CCES Inducts Shannon Tully ’97 and the Late Caine Halter ’79 Into Sports Hall of Fame
Ceremonies Part of Homecoming Festivities

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A Tribute to Caine Halter’s Faith, Friendship, Family and Hope

On Friday, October 19, 2007, before the Homecoming football game against Whitmire, history was made here at CCES. Two very deserving alumni athletes, Shannon Tully ’97 and Caine Halter ’79, were inducted into the CCES Sports Hall of Fame after several events held in their honor.

The celebration followed an Alumni Chapel service held to celebrate the life of Caine Halter, who passed away on August 10, 2007 after a long battle with cancer. Caine’s friend and former teammate, Ted Hassold ’79, offered an inspiring tribute to Caine’s “toughness, leadership, and his character” and “his tenets of Faith, Friendship, Family and Hope.”

Delicious Food and Honors Served at the Alumni VIP Dinner

The service was an uplifting and emotional experience, and invited guests had much to think about and discuss as they filed out of the chapel and walked over to the football practice field where festive tents were set up for the school’s annual Alumni VIP Dinner. As guests enjoyed the delicious buffet, Wesley Walker ’93 was presented with the Marguerite Ramage Wyche Alumni Service Award, and Musette Williams Stern ’75, representing her class, accepted the Cheves Achievement Award for the highest percentage of participation in the 2006 Annual Fund.

Bleachers Full for Induction Ceremony

The 2007 CCES Sports Hall of Fame Induction ceremony was held on the 50-yard-line at Carson Stadium, prior to the Homecoming game. The bleachers were full to witness the induction of Shannon Tully ’97 and Caine Halter ’79 and to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the 1977 State Championship Football team.

Allison Buck ’00, President of the CCES Alumni Association, kicked off the ceremony by introducing all former Sports Hall of Fame inductees in attendance, Nancy Yeargin Furman ’73, Donny Harrison ’79, Billy Campbell ’78, Emory Vandiver ’78, Park Owings ’82, John Pazdan ’80, and Coach Chris Hearon.

Tully: “The Best Soccer Player CCES Ever Had”



Former CCES Coach John Jones was on hand to induct Shannon Tully, who played on his basketball team, saying “I didn’t appreciate what she had to offer until after she left. Shannon made other people around her better, which is the mark of a great athlete.” She was, he added, “the best soccer player that CCES ever had.”

Tully began her athletic career at CCES in 1994 as a ninth-grader, and quickly proved to be a fine athlete, participating in basketball, cross country, golf and soccer. In basketball Shannon was named All Region and Best Offensive Player in her junior year, but soccer was where Shannon would shine. She was named MVP for three years, served as captain of the soccer team, and was named All-State in the eleventh grade. Amazingly, Shannon was responsible for scoring 120 goals and 31 assists at CCES. Her talent was noticed by all around her. Shannon was on the SC All-State team every year in high school. During the 1996-97 season, she was named to the Greenville News All-Star team and the SC High School Sports Report Top 30, and received two Player of the Year honors, from the High School Report and the SWCCAWS. All the while Shannon was also playing club soccer, where she won nine SC Youth Soccer Association Championships, and playing on the SC Olympic Development Program Team from 1995-97.

In college Shannon continued to garner athletic honors. She played NCAA Division 1 soccer at NC State, where she lettered all four years of college and served as captain for the 1999 and 2000 seasons. She had the highest point total of 12 goals and 8 assists at NC State. She was also a member of the Captain’s Table Advisory Board from 1998 to 2000, an ACC Scholar Athlete, and she received the Team Highest GPA Award in 1999. (And by the way, while she was racking up these athletic honors, she was also earning her bachelor’s degree in zoology.)

For her graduate work, Shannon moved on to the Duke Physical Therapy School where she played Women’s Club soccer and was Head Coach for the Capitol Area Soccer League. It should be no surprise that her teams went on to be North Carolina Youth Soccer Association Champions in 2003 and 2004.

Today you can find Shannon doing what she loves best. She lives in Chicago and is a physical therapist for the Northern Suburban Special Education District. In her spare time Shannon works at the North Shore Pediatric Therapy Clinic, where she was instrumental in the growth of the physical therapy department. She is still coaching for the Trevian Soccer Club and she plays co-ed league soccer. In her spare time she is planning her wedding next summer to her fiancé, Travis Hartinger, here in Greenville. Congratulations, Shannon!

“Caine Halter Lived the Values to Which We All Aspire”

Teammate and friend Sam Outten ’78 was on hand to induct Caine Halter. “In the mid to late 70s CCES was becoming a soccer power, even against 4A schools. During that time, Caine played Middle School soccer and varsity soccer for four years, earning awards both for Most Improved Player and Most Valuable Player. He served as captain of the soccer team in 12th grade.”

But Outten noted that “it was on the 1977 championship football team that Caine would make his mark on CCES athletics. He wore #62 and played offensive guard and linebacker. He started wearing the blue and white in 1973 as a seventh-grader, when CCES entered a team in the YMCA league. Caine’s speed, strength and athletic ability allowed him to open holes as a guard, and make great stops as a linebacker. More importantly, Caine’s leadership on this football team was essential to its success.”

The Qualities of a Leader

“Caine was positive and steadfast in his belief that our team would win the state championship,” continued Outten. “There were lots of players, coaches, parents and students who were also optimistic before the season started. That faith was shaken after we lost the first game we played that year. To make matters worse, many players were injured. Caine’s resolve persisted, despite these setbacks. His determination and fierce competitive spirit inspired his teammates.

“I think our parents enjoyed that year almost as much as we did, and there were no bigger supporters than Frank and Shirley Halter. And there were no more enthusiastic siblings than Debbie ’67, Brad ’74 and Laura ’76 Halter.

“After CCES, Caine attended the University of Georgia, graduating in 1983. He returned to Greenville to become a business leader, a community leader, a leader in his church, a devoted husband to wife to Laurie, and a dedicated father to Caine and Paige.

“Most of you know that Caine was diagnosed with cancer in July of 2006. The courage and competitive spirit Caine showed in facing that disease was remarkable and inspirational. His faith in Christ grew ever stronger, allowing him to comfort those who came to comfort him. Caine’s passing on August 10 was a tremendous loss to his family, to his friends, and to the community. Let us remember tonight that Caine Halter lived the values to which we all aspire: honesty, integrity, humility, loyalty, compassion and faith in Christ.”

“Miracles Happen”

Following this emotional tribute, it was time to recognize the 1977 Championship Football Team on the occasion of its 30th anniversary. CCES Athletic Director Travis Perry and Headmaster Lee Cox congratulated all returning members of the 1977 Championship Football Team: Team Captain Billy Campbell ’78, Bob Easley ’79, Tommy Foster ’80, John Halleran ’79, Donny Harrison ’79, Ted Hassold ’79, Earle Huffman ’79, Jack Miller ’78, Bob Monroe ’78, Sam Outten ’78, Russell Park ’78, Robbie Poplin ’79, David Quattlebaum ’79, Towers Rice ’80, Tom Runge ’79, Tommy Stall ’78, John Stephenson ’79, Emory Vandiver ’78, cheerleader Margaret Hungerford ’79 and Coaches Chris Hearon and Pete Cooper. Captain Billy Campbell spoke on behalf of his friends, teammates and coaches of their pride in representing this amazing school and closed the evening by reminding everyone that “what happened on that night in December 1977 will allow you to remember that miracles happen and magic can occur if you really believe in yourselves. Go, Cavs!”