NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame

03/29/2026

Calling all Governor Athletics followers and fans! The NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame is currently accepting nominations for the Class of 2026. The NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be announced on May 1, 2026.

We rely on the NCHS Athletics community of fans, coaches, former players and coaches, alumni, etc for our nominations. If you have a nomination, please complete the form accompanying this post and provide as much information as possible. The NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee can make more informed decisions with more detailed information. We look forward to selecting, announcing, and celebrating the Class of 2026 and we thank all those in advance for your nominations and continued support of the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame.

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Please nominate a deserving Nelson County athlete/coach/contributor for outstanding achievements to Nelson County. Candidates for the Nelson County High School Hall of Fame must meet one of the criterions listed below: A. Student Athlete/Participant- A candidate for selection in the Nelson County Hi...

02/20/2026

Today's featured NCHS Athletics Hall of Famer is Ronnie Ragland. Ronnie graduated from NCHS in 1974 and was a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Ronnie Ragland was a talented multi-sport athlete who graduated from Nelson County High School in 1974. Ronnie was a standout for the Governors football team and a major contributor to multiple state championship indoor and outdoor teams during his career at NCHS. Ronnie was a bruising, physical force on the football field for the Governors where he helped lead the Green and Gold to back to back winning seasons from his fullback position leading the way for back to back winning seasons under head coach Herman Allen in 1972 and 1973. In football, Ronnie was named to the 1st team all-district and all-central Virginia teams while making honorable mention all state during his senior season. Ronnie would win three individual state championships in track and field with wins and state record performances in the indoor track state meet in shot put in 1973 and 1974 and a win in the discus in the otdoor track meet in 1974 along with a runner-up finish in the shot put. Ronnie still sits 2nd all-time in the Shot Put and Discus in NCHS history behind his relative, Charles Thompson. After graduating from high school, Ronnie earned a full athletic scholarship to East Carloina University where he played on the offensive line for future College Football Hall of Famer Pat Dye. Ronnie was a letterman at East Carolina before a sports-related injury brought a promising collegiate career to an end. At ECU, Ron met and fell in love with Jacqueline (Jacqui) Nelson of Bethel. Their marriage of 49 years remains an inspiration to all who know them. They gave birth to two daughters, Stephanie Aaron Ragland and Jennifer Louise Ragland. He retired from NACCO Materials Handling (now Hyster-Yale) with nearly 40 years of service, most recently in human resources. Beyond his work, Ron was a devoted volunteer fireman with Bethel Fire and Rescue, where he was twice named fireman of the year. Ron passed away in 2025 and is represented by his family today.

The NCHS Athletics Class of 2026 will be announced in April 2026. We are always looking for nominations from the community. We are looking for individual athletes, coaches, contributors, and teams. If you would like to make a nomination, please reach out to NCHS Athletic Director Greg Mullins at 434-962-7769 or the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

02/17/2026

Today's featured NCHS Athletics Hall of Famer is Elmer Glover. Elmer graduated from NCHS in 1975 and was a member of the Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Elmer was a great multi-sport athlete at Nelson County High School and graduated in 1975. Elmer earned numerous letters in track and field, football, and basketball during his athletic career at NCHS. He was also the captain of the NCHS track team during his senior year. During Elmer’s decorated athletic career, he was all district in the high jump and the 110 high hurdles in 1973, 1974, and 1975. He also was the state high jump champion for indoor and outdoor track during the 1974 and 1975 seasons. Elmer was a main contributor to state championship indoor and outdoor track teams in 1973, 1974, and 1975. As a four-time individual state champion, he also held the state record for the outdoor high jump event with a mark of 6’ 8". After graduation from NCHS, Elmer continued his academic and athletic career at Ferrum College where he continued to compete in the high jump. Elmer now lives in Charlotte, NC and has two children and two grandchildren.

The NCHS Athletics Class of 2026 will be announced in April 2026. We are always looking for nominations from the community. We are looking for individual athletes, coaches, contributors, and teams. If you would like to make a nomination, please reach out to NCHS Athletic Director Greg Mullins at 434-962-7769 or the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

02/16/2026

Today's featured NCHS Athletics Hall of Famer is David Glover. David graduated from NCHS in 1977 and was a member of the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

David was a track standout at Nelson County High School and graduated in 1977. He excelled as a member of the indoor and outdoor track teams in the mid-1970s. He earned three letters each in indoor and outdoor track. David grew up in Gladstone and later graduated from Nelson County High School as an academic scholar. He excelled in track and field, winning the indoor state meet in the high jump in 1976 and was named athlete of the year his senior year. After graduation, David pursued higher education at James Madison University where he graduated Summa Cum Lauda and pledged Sigma Psi Epsilon Fraternity. He also continued his track career at James Madison under fromer Nelson County track coach Eddie Witt where he competed in the high jump and triple jump. For a time, he was the school record holder in the high jump and triple jump. After graduation from JMU, David began his employment career in the fast food industry managing several fast food chains. Always a people person with impeccable customer service skills, he then advanced toward the hotel enterprise. He was employed at The Jefferson Hotel as The Front Desk Manager. He was highly admired by guests who would rave about his impressive, respectful character and down to earth nature. David passed away in 2023 and is represented today by his family.

The NCHS Athletics Class of 2026 will be announced in April 2026. We are always looking for nominations from the community. We are looking for individual athletes, coaches, contributors, and teams. If you would like to make a nomination, please reach out to NCHS Athletic Director Greg Mullins at 434-962-7769 or the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

02/13/2026

Today's featured NCHS Athletics Hall of Famers is Mac Giles. Mac Giles was the Voice of the Nelson County High School Home of the Governors for 36 years and was a member of the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Mac Giles was the Voice of the Governors for over 30 years and graduated from Fleetwood High School in 1941. Mac was the voice that multiple generations of athletes came to recognize as synonymous with Nelson County High School football, basketball, baseball, and track and field from 1964-2000. He rarely missed a game for his beloved Governors over the course of 36 years. The pressbox at the Sherman League Athletic Complex has a plaque commemorating Mr. Giles years of service as the Voice of the Governors. Mac brought the exploits of the Green and Gold to life for those who were at the games and always could be counted on to defend the home team. He was a fan of the Governors first and foremost, but was a professional on the mic. However, Mac has the unique “honor” of being called for a technical during a basketball game when his criticism of the officiating was caught on a “hot” mic that he thought had been turned off. Mac Giles scaled the ladders to the pressbox of the outdoor athletic complex to announce football, track, and baseball contests and did the same for the booth that hung above the basketball court at NCHS. This was no easy feat and one that many modern announcers would not want to tackle. Mac did it for years with no complaints and a loyalty to the Governors that can be matched by very few. Mac also served his community as a school board member and as a member of the Roseland Rescue Squad. Mac passed away in 2005 and is represented today by his children.

The NCHS Athletics Class of 2026 will be announced in April 2026. We are always looking for nominations from the community. We are looking for individual athletes, coaches, contributors, and teams. If you would like to make a nomination, please reach out to NCHS Athletic Director Greg Mullins at 434-962-7769 or the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

02/12/2026

Today's featured NCHS Athletics Hall of Famer is BJ Cabbell. BJ graduated from NCHS in 2006 and is a member of the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

B.J. Cabbell was a multi-sport athlete during his time at NCHS and graduated in 2006. BJ earned multiple letters in football, basketball, and track. While BJ excelled in track throwing the shot put and discus and was a steady contributor on the basketball team, it was on the football field that he truly shined for the Governors. At 6’6” and 305 pounds, BJ was a menacing force along the offensive and defensive lines for Coach Tim Crawford. BJ was named all-district at offensive tackle during his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons in addition to being named honorable mention all-region his sophomore year and junior year and 1st team all-region his senior year. BJ was also awarded the Governor Award during his senior year. BJ made quite an impression on the Dogwood District and throughout the state with his blocking skills and eventually landed a full athletic scholarship from the University of Virginia. Coach Crawford described him as the finest offensive lineman he coached in his entire coaching career. BJ was named to the 2006 Tom Lemmings National Top 100 list as a high school player. BJ excelled at UVA and became a multi-year starter for the Cavaliers. From his right guard position, he was known to pull and level defenders against all challengers in ACC play. BJ was recognized as Player of the Week three times at UVA in the following games: 2008 UVA Player of the Game (vs. Maryland), 2008 UVA Player of the Game (vs. Georgia Tech), and 2009 UVA Player of the Game (vs. Indiana). After graduation from UVA, BJ played professionally in the Arena Football League for the Iowa Barnstormers and Spokane Shock. After playing professionally, BJ began working in the private sector with stints at ITT Tech and Enterprise and became chief engineer at Hilton Hotels and Marriott. He then developed his own handyman companies, Cabbell Home Maintenance & Contractor Services, LLC. He currently works for Huntington Ingall Industries.

The NCHS Athletics Class of 2026 will be announced in April 2026. We are always looking for nominations from the community. We are looking for individual athletes, coaches, contributors, and teams. If you would like to make a nomination, please reach out to NCHS Athletic Director Greg Mullins at 434-962-7769 or the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

02/10/2026

Today's featured NCHS Athletics Hall of Famer is Leslie Alexander. Leslie graduated from NCHS in 1989 and was a member of the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2025.

Leslie was a multi-sport standout at Nelson County High School and graduated in 1989. She was a four year letter winner in basketball, volleyball, and track and field from 1986-1989 and was also named captain in basketball and volleyball. She was the NCHS Female Athlete of the Year for the school year 1988-1989. In track she was awarded the Governors Award in 1988 and was named 2nd team all Seminole District in volleyball in 1988 and 1989. While Leslie was a standout in volleyball and track and field, it was on the basketball court where she really made her biggest mark as a Governor. She was named honorable mention all district in basketball in 1986 and was named first team all district in the next three years. In addition to her district accolades, Leslie was also named 2nd team all area in 1988, 1st team all area in 1988, and 1st team all-central Virginia in 1989. In 1987, Leslie was also named first team all-region. In basketball, she averaged 14.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. After graduation, Leslie continued her career as a student-athlete at Norfolk State University where she played both volleyball and basketball. During the 1992-1993 basketball season, Leslie was named the Most Improved Player and she was a member of three CIAA Women’s basketball conference championship teams. In 1993, her Norfolk State team finished 4th place nationally for the season and entered the NCAA Division II tournament undefeated. After graduating from college, Leslie began her career as a teacher and coach in Sussex County where she coached volleyball and basketball on the JV and varsity levels. As the head girls volleyball coach, Leslie was the Tri-Rivers District Coach of the Year in 1994, 1995, and 1996 and her teams won the district championship from 1994-1996 and the regional championship in 1995 and 1996. Leslie also served as head girls basketball coach at Louisa County High School from 2003-2011 where she experienced a great deal of success as well. While Leslie was proud of her oncourt success with both programs, she is most proud of the fact that she helped many young women further their education and athletic careers at the collegiate level.

The NCHS Athletics Class of 2026 will be announced in April 2026. We are always looking for nominations from the community. We are looking for individual athletes, coaches, contributors, and teams. If you would like to make a nomination, please reach out to NCHS Athletic Director Greg Mullins at 434-962-7769 or the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!

02/09/2026

On February 7, 2026, the NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame inducted the 9th class into the Hall of Fame. The Class of 2025 was made up of the 1970s Boys Track Dynasty, Leslie Alexander, BJ Cabbell, David Glover, Elmer Glover, and Ronnie Ragland. Congratulations to the Class of 2025 and their families and friends! Thank you to all those who attended to help us celebrate another great class of Hall of Famers. We will feature each member of the Class of 2025 in the following days with their own post.

A special thanks go out to:
NCHS Athletic Green & Gold Booster Club
NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame Selection Committee
NCHS Athletics Hall of Fame Planning Committee
NCHS and NCPS Administration for their support of NCHS Athletics
Todd Rath and Blue Toad for being such gracious hosts
John Woodward and BBQ Beast for the catering
Adrienne Leigh and Candid Creations for the photography of the event

Nelson Boosters
Nelson County Boys Basketball
Nelson County Governors Baseball
Nelson Govs Football
NCHS Lady Govs Volleyball
Nelson County High Softball
Nelson County High School Home of the Governors
Nelson County Public Schools