McCracken County Schools is proud to announce the inaugural class of the McCracken County High School Hall of Fame and Hall of Heritage. The Class of 2026 includes seven individuals and one championship team whose accomplishments, leadership and lasting influence have brought distinction to their schools and community.
The McCracken County High School Hall of Fame recognizes excellence connected to McCracken County High School, while the Hall of Heritage honors the proud legacies of Heath, Reidland and Lone Oak high schools.
The inaugural inductees are:
McCracken County High School Hall of Fame
2015 McCracken County High School Softball Team
Jasmine Bennett
Geno Miller
Ron Ruggles
Bailey Vick
Hall of Heritage
Steven Curtis Chapman, Heath High School
Terry Mike Jeffrey, Reidland High School
Kenny Perry, Lone Oak High School
McCracken County High School Hall of Fame
2015 McCracken County High School Softball Team
The 2015 McCracken County High School Softball Team established itself as one of the most accomplished teams in the school’s early history by capturing the District 1, Region 1 and KHSAA State Championships. The team completed the season with an outstanding 37-3 record, including a remarkable 27-game winning streak.
In only the second year following the consolidation of Heath, Lone Oak and Reidland high schools, the team established a culture of excellence and championship tradition for McCracken County softball. Numerous team members went on to earn college softball scholarships, with several continuing to distinguish themselves at the collegiate level.
The team’s unprecedented success set a standard of excellence that helped shape the future of McCracken County High School softball.
Jasmine Bennett
Jasmine Bennett, a 2015 graduate of McCracken County High School, distinguished herself as an exceptional student-athlete, leader and role model.
A four-year varsity volleyball starter, Bennett finished her high school career with more than 1,600 kills and 187 blocks, including a school single-game record of 29 kills. She was named All-District and All-Region all four years, Region 1 Player of the Year in 2014, a Kentucky Volleyball Coaches Association All-State selection for three consecutive years and a member of the 2014 KHSAA All-Tournament Team.
Bennett graduated as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA and earned KHSAA Academic All-State honors for three consecutive years. At the University of Louisville, she helped the Cardinals win two Atlantic Coast Conference Championships and make three NCAA Tournament appearances. She earned Second-Team All-ACC honors, was selected to the 2017 USA Volleyball Collegiate National Team and ranked third nationally in kill percentage in 2018.
Bennett graduated magna cum laude from Louisville and has continued her tradition of leadership through her coaching and professional career.
Geno Miller
Coach Geno Miller has left an enduring legacy on McCracken County High School athletics through his leadership, success and commitment to developing student-athletes.
A Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame coach, Miller coached baseball at Lone Oak and McCracken County high schools, earning multiple Region Coach of the Year honors throughout his career.
Under his leadership, McCracken County baseball earned seven consecutive regional championships, made five state Final Four appearances and advanced to a state championship game. His work helped establish the foundation for the successful baseball program McCracken County enjoys today.
Beyond wins and championships, Miller emphasized character, grit, discipline, accountability and perseverance. His influence continues through his leadership as an athletic director and his commitment to McCracken County athletics.
Ron Ruggles
Ron Ruggles was a beloved and dedicated supporter of McCracken County athletics whose influence extended far beyond the playing field.
For many years, Ruggles volunteered as a sports announcer at Heath High School and later McCracken County High School. He lent his voice and enthusiasm to numerous sports and became a familiar and welcomed presence at athletic events.
Known for his warmth, generosity and ability to connect with others, Ruggles made athletes, coaches and fans feel welcome and valued. His unwavering support for student-athletes made him a cherished member of the McCracken County athletic family.
Bailey Vick
Bailey Vick, a 2016 graduate of McCracken County High School, was an exceptional softball player whose achievements inspired local student-athletes to believe that competing at the highest levels of college athletics was within their reach.
A six-year varsity softball player, Vick helped lead McCracken County to two district championships, a 2014 KHSAA State Runner-Up finish and the 2015 KHSAA State Championship. She was a three-time KHSAA Academic All-State selection, a two-time All-District selection, a Second-Team All-State honoree and an East-West All-Star Game selection.
A 4.0 student, AP Scholar and Governor’s Scholar, Vick demonstrated that academic and athletic excellence could go hand in hand.
At the University of Kentucky, Vick earned SEC All-Freshman Team, SEC All-Defensive Team, NFCA All-Southeast Region, CoSIDA Academic All-District and Academic All-America recognition. As a senior in 2020, she was named SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, led Kentucky with a .582 batting average and earned SEC Player of the Week and D1 Softball National Player of the Week honors.
Vick was later inducted into the University of Kentucky Softball Hall of Fame. Her success continues to inspire generations of McCracken County athletes to dream bigger.
Hall of Heritage
Steven Curtis Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman, a graduate of Heath High School, grew up immersed in music. The son of Judy and Herb Chapman, who owned a local music store and taught guitar, Chapman learned to play alongside his older brother, Herb Jr. He later established his career in Nashville and became one of the most influential artists in the history of contemporary Christian music.
Since beginning his recording career in 1987, Chapman has released 23 studio albums and more than 25 albums overall. He has sold more than 11 million albums worldwide, earned two Platinum and eight Gold-certified albums and recorded 49 No. 1 radio singles.
Chapman is a five-time Grammy Award winner whose songwriting and artistry have also earned him an American Music Award and numerous Gospel Music Association Dove Awards.
In 2024, Chapman achieved another historic milestone when he became the first contemporary Christian music artist inducted as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Throughout a career spanning nearly four decades, his songwriting, musical excellence and commitment to his faith have inspired millions while bringing national recognition and pride to his Western Kentucky roots.
Terry Mike Jeffrey
Terry Mike Jeffrey, a 1972 graduate of Reidland High School, has spent more than 50 years representing Western Kentucky on regional, national and international stages as a singer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and musical director.
Jeffrey earned a 1997 Emmy Award nomination for his songwriting contributions to “Sesame Street.” He starred as the musical director and lead actor in “Elvis — An American Musical,” a New York-produced multimedia show that toured the United States and Canada. He also starred in extended runs of “Stand By Your Man — The Tammy Wynette Story” at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium.
As a frequent performer and regular cast member on TNN’s “Music City Tonight with Crook & Chase,” Jeffrey shared the stage with artists including Chet Atkins, Shania Twain and Eddy Arnold. He continues to reach a national audience as a featured performer and guest host on SiriusXM’s Elvis Radio.
Acclaimed for his orchestral tributes to Elvis Presley, Jeffrey has performed with major symphonies across the country, including 17 appearances with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and multiple performances with the Detroit, Jacksonville and Nashville symphonies.
Throughout his career, Jeffrey has remained deeply connected to Paducah and Western Kentucky, bringing distinction and pride to the community and schools that helped shape him.
Kenny Perry
Kenny Perry, a graduate of Lone Oak High School, is one of the most accomplished professional golfers to come from Western Kentucky.
After competing on the Lone Oak High School golf team, Perry continued his career at Western Kentucky University before turning professional in 1982.
Perry earned 27 professional victories, including 14 PGA Tour wins and 10 PGA Tour Champions victories. He reached a career-high World Golf Ranking of No. 4 in 2009 and established himself as one of golf’s most consistent competitors.
Perry finished runner-up at the 1996 PGA Championship, tied for second at the 2009 Masters Tournament, tied for third at the 2003 U.S. Open and tied for eighth at the 2003 Open Championship. He also represented the United States in multiple Ryder Cups and was part of the victorious 2008 team at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville.
His accomplishments have been recognized with some of golf’s highest honors, including the prestigious Payne Stewart Award in 2009. After joining the PGA Tour Champions, Perry was named Rookie of the Year in 2011, won the Charles Schwab Cup in 2013 and was honored as Champions Tour Player of the Year.
From his beginnings at Lone Oak High School to becoming one of the most successful professional golfers of his generation, Perry has represented McCracken County, Kentucky and the game of golf with exceptional skill, sportsmanship and distinction.
The inaugural inductees will be honored during the McCracken County Schools Hall of Fame induction ceremony from 5:30–6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, in the C-Plant Auditorium at McCracken County High School. The inductees will also be recognized during pregame festivities at 6:45 p.m. before the Mustangs’ home football game against Union County at Marquette Stadium.
Nominations for the next McCracken County High School Hall of Fame and Hall of Heritage class are now being accepted. To nominate a deserving individual or team, visit www.mccracken.kyschools.us/page/hall-of-fame.