Athletic Hall of Fame
Stratford Athletic Hall of Fame
Formally established in 2010, the Stratford Athletic Hall of Fame strives to maintain the rich heritage and tradition of the successful athletic programs of Stratford Academy. It serves as a means of recognizing, preserving and honoring the athletes, coaches, teams and individuals who have made significant contributions to the school’s athletic programs. The Hall of Fame honors the contributions and accomplishments of these individuals and teams who are worthy of recognition and serve as examples for others to emulate.
On September 24, 2021, Stratford Academy will induct its 11th Athletic Hall of Fame class. The honorees are: Rusty Hilburn '79 (athlete), Whitney Christie Mantooth '00 (athlete), and Charlie Cantrell (supporter).
As a student-athlete, Hilburn was a three-year starter and letterman in football, basketball, and baseball from 1977 to 1979. He played both offense and defense on the football team. On the basketball court, he is one of Stratford's 1,000+ career points earners and was recognized on the All-State team in 1979. Rusty was also named to the 1979 All-State baseball team. Following graduation from Stratford, Rusty attended the University of Georgia and graduated in 1983 with a degree from the Terry College of Business. He started his career in the insurance business 36 years ago, and today he is a partner with Tidwell & Hilburn Insurance. Rusty is a past Georgia chairman of SecureRisk and currently serves as a board member for the four-state organization. He and his wife, Laurie, live in Macon and are the parents to five children.
Mantooth was a trailblazer for females on the youth golf circuit. She began playing golf competitively when she was seven years old and competed in countless events for the Southeastern Junior Tour, American Junior Tour, Georgia State Golf Association, and United States Golf Association every season for more than 10 years. In eighth grade, Whitney began playing for the Stratford golf team and was a five-year letterman. During her junior year, the golf team won the state championship title, and she won the state low medalist honor in co-ed combined competition. After graduation from Stratford, Whitney played for the University of Georgia women's golf team. In 2001, the team won the SEC championship and NCAA championship. In 2004, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Development and began working as a child development specialist with the Early Head Start program. Today, Whitney lives in Watkinsville, Georgia, with her husband, Jon, and their two daughters.
Charlie Cantrell has been a supporter of Stratford athletics since his oldest child enrolled at Stratford in the late 1980s. As the parent of four Stratford Eaglette athletes, he and his wife, Tammy, spent countless hours at soccer, basketball, softball, track, and cheerleading events until their youngest graduated in 2007. Today, he is the grandparent of seven Stratford students. Charlie and his business, Five Star Automotive, have been one of the school's largest supporters of the annual Booster Club Jeep raffle event for the last 19 years. He has also provided the school with lead gifts for the Cantrell Lower School capital campaign, the Cantrell Scholarship, the Cantrell Football Stadium (to be completed fall 2020), and the naming of the Jett Science Center.
To nominate an individual or team for the Hall of Fame, please click the Nominate an Athlete button below. Nominations are due by February 15th of each induction year.
Because we were unable to have our 2020 Stratford Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony this school year, the Stratford Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has decided not to induct a 2021 class. The induction ceremony is a special time for inductees and their families as well as our school community. Our committee felt that adding another class at this time would “crowd the field” and lessen the experience for all inductees.
As referenced above, the Stratford Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony for our 2020 class will be held on Friday, Sept 24, 2021.
2021 will not count against any nominee in terms of how many years they are eligible to be on the consideration list. The HOF bylaws state that "following initial nomination, a candidate shall remain eligible for induction for the following 4 years". All HOF nominations will stay under consideration for a full five years with 2021 not counting as one of those years.
Stratford Retired Jerseys
Athlete | Sport | Year of |
| | |
Lee Barfield | Basketball | 1964 |
Betsy Longinotti | Basketball | 1970 |
Anna Newton | Basketball | 1970 |
David Jones | Basketball | 1970 |
Joey Claxton | Basketball | 1972 |
Bruce Bishop | Football | 1973 |
Jaime Kaplan | Tennis | 1979 |
Peter Persons | Golf | 1981 |
John Hilburn | Basketball | 1985 |
Jay Berkner | Baseball | 1986 |
Brett Hendley | Baseball | 1986 |
Zane Vance | Basketball | 1987 |
Jay Cranford | Baseball | 1989 |
Camille Lowe | Basketball | 1989 |
Miriam Lowe | Basketball | 1989 |
Joey Cranford | Football, Basketball, Baseball | 1994 |
Ryan Dehnad | Track | 1994 |
Jason Russell | Soccer | 1995 |
William Wilkins | Football | 1995 |
LeKevin Smith | Football, Track | 2001 |
Kate Appleton | Soccer | 2003 |
Russell Henley | Golf | 2007 |
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Russell Henley '07 HOF Jersey Retirement and Gaddy Gym Dedication
Congratulations to our 2020 inductees
who will be recognized at a ceremony
on September 24, 2021.
Rusty Hilburn '79
Whitney Christie Mantooth '00
Charlie Cantrell
Athletic Hall of Fame Previous Inductees
2019 Inductees:
Jeff Avant '84
Grady Smith
1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 Girls Track Teams
2018 Inductees:
Sylvia Haynie
Laura Voss
Danny Skinner '75
2017 Inductees:
Jeff Battcher '79
Coach David Bailey
1972, 1973, 1974 Baseball Teams
2016 Inductees:
Duncan Walker '77
Coach John Paul Gaddy* '85
1996 Girls Soccer Team

2015 Inductees:
Coach Rodney Collins
Ruby Jo Argo*
Helen Walker*
Bill Meeks '76
1977-78 Boys' Basketball Team

2014 Inductees:
Coach M.L. Clark
Katie Jones '98
Per Linde '87
Dr. and Mrs. Hugh Smisson
1988 Softball Team

2013 Inductees:
Coach Bobby Hendley
Carter Kelly Monroe '96
Kyle Johnston '02
Robbie Sovie '02
Henry Tift*
1994 Baseball Team

2012 Inductees:
1970-71 Boys' Basketball Team
1997 Boys' Soccer Team
Mr. Marsh Butler '89
Dr. Joe B. Hill*
Mrs. Christy Cantrell Johnston '01
Mr. David Kempa '76

2011 Inductees:
Coach Elton (Bubber) Adams
Ms. Laine Lasseter Bolton '78
Dr. Antonio Fernandez
Mr. Charles Jay
Mr. Frank Morrison '73
2010 Inductees:
1970, 1971, 1972 Football Teams
1976, 1977, 1978 Girls’ Basketball Teams
1964 Golf Team
Coach Bobby Brown*
Mr. Tim Clifton
Mr. Mark Farriba
Dr. John Paul Jones, Sr.*
Mrs. Susan Peake Jones
Mrs. Jan Jones Marsh*
Mrs. Summer Smisson Neel*
Dr. William Shirley, Sr.*
*Deceased