2018 Patriot Club Hall of Fame inductees
Published 1:01 pm Friday, February 9, 2018
2018 PATRIOT CLUB Hall of Fame inductee Kenny Mac Smith, right, was joined by his children, Keisha and Kenny, during the introduction of the inductees between games of a Lincoln-Boyle basketball doubleheader.
FORMER SUPERINTENDENT Danny Godbey Is joined by his wife, Tammy.
POSTHUMOUS HONOR. Glenda Williams, right, accepted the Hall of Fame honor for her sister, the late Phyllis Cooley.
DAVID FRANCIS stands before the crowd after being presented with his Hall of Fame plaque.
MAURICE NAPIER is joined by his children, Mya, Zaria and Darius Napier during the halftime recognition ceremony.
The Lincoln County Patriot Club recently recognized its latest class of Hall of Fame inductees.
The 2018 Hall of Fame Class, the fifth class to be inducted, includes five individuals with Kenny Mac Smith, Danny Godbey, Phyllis Cooley (posthumously), David Francis and Maurice Napier agreed upon unanimously by the selection committee.
A special ceremony to honor the six new Hall of Fame inductees was held at LCHS prior to the Lincoln-Boyle basketball doubleheader. The new Hall of Famers were then introduced to the public during a recognition ceremony between the girls and boys games.
A brief bio on each of the Hall of Fame inductees follows:
KENNY MAC SMITH
Kenny Mac Smith graduated from Lincoln County High School in 1976. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Kentucky National Guard and served over 37 years as a guardsman, completing three tours of duty in Iraq. Kenny has dedicated hundreds of volunteer hours with the LCHS football program since 1997 and is still a mainstay on the sideline.
Additionally, his presence as a little league baseball, football and basketball official since 1995 has set a standard for Lincoln County youth in sportsmanship and positive influence.
DANNY GODBEY
Danny Godbey started his career in 1980 as a classroom teacher at Crab Orchard Elementary School and rose through the ranks as school principal and district support before becoming superintendent in 1996.
He was instrumental in the development of a regional Area Technology Center for Lincoln County as well as the creation of Fort Logan High School. The district received national recognition for innovative early childhood initiatives under his leadership, and he implemented unique partnerships with EKU to establish new venues for principal preparation programs.
PHYLLIS COOLEY
Phyllis Cooley taught high school English in Lincoln County for 32 years. She began her career at Hustonville High School in 1972 before moving to LCHS upon the consolidation of the county schools.
Cooley was instrumental in the school’s drama program and remained an active volunteer even after her retirement. Additionally, she helped raise thousands of dollars for the county’s Junior Miss program supporting Lincoln County’s Distinguished Young Women seeking post-secondary goals.
DAVID FRANCIS
David Francis is a 1996 graduate of Lincoln County High School having excelled in the classroom and on the athletic field. David earned a state champion pole vaulting title in 1996 and was a part of the 1993 state runner-up football team.
Before graduating fourth in his class, he was selected to All-State Chorus and named State President of the Kentucky Junior Historical Society. David went on to graduate in 2000 from the United States Air Force Academy as a mechanical engineer and earned the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, serving tours of duty in Iraq. He currently works as a Delta Airlines pilot.
MAURICE NAPIER
Maurice Napier graduated from Lincoln County High School in 1999 where he excelled in track and field. He is a five-time regional champion in the 100-meter and 200-meter sprint events, winning the titles every year beginning in eighth grade.
Maurice holds numerous track and field records both at LCHS and at various longstanding state meets. In 1991, Maurice won the state title in the 200-meter dash and took state runner-up in the 100-meter dash. Upon graduation, he achieved All-American status at Kentucky State University in the Division II National Championships along with his teammates in the 4 x 100-meter relay.
