasurer - Rocky Rietkovich
President - Derick Urquhart
Vice-President - Melissa Jarrell
Secretary - Missy Planter
Treasurer - Shawn Ellerbe
President - Derick Urquhartbr
Vice-President - Melissa Jarrell
Secretary - Missy Planter
Treasurer - Shawn Ellerbe
President - Rocky Rietkovich
Vice-President - Melissa Jarrell
Secretary - Missy Planter
Treasurer - Shawn Ellerbe