DeKalb County (Alabama) Sports Hall of Fame

Class of 2004

Carden Harold Carden
Harold graduated from Valley Head in 1964 where he was a three year letterman in football, four years basketball. He was All County three years in basketball, All District three years, All Tri-State 1964 basketball, and Honorable Mention High School All-American 1964. He holds the DeKalb County single game scoring record for scoring 61 points against Crossville. He averaged 30-plus points per game in 1964. He signed a basketball scholarship to Auburn in 1964 where he played freshmen basketball  then transferred to UTC in 1966. He was team captain 1967-68 and 1968-69. He received the Quarterback Club Outstanding Award three times. He was head basketball coach at Ider 1969-70. His team won the County Championship.
Al Hammond Al Hammond
Graduated from Valley Head High School where he was All-County, All-State, All Tri-State, and DeKalb County Player of the Year. He played freshman football at the University of Alabama before transferring to Troy State where he was first team All Alabama Collegiate Conference in 1962 and 1963. In 1964 he was a unanimous selection to the  All Alabama Collegiate Conference team. He started every game during four years at Troy State. He coached football at Eufaula High School in 1965-67 and at Talladega High from 1968-71. He was Talladega County Coach of the Year in 1970. Al served as a volunteer coach at Valley Head High from 1973-78, and coached recreation league youth football in Fort Payne from 1980-84. He was president of and remains active in the booster program at Fort Payne High.
hood Sammy Hood
From  age seven he excelled in baseball, basketball and football. Football became his most desired activity. Sammy played QB and free safety for the Ider Hornets under coach Stan Moss and Jimmy Allday. Sammy accumulated over 2,200 passing and rushing yards his senior year leading the Hornets to the 2A state playoffs. He earned All County, All Area, All State and Parade All American as a senior graduating in 1981. He represented the North in the North/South State All-Star game as a cornerback. Sammy received a full scholarship to the University of Alabama under Coach Paul Bryant playing defensive back and specialty teams traveling as a freshman and lettering in 1982 - 1983. He was part of the 315 all time win record under Coach Bryant as well as a participant in the SEC Championship team in 1981. After Coach Bryant’s death, Sammy played for Coach Ray Perkins where he earned a starting position his junior year at right cornerback. Sammy’s career ended his senior year with back and knee injuries sustained from a car accident. Sammy played in three bowl games at Alabama: the Cotton, Liberty and Sun Bowl. He graduated in 1985 with a BA in Communications. He currently resides in Knoxville with his wife Mary Beth and two sons, Chandler and Preston. He owns his own medical company selling spine implants and other medical devices to the surgical community. He is an active supporter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and World Vision Ministries.
Shirey Don Shirey, Jr.
Don Shirey, Jr. graduated from Fort Payne High School in 1974 and went to Auburn University on a golf scholarship. he made the traveling squad his freshman year and eventually became the #1 player for the team. After graduating in 1978, he was runner-up in the 1978 Alabama State Amateur Golf Championship. Later that fall, he turned professional and won his first event, the 1978 Alabama State Open Golf Championship. That same fall, he qualified for membership on the PGA Tour and played professionally for 18 years that included competing in two United States Open Golf Championships. His best year was 1989 when he finished in the top 125 money winners on the PGA Tour. He won 50 tournaments including The Atlanta Open, The Dixie Classic, and many events on the mini-tours of Orlando, Florida.
Tumlin Randy Tumlin
Graduate of Plainview High School and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. An All-Region basketball player in 1969. In 1970 he was an All-County basketball and football selection and an All-State player in football. He is the first Plainview player to receive a scholarship and the only Plainview athlete to date to receive a college degree on a football scholarship.
Gene White William Eugene “Gene” White
Graduated Fyffe High School in 1950. Lettered in basketball three years, football two years, and baseball two years. Basketball awards included All-County and All-District 1950, and All-State 1949 and 1950. Basketball scholarships awarded by Jacksonville State and Snead State Junior College, but opted to join the Peerless Woolen Mills team in Rossville, GA and play basketball in the semi-pro Dixie Basketball League. When called into the army and assigned to Special Services in 1952, played baseball, basketball and football in Japan. Following military service, returned to the Peerless Woolen Mills team and played four additional years. officiated basketball in Chattanooga and north Georgia for more than 20 years.