Hall of Fame Biographies
Doug Coots was an outstanding member of the ALC Eagles baseball squad from 1982 to 1986. Coots played his high school ball at Leslie County before signing with ALC. During his college career, he was voted KIAC All Conference in 1984. Also in his career, he pitched two 1 hitters and 2 shut outs against stiff compe. He also led his team in strike outs, wins, and earned run average and was twice selected as the team’s most outstanding pitcher. Mr. Coots is considered the first outstanding pitcher to wear the Eagles baseball uniform. He was coached by Bill Melton and Jim Stepp during his four year career. Currently he is employed by the Leslie County Board of Education, where he serves his community as a teacher at WB Muncy Elementary School.
Denise Campbell was an exceptional member of the ALC Lady Eagles basketball squad from 1986 to 1990. Campbell played her high school ball at Phelps High School before signing with ALC. During her college career she was voted most valuable player in 1989. Also in her career, she led her team in numerous categories including best three-point percentage and best field goal percentage. She finished her career with 996 points and is widely regarded as one of the deadliest three-point shooters to wear a Lady Eagles jersey. She was coached at Alice Lloyd by Jim and Tammy Oakes and also by Peggy Tillman. After graduation, Campbell served the school in various roles, including a seven year stint as head coach of the Lady Eagles. Her overall coaching record at Alice Lloyd was a respectable 91-96. Ms. Campbell currently serves her community as a teacher at Kemper Elementary School in Pike County.
Matt Baker played basketball for the Eagles from 1995 through 1999. He played for coaches Jim and Joe Stepp and John Mills. During his career, Matt played in 121 games where he scored 1,180 points, pulled down 780 rebounds and had 206 assists. He was selected as the Eagles' best defensive player for three consecutive years. He was also a member of the 1995-96 National Tournament team. Matt is originally from Virgie, Kentucky. He currently resides in Kingsport, Tennessee with his wife, Wendy.
Stacy Michelle Moore Martin played basketball for the Lady Eagles from 1993 through 1997. She played the shooting guard position for three years for Coach John Mills and one year for Coach Denise Campbell. We are missing stats from some parts of her career. However, we do know that she scored 1,179 points in her career. She was an outstanding leader on the court, a very good defensive player and an outstanding three-point shooter. She was also an AAC All-Conference performer. Stacy is originally from Langley, Kentucky. She still resides in her hometown with her husband, Frank, and their two children, Max and Jace.
Neil Patton is the first tennis player to be inducted into the ALC Athletic Hall of Fame. He attended from 1980 to 1984 and was a member of the first ever ALC tennis team to join the KIAC conference. He was coached by the late Jim Bergman, whom Neil considered a coach, friend and mentor. Neil credits much of the success he has achieved since leaving ALC to the close bond he shared with Jim Bergman, who Neil says, "Taught me much about tennis, but more importantly he taught me much about life."
Tom Setser played basketball for the Eagles from 1986 through 1990. He was a power forward who will always be remembered for his tenacious rebounding and bone jarring screens. He was a coach's dream because he was willing to do the little things necessary for his team to be successful. Tom played in 105 games. He scored 676 points and pulled down 524 rebounds. He also added 70 assists. He shot 56% from the field and 70% from the free throw line in his career. Tom was coached by Joe and Jim Stepp. Tom is originally from Inez, and continues to live in Martin County with his wife, Joni, and their two children, Sara and Brent.
Cavanaugh Trent played baseball at ALC from 1994 through 1999. He was primarily an outfielder. He was a .350 lifetime hitter with 147 hits, 109 runs scored, 71 RBI's and 62 stolen bases. He hit 16 home runs, 28 doubles and 8 triples. He was an honorable-mention All-Conference performer three times and made the AAC All-Conference team his senior year. Cavanaugh played his entire career under the direction of Coach Scott Cornett. According to Coach Cornett, "Cavanaugh is one of the best all-around baseball players in our school's history." Cavanaugh is originally from Hazard, Kentucky, but currently lives in Mousie, Kentucky with his wife, Sidney.
Terri Abbott played forward and center for the Lady Eagles basketball team from 1981-1985. She was a four-year starter and team captain. Her senior stats are missing; however, during the first three years of her career she played in 84 games, scored 860 points, had 444 rebounds and had 99 assists. She was the first Lady Eagle basketball player to reach the 1,000 point milestone in her career. She also finished her career with over 600 rebounds and well over 100 assists. She was a member of the 1982-83 NLCAA Eastern District Championship team. Terri played for three years for Coach Gary Gibson and her senior year for Coach Tammy Oakes. Terri is originally from Jenkins and graduated from Fleming-Neon High School.
Jimmy Collins played basketball at ALC from 1981 through 1985. The stats for his freshman year were unavailable; however, during his last three years he played in 81 games, scored 1,197 points, had 273 assists and pulled down 217 rebounds. He was an outstanding free throw shooter and an outstanding long range bomber for the Eagles in an era before the three-point shot. He played for coaches Lonnie Morris, Ray Hernan, and Joe Stepp during his career. Jimmy is from Brinkley, Kentucky and graduated from Knott County Central High School.
Jeff Humphrey played baseball at ALC from 1980 through 1984. He is from Ashland, Kentucky and a graduate of Fairview High School. He was an outfielder, primarily a center fielder. His freshman year statistics are missing; however, during his final three years he was a .342 hitter with 94 hits, 50 runs scored, 53 RBI's and 7 home runs. He hit .366 his senior year. Jeff played his career under the direction of Coach Bill Melton.
Mike Smith played forward and center for the Eagles from 1984 through 1988. He is from Kermit, West Virginia and graduated from Kermit High School. He was a very physical player, an excellent scorer and a tenacious rebounder. During his career he played in 111 games. He currently ranks as 16th on the ALC All-Time Scorer's List for his 1,100 points and 6th on the All-Time Rebounder's List with 704 rebounds. He played for coaches Joe and Jim Stepp during his career.
Sammy Smith was a catcher on the baseball team from 1982-1986. He is originally from Michigan, but graduated from Wheelwright High School. He had a .301 career batting average at ALC during his 4-year career. He was a two-time team MVP who finished his career with 113 hits, 59 runs scored, 71 RBI's and 20 home runs. His coaches were Bill Melton and Jim Stepp.
David Vicini played baseball from 1980 through 1984. He is originally from Lynch, Kentucky and Lynch High School. He was an infielder, primarily a shortstop who also played some third base. His freshman year stats are missing. However, during his final three years, David had a .316 career batting average. He had 93 hits, 51 RBI's, scored 60 runs and had 3 home runs. He batted .340 his junior year. He played his entire career for Coach Bill Melton.
Russell Clark played for the Eagles from 1990 through 1994. He played in 116 games during his career. During his time as an Eagle, ALC advanced to the National Tournament twice. He scored 1,941 points at ALC, placing him sixth on the All-Time Scorer List. He also had 478 rebounds and 235 assists. He was an outstanding three-point shooter. He holds the school record for three-point field goals made in a single game (11) and in three-point field goals made in a season (408). In 1994, he led his team in scoring, was selected co-MVP, was an All-Conference performer, and was named the TVAC Player of the Year. He was also an Honorable Mention All-American in 1994. Russell is originally from Pikeville, Kentucky and he attended the former Mullins High School.
Jamie Couch played baseball from 1991 through 1995. He finished with a .331 career batting average. He finished his career with 92 runs, which is fifth in school history. He is presently third in school history in RBI's with 111. He was 1st team All-Conference in 1993 and 1995. He won two Gold Gloves during his career. He also had 5 wins and 4 saves as a pitcher. He was a very good catcher, first baseman, shortstop, and outfielder. He was a very versatile player. Jamie is originally from Hindman, Kentucky and graduated from Knott County Central High School.
Rhonda Whitaker Sizemore played center for the Lady Eagles basketball team from 1984 through 1988. She was a four-year starter who finished her career at ALC with 1,469 points, which currently ranks her fourth on the All-Time Scorers List. She was a two-year Team Captain. She led her team in rebounding for two years, as well as being named Team MVP for two years. She was a KIAC All-Conference and District 32 performer for three years. Rhonda is originally from Hyden, Kentucky and she attended Leslie County High School.
Todd Stevens played baseball at ALC from 1990 through 1994. He was a .362 lifetime hitter. He hit .411 in 1993. His is considered one of the best hitters to ever play baseball at ALC. He played the outfield during his career and was considered to be a very good outfielder. He finished his career with 48 stolen bases, which is in the Top Ten in school history. He scored 104 runs, which is third in school history. He was a two-time Team MVP. He was also 1st team All-Conference in 1993 and 1994. Todd is originally from Ashland, Kentucky and he attended Boyd County High School.
Nehi West played baseball and basketball from 1987 through 1991. He is the first dual sport inductee into the ALC Athletic Hall of Fame.
In baseball, he finished his career with a .310 batting average. He presently holds the school record with 75 stolen bases. He was Team MVP in 1990. He was Honorable Mention All-Conference in 1989 and 1990. He is considered as one of the top defensive infielders in school history. He won two Gold Gloves during his career.
In basketball, he finished his career by playing in 101 games, in which he scored 676 points and had 277 rebounds. As a point guard, he led his team in assists in 1989, 1990, and 1991. He finished his career with 569 assists, which currently ranks third in school history. In 1991, he was voted as the team's Best Defensive Player. According to his former coaches, he also worked very hard to make himself into a good three-point shooter. Nehi is originally from Salyersville, Kentucky and he attended Magoffin County High School.