E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame

💙💛 MEET THE CLASS OF 2027: THE 1990 VARSITY FOOTBALL TEAM 💛💙

The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Inc. proudly introduces the legendary 1990 Varsity Football Team as a member of the Class of 2027!

Known throughout Golden Bull history as “The Golden Season,” the team completed an extraordinary 13–1 campaign.

Their remarkable season included:

🏈 A perfect 10–0 regular-season record
🏆 Three playoff victories
⭐ An appearance in the state semifinals
🥇 Junior Smith—Conference Player of the Year
🥇 Head Coach Lonnie Baker—Conference Coach of the Year

The Golden Bulls finished 3–1 in the playoffs, with their only loss coming against eventual state champion Richmond. Their talent, discipline, leadership and determination created a legacy that continues to inspire E.E. Smith student-athletes and supporters.

Join us as we celebrate the 1990 Varsity Football Team and officially introduce the Class of 2027 during the E.E. Smith Homecoming Kickoff Event!

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
⏰ 5:00 p.m.

Congratulations to the players, coaches, managers, families and supporters who made “The Golden Season” one of the proudest chapters in E.E. Smith athletic history! 🏆

💙💛 MEET THE CLASS OF 2027: THE 1979 MEN’S MILE RELAY TEAM 💛💙

The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Inc. proudly introduces the 1979 Men’s Mile Relay Team as a member of the Class of 2027!

Under the leadership of Coach William Carver, team members Alexander Hepburn, Allen Pierce, Andre McCallum and Ben Major Jr. represented E.E. Smith with excellence, determination and Golden Bull pride.

Their historic 1979 season included:

🏆 North Carolina High School Athletic Association 4-A Mile Relay Championship
🥇 Regional Mile Relay Championship
🥇 Sectional Mile Relay Championship
🥇 Cumberland County Mile Relay Championship
🥇 Fayetteville Area Mile Relay Championship
⭐ An undefeated season in the mile relay

This extraordinary team raced its way into E.E. Smith history and created a championship legacy that continues to inspire generations of Golden Bull student-athletes.

Join us as we celebrate the 1979 Men’s Mile Relay Team and officially introduce the Class of 2027 during the E.E. Smith Homecoming Kickoff Event!

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
⏰ 5:00 p.m.

Congratulations to Alexander Hepburn, Allen Pierce, Andre McCallum, Ben Major Jr., Coach William Carver and the entire legacy of the 1979 Men’s Mile Relay Team! 🏆

💙💛 MEET THE CLASS OF 2027: E.E. MILLER 💛💙

The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Inc. proudly introduces E.E. Miller as a contributor in the Class of 2027!

Miller served E.E. Smith as a teacher from 1933 to 1940 and as principal from 1940 to 1971. Throughout his distinguished tenure, he was a dedicated supporter of Golden Bull athletics—attending events, providing teams with essential equipment and hiring Hall of Fame coaches D.S. Kelly, D.T. Carter, Ike Walker, William Carver and Ida Askew.

Under his leadership, E.E. Smith celebrated several historic athletic accomplishments:

🏀 1950 Boys’ Basketball 3A State Championship
🏈 1967 Football 4A State Championship
🏈 1968 Football 4A State Co-Championship

Miller also oversaw the construction of the Washington Drive and Seabrook Road schools and D.T. Carter Stadium. Beyond facilities and championships, he mentored student-athletes and promoted leadership, community involvement, sportsmanship and respect.

His vision and commitment helped establish the foundation upon which generations of Golden Bulls continue to build.

Join us as we celebrate the legacy of E.E. Miller and officially introduce the Class of 2027 during the E.E. Smith Homecoming Kickoff Event!

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
⏰ 5:00 p.m.

Congratulations to the family and legacy of E.E. Miller on this well-deserved honor! 🏆

💙💛 MEET THE CLASS OF 2027: DR. JOHN R. GRIFFIN JR. 💛💙

The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Inc. proudly introduces Dr. John R. Griffin Jr., Class of 1953, as a contributor in the Class of 2027!

Dr. Griffin served as principal of E.E. Smith from 1973 to 1993. During his 20 years of leadership, he remained a strong and consistent supporter of Golden Bull athletics—attending sporting events and ensuring teams had the equipment and resources needed to compete successfully.

His leadership strengthened the athletic program through:

🏆 Hiring Hall of Fame coaches Roy McNeill and Martin Rickman
👩🏾‍🎓 Overseeing the implementation of Title IX
🏀 Establishing a complete interscholastic sports program for girls
💙 Supporting generations of Golden Bull student-athletes

Dr. Griffin led E.E. Smith through several significant athletic milestones, including the boys’ basketball team’s 1986 state runner-up season and the football team’s unforgettable 13–1 “Golden Season” in 1990. His tenure also included the naming of D.T. Carter Stadium.

Join us as we celebrate Dr. John R. Griffin Jr. and officially introduce the Class of 2027 during the E.E. Smith Homecoming Kickoff Event!

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
⏰ 5:00 p.m.

Congratulations to the family and legacy of Dr. John R. Griffin Jr. on this well-deserved honor! 🏆

💙💛 MEET THE CLASS OF 2027: AUDLY WEHNER 💛💙

The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Inc. proudly introduces Audly Wehner, Class of 2002, as a member of the Class of 2027!

Wehner was a four-year starter who made an extraordinary 93 consecutive starts and helped the Golden Bulls compile an 84–24 record. He completed his high school career as E.E. Smith’s all-time leading scorer with 1,441 points.

His Golden Bull accomplishments included:

🏀 2001–2002 Two Rivers 4-A Conference Player of the Year
🏆 Conference Tournament MVP
⭐ Two First Team All-Conference selections
⭐ First Team All-Region recognition
🏅 Multiple All-Tournament honors

During his senior season, Wehner led Cumberland County by averaging 22.9 points and 13.9 rebounds per game. He recorded 579 points and 314 rebounds while guiding E.E. Smith to an impressive 24–4 record.

His journey—from averaging 5.8 points per game as a freshman to approximately 23 points per game as a senior—is a powerful example of growth, determination and Golden Bull excellence.

Join us as we celebrate Audly Wehner and officially introduce the Class of 2027 during the E.E. Smith Homecoming Kickoff Event!

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
⏰ 5:00 p.m.

Congratulations, Audly Wehner, on this well-deserved honor! 🏆

💙💛 MEET THE CLASS OF 2027: JASUN THOMPSON 💛💙

The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Inc. proudly introduces Jasun Thompson, Class of 1998, as a member of the Class of 2027!

During his outstanding 1997 football season at E.E. Smith, Thompson:

🏈 Passed for 1,667 yards and 17 touchdowns
🏃🏾 Rushed for 390 yards and nine touchdowns
⭐ Led the Mid-South Conference in every passing category, total yards and touchdowns

Thompson earned First Team All-Mid-South and All-Cape Fear Region honors and was named the Cape Fear Region Student-Athlete of the Year. He was also selected for the North Carolina East-West All-Star Game and competed for two seasons in varsity basketball.

His success continued at Virginia Union University, where he totaled 5,700 passing yards, 37 passing touchdowns, 1,300 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns. Thompson helped capture the 2001 CIAA Championship and earned First Team All-CIAA, Championship MVP, Scholar All-American and CIAA Player of the Year honors.

Join us as we celebrate Jasun Thompson and officially introduce the Class of 2027 during the E.E. Smith Homecoming Kickoff Event!

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
⏰ 5:00 p.m.

Congratulations, Jasun Thompson, on this well-deserved honor! 🏆

💙💛 MEET THE CLASS OF 2027: WILLIAM PAUL SHIPMAN 💛💙

The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Inc. proudly introduces William Paul Shipman, Class of 1960, as a member of the Class of 2027!

Shipman was an exceptional two-sport Golden Bull who lettered for three years in both football and basketball. His leadership and athletic ability earned him the honor of serving as captain of the football team.

His outstanding accomplishments included:

🏈 All-State Football honors in 1959
🏀 All-State Basketball honors in 1960
🏆 Named Most Athletic Male of the Class of 1960
🎓 Awarded a football scholarship to Maryland State College

William Paul Shipman’s talent, leadership and commitment to excellence helped build the proud athletic tradition generations of Golden Bulls continue today.

Join us as we celebrate William Paul Shipman and officially introduce the Class of 2027 during the E.E. Smith Homecoming Kickoff Event!

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
⏰ 5:00 p.m.

Congratulations, William Paul Shipman, on this well-deserved honor! 🏆

💙💛 MEET THE CLASS OF 2027: TARRELL ROBINSON 💛💙

The E.E. Smith Alumni Sports Hall of Fame Inc. proudly introduces Tarrell Robinson, Class of 1997, as a member of the Class of 2027!

As a Golden Bull, Robinson earned two varsity basketball letters, served as team captain and was a two-year starter. He received All-Conference and All-Tournament honors, earned a McDonald’s All-American nomination and helped E.E. Smith capture the 1994 Holiday Classic and the 1995 Mid-South Conference championship.

Robinson also helped lead the 1995 Golden Bulls to the Eastern Regional Finals and an outstanding 25–3 record.

He continued his basketball career on a full scholarship at North Carolina A&T State University, where he recorded:

🏀 934 career points
💪 More than 700 rebounds
🚫 35 blocked shots

Since becoming the North Carolina A&T women’s basketball head coach in 2012, Robinson has compiled a 275–177 record, won five regular-season and three conference tournament championships and led his teams to three NCAA Tournament appearances. He was named the 2024–2025 Coastal Athletic Association Coach of the Year.

Join us as we celebrate Tarrell Robinson and officially introduce the Class of 2027 during the E.E. Smith Homecoming Kickoff Event!

📅 Friday, September 18, 2026
⏰ 5:00 p.m.

Congratulations, Tarrell Robinson, on this well-deserved honor! 🏆