Athletics
TFS Athletic Legends
2023
Kofi Amanhyia (’07) was a standout athlete in soccer and track & field during his two years on campus. He scored 23 goals in the 2006 season, which stood as the school single-season record until it was broken in 2021. His 33 career goals were also tops in program history until it surpassed in 2023. Prior to his 23-goal senior season, he scored 10 as a junior in 2005. His 4-goal game in September 2006 was a school record until matched in 2008, and has since been surpassed in 2021 and 2023. Amanhyia helped guide the Indians to a 13 wins across two seasons.
In track & field, Amanhyia once held the school record in the 100 meter dash (11.21 in the state prelims), which was broken in 2015. In the 200 meter, his 22.57 time at the Region Championship was also a record until 2017. He competed in the 4x100, 4x400, Long Jump, and Sprint Medley. He was the Region Champion in 2006 (100 meter) and 2007 (200 meter), and runner-up in both the 100 in 2007 and 200 in 2006. At the state level, he placed 6th in the 100 in 2007 and 7th in 2006, and was 7th in the 200 in 2007.
Amanhyia was named TFS Athlete of the Year in 2007 and was the 2006 MVP in soccer and 2007 MVP in track and field. A knee injury prevented him from pursuing collegiate athletics, but he earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Legal Studies in 2012 from Drexel University. Amanhyia has worked as a Fiber Optics Project Manager, a Senior Associate Consultant, and now at St. Josephs Hospital as an Integration Architect. He has traveled to more than 25 countries worldwide and has been a real estate investor and podcaster — launching ‘TSE Podcast’ [Trending Sports Etc].
“I want to be remembered as a God-fearing, hard-working, dedicated individual who persevered through life adversities to accomplish all his goals,” he says. He feels his most valuable lessons learned at Tallulah are how teamwork is paramount to success, and the value of camaraderie and brotherhood amongst fellow teammates. His most memorable moments on campus were winning regional and qualifying for state in 2007 in track and field.
“Coach [Scott] Neal was a very pivotal person in my life during my TFS days,” adds Amanhyia. “He taught me toughness, how to be accountable and disciplined in my training. He always taught me the value of hard work. These are characteristics that I still hold onto and it's helped me become successful in life.
Alex Hubbard (’03) was a State Champion and standout distance runner for Tallulah Falls in cross country and track & field. He also played on the Indians basketball team during his time at TFS. Hubbard, the XC and T&F team captain, won his State Championship in the 1600 meter run in the Spring of 2003, crossing the line with a time of 4:35.885. He was the Region Champion in the same event with a 4:34.50 time, which was a school record until broken in 2021.
Not only did he win gold, but he also took State Runner-Up honors in the 3200 with a 10:11.15. His 800 time (2:02.00) was also a school record until 2022, and he graduated with the 2nd-best time in the 3200. He competed in the 3200, 1600, 800, 400. Among his state meet highlights includes a 4th-place finish in the 3200 in 2002, and 5th-place finishes in the 3200 (2001) and 1600 (2002). He was a 2-time Region Champion in track & field. Between both track & field and cross country, he has three region titles, a state title, runner-up, and placed in the top-5 six times at the State Championships. Hubbard ran in several relays, and also competed in the pole vault.
Hubbard’s 17:13 time has him 4th all-time on the legacy list for cross country, and he was the State Runner-Up in 2002, coming in at 17:21.62. That same season, he was the Region Champion. As a junior in 2001, he finished 9th at the state meet.
Hubbard went on to compete in track & field at Claflin University. There, he was a member of the 2004 Eastern Intercollegiate Conference Track & Field championship team. He won several meets in college, including the Citadel Inv (’04), Morehouse Relays (’05), Niswonger Foundation Inv (’06), Penn Relays (’06), and even post-college in the Volkslauf Seabee Mud Run (’10), Warrior Dash (’14), Spartan Race Sprint (’15), and Terrian Race (’19). Hubbard obtained his Roadmaster Truck Driving (CDL) license in 2007, enlisted in the Air Force in 2009, and graduated from the Aviation Institute of Maintenance from Duluth, GA in 2011. He is a Graduate Senior of the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering, and has a Private Pilots License.
He has fond memories of his time at TFS, including running a 10-minute 4-mile, and he recalls John Fede and Scott Neal as his most inspirational people. “Mr. Fede taught me all of the handyman skills I will ever need to know,” says Hubbard. “Coach Neal is the greatest inspiration I’ve ever had and was truly a second father figure to me during my stint and tenure at TFS.”
“Although in the sports of track & field & cross country you compete as an individual against skilled competitors and opponents, it takes a committed team of supportive cadre that believe in you and your abilities and hold you accountable to help you succeed and achieve a common end goal of greatness and prestige,” adds Hubbard.
Devon Mayfield (’10) is the most decorated baseball player in Tallulah Falls history, and is the only 4-time All-State selection regardless of sport. Mayfield starred on the diamond as well as on the basketball court during his time at TFS from 2006-2010.
He was a 4-time All-Region selection in baseball, garnering 1st-Team honors in 2007, 2009, and 2010. He was named All-State in each season, and began his high school career as a catcher before transitioning to the infield. His .647 average as a junior in 2009 was just 14 points shy of the all-time state record for a single-season. He holds the top two spots in TFS history for single-season average with the .647 mark in 2009 and .533 in 2010 as a senior. He also batted .432 as a freshman and .412 as a sophomore, and his career .506 batting average is over 100 points better than anyone else in school history.
Mayfield had 81 career hits, which stood as the record until broken in 2023, and his 75 career RBI is still atop the record board. He added 49 career runs, 23 doubles (school record), and five triples. Mayfield was named team MVP in three out of four years, and was team captain three times as well. He was a member of the Blue Ridge Raiders Elite (travel ball), SSK National Team, USA Stars Red team, and was a USSSA All-American. He also played with the Emmanuel College Ty Cobb Twins collegiate baseball team. Mayfield was given the Currahee Award and was team captain for the TFS basketball team in his junior year, and that same year earned All-Around Athlete of the Year by TFS. He earned three Presidents Awards as well.
After leaving TFS, Mayfield got an Associates in Pre-Professional Constitutional Law from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), where he continued his baseball career as well, playing shortstop and second base. He went on to compete in combat sports and work in managerial and security positions in the workforce. He started his own blacksmithing/blade smithing business, ‘Iron Fist Forge Company’, which he continues to operate. He also is currently working in security and armed security.
“My goal is to continue to serve my purpose in the world properly,” says Mayfield on his future goals and ambitions. “I would like for my legacy to be one of inspiration, that if you stick to your divine path, you will never lose your way!”
He counts his dad, Coach Patrick Mayfield, and Coach Scott Neal, Coach Hammock and Coach David Chester as influential people from his time at TFS, as they ‘kicked his behind’ and taught him the importance of experiencing soldiery, teamwork, and maintaining books.
Oge Okoye (’10) was a standout at Tallulah Falls in both basketball and volleyball, still holding a pair of school records. On the basketball court, she was a 1,000-point scorer and big-time rebounder, finishing her career with 1,050 points and 904 rebounds. She was the first to reach 1,000 points in team history, and held the top spot for a few years. She currently is 5th on the all-time scoring list. Her rebound total is unmatched, and the next closest player is over 200 rebounds apart. Okoye was a great defensive player, tallying 212 steals, a school record until passed in 2019. She is still 3rd all-time in that category. Her 278 rebounds in the 2009-10 season were a record until 2016-17, and she posted a career high 31 points against Glascock County in 2009, which at the time was one point shy of the school record and was only the second 30-point game by a Lady Indian. She was an All-Region selection as a senior.
Her 86.5 blocks in 2009 are still a volleyball program record, and she had 39 as a junior in 2008. Her all-time record of 125.5 blocks is a full 35.5 ahead of the next closest, making both her single-season and career records safe for quite awhile.
Okoye was the class Valedictorian, and went on to earn her BS in Biology (’14) and Doctorate of Pharmacy (’18) at the University of Georgia. She has worked as a Pharmacy Administrative Specialist at Houston Methodist. Her career goals are to leave a legacy of excellence and integrity in the pharmaceutical field. Her fondest memories at TFS including bonding with friends in the dorm, dining hall, and in sports. The track team pushing Coach Scott Neal’s truck is one memory she holds close, as well as Chick-fil-A stops after away games and hikes to the Tallulah Gorge.
“I learned to be open minded about trying new things,” says Okoye about her time at TFS. “I had avoided track and volleyball although Coach Neal and Coach [Allen] Campbell tried to convince me many times to join the teams. I finally joined and ended up loving both, especially volleyball. I regret not joining sooner. All of my coaches (Hammock, Morris, Neal, Campbells) were influential because they believed in me even when I didn’t always feel capable of achieving a goal. They also challenged me to be excellent and not to settle for mediocrity, and along the way that helped me develop mental toughness and discipline that served me well after graduation.”
2022
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Tim Crenshaw ('71) was a standout for Tallulah Falls on the football field. He was an All-State lineman, and was part of the legendary 1968 football team at TFS. Crenshaw also played basketball, ran cross country, and competed in track and field.
He was a four-year letterman, and a two-time high point man for track and field, an All-State lineman as a junior in football, and placed third at state in shot put with a distance of 56-3. On the gridiron, he was the starting right tackle and left defensive end. Crenshaw even as a sophomore at TFS was also a leader off the field, as he was one of the Work Leaders on campus.
Crenshaw was given the opportunity to pursue football at the University of Georgia, playing one year before going to Truett McConnell College (now TMU). He eventually returned to UGA and then entered into the construction business. He was a top apprentice and foreman during just his first year on the job, and he credits his quick rise in the industry to TFS due to being able to read drafting and shop class at Tallulah Falls. Crenshaw has been a commercial construction superintendent and the head guy at the Carpenter's Union.
Chuck Nunn ('78) was a multi-sport standout at TFS from 1974-78. He was a four-year letterman in both tennis and basketball, and two-year letterman in track and field. He was the team MVP several years in both tennis and basketball, and won multiple High Scoring awards in basketball as well. Nunn found his passion for tennis at TFS, and it propelled him to a stellar professional career.
While playing at TFS, Nunn was a tennis state finalist in the 1978 season, and won the school a region championship in 1976, 1977, and 1978. He finished third at state in 1978, and ranked 23rd nationally in the southern junior circuit. He was 125th in the country after competing at nationals. Though tennis was his primary sport, Nunn was also recruited to play college basketball by such schools as Clemson and Wake Forrest. At TFS, he was Team MVP all four years in basketball. He ran the 100 and 200 meter in track and field to help be in shape for tennis. Nunn was also named Most Outstanding Student at TFS in 1977-78, and won Industrial Arts Awards in 1976-77 and 1977-78.
Nunn went on to play college tennis first at Gainesville Junior College from 1979-80, and then at Southwest Texas State University (Texas State University) from 1980-83. He played at #2 singles and #1 doubles at Gainesville (JUCO #3-ranked team), and was a JUCO All-American. At Texas State, he won an NAIA National Championship ('80-'81) and an NCAA DII National Championship ('81-'82), and played in the NCAA DI National Championship ('82-'83) in his final season. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Education (Physical Education), and minored in Journalism/Public Relations, graduating in 1983. He won two national titles and the Pan American Championship also. Individually, Nunn was a three-time All-American (NAIA Singles, NAIA Doubles, NCAA DII Doubles), NAIA National Singles Champion (1981-82), two-time All-Lone Star Conference at both singles and doubles, NAIA National Doubles Finalist, NCAA DII Finalist, NCAA DI Singles & Doubles Qualifier, and won the NAIA War Ballinger Sportsmanship Award.
Not surprisingly, Nunn went pro in tennis, and was in the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) from 1982-88. The was a Wimbledon, French Open, US Open, and Canadian Open qualifier from 1984-87, competed in countless Challenger Events, Grand Prix Events, Grand Slams, etc from 1982-1988. He collected 262 professional wins, including 7 top-23 wins and 2 top-10 wins against. Playing in 60-plus matches against Davis Cup opponents, he won over 50% of his matches. In total, he played in 350-plus professional matches. His ATP ranking had him in the Top 300 in the world (singles/doubles) between 1984-88.
After finishing his professional career, Nunn has worked in the automobile sales industry for more than 30 years, working as a General Sales Manager, National Consultant, and has traveled the country to consult with some of the top dealerships in the nation. Nunn also spends time as a trainer and consultant in tennis in the Cartersville area, and has held roles as a Director of Tennis. He still provides private lessons in Marietta as well as surrounding areas.
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The 1968 Tallulah Falls Indians were the most dominant football team in school history. TFS had a football program from 1953-1969, and the '68 season saw the Indians set school records of the team and individual variety. The team went 9-1 overall, finishing as Region 3C Runner-Up under coach Gordon Moore.
The offense generated 365 total points, averaging 40.6 per game in nine of the games. Towns County forfeited against TFS during the year, resulting in an official 2-0 win for the Indians as well. Defensively, the Indians held opponents to a grand total of 31 points all season (3.4/game). The Indians were ranked #1 in the state for a couple of weeks until the lone loss to Georgia Industrial Institute. Prior to that 25-7 loss, TFS had gone 3-0 while outscoring opponents 103-6. After the loss to Georgia Industrial, Tallulah Falls never allowed a single point the rest of the way. Wins came over Loganville (60-0), Monticello (34-0), Riverside Military Academy (61-0), Dacula (39-0), and Buford (61-0). That resulted in a total score of 255-0 in the final five games not couting the forfeit over Towns, as TFS finished ranked #3 in the state. In a time where only the region champions made the state tournament, Tallulah Falls' season ended with the blanking of Buford.
That 1968 team contained two members of the TFS Athletic Legends Hall of Honor. Mike Kemp ('69) was an All-State honoree while setting GHSA state records that season in receiving yards (1,843) and TD catches (20). Those records stood for several years, and Kemp ended his career with the former state all-time receiving yards record of 3,097. During that '68 run, Kemp also set a state record that remains of scoring five touchdowns in five different ways in a single game. Tim Crenshaw ('71) was an All-State lineman who anchored both sides of the line for the Indians, and co-captain George Rosser was also named All-State.
Members of the 1968 football team include: Jon Able (MGR), Donnie Bailey, Fred Bailey, Randy Barnett, Buddy Blair, Johnny Boring (MGR), Ralph Carpenter, Joseph Cowart, Tim Crenshaw, Sam Jenkins, Gordon "Skipper" Johnson, Richard Justus, Mike Kemp, Don King, Lewis King, Johnny Kitchens (All-State HM), Steve Knight, Robert McComb, Kenneth Nicholson, Mike Nicholson, Malcolm Oakley, Tommy Oppenheim, Bobby Rader, Ronnie Ray, Bob Rhine, George Rosser, Phil Tucker (MGR), and Larry Vickers.
2022 HALL OF HONOR INDUCTION CEREMONY PHOTOS
2019
TFS Inducts Three Members into Athletic Legends Hall of Honor
Ralph Daniel ('67) was a standout football player for TFS. He lettered all four years, and was a GHSA AJC All-State honoree as a 1st-Team selection in 1965 and Honorable Mention in 1964. He was named the GHSA Class C Lineman of the Year in 1966, and was a Work Program Team Leader while at Tallulah Falls.
Daniel earned an NCAA DI scholarship to play at Clemson University, playing on the freshman team in 1967. He redshirted the 1968 season, and was the starting tackle from 1969-1971 for the Clemson Tigers, earning his membership in the Block C Club (Letterman's Club). He played for legendary coach Frank Howard. At Clemson, Daniel earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation and Parks Administration. He went on to get his Master's in Education (Special Needs) at the University of South Carolina.
He was in the Special Needs/Education field from 1972-78, and was then self-employed in a landscaping and nursery business for 35 years (Evergreen Landscapers/Accent Farms Nursery).
Mike Kemp ('69) was an honor graduate from TFS, and the football team captain for two years. Also a student dorm leader, Kemp was the first known three-sport letterman at Tallulah Falls, as he competed in football, track and field, golf, and cross country. He lettered in the first three. He was named Most Outstanding Football Player in 1968, and his #15 jersey was retired on Mike Kemp Night on October 25, 1968.
Kemp was named Class C All-State in 1967 and 1968, including Class C End of the Year All-State in '68. He was a GHSA AJC Back of the Week in '68, and was pivotal to the Indians' Class 3C Runner-Up finish that season. He scored five touchdowns in five different ways in a single game, and his 3,097 receiving yards in a career was the state's all-time record until 1973. It was the second-most until 1989, and still is a top-20 all-time figure. He had 1,843 yards in 1968 (5th most in state history, was the record until 2018), and 1,254 yards in 1967. He had 20 TD catches in '68, which was the single-season state record until 1971, and remains a top-20 figure. While at TFS, Kemp helped the football team to a 27-6-1 overall record, scoring 1,065 points while giving up just 312.
He was also a state placer in track and field in 1968, and competed in golf and cross country. In college, he earned his Associate's degree in Political Science from Gainesville Junior College. While there, he lettered twice in tennis, and won the State Junior College No. 5 Tennis Title. He earned his Bachelor's in Politicial Science at UGA, and attended law school.
Post-college, Kemp was named Lowes College Park Employee of the Year (1981), was on the John Weiland Homes President's Club (1987-88), worked at Tucker Millworks, and helpd earn Dealer's Choice Branch of the Year three times.
Chris Pic ('88) was a standout cross country runner at Tallulah Falls. He held the school record time in a meet of 16:41, which stood for 32 years. He was an individual region runner-up in 1985 and 1986, and the region champion in 1987. He competed at state in those years as well, coming in 9th in '85, 3rd in '86, and 14th in '87. The 1987 team also qualified and came in 6th. Pic was also a state placer in track and field, and former 3200 meter record holder. He was the TFS Salutatorian, and a member of the NHS, French Club, Ski Club, and Commendation List.
Pic earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology Excercise Science from Georgia State University in 1994, and initiated the cycling club to sport transition at GSU. He became a long-time cyclist in college. Prior to GSU, he earned a Mechanical Engineering degree at Southern Polytechnic State University (1990-92), and before that was AFROTC at Valdosta State University (1988). He took up cycling professionally, cycling 45 states and many countries in the process. He was a professional cyclist from 1992-2004, and was a National Runner-Up Olympic Trials Cyclist in 1992, 1996, 2000, and 2004. He is a world traveler in cycling and SCUBA professionally, and was the Product Development Director for Blue Cycles, as well as Product/Project Manager for Diversco Supply International. He has also been a Demand Planner for SCOTT Sports, and worked in home health care.
2018
TFS Inducts Five Members into Inaugural Hall of Honor
Miriam Abdullah ('08) was a standout in track and field and also played volleyball and basketball while at TFS. She was a 4-time track and field team MVP, and won the region title in both the long jump and triple jump three times. At the time of her graduation, Abdullah held 14 school records, and was chosen as the Indian of the Year a record three times.
She went on to attend Winthrop University, competing in track and field four years while earning a degree in Business Administration (Entrepreneurship). Following her collegiate career, Abdullah became a Regional Trainer for Playworks Colorado (and was named Playworks Rookie Coach of the Year), and is the Founder of Culture Energized. She has earned the TFS Outstanding Former Student Award, has appeared in articles and on TV about 'Coach Mo', and has been the Head Program Coordinator White House 'Bring Your Kid to Work' event.
Herb Amick was a long-time coach and Athletic Director at TFS. Amick was the first full-time coach and the first AD, and started the football, basketball, and track and field programs. His 1953 team was dubbed "The Scrappy Bunch", and his '56 football team was 6-4, while going 7-3 in '57. He also taught biology, math, and driver's ed. Amick was active in his local church and community.
Prior to TFS, he was a WWII veteran, serving in the Navy after joining in 1943. He had earned a Bachelor's degree in Education from High Point College, played college football, and earned his Master's from Vanderbilt University, Peabody College. Before coming to TFS, he also coached at Jonesboro High School.
After departing from TFS, Amick went to Stephens County High School, and guided the football program to its first state championship in 1958. That team went 12-0 and the program won 27 games in a row under Amick. He was named Coach of the Year in Georgia in 1958 and 1959. He retired from Forest Park High School after 43 years in education, holding the Assistant Principal and Principal role there. He passed away on September 15, 2014, and the Tallulah Falls soccer field was dedicated as Amick Field on April 15, 2015.
Mike Dale was a cross county and track and field coach at TFS in the mid-1980s. He guided the XC team to a 1990 region championship, and coached various state qualifiers, medalists, and a XC/T&F State Champion. He was named the 1990 GACA Region 8-A XC Coach of the Year. Overall, he had 38 years of service at TFS.
Aside from coaching, Dale was a Dorm Counselor, the Dean of Students, Director of Boarding, Athletic Director, Director of Information Services, Director of Giving, and the Tallulah Gallery Director during his time on campus.
Destinee Johnson ('10) was a standout in track and field, and also played volleyball and basketball. She played all three sports all four years at TFS. Johnson was given the Coach's Award and Heart Award in basketball, and Coach's Award in track and field. She was awarded Outstanding Industrial Arts Student, Outstanding Strength & Conditioning Student, and Indian of the Year ('09-'10).
Post-TFS, Johnson earned a Bachelor's degree in Sports Management from Emmanuel College, graduating in 2015. She competed in track and field for a year, as well as basketball at Emmanuel. She also developed a love for lacrosse, and played all four years in college while lettering and earning Coach's Award. She was a Conference Carolina All-Academic Team honoree, and was second all-time in ground balls recorded for Emmanuel lacrosse. She was a Student Athlete Advisory Committee representative as well.
After college, Johnson has been an assistant coach in lacrosse at the University of Alabama Huntsville for two years, and the head women's lacrosse coach at the University of Dallas for three years.
Daniel Lampl ('07) was a standout basketball player who had a big impact on and off the court at TFS. He was a Dean's List scholar, and helped guide the Indians to the state tournament two years in a row. With Lampl featured on the team, TFS became the Region Runner-Up in both 2005-06 and 2006-07, and made the school's first-ever Sweet 16 in his senior year. He was named Team MVP.
After leaving TFS, Lampl attended nearby Piedmont College, graduating with a Bachelor's degree in General Business (Magna Cum Laude), and also earned his Master's in Business Administration (Summa Cum Laude) at Piedmont. He played for the Lions basketball team all four years, and was named to the Great South Athletic Conference (GSAC) All-Freshman team, GSAC All-Academic Team all four years, and was named the Team MVP as a senior. He was an assistant women's basketball coach while earning his Master's degree.
Post-college, Lampl was the founder of DL Impact (youth basketball skill development, club and life lessons program), and was a Mansfield Oil Mentee (1 of 10 selected). He worked also for Waste Management, Inc. Energy Team.
Click here for more information on the nomination process.