Four to be inducted into Anderson County Hall of Fame
The Anderson County Sports Hall of Fame will honor its newest class of inductees during its annual induction ceremony Friday, Sept. 18.
The event recognizes athletes, coaches and community leaders whose accomplishments, leadership and service have helped shape Anderson County’s athletic tradition.
This year’s inductees represent different generations and areas of service, but share a commitment to excellence and a connection to Anderson County.
The ceremony also recognizes the families, teammates, coaches, colleagues and friends who supported the honorees throughout their careers.
The annual event celebrates and preserves the accomplishments and legacies of those who have contributed to Anderson County athletics.
Dr. Richie Noe
Dr. Richie Noe, a 1988 Anderson County High School graduate, was a four-year varsity letterman in football and baseball, earning All-East Tennessee honors in both sports. He continued his football career at the University of Tennessee, where he earned a letter, played on the 1990 SEC championship team and participated in multiple bowl victories.
After earning his chiropractic degree from Life University, Noe returned to Anderson County and became deeply involved in local athletics. He coached middle school football and assisted at Anderson County High School before becoming Norris Middle School’s head coach in 2009. Over 19 years, his teams compiled a 143-45 record and won nine championships.
Noe, now the Voice of the Mavericks, and his wife, Amy, have three sons: Trey, Jackson and Gavin.
Dr. Curtis Sexton
Dr. Curtis Sexton has called Rocky Top, formerly Lake City, home since 1967. A University of Tennessee College of Medicine graduate, Sexton practiced family medicine in Lake City and served 30 years as Anderson County medical examiner. His military career spanned 39 years.
Sexton’s service extended to education, health and youth organizations throughout Anderson County. He helped expand the Boys & Girls Club into North Anderson County and was instrumental in establishing Anderson County High School following the consolidation of Lake City and Norris high schools. He helped select the Mavericks nickname and the school’s navy blue and gray colors.
The Lake City Middle School gymnasium bears his name in recognition of his contributions to education and youth. Sexton and his wife, Carol, have six children, 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Josie Hahn Reynolds
Josie Hahn Reynolds, a 2001 Anderson County High School graduate and valedictorian, was a standout member of the Lady Mavericks track and field program. She helped Anderson County win the 2000 TSSAA team state championship and finish as state runner-up in 2001. During her high school career, Reynolds captured 12 individual state titles, including championships in the high jump, hurdles, shot put and pentathlon.
Reynolds continued her career at Vanderbilt University, where she became the most decorated female track and field athlete in school history. She earned All-America honors in the pentathlon and heptathlon, won an individual SEC championship in 2004 and was named SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2005.
Reynolds later qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials and was named Tennessee Female Athlete of the Year in 2014.
Rita Hackler
Rita Hackler, a 1953 Norris High School graduate, became the first female physical education teacher in the Anderson County School System. Following the passage of Title IX in 1972, Hackler advocated for Tennessee to adopt girls volleyball, which the TSSAA sanctioned in 1976.
As Norris High School’s first volleyball coach, she guided the Senators to East Tennessee’s first district championship. Hackler moved to the newly opened Anderson County High School in 1982, becoming its first volleyball coach and leading the Lady Mavericks to four consecutive district championships from 1982-85.
She retired in 1991 with a 328-164 career record and five district Coach of the Year honors. In 2022, the TSSAA recognized Hackler as a Title IX Trailblazer for her contributions to girls athletics and volleyball in East Tennessee.
