Congrats Foley High Hall of Fame Class of 2018

Former Lions and two honorary inductees recognized for accomplishments and service

Foley High School
Posted 11/13/18

FOLEY, Ala. -- Foley High honored 10 former athletes and two honorary inductees on Oct. 12 at Ivan Jones Stadium. The 2018 inductees include: Craig “GG” Calvin, Bob Harding, Julio Jones, …

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Congrats Foley High Hall of Fame Class of 2018

Former Lions and two honorary inductees recognized for accomplishments and service

Posted

FOLEY, Ala. -- Foley High honored 10 former athletes and two honorary inductees on Oct. 12 at Ivan Jones Stadium. The 2018 inductees include: Craig “GG” Calvin, Bob Harding, Julio Jones, Chris Kaiser, Danny Kaiser, Robert Lester, Jillie Brokenshaw Prater, Lonnie Prim, Richard Roper, Dickie Sute, Bonnie Cleaveland Donaldson and Carl Major.
More on the 2018 Inductees
Mr. Craig Calvin is a 1991 graduate of Foley High School where he was a three sport standout for the Lions. Commonly known as “GG” to his friends and teammates, Mr. Calvin was a five-year starter in baseball, a four year starter in basketball, a three year starter in football and was named a team captain and all-county multiple times in all three sports.
After graduation, Mr. Calvin played both basketball and baseball at Faulkner State Community College and football at Nichols State University.
Mr. Calvin is married to Quana Bradley Calvin of Fairhope and they have five children and one grandchild. Mr. Calvin is proud to be from the Aaronville community in Foley and he works for US and B Transport of Mobile.


Mr. Bob Harding is a 1965 graduate of Foley High School where he played football for the Lions. Mr. Harding was a two year starter on both sides of the ball at end and was an outstanding leader on those teams. The 1964 team his senior year surrendered only 20 points, with 8 shut-out victories, and his teams had a combined three year record of 28-2.
After graduation Mr. Harding attended Auburn University and later received his degree from the University of Maryland. He joined the Navy in 1969 and spent 7 years in submarines. While based in Newport News, Mr. Harding met his wife Rita; they have a daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren.
After a long career with the federal government, Mr. Harding is currently semi-retired and works part-time at Challenged Child and Friends in NE Georgia, working with children with developmental issues. Mr. Harding credits his late parents and Coach Ivan Jones as his biggest influences in his young life.

Mr. Julio Jones is a 2008 graduate of Foley High School where he played football, basketball, and track and field for the Lions. Mr. Jones was recognized as the 6A Track and Field athlete of the year for his junior year and received the same recognition for football following his senior year. He was an all-star basketball player, as well.
After graduation, Mr. Jones went on to star for Coach Nick Saban at Alabama and helped the team win a National Championship. Coach Saban has often said that Mr. Jones re-defined the wide receiver position at Alabama – a comment on his work ethic as well as his talent.
Mr. Jones went on to enter the NFL draft after his junior season at Alabama and was chosen in the first round by the Atlanta Falcons.
He has excelled in Atlanta and continues to exceed all standards for his position at various points in his career. He is considered one of the top players in the NFL, regardless of position and is well on his way to being one of the top receivers ever. His proud mother Mrs. Queen Marvin continues to support Julio in his career and in his life.

Mr. Chris Kaiser is a 1995 graduate of Foley High School where he excelled in baseball and football for the Lions. He started three years at catcher and then center field for the Lions baseball program and was the lead-off batter all three years. He had a career batting average of well over .300 and stole 74 bases during those years. His total of 36 stolen bases in 18 games his senior year is a mark that stands the test of time.
Mr. Kaiser was named all-county and chosen to the East-West All-star game twice in baseball and was awarded a baseball scholarship to Wallace State Community College in Dothan.
Mr. Kaiser is currently a deputy sheriff for Baldwin County in the special operations unit and has garnered numerous honors for his service to our county, including the highest awards for a deputy – The Life Saver Award and Deputy of the Year.
Mr. Kaiser is married to Kristen Kaiser and they have four children. He joins his father, Coach Anthony Kaiser, as members of this hall of fame.

Mr. Danny Kaiser is a 1984 graduate of Foley High School where he excelled in baseball and football for the Lions. Mr. Kaiser was a four year letterman and three year starter in baseball at first base, and he started at fullback and handled all kicking duties for Coach Lester Smith in football, garnering awards for his play and helping win two county championships.
After graduation, Mr. Kaiser began working at Vulcan Signs, Inc. where he has now been for 33 years. Among other volunteer work in the community, Mr. Kaiser spent several years helping coach Foley MS football for various coaches.
Mr. Kaiser is married to his high school sweetheart, Caline for the past 33 years, and they have one grown son Blaine.
Mr. Kaiser is a third-generation inductee into the FHS Athletic Hall of Fame – joining several great-uncles and uncles as members of this honorarium.

Mr. Robert Lester is a 2008 graduate of Foley High School where he played football and basketball for the Lions. Robert was an all-star basketball player for the Lions, performing at top levels for three years on the varsity. He was an all-state defensive back for Coach Todd Watson and received a scholarship to the University of Alabama.
While at the University of Alabama, Mr. Lester was one of the top defensive backs in the SEC and the country, earning many accolades for his play for the Crimson Tide. He was a member of two national championship teams during his career at Alabama and entered the draft after his senior season.
Mr. Lester played several years for the Carolina Panthers and the Tennessee Titans before moving on to other interests.
Mr. Lester has been long known for his support of Foley Elementary School and its students during his time in college and early years in the NFL – giving back to his community.
Accepting on Mr. Lester’s behalf were Joanne Schultz, Rosaline Schultz and Josephine Williams.

Mrs. Jillie Brokenshaw Prater is a 2006 graduate of Foley High School where she excelled in volleyball and basketball for the Lions. During her time at FHS, Mrs. Prater was a National Honor Society member, Senior Class Vice President, and the Bryant Jordan Academic Athlete Regional winner.
After graduation, Mrs. Prater attended Faulkner State Community College on volleyball scholarship where she earned many accolades including NJCAA Academic All-American and ranking 2nd in assists per game for the Alabama Community College Conference. Jillie was also involved in school life while playing volleyball, being named Miss Faulkner State in 2007, being tapped for Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and participating in the Pow-Wow Leadership Society.
Jillie graduated with honors from FSCC and moved on to the University of West Alabama where she was manager for the volleyball program, a 2009 UWA Favorite, the member of numerous academic honor societies, and a graduate with honors in 2010.
Coach Jillie Prater returned to Foley HS as volleyball coach and math teacher in 2015 and does excellent work with our students. She and her husband Cole have three children.

Mr. Robert Lester is a 2008 graduate of Foley High School where he played football and basketball for the Lions. Robert was an all-star basketball player for the Lions, performing at top levels for three years on the varsity. He was an all-state defensive back for Coach Todd Watson and received a scholarship to the University of Alabama.
While at the University of Alabama, Mr. Lester was one of the top defensive backs in the SEC and the country, earning many accolades for his play for the Crimson Tide. He was a member of two national championship teams during his career at Alabama and entered the draft after his senior season.
Mr. Lester played several years for the Carolina Panthers and the Tennessee Titans before moving on to other interests.
Mr. Lester has been long known for his support of Foley Elementary School and its students during his time in college and early years in the NFL – giving back to his community.
Accepting on Mr. Lester’s behalf were Joanne Schultz, Rosaline Schultz, and Josephine Williams.

Mr. Richard Roper is a 1979 graduate of Foley High School where he excelled in football and track and field for the Lions. Mr. Roper was one of Coach Bud Pigott’s many outstanding nose-guards and was instrumental in helping replace some of the great players from the 1977 team.
After an excellent senior season which included a touchdown scoring fumble recovery versus Robertsdale for a big win and a historic win over an excellent Bay Minette team, Mr. Roper was named all-county, all-region, and all-district. He recorded over 100 total tackles from his interior line position in just ten games and was one of the most disruptive defensive players of his era.
Mr. Roper is best known in his adult professional life for his 23 years of service with the Foley Police Department where he retired with the rank of sergeant.

Mr. Richard “Dickie” Sute is a 1963 graduate of Foley High School where he excelled in football for the Lions as a leader on two state championship teams in 1961 and 1962 as a starter at offensive line and linebacker. He was also a standout on the baseball and track & field teams.
In addition to his athletic achievements, Mr. Sute was one of the top students in the long history of Foley HS. He was the school’s first National Merit Scholar, scored a 35 on his ACT, and received an ROTC scholarship to Tulane University.
After earning degrees from the University of Alabama and the University of South Alabama, Mr. Sute went on to have an outstanding career as an engineer for Volkert, Inc. over a 39 year period and retired as Senior Vice President. He led many important projects during his time at Volkert – too numerous to list.
He has continued to do great things in his home community, helping to lead many projects that have enriched our community and the lives of its citizens.

Mrs. Bonnie Cleaveland Donaldson is our first honorary inductee this evening. Mrs. Donaldson is a 1958 graduate of Foley High School where she was named the wittiest in her class’s “Who’s Who?” and was the Blue & Gold yearbook editor.
After graduation, Mrs. Donaldson earned degrees in education from Huntingdon College, Sam Houston State University, and the University of Houston and began a 32 year teaching career in Pensacola, Houston, and Pasadena TX.
Bonnie and her husband Jim moved back to Foley in 1996, and she became involved in the Foley HS Alumni Association and other civic groups. She retired again this past January after 17 years as the Executive Director of the Foley Railroad Museum where she helped with many civic events including Heritage Harbor Days.
Bonnie has also been a key player in Foley athletics, showcasing student athletes during Foley’s Centennial Celebration, researching all Foley football players for history, helping to organize a fundraiser for the Ivan Jones Extra Effort Scholarship, and helping plan a 90th birthday celebration for Coach Jones.

Mr. Carl Major is our second honorary inductee this evening. Mr. Major has been the director of bands at Foley High School for over 20 years and is entering his 27th year in education after earning degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and the University of Phoenix.
Mr. Major has led an extraordinary Foley band program to a Grammy Award, numerous contest championships and superior ratings, and accolades from local, state, and national politicians – including a personal letter from the President of the United States.
Under Mr. Major’s direction, the Mighty Band from Lion Land has represented our community on National TV and gathered other recognition in venues from Phoenix, to Chicago, to New York to Orlando. In addition to his work with the Foley Band, Mr. Major is a nationally recognized judge and composer, with over 200 original and arranged compositions published by various outlets.
Under Mr. Major’s guidance in 2000, the Foley Band Program was designated a Grammy Signature School for having one of the top 100 programs in the US and earned a Grammy Award. Mr. Major earned a Citation of Excellence through the National Band Association for excellence in music education.
Mr. Major has been married to his wife Amanda for 26 years and they have three children who have all been part of the Mighty Band from Lion Land.