Calhoun County Quarterback Club ends season

Harry Daniel, left, was named the 2005 Man of the Year by the Calhoun County Quarterback Club at its final meeting of the 2005 season. He is pictured with last year’s recipient, board president Dr. Rush Smith.

This event funds the college scholarship awards presented to area recipients nominated by their respective schools and is announced on the schools’ Awards Day in the spring.

For the past seven years, the club has awarded three $5,000 scholarships each year to deserving football athletes from our area who are chosen from the nominees for exhibiting the qualities of hard work, good sportsmanship and outstanding character.

Last year’s winners were Adam Smith, Piedmont High School; Geromy Ledbetter, Weaver High School; and Cliff Murphy, Saks High School.

In a surprise announcement, Club Captain Harry Daniel was named 2005 Man of the Year. The award was presented by board president Dr. Rush Smith, who read that “hard work and dedication during his tenure as Captain (2003-2005) has brought our club to unprecedented recognition and membership and has allowed our Scholar Athlete program to expand and flourish.”

Upon accepting the award, Daniel thanked the board and club members and responded that his efforts were only a small payback of his appreciation for what Anniston -– its programs, coaches, media and community –- meant to him growing up here.

“I always felt that I would come back to Anniston when I retired … I’m glad I did,” said Daniel. “Old friends were here, and new friends come easy.”

Daniel lettered in four sports at Anniston High School, leading the ’55 Bulldogs to an 8-1-1 season from the quarterback position.

Daniel and his teammate, Gary O’Steen, were selected to play for the State All-Stars in the Lions East-West Baseball Classic at Rickwood Field. He played collegiate baseball for Auburn University, where he lettered for three years and graduated in 1960. He now serves on the selection committee for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Some of the prior recipients of this award are Dr. Rush Smith, Tom Coleman, Danny Weeks, Nall Nuckolls, Ira Hill, Jimmy Collins, John Phillips and Malcolm Street.

Jason Alderman is Captain-Elect for the next season, which begins September 2006.

The club meets each Monday at 5:15 p.m. at the Anniston Country Club during the football season, enjoying commentary and opinions from outstanding members of the athletic community, past and present, who share their thoughts and predictions on the local and national football scene.

Please keep reading Score! for membership information and keep a lookout for our 2006 season speaker schedule.