Winners of the Male Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year were also announced on Monday
BY DONNA SWICEGOOD
The 2026 class of inductees into the Iredell County Sports Hall of Fame include a lifelong educator who was thrilled with finally being recognized and a man described as being more than a grandpa but a mentor and friend.
Seven new members to the Hall of Fame were officially inducted during a ceremony held Monday evening at the Statesville Event Center
This year’s group includes Jean Paul Berry, William H. (Bill) Bustle, Dr. Patrick Campbell, Dale Fox, Maria Hickman, Robert Lee Long Sr. and Rick Lewis.
For Long, the recognition was special.
“I wanna say it’s about time,” said Long, who is a member of the Shaw University Athletic Hall of Fame.
His induction into the Iredell County Sports Hall of Fame is recognition of his years as a champion baseball player and quarterback at Morningside HIgh School as well as football, baseball and boys basketball and girls softball in the Hickory public schools.
He said his induction also honors Morningside High School.
”It’s about time that Morningside be represented here,” he said. “Last time I was here I spoke on behalf of my brother who is also a Morningside graduate at his induction here. … I say it’s about time because you didn’t wait for me to die to recognize me and I am truly honored and grateful for this outstanding achievement.”
Bustle, who passed away in 2008 at the age of 90, was remembered by his granddaughter, Jamie Whitley.
“You see he wasn’t only my pawpaw. He was my baseball coach, my swim coach, my fly fishing partner, my friend, my mentor, my hero,” she said.
Whitley said Bustle never missed one of her games and offered encouragement after the game was over.
Bustle dedicated a lifetime to serving the needs of hundreds of athletes of all ages in eastern Iredell County. He was founder and chairman of the New Salem Recreation group, which later changed its name to New Salem Little League. He served as a coach for the league for more than 40 years.
His granddaughter said Bustle’s three daughters, Pat Taylor, Sarah Sparks and Sandy Knox, were a big part of his life on the ballfield and later, one of his great joys, was coaching his grandson, Joey, and granddaughters, Jamie and Stacey.
Berry was a star athlete at Mooresville High School, earning All-State honors in football in back-to-back seasons in 1957-1958. He was selected to play in the 1958 North Carolina Shrine Bowl. He also was selected to play in the East-West Game. Berry also participated in track and wrestling at Mooresville High School.
Campbell was a state champion in cross country and track star at Mooresville High School. When he graduated in 2008, he was among the most honored high school track athletes in Iredell County. He went on to become an All-ACC performer at N.C. State University and was a member of two ACC championship teams in cross country.
Campbell said he was honored to be included among so many Iredell County sports legends. He expressed thanks to his parents, Mike and Pat Campbell, and to the coaches who encouraged and challenged him to keep running.
Fox played baseball and wrestled at Statesville High School and was described as an outstanding shortstop. He played baseball as a walk-on at Western Carolina University, staying on as a graduate assistant while obtaining his master’s degree. He worked for the Iredell County school system for 20 years and served as the North Iredell coordinator for Special Olympics.
“It is truly humbling,” Fox said when he accepted the honor.
Hickman was captain of the North Iredell Raiders basketball team from 1996-98 and played basketball at Mars Hill College, where he scored 1,084 points, becoming the college’s 23rd all-time leading scorer.
She is currently the executive associate athletics director and director of inclusive excellence for the University of South Carolina Athletics Department. She is a graduate of Mars Hill College with dual bachelor’s degrees and earned a master’s degree from the University of Louisville,
“My time at North Iredell helped make me who I am,” she said. “Thanks to the coaches throughout my career.”
Lewis was inducted as the Harold Johnson Community Partner Award winner. The award is named in honor of the longtime WSOC sports director and Statesville resident and is presented to someone who has made an impact on sports in this community.
His sons, Colby and Tyler, spoke about the impact their father had on sports, both in Iredell and across the region. They said their father’s influence helped shape the lives of many young men.
“Your impact on so many young lives is truly remarkable,” Tyler Lewis said.
Lewis founded Phenom Hoops, one of the premier sources of high school basketball exposure offering players a chance to show their skills in front of prime time coaches and scouts.
“Thank you for this honor and this award,” he said.
High School athletes honored
The Hall of Fame Committee also recognized top athletes from eight high schools and announced its male and female athletes of the year.
The athletes of the year were Taylor Stikeleather from West Iredell HIgh School and Joseph (Joe) Hauck from Mooresville High School. The others honored were Kasey Dingman and Keegan McClure from Lake Norman High School, Lila Pearson and Jerel Brawley from Langtree Charter, Gia Lowe from Mooresville High School, Barrett Williams and Callum Cary from North Iredell High School, Sophia Chilton and Bridger Chayes from Pine Lake Prep, Emma Line and Brooks Culp from South Iredell High School, Promise Lovelace and Josh Terry from Statesville High School; and Ex-Avier Peet from West Iredell High School.
