NEWBERRY, S.C. - Six contributors to the Newberry College athletics program were inducted to the Newberry Athletics Hall of Fame at the annual Welcome Back Dinner on Thursday, August 25, in Eleazer Arena. The inductees will also be recognized at halftime of the season-opening football game against North Greenville on September 3.

The induction Class of 2011 includes former football coach and athletic director Fred Herren, former football player and College president Dr. John Hudgens, former coach W.L. "Billy" Laval, former basketball player Bill Scarry, former basketball player and winningest high school basketball coach in South Carolina - John Smith and supporter of the program John Paul Whitaker.

Fred Herren
Fred Herren was born in Atlanta in 1936 and graduated from Campbell HS in the suburb of Smyrna in 1954 as an all-star athlete.

He went on to star in football and track at the University of Chattanooga, graduating in 1958 and earning his master's there in 1964.

Herren got into coaching as an assistant coach at Jefferson HS in Georgia from 1958-61 and moved on to the head football coach and athletic director job at Gordon Lee HS in Chickamauga, Ga., from 1961-65. After serving as an assistant football coach at Furman University from 1965-68, Herren came to Newberry College as the head football coach and athletic director in 1968, positions he would hold for nine years.

At Newberry, Herren compiled a 46-54-4 record. In 1971, he led the Indians to a record of 8-2-1, which was the most wins for a Newberry team since the state champion team of 1924. He was named the South Carolina state coach of the year and the NAIA District Six Coach of the Year that season. In 1975, he was named the SAC-8 Coach of the Year in the league's inaugural season. He was later named to the inaugural class of the South Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame in 1999.

After retiring from coaching, Herren served Newberry in multiple capacities, including director of alumni affairs from 1977-80, a second stint as athletic director from 1981-83 and vice president of development from 1983-87. He was responsible for remodeling of the stadium and press box at Setzler Field, the design and construction of the physical education complex and Eleazer Arena and the Cannon Tennis Courts. He integrated Title IX into Newberry's athletics programs and helped start the Lettermen's Club.

From 1987-2001, he was the Dean of Continuing Education at Spartanburg Technical College and was named the South Carolina Continuing Educator of the Year in 1994.

Fred has been married over 50 years to his wife, Lucy. They have two children, Elizabeth and Greg, and four grandchildren. He is an active member at Spartanburg's Central United Methodist Church and is a Rotary Club past president with 23 years of perfect attendance. He also participates on the boards of non-profit organizations.

Dr. John Hudgens
Dr. John Hudgens of Columbia, S.C. was a multi-sport standout for Newberry College from 1956-60. He began his collegiate career on the gridiron as an offensive lineman for Newberry College and in his four seasons with the football team, Newberry compiled a 22-13-2 record.

Dr. Hudgens broke out as a reliable receiver during the 1957 season as the sophomore caught his first touchdown on Thanksgiving as Newberry defeated Presbyterian College. The following season as a junior, John - nicknamed Big Momma - continued his strong play on the offensive line and at one point in the season was No. 2 in the state and No. 7 in the NAIA in pass receptions. His receiving prowess was on display in a 16-0 victory over The Citadel in the season opener. The upset victory saw John haul in a 55-yard touchdown pass and later added a 19-yard reception setting up the second touchdown of the night for Newberry College. Hudgens was honored by the Little Three Conference as a Second Team selection.

John wrapped up his senior season on the football field with a 7-3 season and during his football career was twice honored as an All-Conference selection and was an NAIA All-District selection as a senior.

After his junior season as a football player at Newberry, John joined the baseball program and helped Newberry College to back-to-back Little Four Conference titles. Just as his first touchdown reception was recorded in a win over rival Presbyterian, John's first home run came in a 15-9 victory over Presbyterian College.

Dr. Hudgens lettered three seasons in football and two in baseball, and added a single letter on the basketball court to his collection.

Off the field Dr. Hudgens' resume is just as impressive. During his time at Newberry he was a member of Kappa Phi and Blue Key and was the Junior Class President.

Dr. Hudgens graduated from Newberry with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1960 and went on to earn a Master's Degree in Education from Clemson University in 1964. John entered the world of teaching directly out of college at Orangeburg HS and quickly became an elementary school principal. Dr. Hudgens served as secondary principal at four high schools and in that time earned an Advanced Degree in Education Administration and a Doctorate in Education Administration from the University of South Carolina.

In June 1999, Dr. Hudgens was named President of Newberry College until July of 2000 and would return as Interim President from January to March of 2010.

Dr. Hudgens has served his community as chair of the Education Division and a trustee for the United Way of the Midlands. Hudgens was on the board of directors of the Northeast Area Chamber of Commerce; a board member of Columbia Area Junior Achievement; and a trustee of Cities in Schools - Columbia, Inc. Dr. Hudgens has also spent time as president of the Orangeburg Lions Club, the Dentsville-North Trenholm Lions Club and the Forest Acres Rotary Club. He has also served as an elder at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church.

Dr. John Hudgens is married to Martha Eargle Hudgens, a 1961 graduate of Newberry College. They have two children and five grandchildren.

W.L. "Billy" Laval
Born in Columbia, S.C., in 1885, coach William L. “Billy” Laval was one of the most legendary coaches in the history of collegiate athletics in the state of South Carolina.

He began his coaching career at the age of 18 at Erskine and then went on to pitch for the Furman baseball team from 1904-05. He then went on to play minor league baseball, playing for 10 teams with a .253 batting average and a 42-37 pitching record, playing with many notable players including Shoeless Joe Jackson.

Laval continued to coach college teams while playing minor league baseball. His college coaching resume includes Erskine (1903 and 1905), Sewanee College (1904), Furman (1908, 1912-1927), University of South Carolina (1928-34), Emory and Henry College (1936-37) and Newberry College (1938-50).

Laval came to Newberry in 1938 to coach football, basketball and baseball. As the head football coach he compiled a 45-61-5 record for a .428 winning percentage. Six of his players were named All-Americans with one all-state player. The 1940 team was the Little Four champions and he was at the helm for the program's 100th victory over Presbyterian on November 27, 1947.

Laval also served as the head men's basketball coach, earning a career record of 68-91 in 10 seasons.

He also left his mark as the head baseball coach with a career record of 147-67-1 in 12 seasons. Laval's baseball teams became known for earning victories over the New York Yankees. Each spring as the Yankees' traveling team was making its way from Florida back to New York City, the team would stop to take on Newberry Colege. Laval's team would come out victorious over the Yankees every time.

During his time at Newberry, Coach Laval was referred to as the “Ole Man”. Laval retired from coaching in 1950, returning to Columbia to work and be with family.

In The State newspaper in November 2009, columnist Ron Morris said “Laval earned the right to be called the greatest collegiate coach in South Carolina athletics history. We're talking about the entire state to include all the best coaches over the years at any level, from Erskine to Clemson, from Charleston Southern to College of Charleston.”

Bill Scarry
Bill Scarry came to Newberry College after graduating from high school at LaSalle Academy in New York, N.Y. He attended LaSalle on a basketball scholarship and during his four years at LaSalle he was co-captain/captain of the freshman, junior varsity and varsity basketball teams.

After graduating from LaSalle Academy, Bill joined the Newberry men's basketball program and lettered all four years at Newberry. The starting point guard for Newberry his sophomore season, Bill was part of Newberry's first trip to the NAIA Men's Division 1 Basketball Tournament in Kansas City, Mo. The 1960-61 team advanced to the second round of the NAIA Tournament before dropping a game to the tournament's No. 1 seed.

During the 1960-61 season, Bill was an All-Tournament and All-Conference selection. He also was honored as Outstanding Sophomore of the Year and was Honorable Mention All-State. During the 1961-62 season he was selected again as All-Tournament and All-Conference, he also earned the Bergen MVP.

Bill served as co-captain during the 1961-62 and 1963-64 season. Bill joins former coaches Tom Quinn and Neil Gordon in the Newberry college Hall of Fame.

Off the basketball court, Bill received his Bachelor of Science degree in Commerce and was a member of the Kappa Phi Social Fraternity, Newman Club and made the Dean's list during his senior year.

After graduating from Newberry College in 1964, Bill attended one of the first training programs in the developing computer industry with Control Data Corporation. He has had a career in sales, primarily in the Information Technology field, where he distinguished himself with numerous sales achievement awards throughout his career.

Bill lives in McLean, Va., with his wife Karen and has three children: Anne, John and Trish. Bill has four grandchildren: Rachel, Rebecca, Michael and Abby.

John Smith
John Lawrence Smith was born in Columbia, S.C., in 1947, and moved to Lancaster with his family when he was three years old. He graduated from Lancaster HS as the school's all-time leading scorer in 1965 and played in the North-South All-Star Game.

Smith then came to Newberry on a basketball scholarship, earning a letter for four seasons and serving as co-captain in his senior season. He earned the best defensive player award in 1967. He graduated in 1969 after being named to the S.C. Tip-Off All-Tournament Team, all-Carolinas Conference, all-District Six and all-state.

John also played tennis at Newberry, and was voted as the team's most valuable player in 1968.

He began his coaching and teaching career in Great Falls under the guidance of Dr. H.C. Starnes and coach Harvey Stewart in 1969. During his tenure he has coached boys and girls varsity basketball, boys junior varsity basketball, golf, junior varsity football and was an assistant varsity football coach. He became the school's athletic director in 1980.

In his 42 years as the head boys basketball coach at Great Falls, the Red Devils have a record of 866 wins and 229 losses with 18 Upper State championships and seven state titles.

He is the winningest coach in the history of high school basketball in South Carolina and his teams at Great Falls have won more games and more state championships than any other active or retired coach in South Carolina boys basketball.

He has been selected to serve as the assistant coach for the 1978 North-South All-Star game and the head coach of the 1984 High School All-Star game in Columbia. He was also selected as the co-coach of the inaugural Carolinas Classic boys basketball all-star game in 1998.

He was inducted into the S.C. Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004, the Newberry College Men's Basketball Alumni Association Hall of Fame in 2006 and the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2010.

John Paul Whitaker
John Paul Whitaker's love for Newberry College isn't an acquired taste; he was born with it. A second-generation Wolf - or Indian, as it were - John Paul has been attending Newberry College athletic events since he was a small child. After graduating from Newberry HS in 1970, there wasn't a doubt in his mind where to attend college. He would go to the school that both of his parents, both sisters and brothers-in-law, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins attended: Newberry College.

Since graduating from Newberry in 1974, John Paul decided to stay close to home and work with his father at Whitaker Floor Coverings, Inc., which his father started in 1947. He eventually took over as President as his father grew older and took a less active role in the business. Not only did he stay close to home, after he married the former Cynthia Brown in 1970, they purchased the house next door to his parents on Main Street and began raising their three daughters: Elizabeth Capps, Laura Mangum and Mary Frances Whitaker.

Throughout the years, John Paul has actively supported Newberry College through giving his time, money and support. He loves the small school family atmosphere and this love for the college has translated into numerous gifts for the college. He provides meals for various athletic teams, faculty and staff. As owner of Whitaker Floor Coverings, Inc., John Paul has made many donations to upgrade the College's facilities.

John Paul has served in several capacities at the College. He is a member of the Newberry College Athletic Club Board, member of the President's Club Board, served on the committee that organized the 150th Year celebration of Newberry College and served on the Board of Visitors. He has also served on multiple search committees for coaches and has been instrumental in securing several coaches for the College. As a reward for his efforts and contributions, the College honored him as Sesquicentennial Medallion Recipient.

John Paul is also very active in the Newberry community. As a lifelong member of Central United Methodist Church, he has held several offices throughout the years such as Treasurer, member of the finance committee, on the Board of Trustees and President of the United Methodist Men's Group. He has also been named Lay Person of the Year by the United Methodist Women in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the church.

John Paul is also a member of the Newberry Rotary Club and YMCA Board. He was instrumental in securing the funds to build the new YMCA gymnasium. The gymnasium was named in part for him, along with two other men.

The Newberry Exchange club presented him with the Book of Golden Deeds in recognition of his good works behind the scenes.

It would be hard to find a person to whom the saying “Newberry born and Newberry bred and when I die I'll be Newberry dead” applies better. It's almost as if it were written for him.