North Lenoir hosts 13th Hall of Fame Sports Ceremony

From left, Lee Kornegay, Jan Humphrey, Tameka Wiggins and Jim Wynn made the North Lenoir Sports Hall of Fame. Not pictured is Carter Capps, who was also a 2019 inductee. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

A tradition like none other occurs at North Lenoir.

Friday marked the school’s annual Hall of Fame Sports Banquet at King’s Restaurant, where five additional members were inducted. The inaugural class was created in 2007 and since then, 51 members and three teams have been honored throughout the years.

“It’s a special event and it’s great to see the guys and girls who helped make North Lenoir what it is,” Hawks athletic director Jackson Massey said. “It’s wonderful to hear their stories and learn about their history. They’re the reason why the school’s athletic program is where it is — they set the standard, and we’re just trying to take it from there.”

The members of the 2019 class are Carter Capps, Jan Humphrey, Lee Kornegay, Tameka Wiggins and Jimmy Wynn. Capps graduated from North Lenoir in 2008 and was selected in the third round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Seattle Mariners after a stellar career at Mount Olive, where he was a teammate of Massey. Capps has played for the Mariners, Miami Marlins and San Diego Padres and is currently a free agent.

Capps was unable to attend the event, as he lives in Seattle and wasn’t able to make arrangements, as the event was rescheduled due to Hurricane Dorian.

Humphrey may not have played sports at North Lenoir, but she was inducted due to her diligent work as a gatekeeper for North Lenoir athletics for about 25 years. Humphrey, who has taught English for more than 30 years at the school, said it was always important for her to come out to the games.

“It’s an honor and pleasure to be in the Hall of Fame with so many of my former students,” Humphrey said. “I wanted to support them outside of the classroom, showing how much they really meant to me, and it’s a wonderful experience to be in the Hall with my daughters.”

Humphrey's daughter, Heather Carson, is the Hawks’ volleyball coach and was inducted in 2008, with her sisters — Farrah Owens (2016) and Hermia Humphrey Grimes (2017) following.

“My dad taught us how to play our sports and our mom has always been supportive,” Carson said. “To have my mom and two sisters in it is a great honor.”

Kornegay graduated in 1983 and was a two-time All-Conference baseball player during his three years playing for the Hawks. Kornegay said he’s thankful for North Lenoir and how it’s shaped his life after high school.

“It’s definitely a distinct honor to be recognized by coaches on your accomplishments in the sport,” Kornegay said. “It’s one thing to have confidence in yourself, but to have an honor like this validates it. I loved my coaches and they really prepared me for life — it wasn’t just about sports.”

Wiggins played two sports all four years at North Lenoir, being named as an All-Conference player for three years in basketball while contributing in softball. Wiggins, who graduated in 1994, said the family environment at the school was great.

“It’s an honor to be named as a Hall of Famer,” Wiggins said. “My best years were here at North Lenoir — it helped shape my career and the support of those around me was wonderful. To be a part of this group is nothing short of amazing.”

Wynn, a 1976 graduate of North Lenoir, was a three-sport star in football, basketball and track and field. Wynn was an all-conference player and the Omega Psi Phi Athlete of the Year during his senior campaign.

“It’s a great honor to be recognized by my coaches and peers,” Wynn said. “It’s truly a blessing to be a part of the North Lenoir Hall of Fame.”