Albany Sports Hall of Fame inducts three new members

ALBANY — The city of Albany has been a hotbed of athletic talent for decades and on Monday night, three more standout athletes from the community solidified their place in history.

Richie Howard, Ben Lockette and Edwin Willis were all inducted into the Albany Sports Hall of Fame and joined the 149 previously inducted members. Jason Willcox, president of the Albany Sports Hall of Fame was in attendance and said it’s great to be able to recognize so many diverse athletes in the city.

“We’re very fortunate to have exceptional athletes that have grown up or come into our community,” he said. “We were founded in 1987 and have 149 members of the Hall of Fame and three more tonight, so we’re very, very fortunate.”

Howard was first to the address the crowd. A standout football and baseball player in the late 70’s, he said that being inducted into the Hall of Fame was just as special, if not more than hitting four against Alabama, and coming from a former Auburn Tiger, that meant a lot.

“All those thing are just a lot of great memories,” he said. “Being recognized, this is one of the most prestigious awards an athlete can get is this. When you are inducted into a hall of fame, that’s the ultimate. So that’s like completing your career, so I’m very appreciative of that.”

Former powerlifter Ben Lockette said if you would’ve told him at the beginning of his career he would go down in history in the city of Albany, he would’ve asked you “where?”

He laughs now and said having traveled all over the world, there’s no place he would rather live and invest in than Albany. He said he’s fortunate to not only have been accepted and able to help younger athletes find their way, but be honored by the place he calls home.

“[Albany] is the only place I’ve ever lived where I was immediately accepted into the community,” he said. “It was wonderful, this is my home.”

Edwin Willis was the final inductee to speak and emphasized how blessed he is to have had the support of numerous people in the community as he went on to excel in football, track & field and martial arts. One of twelve children, Willis said it was the love and support of his family and coaches that has gotten him to this point and motivated him to make a difference in the community.

“This the highlight of my life,” he said. “It shows that no good deed goes unrewarded. If you do well and you give back, it’s gone come back to ya…all those people I mentioned early all the coaches that mentored me, it instilled in me how important it was to give back.”

The next generation of Albany athletes was recognized as well Monday night. Albany High’s Malik Dungee, Deerfield-Windsor’s Austin Fallaw, Dougherty’s Michael Whatley, Monroe’s Brentavious Glanton, Sherwood Christian Academy’s Key’yada Thomas and Westover’s Trenton Thompson were all named Athletes of the Year.

Deerfield-Windsor’s Emily Anderson was awarded a scholarship to pursue higher education in city of Albany, as well as Monroe High’s Jontavious Robinson. Anderson will be attending Darton State College, while Robinson will further his education at Albany State University.