水果派AV

But on Saturday, the 86-year-old was front and center as the district's Athletic Hall of Fame recognized him with the Jake O'Connor Award.

Hodges told 水果派AV before the ceremony that he was shocked and honored when he learned about the award earlier this year.

"I was speechless, because my feeling on it was that I was the kind of individual to try to do things behind the scenes and try to promote other people, bring out what they had to offer. That was my contribution," he said. "I just don't like a lot of fanfare."聽

The award recognizes contributions to Union Springs athletics on and off the field. O'Connor was a physical education teacher and coach in the district for decades.

The district's athletic coordinator, Todd Salls, told 水果派AV that Hodges was honored for his service as a coach for a summer soccer program with his son James Morris Hodges, and for his time as a member of the district's board of education.

"He has been integral for years toward promoting sports in our community," Salls said.

Hodges has lived in Union Springs for about 60 years with his wife, Joyce. They have four sons who graduated from the district.聽

Overall, Hodges spent 15 years coaching the summer soccer program for boys and girls. He said he looked forward to participating every year, and praised his son's work there.

"I was just there to morally support (James) and do whatever I could on his behalf when we were working with the ladies and young gentlemen," he said. "I enjoyed the game of soccer and the kids enjoyed doing it. You saw their enthusiasm and interest as they developed over the years."

Hodges served on the school board for about 15 years, including a couple as its president. He said he and his fellow members believed athletics were important to having a well-rounded academic program at Union Springs.聽

"Hopefully (the students) had the opportunity to take advantage of it," Hodges said. "And remembered Union Springs as a stepping stone on their behalf as they went through life."

Bill Walters and Jeff Ward also honored

Along with presenting the Jake O'Connor Award to Richard Hodges, the Union Springs Central School Athletic Hall of Fame inducted two alumni at Saturday's ceremony: Bill Walters and Jeff Ward.

Walters was a teacher and coach at the district from 1971 to 2001. He was involved in football and soccer, and coached multiple wrestlers to league and sectional championships in the '70s, '80s and '90s.

Ward, who graduated from the district in 1961, participated in football, baseball, basketball and more. He was an All-American in football in 1960, Salls said.