2002 Charlotte Observer file photo
Charlotte Sting president M.L. Carr, right, and NBA legend Larry Bird watch several kids during a basketball clinic, two hours before a Sting/Mercury game at the Charlotte Coliseum.
The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame announced its newest class on Thursday, including eight honorees who will be enshrined at the 49th annual induction banquet in May.
The inductees are: Wilt Browning, Wray Carlton, M.L. Carr, Sam Esposito, Dr. Jerry McGee, Kristi Overton Johnson, Lennie Rosenbluth and Henry Trevathan.
The group will be recognized in May during a banquet at the North Raleigh Hilton. The newest class will join previous inductees on display at the North Carolina Museum of History – home of the N.C. Sports Hall of Fame.
“The achievements of this year’s class of inductees enrich our state’s remarkable sports heritage, and they certainly earned the honor of joining the 281 men and women previously enshrined,” Hall of Fame president Dr. Janie Brown said in a statement.
Wilt Browning: A well-known sports editor and columnist for the Greensboro News and Record, who started his newspaper career covering the Atlanta Braves for the Atlanta Journal.
Wray Carlton: The Wallace born product became an outstanding football player at Duke, who earned All-ACC honors and eventually distinguished himself as a running back in the AFL in the mid-1960’s.
M.L. Carr: A Wallace-Rose Hill High School graduate, he starred at Guilford College and later became a professional with the ABA and NBA. He joined the Boston Celtics and later served as general manager.
Sam Esposito: After playing 10 years with Chicago White Sox, including a trip to the World Series in 1959, he became N.C. State's head baseball coach. He was named ACC Coach of the Year in 1984 and 1986.
Dr. Jerry McGee: The former Rockingham High School athlete made his professional name as a football referee. He worked 405 games, including more than 300 games on the NCAA Division I level.
Kristi Overton Johnson: A Greenville native who became a competitive water skier. In a career spanning 30 years, she set world records, captured the No. 1 world ranking and won the sports biggest events multiple times.
Lennie Rosenbluth: He is remembered as the leading scorer on North Carolina’s 1957 undefeated team that defeated Kansas in the national championship game. He still holds the school record for points in a season.
Henry Trevathan: In a long career as a football coach, he led Wilson Fike to three consecutive 4-A state football championship (1967-69), and coached on the staff of East Carolina and N.C. State football teams.
