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Hayti Hall of Fame celebrates its second class of inductees in 2024
HAYTI, Mo. - Athletic Director Fred Garmon helped the Hayti athletic department recognize and induct three new members into the Hall of Fame for 2024.
This is the second Hall of Fame class ever for Hayti after they started the inaugural program last fall.
George Merrell was inducted for his efforts on the football field in the early 1970’s. He broke four major receiving records during his time with the Indians
Merrell graduated in 1972. He was the third generation from his family to play football for Hayti, as his father and grandfather were also Hayti football alumni. His grandfather was the quarterback in 1919 and his father played in 1945.
As Merrell is 50 years out of school, he is grateful for his time spent at Hayti and the people he met.
“I loved it,” Merrell said. “I love Hayti. We had a good team with good people. I still see the people that I knew then. It was a great experience and this is a great place.”
He said he is blown away by the opportunity to come back to Hayti and be inducted into the 2024 Hall of Fame.
“I’m humbled because of all the people I played with,” Merrell said. “Great people and great athletes I still see today, and they are my friends now 52 years later.”
Along with Merrell, Lee Watkins was inducted for his efforts as Hayti’s baseball coach. He helped lead the Indians to a winning record while fighting back against racial wars happening during that time period.
He played an important role in 1967 reinstating the baseball team despite racial controversy.
“They dropped the program because of the integration,” Watkins said. “We had a team that went 13-1 and then a team that went 14-0. We had a team half black and half white and some of my better ball players were black kids. They appreciated the fact that we loved them, as individuals and as ball players.”
The third inductee was Ivory Winters who graduated in 2019. He was a star running back for the Indian’s football team, ending his high school career with the most rushing yards in Hayti history and most career points. His senior season, Winters scored 59 touchdowns on 2,786 rushing yards to lead the Indians to a 15-0 season and the team's first State title.
“All my hard work and energy got me in the Hall of Fame,” Winters said. “It means a lot to be in the Hall of Fame. I am thankful for Hayti High School for accepting me.”
Garmon said this Hall of Fame means a lot. Not only to the athletes featured, but to all of Hayti sports in an effort to remember the history of their school teams.
Last year, former athletic director Craig Rodgers started the Hall of Fame last year. Garmon hopes to continue the Hall of Fame ceremony annually for the school.
“I wanted to keep this going for the people at Hayti,” Garmon said. “I’m in the Hall of Fame at Kennett, so I know how much it means to these people and I’m grateful I was able to do my part in capping off their careers, no matter how long ago it may have been.”