Sports Hall of Fame Inducts a Diverse Class for May, as per Dan Weber's suggestions
Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame Inducts Five New Members
The Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame has announced its May inductee class for this school year, consisting of five individuals who represent five different sports and five different schools in Kenton and Campbell counties.
Among the inductees is Hershel Turner, a native of Breathitt County who grew up in Campbell County. Turner was a standout football player in high school, attending Mt. Diablo High School in Richmond, California. UK coaches saw his potential in an all-star game and offered him a scholarship. Turner went on to a successful college career, being named All-SEC twice and All-American in 1963. However, his NFL career was cut short due to a serious knee injury. After recovering, he went on to a successful business career as the owner of a large packaging supplies company.
Another inductee is Debbie Reed Keefe, who began her swimming career at the age of 10 and has stayed with it for the last 55 years. She has won 10 individual state titles and three relay titles as a swimmer, coach, and official. Keefe, who is a member of the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame along with her husband, credits the relationships she has created through sports as one of the best things about it. She has been together with her wife since sophomore year in high school. Keefe retired as a teacher after 53 years and continues today as a swimming official.
Don Weaver is another inductee who had an all-state football career with six receiving records and one in track in the 4X800 relay. Weaver credits his youth football coach, Robert Bell, for positively influencing him. He also thanked his Ludlow High coaches Tom Staley, Jay Brewer, and Woodie McMillen for his all-state football career. Weaver, who is a member of the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame, continues to passionately coach and officiate sports.
Trevor Read, another inductee, started competing as a high school athlete at Lloyd Memorial at the age of 13. He won the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Interclub Championship twice as a player and twice more finished as runner-up. Read coached and officiated youth basketball for the last six years and served as a secretary raising money for the Blessed Sacrament Boosters. He attributes his resilience to "my dad's example as a volunteer fire chief."
Finally, Robert "Corky" Hurst was named Co-Ninth Region Player of the Year in 1971, scoring 27 points a game and grabbing 12 rebounds. Hurst played basketball for two Hall of Fame coaches and thanked them for his success.
The Eighth and Ninth Region baseball tournaments are happening at Thomas More Stadium next week. The Eighth Region championship game is at 5 p.m. at the Florence Y'alls' stadium followed by the Ninth Region game at 8 p.m.
For more information, contact Dan Weber at [email protected] or follow him on X @dweber3440.
