Honoring history: 17 state champs’ photos displayed at HTHS arena

The ideas were there. Maybe a list. Perhaps plaques. But then, standing in Bryant Bank Arena at Hewitt-Trussville High School, Trussville City Schools Athletics Director Lance Walker counted the wall columns that run from the home bleachers to the visiting side. There were 17. 

Fittingly, Walker, in his quest to honor all past Hewitt-Trussville state champions, discovered the school has 17 state titles. The idea quickly became a focused project: honor each state championship-winning team’s photo to a column. 

The recent championships were easy. Digital photos exist. However, for teams such as the 1975 girls bowling team or the 1983 wrestling squad, much more went into it. Scrapbooks were brought in. Yearbooks were reviewed. Parents of former players brought photos. Photo scans happened. All were printed at a local company. The process from start to finish took about two months over the summer. 

“It was a lot of fun,” Walker said. “I think it shows our history. We have a lot to be proud of here. It’s a major accomplishment no matter what sport it is. I think it’s the right thing to do to showcase that.”

When school started in August, Walker heard students talk about family members they saw in the photos and learned of others taking selfies in front of the photos. The older photos yielded jokes about future retro jersey nights. 

“I think it turned out well,” Walker said. “It honors a lot of our great coaches, athletes and teams.”

The state champs include girls bowling (1975, 1977), wrestling (1983, 1987-88), gymnastics (1989-91), girls indoor track and field (1999, 2021), girls outdoor track and field (1999), girls golf (2001, 2005), baseball (2016), softball (2019, 2021) and boys indoor track and field (2021).

“It shows the tradition of excellence in our athletic department,” Hewitt-Trussville baseball coach Jeff Mauldin said. “It gives our future athletes a visual of what is possible here at Hewitt. It also gives a sense of pride for the athletes and coaches that were a part of those championship teams. I love walking by them every day.”

Softball coach Taylor Burt said the photos provide encouragement for all student-athletes.

“It’s really cool to see our girls recognized for their accomplishment, and as much as it means today, I know they are going to see those years down the road and be even more thankful for those memories,” Burt said. 

Track and field coach Tom Esslinger said the state championship photos show an important role all involved have played in the tradition of the Hewitt-Trussville athletics. 

“Those pictures recognize that champions are not forgotten,” Esslinger said. “They give athletes a sense of pride and an opportunity in the future to bring their families back to see the pictures and show them they were a part of something special. It gives all current and future HTHS athletes something to strive for and shows that all of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices will be recognized.”

All 17 columns, which stand side by side above the gym floor baseline, are now filled. It begs an obvious question: Where will the next state championship photo be displayed?  

“Well, we do have the other side of the wall here,” Walker said. “We’ve got plenty of columns. We have plenty of room to grow. If we ever run out of room, then that’s a good problem to have.”