Florence Hall inductees very grateful for honor

Darian Durant speaks to guests at Florence Civic Center as the Florence Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its class Saturday.

By: By Shawn Singleton | SCNow
Published: January 11, 2009

FLORENCE — Honored.
It was the word most spoken by the six living inductees at Saturday night’s Florence Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
For two of those members, it was a chance to pay homage to a city that still holds a warm place in their hearts.
“It’s a blessing to be here,” former Wilson and current Jacksonville Jaguars standout Justin Durant said. “Florence is always in my heart. It’s where I’m from and I carry it everywhere I go.”
“You never forget where you come from,” said Darian Durant, Justin’s brother and Saskatchewan Rough Riders quarterback. “The support we’ve gotten from the people of Florence has been tremendous.
“This should show the other kids that you can make it from Florence.”
West Florence track and cross country star Cheryl Terrio shared the Durant’s sentiments about Florence when she spoke about her induction.
“I’m really thankful that I have a support system from the city of Florence,” she said. “I’m honored to be in such good company.
“(The other Hall of Famers) are quality people on and off the field.”
Former Wilson basketball standout Cassandra Bishop-Robinson joined the Durants in the Hall of Fame.
To 82-year old Major Summerford, Saturday night’s ceremony was a chance to honor several players whose athletic careers ended more than a half-a-century ago.
“It’s an honor to be known at this point of my life,” said Summerford, who was inducted along with late Gold Gloves boxer Jimmy Calcutt and late Florence High School football star Bobby O’Harra.
“Athletics have always been a big part of my life. Athletics got me through World War II.”
Former McClenaghan standout Jim Fraser went on to a stellar coaching career at Bennettsville High School. But it was his 17-year tenure at T.L. Hanna that cemented his legacy.
According to Fraser, he originally brought James Kennedy, better known as “Radio”, to the team in 1968.
It wasn’t brought up in the 2003 film about Kennedy starring Cuba Gooding, Jr.
The movie documents Kennedy’s relationship with Fraser’s assistant, Hal Jones, instead.
“The movie is a little discombobulated about that fact,” Fraser said. “Hal Jones was my assistant at the time.
“The joy of seeing a full-lenght movie about Radio was beyond words. Being around all of us for all those years made a good citizen and a great person.”
The Hall of Fame also presented special citations to former Francis Marion baseball coach Gerald Griffin, Florence RedWolves owners Kevin and Donna Barth and the Florence Tennis Association for their contributions to sports in the city.

Florence Hall inductees very grateful for honor

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