By Gary Corsair
Senior Sports Writer
Well, it’s about time.
Legendary Hayesville coach Darryl K. McClure was inducted into the Western Carolina Hall of Fame on Sunday.
The man won 426 girls basketball games and six consecutive state championships entered the hallowed hall sponsored by the Mountain Amateur Athletic Club during a ceremony on the Omni Grove Park Inn.
“Gosh, it was exciting and it’s an honor,” McClure said Tuesday. “I thought being out of it [coaching] so long that it wasn’t going to happen. I kind of forgot about it.”
Fittingly, McClure was accompanied by family during the special occasion.
“I celebrated with my wife and family,” McClure stated. “First, I thanked God and then the committee and then my wife and family because they sacrificed a lot. Next to God, my wife of 54 years is the secret of my success.”
The latest honor recognizes the coaching legend who elevated the stature of girls basketball during a 22-year reign that included seven conference championships.
Hayesville High School honored the two-time Associated Press Coach of the Year last year by dedicating the Darryl K. McClure Gymnasium on the school campus.
As much as he enjoyed winning, McClure is especially proud that his girls were students first and athletes second. “For 22 years we were academic state champions. One year our team had the highest GPA of any team in any sport. I had smart kids,” McClure said.