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The Parry McCluer High School Athletic Hall of Fame will induct six new members on Saturday, Oct. 5.
The inductees are Dr. Tom Hedrick, Monica Keiser (1980), Steve Coleman (Class of 1967), Eric Wheeler (1988), Chris Wheeler (1988) and Rad Patterson (1984).
The 11th class is very unique in several ways. It includes a doctor, being inducted as a community contributor, who was the team doctor for many years and delivered half of this class; a father who will join his previously inducted daughter and a female athlete who received the first athletic scholarship offered to a PM girl. The class includes three multisport athletes who were first-team all-state football stars, and each was a member of the PM state championship team in 1987. Two of these three are cousins, and one joins his previously inducted father, and the third athlete returned to PM after college and taught and coached for 33 years. In 1951, after receiving his medical degree from the Medical College of Virginia and serving his residency, Tom Hedrick came to Buena Vista and went into practice, which continued until his death in 1988. During that time, he treated wounded athletes, delivered three of this year’s inductees, and served as team doctor, beginning in 1973 when he discontinued the practice of baby delivery. Prior to that time, he was frequently seen on the sideline with a little black bag in hand, ready to handle an emergency. Dr. Hedrick is believed to be the first local physician to invite fathers into the delivery room. Steve Coleman was a member of the PM football team from 1964-66, earning all-district honors in 1966. He played varsity basketball in 1966 and 1967, but it was baseball where Steve made his mark. He was all-district in 1966 and 1967, with a .601 batting average in 1967. His last at-bat in 1967 was a home run to complete a hitting cycle for the game. Coleman coached baseball at PM from 2004-14 and served as the chain crew coordinator for football games for 24 years. He joins his daughter, Lindsey Coleman Fitzgerald, who was inducted in the Class of 2017.
Monica Keiser was a basketball and volleyball star from 1976-80. PM had begun girls basketball in 1973, and Monica was a major factor in the team’s growing success, with the Fighting Blues reaching the regional finals in 1978 and 1979, when she was all-district and all-tournament Most Valuable Player. Keiser was a four-year starter for the volleyball team and was a member of the track and field team from 1978-80, throwing the shot put and the discus. At graduation, she received a basketball scholarship from James Madison University – the first PM female athlete to receive an athletic scholarship.
Eric Wheeler was co-captain of the 1987 state championship football team. After two productive years in 1985 and 1986, Wheeler peaked in 1987, earning first-team all-district and all-region honors as a wide receiver and defensive back. He was honored by the Virginia Sports Writers, the Virginia High School Coaches Association (VHSCA) and the Associated Press Writers as a first-team all-state receiver. Eric was selected for the Virginia High School League (VHSL) All-Star Game in Lynchburg. A member of the PM baseball team from 1986-88, Eric was credited with 24 wins as a pitcher, including two no-hitters and multiple one-hitters. His career batting average was over .300. Eric currently serves as PM’s strength and conditioning coach. He joins his father, Joe, who was inducted in the Class of 2016.
Chris Wheeler started for the Blues’ football team from 1984-87 and, with his cousin Eric, was co-captain of the 1987 state championship team. An outstanding quarterback, Chris was first-team all-district and Pioneer District player of the year in 1987, and he earned first-team all-region and all-state honors his senior season. He was also honored by the VHSCA, the Virginia Sports Writers and the Associated Press Writers as a first-team all-state quarterback. Chris was selected for the VHSL All-State Game in Lynchburg. He was the catcher for the baseball team for four years, from 1985-88. Chris passed away due to an automobile accident in 1994. His football jersey was retired to the PM trophy case in 1987.
Rad Patterson was a defensive back from the Blues from 1981-83, culminating in 1983 as an all-district, all-region and allstate first team selection. Patterson was a member of the basketball team from 198284. In the spring, he played tennis, earning district and regional doubles championships in 1983 and 1984.
After earning an undergraduate degree from Bridgewater College and a graduate degree from James Madison University, Patterson returned to PM to teach and coach for 33 years, interrupted only by one year at William Campbell High School. Patterson was a junior varsity and assistant varsity football coach for 22 years and a varsity head coach from 2003-08. He was a JV basketball coach for 33 years, with more than 400 wins. From 2009-13, Patterson served as an assistant football coach at Southern Virginia University.
These inductees will be introduced at halftime of the Blues’ 7 p.m. home football game against Fort Chiswell on Friday, Oct. 4. They’ll be formally inducted at a banquet on Saturday, Oct. 5, with doors opening at 4 p.m. and dinner at 5:15. Tickets for the banquet are $25 for adults and $15 for students and will be on sale at the high school office and at the Buena Vista School Board office at 2329 Chestnut Ave. Reservations for will call tickets may be made by calling the School Board office (540) 261-2129, and tickets can be picked up at the door on Oct. 5.
