LaGrange College inducts sixth Athletic Hall of Fame class

LaGrange College held its sixth Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony Sunday at the Student Assembly Room on campus. Leroy Carnley, Stuart Clay, Bill Garrett and Lauren Hutcheson Smith joined 26 former LaGrange athletes in the hall of fame.

Carnley, of Chancellor, Ala., was a two-year basketball letterman for the Panthers in 1989 and 1990. He was a two-time NAIA District 25 and All-GIAC selection. Carnley was the team's Most Valuable Player for the 1989-90 season. He scored 1,361 career points and was the Panthers all-time leading scorer when he graduated. Carnley set a school single-season record with 851 points for the 1989-90 season. He had a school-record 53 points versus Mercer in 1990. Carnley scored over 40 points three times, over 30 points 21 times and over 20 points 32 times in his career. Carnley set an NAIA national record in 1990 with 142 three-pointers made during the season. During his career at LaGrange, Carnley broke or set 14 school records. After leaving LaGrange, he played professional basketball for three seasons. Carnley is currently in administration with the Elba (Ala.) City Schools as the special education coordinator.

Clay, of Tybee Island, Ga., was a four-year letterman on the Panther tennis team from 1967-70. He is the only LaGrange tennis player to win a conference singles championship. Clay was a two-time GIAC singles champion and was the team's #1 singles player for four straight years. Clay is retired from Delta Airlines as a pilot.

Garrett, of Carrollton, Ga., was a four-year letterman in baseball from 1984-87. He was the first batter in the Panthers' first game during their inaugural season in 1984. Garrett was a GIAC all-conference and NAIA All-District 25 pick in 1986. He finished his career with 199 hits, 86 RBIs and a .310 batting average. Garrett was a four-sport letterman at Central Carrollton High School in Carrollton, Ga. He was selected for the school's Hall of Fame in 2004. After graduating from LaGrange, Garrett coached football, basketball and baseball for seven years at Carrollton High School. He is currently an assistant principal at Jones Elementary School in Bremen, Ga.

Smith, of Palmetto, Ga., was a four-year letterman in soccer and a member of the cheerleading squad for four years from 1990-94. She also earned two letters in softball. Smith was twice an NAIA Academic All-American. She was co-captain and captain in cheerleading and named LaGrange's Female Outstanding Overall Athlete as a senior. Smith is currently a math teacher at Northgate High School in Newnan, Ga.

To submit nominations, contact Coach Phil Williamson, (706) 880-8262, Athletic Director, or e-mail bstorie@lagrange.edu.