Parrott Hall of Fame Inducts 12

Parrott Academy’s 2020 class of twelve Hall of Fame inductees was honored at a ceremony on February 5th. Inductees were Tiffany Barnes, Matt Beaman, Jordan Blount, Bert Bright, Jaclyn Ervin, Justin Good, Jesse Grant III, Mary Margaret Herring, Mark Keener, Preston Manning, Robert Mooring Jr., and Billy Taylor. 

Three of the inductees have served on the APA staff.  Dr. Bert Bright was both an assistant football coach and varsity football coach during his teaching career.  As headmaster from 2014- 2020, he helped organize the APA Hall of Fame and presided at the first induction, As the school’s head, he emphasized strength, conditioning, and sportsmanship for athletes.  

Matt Beaman is currently the Parrott Athletic Director and varsity football coach. He has led his teams to three NICSAA state championships.   An APA graduate, he played basketball, football, and baseball. 

Jesse “Frankie “Grant, Parrott’s Maintenance Supervisor, was inducted as an “at large” member. During his 46 years of employment at APA, his contributions to athletic facilities maintenance were cited as integral to the school’s growing athletic program. 

Tiffany Barnes, a three-sport athlete, received the Pat Brock Female Athlete of the Year award when she graduated in 1993. She went on to play softball and volleyball at Mt. Olive College.  Jordan Blount graduated as the Collier-Hodges Male Athlete of the Year in 1997 for his contributions in football and tennis. 

Jaclyn Ervin, who played basketball and soccer, was called by former coach Kay Bender “one of the best female athletes to come through Parrott in my time.” Justin Good, a 1999 graduate, was recognized for his contributions in basketball and football, as well as baseball where he was Conference Player of the Year as a senior. 

Mary Margaret Herring, a three-sport athlete, set the state NCISAA record in softball homeruns. Mark Keener excelled in both basketball and baseball. He was called “the anchor of our first state champion baseball team” by former coach Mike Kearney. Scott Manning contributed to the football, basketball, and baseball teams during his tenure as a student, and as a junior was named Conference Player of the Year in football.

Bob Mooring, another at-large inductee, was recognized for his decades of support as a parent of two student athletes, a team statistician, and a dedicated Booster Club member.  Billy Taylor was an outstanding football, basketball, and baseball player in the 80s, and made All Conference in both football and basketball.  

Congratulating the new inductees, Head of School Brooks Sutton cited the achievements of 55 years of Parrott Academy athletics, including 61 state championship games with 22 victories.