First Stanhope Elmore High Baseball Coach Mickey McCullough, Alumni Honored Saturday

By Gerri Miller

EAN Staff Writer

A ceremony held between the Junior Varsity and Varsity Stanhope Elmore High School baseball games on Saturday recognized the efforts of 20 former players and coaches.

But it was a monument erected for the coach of the school’s first baseball team that generated the most excitement.

The stone honoring Mickey McCullough was erected outside the press box last September and was pushed by Dr. Danny Ingram, who played on the original team. It was also a group effort by SEHS and alumni who played on that first team back in 1970. On Saturday, the monument was dedicated to Coach McCullough, “whose hard work and winning ways was instilled in his athletes for life.”

McCullough said he was excited to see the stone monument honoring his work to pull together the school’s first team. McCullough served as the school’s first baseball coach in 1970-1973. Several of his players were also present and honored, including third baseman David Dodd (1970 -1971); catcher Stan Head (1971); pitcher and shortstop Ingram (1970-1972); Mike Henderson (1970-1971); and Greg Wilson (1972).

Other coaches and players honored included Coach Rick Samsal (1973-2010); rightfielder Robert Chancey; outfielder Dan Brautlfey (1986-1990); second baseman Jimmy Reeves (1997-2000); pitcher Chris Freeman; shortstop Jason Foxworth. (1997-2000); first baseman Caleb Stinchcomb (2013-2016); pitcher Darren Gibson (1994-1997); pitcher Matt Cobb (1998-2001); Johnny Moseley; pitcher/rightfielder Brett Adams (2002-2006); outfielder Winston Pearson (1997-2000); and centerfielder Sully Stevens (2017-2020).

The Elmore/Autauga News was there in September when the monument was placed and was able to meet with Tommy George, of Millbrook. George played on the first team as a second baseman. He was there to represent the Alumni from the original team as the monument was put into place.

Stanhope Elmore High School Baseball Coach D.K. Shuman said he was pretty excited about the new monument and has helped in the planning for its dedication and Alumni Day. Shuman said it is important to remember all of those who have been a part of the SEHS baseball team throughout the years. The team is moving full speed ahead, following all current protocols for safety and played its first home game on Saturday.

Unfortunately, due to COVID, last year’s team lost the ability to play for two-thirds of the season.

See more photos below: