5 Peach State Sports Icons Get Ceremonial Jackets on Eve of Hall of Fame Induction

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Five Georgia sports icons will officially be inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night, but tonight, they got their ceremonial jackets.

The event kicked off with a reception at the Hall of Fame in downtown Macon before the crowd moved inside the auditorium for the ceremony.

Macon radio personality Bill Shanks served as the night’s emcee.  He said a few words about each of the new members before they were presented their jacket onstage, which unofficially represents their induction.

“This group is really indicative of how tremendous the sports stars, athletes and personalities have been,” says Shanks.  “This museum is representative of that–of how great sports has been.  I think it’s a tremendous honor, and it really caps off a career to have your home state and where you did most of your work really honor you in this capacity.”

This year’s inductees are former Georgia quarterback and current radio personality Buck Belue, former Braves announcer Skip Caray, high school basketball coach J.B. Hawkins, former UGA gymnast Heather Stepp McCormick and former Georgia Tech linebacker Reggie Wilkes.

The official induction banquet is Saturday night at 7 at the Macon City Auditorium.