By Starr Munro: Riverbend News
The Bulldog community of Suwannee High School (SHS) came together on Thursday, Oct. 22, to honor five new inductees into the School's Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is already an impressive list that includes more than 70 athletes and coaches of the highest caliber. The inductees enjoyed a banquet provided by local businesses, churches, clubs and individuals with their family and loved ones before being given their plaques. Athletes and coaches of all ages and different sports who had already been inducted to the school's Hall of Fame came together over food and sportsmanship and the spirit of what it means to be a Bulldog was heavy in the air.
SHS began the Hall of Fame in 1987 and to this day, there is never a shortage of graduates with historic sports careers who deserve the honor of being added to the list of nominations. Five Bulldogs were given the honor this year, proving that the school continues to not only produce incredible players, but to honor players of the past, who continue to be a credit to their communities, whether they're in California, overseas or retired. Notable football players, volleyball players, baseball players, basketball players, wrestlers and even WWE superstars have called Live Oak home before moving on to begin their lives as successful adults with careers in the sports they love.
This year's inductees were Thaddeus Bullard, Antwan Jones, Mika Sampson Robinson, Billy Saylor and Ryan Stovall. Before they were honored, they were introduced by close friends and family members: Kyler Hall, Prof. Johnny Johnson, Clint Robinson, David Laxton and Ronnie Gray.
Thaddeus Bullard is a 1996 graduate of SHS and while at the school, he served as an exceptional defensive end for Coach Mike Pittman. Bullard was named a Parade All-American, as well as a second team USA Today All-American in 1995. After Suwannee, Bullard became a student at the University of Florida and was a member of the 1996 National Championship team. Bullard played in 44 career games for the Gators, with an SEC Championship during his senior season. After graduation, Bullard played professional football in the Arena League, before beginning the professional wrestling career that has made him a household name. Wrestling under the name of Titus O'Neil, Bullard is a former WWE tag-team champion, as well as a WWE 24/7 Champion. He is also heavily involved in charity work in the Tampa area and was named a Lightning Community Hero in 2012. He also won the 2015 MEGA Dad Award for "Celebrity Dad of the Year."
Antwan Jones is a 1998 graduate of Suwannee High, where he dominated on the basketball court for the Bulldogs. Playing under coaches Don Atherton, Ronald Tucker and Terry Brinson, Jones averaged 18 points and nine rebounds per game, helping to lead his team to a district championship and “Mailbox Player of the Year” honors in 1997. One of the few in SHS history to score over 1,000 points in their career, Jones ranks second on the all-time scoring list. Following his career at Suwannee, Jones starred at Tallahassee Community College. In his collegiate debut, Jones scored 37 points and finished his freshman year averaging 19.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, earning all-conference honors. During his sophomore year, he averaged 18.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. After college, Jones played professionally overseas, in the NBA D-League and with the Harlem Legends. Jones now resides in Live Oak, where he mentors youth and remains involved in basketball through his elite one-on-one training program. Last year, he became the first inductee into the Suwannee County Police Athletic League Hall of Fame.
Mika Sampson Robinson is a 1992 graduate of Suwannee High, where she was a four sport athlete who excelled both athletically and academically. A letterman in volleyball, basketball, softball and golf, Robinson was most noted for her standout volleyball career. She was named the 1991 “Gainesville Sun Player of the Year,” lettering in volleyball all four years of high school. The valedictorian of the class of '92, Robinson was also the recipient of the Steve Self Memorial Scholarship, as well as being named both the Suwannee High and Gainesville Sun “Scholar-Athlete of the Year.” Following her standout high school career, Robinson was accepted to Harvard University, where she played volleyball and was a team captain for the Crimson. After graduating from Harvard, Robinson embarked on an incredibly successful coaching career. She was named the Gainesville Sun’s “Coach of the Year,” before moving to the collegiate level in 2005. In 2016, she accepted the position of head volleyball coach at Rollins College in Winter Park. She and her husband, Clint, have a daughter, Bryce, and a son, Clay.
Billy Saylor was a 1997 graduate and one of the greatest wrestlers. Wrestling under Head Coach David Laxton, Saylor was a three-time individual state champion (1995, 1996, 1997). Saylor helped lead Suwannee to the 1996 team title. Sporting an incredible career record of 119-2, Saylor was undefeated during his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. During the three year span, he won 91 consecutive matches. Of his 119 wins, 85 came via pin. The 1995 and 1997 Florida Times-Union “Wrestler of the Year,” Saylor is considered one of the best wrestlers in Florida state history. Along with his head coach, he was the face of one of the most successful wrestling programs in the state. Universally beloved by his teammates, coaches and teachers, Saylor tragically passed away on Nov. 7, 1997, while attending college and wrestling at Campbell University. His legacy lives on through the wrestling program at SHS, which annually hosts The Billy Saylor Invitational.
Ryan Stovall is a 2005 graduate of Suwannee High. He was a prolific power hitter for the Bulldog baseball team. Playing for Head Coach Ronnie Gray, Stovall was a four year starter at shortstop. Described by Coach Gray as, "One of the most mentally tough players I've ever coached." He ranks second in school history in career home-runs, runs batted in and games played. His most successful offensive campaign came during his junior season, when he hit .390 with eight home-runs. Following graduation, Stovall embarked on a record setting collegiate career. During his senior season at Thomas University in Thomasville, Ga., Stovall set single season school records for batting average (.487), home-runs (20) and slugging percentage (1.032). He was named “Conference Player of the Year” and was an NAIA All-American. Following the completion of his senior season, Stovall was drafted in the 19th round of the MLB draft by the Kansas City Royals. Following his retirement from baseball in 2015, Stovall moved to professional slow-pitch softball, where he was named to the All-World Team in 2016, 2018 and 2019. Ryan and his wife, Jamie, reside in Cairo, Ga., and recently welcomed a daughter, Piper.
Bullard and Stovall were not able to attend but their friends, Kyler Hall and Ronnie Gray, took to the stage to tell the attendants a little bit about the kind of men they were, how that came through in their careers and how deserving they were of a recognition like their names being added to the Suwanee High School Hall of Fame for athletics. Jones called the coach of his youth with his cell phone during his acceptance speech and the audience was quite entertained to hear his reaction when Jones eventually told him that everyone sitting in the colosseum could hear him. Robinson’s husband, Clint Robinson, was absolutely thrilled as he introduced her and told the crowd about the kind of person and athlete she is. He had nothing but the nicest things to say for the amazing woman that started as his high school sweetheart and eventually became his wife and mother of his children.
A special thanks to the Hall of Fame Committee, 11th Street Kitchen, Celebrations, Suwannee Parks and Rec, Pilgrim's Pride, Live Oak Church of God, SHS Interact Club, Amanda Willis Expressions, Suwannee Quarterback Club, The Brown Lantern, Buddy Williams and Len Stapleton for helping put everything together so these players, their families and other community members had the opportunity to get together over their love of sports, school and fellowship.