GHS NEws

Gloucester Has New Inductees for Athletic Hall of Fame

Reporter Trista Shockley

Annually the athletic hall of fame committee selects new inductees, the committee selects former Gloucester High School athletes that had outstanding pride and athletic achievements during their time at GHS. But such an achievement doesn't come easily, nominees must have a significant achievement in the sport they play, that could have taken place in college, high school, professional or amateur levels.

Among the new inductees was the 1988 State Golf Championship Team, the team members included, Rob Baldwin, the late Chris Denton, Chris Dupal, Tommy Healy, Steelman Ketchum, Randy Martin, Joe Sibley, Stephen Smith, Mark South, Brian Sterling, Robert Teagle, Chad Williams and Coach Jerry Morgan. The team was Gloucester’s first State Champions and to make it even more impressive did it back to back seasons.

Joey Burney was an outstanding Varsity Baseball player that played for 4 years at Gloucester High School, then went on to play for Old Dominion University after he graduated in 2010. During Joey’s senior year the GHS baseball team won the Peninsula District Tournament.

Michael J. Haury was part of the class of 1989 he played football for all four of his years at Gloucester High. According to many of his class members, Michael was caring, positive, uplifting, respectful and spiritual. Sadly in September of his Senior year, Michael was diagnosed with a rare blood disease called Aplastic Anemia. Michael passed away on December 7th, 1988. Michael’s football Coach Turnley Todd stated “Michael was a true team leader, a class individual, all the way.”

Another inductee was a Field Hockey and Soccer player named, Chelsea Weber Snowden. Chelsea graduated from Gloucester High School in 2002. According to athletic director Mrs. Hunter “Chelsea was an excellent Field Hockey player and Soccer athlete.” During her time at Gloucester High School Chelsea was a two time All Peninsula District team member, an All Easteren Region and All State Honorable Mention, and even was a Daily Press all star! Chelsea has also done many things to give back to GHS, she was a JV girls soccer coach from 2003-2008, and a Varsity assistant coach from 2010-2014.

The Gloucester Athletic Department held a ceremony for the new inductees, on Friday, September 20.

Mrs. Hunters advice for athletes who aspire to one day be in the Hall of Fame is to “lead a good, respectful life. Obviously your stats help but when you are a good person, do good things for your community, and continue to give back in life, I think that also helps boost your ability to get into the hall of fame.”

When asked about how she feels regarding the new inductees, Mrs. Hunter says she is very “excited” and explains how she has connections to each of the inductees. Mrs. Hunter was Joey Burney’s athletic trainer while he was in high school, she also knew Chelsea from her coaching.