Twelve athletes and supporters honored for achievements and service spanning generations
GATESVILLE — The accomplishments earned the recognition, but the people behind those accomplishments became the story as Gates County High School welcomed its second Athletic Hall of Fame class on Friday, September 18.
Held in the school’s Fitness Center (the old gymnasium) the ceremony honored 12 athletes and supporters whose contributions span generations of Red Baron athletics. Families, former teammates, coaches, and friends heard recollections of championship pursuits, demanding practices, classroom encouragement, and volunteer commitments that continued long after graduation.
Benjamin C. Saunders, Jr., founder of Gates County Community Partnership and a Hall of Fame Committee member, served as emcee. His opening message framed the celebration around not only athletic performance, but also character, commitment, and service.
“It is an honor to serve, and I am grateful for the opportunity to help celebrate these outstanding members of our community,” Saunders said.
Throughout the ceremony, inductees returned to a common theme: their successes belonged not just to themselves, but also to the families, teachers, coaches, teammates, and community members who helped them along the way.
Coming home and giving back
For Kaila Ballard, the evening celebrated a journey from standout student-athlete to the coach now guiding another generation of Lady Red Barons.
The 2016 graduate was a three-time basketball Conference Player of the Year and first-team All-District selection who helped Gates County compile a 45–1 conference record. After receiving a basketball scholarship to Liberty University and later completing college at North Carolina A&T State University, she coached at Central Middle School and West Craven High School before returning to Gates County. In 2026, she led the Lady Red Barons to the 2A state semifinals.
Ballard thanked her family and coaches and recalled Principal Jonathan Hayes’ influence as her math teacher before he became her boss. She spoke about wanting to provide her student-athletes with the same encouragement she had received.
“I’m just happy to be back serving the community,” Ballard said, adding, “This is home.”
Dr. Jalisa Bradley Parrish, a 2007 graduate, similarly connected her athletic accomplishments to the people who shaped her life. A three-sport athlete, she earned softball Conference Player of the Year honors in 2007 and helped Gates County reach the state Final Four in 2005 and 2007.
Parrish received a full athletic scholarship to Tennessee State University, where she started at catcher for four seasons and served as a senior team captain. She later graduated with honors from Meharry Medical College with a dental degree and now operates a dental practice in Edenton.
Returning to the old gym brought back memories of teachers, coaches, and teammates. Parrish also credited her grandparents with teaching her the importance of hard work.
“I hope people can remember me for more than just being on the softball field,” she said.
Football memories and enduring friendships
The recognition of football standouts brought together stories from one of Gates County’s most memorable athletic eras.
William Hinton, a 1975 graduate, earned honorable mention All-East recognition as a junior and first-team All-East honors as a senior. He was part of the 1973 Eastern Regional finalist team and played at Chowan Junior College before later graduating from East Carolina University.
Hinton was out of the country on a previously planned trip, so longtime friend Doug Lilley read his remarks. In his message, Hinton credited his education in Gates County with teaching him to give his best in both athletics and academics. He recalled his father’s advice to “remember who I was and where I was from.”
Steve Milam, a 1974 graduate, was recognized as a first-team All-State selection who caught 52 passes and scored 12 touchdowns while also handling kicking duties. A member of the 1973 Eastern Regional finalist team, he received an invitation to walk on at the University of Alabama under Paul “Bear” Bryant.
Milam kept his remarks brief, directing his gratitude toward those who shared the experience.
“And most of all, I want to thank my teammates,” he said.
Walter Odom, a 1975 graduate and All-East selection, also played on the 1973 regional finalist team. He went on to start for four seasons at North Carolina Central University and play for the Carolina Chargers semi-professional team. His later career included service in higher education and a consulting business helping high school and college students pursue success.
In his remarks, Odom remembered the integrity instilled by his coaches and expressed appreciation for the teammates whose accomplishments remained vivid decades later.
Ed Outland, a 1974 graduate, represented two landmark teams: the 1971 state champions and the 1973 Eastern Regional finalists. His senior season included first-team All-State honors, 25 touchdowns and 1,400 rushing yards. His recognition also highlighted service beyond football, including youth coaching and efforts to help build homes for people affected by Hurricane Floyd.
Steve Tinkham, also a 1974 graduate, quarterbacked the 1973 regional finalist team and earned All-State recognition. He later played quarterback for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s junior varsity team. An accomplished baseball player as well, he received an invitation to try out for the Cincinnati Reds.
Tinkham’s remarks reached beyond the field. He recalled meeting his wife while attending Gates County High School, growing up competing with relatives and neighbors, and the pride he felt in telling others where he came from. He also remembered football crowds large enough that spectators parked along the road.
“I hope we get back to those days because this is a special place,” he said.
Honoring the people behind the games
The evening also recognized those whose contributions made opportunities possible for student-athletes.
Kaye Hollowell Barker, instrumental in establishing the Hall of Fame, was honored for decades of service as a tutor, organizer, team supporter and founder and leader of the school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her contributions included arranging meals and trips, helping students prepare for college, and supporting the Athletic Booster Club. Much of that work was performed without compensation and often with her own resources.
Barker devoted much of her acceptance remarks to recognizing the accomplishments and generosity of her fellow inductees. Her willingness to advocate for young people remained unmistakable.
“I don’t mind begging for our student athletes,” she said.
For Danny Byrum, Johnny Savage and Perry Tyler, the ceremony recognized a shared commitment that has helped shape Friday night football since 1996: Byrum as the press-box spotter, Savage as the public-address announcer and Tyler as the game-clock operator. All three have also supported the school’s Athletic Booster Club.
Byrum, a 1969 graduate, recalled recruiting Savage and Tyler to help with football announcing duties. He also described community efforts to improve athletic facilities, emphasizing the volunteers and shared commitment required to accomplish such projects.
“I’m a very small part of it,” Byrum said.
Savage, a 1978 graduate known as the “Voice of the Barons,” remembered initially agreeing to fill in for one Friday night. That favor led to another request, “Can you come next week?” and eventually to decades at the microphone.
He recalled attending games as a youngster in the early 1970s and seeing football bring the community together. That connection, he explained, remained a reason to keep returning.
Tyler, a 1975 graduate, expressed gratitude for having his family together for the celebration. He described his service as a continuation of a family tradition of supporting Gates County athletics.
The supporter category also included John Ward, a 1987 graduate whose career in sports television has taken him to some of the nation’s biggest sporting events.
A former Gates County varsity baseball player and North Carolina State University graduate, Ward has received 15 Sports Emmy Awards. His work as a technical producer has included NFL coverage, three Super Bowls, 10 World Series, four Stanley Cup Finals and multiple Daytona 500 races. He has also made significant contributions to Gates County High School athletics.
Ward credited his parents with instilling a love of Gates County, education and the lessons athletics can teach.
“I’ve always remembered where I’ve come from,” he said.
A tradition for the next generation
Closing remarks delivered by Superintendent Dr. Chante Jordan reinforced the evening’s central message: athletic legacy is measured not only in records and championships, but also in the examples people set and the opportunities they create for others.
Current and future student-athletes were encouraged to honor that tradition through their character, discipline, sportsmanship, academics, and representation of their school and community.
Before directing attention toward the football field, Saunders reminded the honorees that their stories would now become part of what Gates County passes to the next generation.
For the Class of 2026, those stories included athletic excellence, lifelong friendships, and years of work that rarely drew applause. On this evening, each had a place in the spotlight.