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BPC inducts three new members into Athletic Hall of Fame

Taylor Hereford
BPC Director of Marketing

During their time as student-athletes at Brewton-Parker College, Stan Steidel, Raymond Tucker, and Wally Walker each upheld a standard of excellence that not only preserved the rich history of BPC athletics, but helped to build on an already strong foundation that continues to serve future generations of BPC athletes.

As a result of their outstanding achievements, all three were inducted into the Brewton-Parker College Athletic Hall of Fame during Alumni Weekend festivities on the main campus in Mount Vernon.

“It was a pleasure to be a part of this induction,” said Roger Byrd, Director of Alumni Relations at Brewton-Parker. “These men were not just great athletes while they were at Brewton-Parker, they were leaders. They have lived good, productive lives and continue to be leaders.”

Dr. David Smith (left), president of Brewton-Parker College, presents Stan Steidel with a plaque commemorating Steidel’s induction into the Brewton-Parker College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Stan Steidel graduated from BPC in 1961 with an Associate of Arts degree and was a standout both in basketball and in baseball. After receiving a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1966, Steidel has devoted his professional career to working in public school systems in Kentucky. Included in the many honors and awards Steidel has received are being named Coach of the Year for Ninth-Region Class “A” in 1978, 1980, and 1997. He was also named Coach of the Year for the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference in 1980. In 1990, he was nominated for National High School Athletic Director of the Year by the Kentucky High School Coaches Association. Named one of the “50 Most Powerful People in Kentucky Sports” by the Lexington Herald-Leader in 1993, Steidel was inducted into the Greater Cincinnati Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Kentucky High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

Steidel was also one of the founders of the “Touchstone Energy All A Classic,” a program that provides opportunities for kids not only in athletics, but also in academics and in the performing arts.

While working as an educator and administrator in Kentucky, Steidel has been a sponsor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Founder and Director of the Dayton Community Youth Basketball League, and the Executive Director of the Northern Kentucky Athletic Conference.

“I am very honored to have received this recognition,” said Steidel, “and also to have had the opportunity to come back to Mount Vernon and BPC and revisit a host of memories that were made years ago. BPC was and continues to be a special place. We all had great success here as students and as athletes.”

Dr. David Smith (left), president of Brewton-Parker College, presents Raymond Tucker with a plaque commemorating Tucker’s induction into the Brewton-Parker College Athletic Hall of Fame.

Raymond Tucker, a 1970 honor graduate of BPC, excelled in basketball and baseball during his college career. Called “a leader and coach on the floor” by former coach Hoke Brantley, Tucker was the leading scorer for the Barons basketball team averaging nineteen points per game. While playing basketball at BPC, Tucker won the Free Throw Percentage trophy, was captain of the basketball team, named Best Defensive Player, Most Valuable Player, and voted Most Athletic by the student body. He was also selected to the First Team of the Georgia Junior College All-State Team and was listed as one of the Outstanding College Athletes of America in 1970.

After graduating from BPC, Tucker received an athletic scholarship to play for Columbus College (present day Columbus State University) where he was named captain and MVP of the basketball team his senior year.

Tucker has been an active coach in Little League Baseball and Midget Football for many years. He has also served on the Board of Directors for the Berrien County Parks and Recreation Department for eight years. He currently manages the Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company office in Valdosta.

“I was not expecting it! I was shocked and it is truly an honor to be selected,” said Tucker of his induction. “My days at Brewton-Parker were great and this just puts the finishing touch on a wonderful period in my life; one that I will remember forever. My thanks to Brewton-Parker and everyone involved in the selection process.”

Wally Walker, a 1967 graduate of BPC, was a standout in basketball during the 1964-65 and 1965-66 seasons. During his freshman year, Walker averaged ten points and five rebounds a game. As a sophomore, he was named captain of the team and averaged seventeen points and eight rebounds a game. A year after graduating from Brewton-Parker, Walker attended Columbus College where he was a starter for the Cougars.

According to former BPC coach Tracy Rivers, Walker was “the kind of player that a coach dreams about – (a) silent leader, but did all (he was) asked and more.”

Former coach Hoke Brantley said Walker was fearless on the court and “would do the ‘dirty work’ for the ball team,” meaning he was to guard the best scorer on the opposing team and could almost always find a way to keep that player from having a big scoring night.

Walker was unable to attend the ceremony during Alumni Weekend, but like his fellow inductees, was honored to learn of his induction into the Hall of Fame.

“I felt humbled when I learned that I had been inducted into the Brewton-Parker Athletic Hall of Fame by the National Alumni Society,” said Walker. “I had a wonderful experience during my time spent at Brewton-Parker and I am grateful for the opportunity that Brewton-Parker gave me. The coaches, professors, and administration always went the extra mile to see that the student-athletes had a chance to succeed.”

Walker is currently an agent for State Farm Insurance in Pooler.

-BPC-