Vidalia High School to Welcome 11 Honorees into Athletic Hall of Fame

The Vidalia High School (VHS) community is preparing for a memorable evening as it hosts its annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony next Saturday, December 13, at 5:30 p.m. The Class of 2025 honors a total of 11 inductees: seven distinguished individuals, two championship teams, and two recipients of the esteemed Legacy Award. This group represents decades of athletic excellence, community service, and leadership that have defined the spirit of the Vidalia Indians. Team Inductees: A Golden Era of Golf This year’s ceremony recognizes the 1984 and 1985 State Championship Golf Teams, inducting them for establishing one of the most remarkable eras in VHS athletics. The four-year period from 1983 to 1986 established a powerful legacy that resulted in two state championships and produced two All-Americans and six collegiate golfers.

The journey to the top began in 1983 with a state runner-up finish, falling short of the championship by just one stroke. The team officially captured its first state title in 1984, posting a team score of 317 in a two-stroke victory over Pierce County. That victory was spearheaded by Matt Mixon, who earned the individual low medalist honor with a score of 75. The team successfully defended their title in 1985, claiming back- to- back state championships with a winning score of 310. In that championship, Paul Claxton shot a 75, finishing second individually. The sustained success of this program was led by Coach Ralph Parsons and supported by Vidalia Country Club professional Andy Pittman.

Legacy Award Winners

The Legacy Award honors individuals who have made a lasting impact on VHS athletes, coaches, and teams through many years of service and devotion.

Ralph L. Conner: A beloved figure in the community, Conner served as a Booster Club President and was widely known as the Sports Editor for The Advance.

Starting in 1974, he penned the popular column 'The Way it Bounces,' which shared local sports history and insights. His dedication extended beyond the page; he organized 'Mel Blount Day' to honor the former NFL star and arranged for former UGA/Vikings QB Fran Tarkenton to speak at a celebration for the 1966 football

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team. His children, John and Ann, will accept the award posthumously.

Coach Reno Jones: Coach Jones left an indelible mark on Vidalia High School, having begun his career at J.D. Dickerson High School in the mid-1950s. He joined VHS in 1970 and played a pivotal role in the notably smooth integration of Vidalia schools in the early 1970s, providing leadership, wisdom, and a steady presence during that important chapter in the city's history. His coaching career at VHS resulted in multiple championships, including four region titles in football, two in basketball, a state semifinal appearance in football, and a state runner-up finish in basketball. To many, he was more than a coach—he was a father figure and mentor whose quiet support extended beyond the playing field. His granddaughter, Pamala Bolden, will receive the award on his behalf.

Individual Inductees

This year’s class of individual inductees showcases remarkable versatility and historic achievements.

Melvin Sweat (Class of 1958): A multi-sport star who lettered in four sports, Sweat was a fouryear letterman in basketball, leading the team in scoring during his junior and senior years. He was also a member of the 1958 state championship 440yard relay team. Sweat went on to a legendary 39year high school coaching career, retiring as the sixthwinningest boys basketball coach in Georgia history with a 639-359 record. His success includes eight region titles and leading teams from three different schools (Wheeler County, Perry, and Central Gwinnett) to the state Final Four.

David Bedingfield (Class of 1973): A rare four-sport letterman in football, golf, basketball, and baseball, Bedingfield was a key player on the 1972 and 1973 State Championship Golf Teams. On the baseball diamond, he was named Team MVP his junior year. After high school, he attended Florida State for a season before transferring to Middle Georgia. While at Middle Georgia College, he threw two seven-inning no-hitters before heading back to Florida State for his senior year. Following his collegiate career at Florida State, Bedingfield earned a law degree from Emory, moved to London and became a Barrister, he was made a Judge in 2009, hearing civil and criminal cases. He now is a visiting professor at Florida State University School of Law and still resides in London.

Johnny Whited (Class of 1992): Whited was a four-sport letterman who found his greatest success in baseball and running. He was a Region Champion in cross country and set a school record in the 3,200-meter run in track. As a pitcher, he led the baseball team to the State Final Four in 1992. His senior season was dominant with a 12-2 record, a 0.94 ERA, and 133 strikeouts. He finished his VHS career with a 25-8 record and a 1.53 ERA. At Georgia College, he pitched in the NCAA Division II National Championship Game and broke school records for saves and appearances.

Chason Carroll (Class of 1994): A threesport standout, Carroll was a four-year letterman in baseball and a three-year letterman/starting quarterback in football. He led the football team to a 22-6 record over three seasons, resulting in a region championship and two quarterfinal appearances. On the mound, his senior season included throwing a perfect game against ECI and a no-hitter against Jeff Davis. He signed with Middle Georgia for football, where he was a two-year starting quarterback and earned Junior College Academic All-American status. He later graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgia Tech.

Marcy Lane (Class of 1997): One of the most accomplished female athletes in VHS history, Lane lettered in four sports: softball, basketball, cheerleading, and track. She was a four-year starter in softball, leading the team to four consecutive region titles and two state runnerup finishes. In basketball, she was a four-year starter who scored over 1,000 career points and was selected to represent the Junior USA Basketball Team in Australia. She also helped the cheerleading squad win its first-ever region championship in 1995. Lane was honored as Miss V.H.S. by her senior class and currently serves as the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Toombs County.

Brandon Lowe (Class of 2003): A record-breaking baseball slugger, Lowe was a four-year letter winner who helped lead the Indians to the 2003 State Championship. That year, he was named the Savannah Morning News Coastal Empire Player of the Year and the Georgia Dugout Club AA Player of the Year. He holds the school records for both singleseason and career Home Runs and RBIs. His 22 single-season home runs are currently 6th all-time in Georgia state history. Following high school, Lowe was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 30th Round of the 2003 MLB Draft.

Ken Middleton (Class of 2003): Middleton was a remarkably versatile athlete who lettered in five different sports: football, wrestling, track, baseball, and basketball. In track, he earned a state medal in the 300-meter hurdles. He was a dominant football running back and return specialist, finishing his four-year career with more than 4,000 rushing yards and over 1,000 combined receiving and return yards. He was named WTOC-TV Player of the Year and Region Player of the Year in 2002, and earned All-State honors his junior and senior seasons. After playing defensive back at Georgia Southern, he continued his career professionally in indoor football with the Savannah Steam.

The Vidalia community is invited to attend the ceremony this Saturday to celebrate the profound impact these individuals and teams have had on the school and its enduring tradition of excellence.