Story by David Altom, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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Future Hall of Famer: Freddie Maggard as a quarterback for the Cumberland High School Redskins. The lessons Maggard learned in sports would take him to the University of Kentucky and eventually the Kentucky National Guard. (Courtesy photo)
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Former Kentucky National Guardsman and University of Kentucky quarterback Freddie Maggard recently reached another milestone in his career, being inducted into the
Kentucky High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame Class of 2015. Announced in a June 8 press conference at the KHSAA Offices, Maggard and nine others were inducted into the Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame, which consists of former high school coaches, athletes, officials, administrators and contributors.
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First Lady Jane Beshear high fives Ellie Maggard as parents Freddie Maggard and Chief Warrant Officer Jennifer Maggard look on. The Maggards were on hand when Gov. Steve Beshear signed into law a provision that gives financial aid to Kentucky National Guard families seeking to adopt children. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Jason Ketterer, Kentucky National Guard Visual Information)
A former officer with the 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry, Maggard currently serves as the Kentucky Guard's Community Relations Liaison.
"For me, this induction is a community award," said Maggard. "I'm very proud of my roots in southeastern Kentucky. I don't feel that a hall of fame induction is an individual accomplishment, but a culmination of dedication from my coaches, teammates, classmates, and community."
In addition to representing the Kentucky National Guard in the communities, Maggard is a military spouse, which keeps him in touch with current needs of Guard families. For example, he and his wife, Chief Warrant Officer Jennifer Maggard joined the effort to get benefits for Guard members in Kentucky seeking to adopt.
"This community responsibility is the same I feel every morning when I come to work," he said. "Our Soldiers and Airmen are a product of diverse communities across the Commonwealth collectively. I want Kentuckians to feel a personal connection to our service and family members. By this connection, a better understanding of the Kentucky National Guard's responsibility and commitment will tell the story itself."
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A man of many talents: Young Freddie Maggard excelled on the diamond just as he did on the football field and the basketball court. (Courtesy photo)
Maggard is a three-sport standout and a 12-time letterwinner at Cumberland High School, Freddie Maggard starred for the Redskins on the hardwood, the gridiron and the diamond. On the football field, Maggard led Cumberland to a pair of state championship game appearances as a quarterback and defensive back, earning All-State honors at both positions from the Associated Press in 1986. He was a three-year starter and 1,000 point scorer on the basketball team, and a four-year starter and All-State selection as a pitcher and center fielder on the baseball team. His talents as a baseball player, which included a 28-1 pitching record, led Cumberland to three-consecutive regional championships from 1985-87, with the Redskins advancing to the state semifinals in 1985.
The Class of 2015 will be inducted in ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2015, at the Lexington Convention Center. The Class of 2015 will also be recognized during the semifinals of the 2015 Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16®. The induction of the 10-member Class of 2015 will bring the total number of honorees in the Hall of Fame to 433.