HAMLET — The web connecting the rich past from the earliest days of athletics at Richmond Senior High School to the not-so-distant past was on full display at Cole Auditorium Monday evening.
The interconnectedness of the more than five decades of Raider and Lady Raider athletics was laid out by Richmond’s athletic director James Johnson at the start of the Raider Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
In his speech to a crowd of a couple hundred people, Johnson highlighted the following years and events and showed how, in one way or another, the dozen inductees of the second Hall of Fame class each played a role in the school’s athletic success.
1972: Richmond is formed from four local high schools and the tradition of Charlie “Mr. Raider” Brownley as the school’s mascot begins.
1973: Bunny Lee Wall is hired at Richmond and starts his four decades of service to the school. Chuck McLean helps win the school’s first-ever state championship in any sport in baseball.
1974: McLean and Charlie Davis lead the baseball team to a 4A state championship.
1976: Charlie Bishop is hired as a coach and begins an historic run, coaching hundreds of student-athletes and winning more than 1,600 meets and games over his career.
1978: Perry Williams helps the Raider football team win the first of its seven state championships before a 10-year NFL career. Wayne Williams is hired as a teacher and coach, starting another historic coaching career.
1984-86: Pamela Morrison, coached by Wayne Williams, and the Richmond girls’ basketball team wins three straight conference championships.
1996: Bishop and Williams are still coaching. Enter Summer Burgess and Nikki Wells Smith, two four-sport student-athletes who left their mark on multiple programs. Wells set two school records that still stand today.
1997-98: Michael Waddell, a record holder of three NCHSAA football records to this day, and the Raider football team win back-to-back 4A state championships.
2003: Dannell Ellerbe continues to build upon the strong foundations created by the football and track and field programs, launching him into an NFL career to become the second Raider to win two Super Bowls after Perry Williams.
“This shows you the impact of the foundation that’s been laid by all these coaches and athletes and so many more,” Johnson said. “The number of state championships, Shrine Bowls, conference championships and conference players of the year in this group is amazing.
“You can’t tell the whole story, but you can really start to see the history and the foundation of sports at Richmond Senior High School (through this class),” he added.
Divided into three categories — coaches, players and legacy members — the 2025 induction class featured two coaches, eight players and two legacy members.
The coaches inducted this year were Bishop and Wayne Williams, alongside legacy members Brownley and Wall. Student-Athletes who were part of the Class of 2025 were Burgess, Davis, Ellerbe, McLean, Morrison, Waddell, Wells Smith and Perry Williams.
In addition to Johnson speaking, Richmond’s principal Joyce McRae and Board of Education member Ronald Tillman, also part of the Hall of Fame selection committee, addressed the audience.
McRae referred to the group as a “pillar in the community,” while Tillman thanked each inductee for his or her “hard work, dedication, sacrifice, commitment and perseverance to Raider athletics and to this county.”
Introducing each member of the Hall of Fame class was Jim Butler, former Richmond principal and one of the community leaders who spearheaded the start of the Hall of Fame project several years ago.
Each inductee was introduced with a biography of his or her accomplishments while at Richmond, as well as any college or professional accolades.
Inductees received a commemorative plaque and a Jostens ring, different from the letterman jackets given to the inaugural class in 2023.
Below are links to each Hall of Fame member’s acceptance speech, along with some of his or her accolades. They are in alphabetical order.
Charlie Bishop, coach
VIDEO: Charlie Bishop Acceptance Speech, given by Chuck Bishop
In an illustrious coaching career at Richmond that spanned 19 years, Bishop recorded 17 undefeated track and field seasons. That included winnings streaks of 205 and 115 consecutive meets with the Raiders, having never lost a meet on Richmond’s track. He was also the Raiders’ head football coach, recording an 8-3 record.
A high school and college coach, Bishop was named the 1977 Kellogg National Coach of the Year award winner in track and field. Across his four sports coached – track and field, cross country, football and basketball – Bishop totaled 1,664 wins to just 125 losses, an impressive .930 winning percentage.
Having coached or mentored 70 individual NCHSAA state champions, Bishop also coached more than 100 scholarship athletes and 10 future NFL players. Coach Bishop passed away in 2021. Accepting the award on his behalf was his son Chuck Bishop.
Charlie Brownley, legacy member
VIDEO: Charlie Brownley Acceptance Speech, given by Claudette Brownley
The only person to be memorialized on Richmond’s campus, Brownley has long been known as the original “Mr. Raider.” A statue of Brownley was erected near the west end zone in front of the field house at Raider Stadium to commemorate his service as the Raiders’ mascot from 1972-2000.
In his 28 years of service to Richmond Senior, Brownley helped establish the tradition of Richmond Raider football that has persisted for more than five decades. Brownley’s dedication and joy “left a lasting mark on generations of athletes,” as his plaque read.
A key member of the original booster club, Brownley personified the spirit of Raider Magic and was voted year after year to serve as the school’s mascot. Having passed away in 2000, Brownley’s award was accepted by his wife Claudette Brownley.
Summer Burgess, student-athlete
VIDEO: Summer Burgess Acceptance Speech
A four-sport athlete at Richmond from 1995-98, Burgess played volleyball, basketball and soccer and softball during the spring sports season. Part of the school’s first girls’ soccer and fast pitch softball teams, she was named All-Conference 10 times in her career, and was an important part in securing eight different conference championships.
Burgess was named MVP following her freshman soccer season, and was awarded the W.T. Bellamy Award as Female Athlete of the Year at Richmond’s athletic banquet three straight times from 1996-98 during her sophomore through senior years.
Averaging double-digits in basketball for three consecutive seasons, Burgess was named the conference’s best defensive basketball player as a sophomore. In her final three years, she earned six MVP awards, including three more in soccer.
Charlie Davis, student-athlete
VIDEO: Charlie Davis Acceptance Speech
Still introduced as a member of the current Raider football chain crew as Charlie “The Wolf” Davis, Davis played an integral part in establishing Richmond athletics as a powerhouse after its inception in 1972.
A dual-sport athlete who “displayed versatility by kicking and punting,” Davis was the first member of the football program to be selected to the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, an annual senior showcase game between North and South Carolina players. That list has grown to have nearly 100 players.
Davis was a member of the 1974 state championship winning Raider baseball team. In 1976, Davis was named to the Greensboro Daily News All-State Team, as well as the District III All-American Team. Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 16th round of the 1979 MLB Amatuer Draft, Davis played two years of minor league baseball for the Auburn (N.Y.) Phillies.
Dannell Ellerbe, student-athlete
VIDEO: Dannell Ellerbe Acceptance Speech
One of the more recent graduates of Richmond to be inducted, Ellerbe was a standout student-athlete for the Raiders in football and track and field in the early 2000s. A 2004 graduate of Richmond, Ellerbe was a two-time All-Conference selection in football and was a letter winner for football and track and field.
Selected to play in the 2003 Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas, Ellerbe was named the Defensive MVP that year. He went on to play football at the University of Georgia from 2005-2008, earning Second Team All-SEC in 2007. Signed by the Baltimore Ravens, Ellerbe put together a nine-year NFL career that culminated in two Super Bowl wins (2012, 2017).
Since his retirement from the NFL in 2017, Ellerbe and his wife Shervella, also a Richmond County native, have given back to their hometown annually through his Skills USA Football FUNdamental camp each summer.
Chuck McLean, student-athlete
VIDEO: Chuck McLean Acceptance Speech
A classmate and teammate of Davis, McLean also helped put Richmond athletics on the map in its first decade of existence. He was a two-time state champion with the Raider baseball team in 1973 and 1974, which was a stepping stone to a professional career.
While still in high school, McLean was a two-time Greensboro All-State selection. He paired that with two District III All-American Team accolades. Playing college ball at The University of South Carolina, McLean finished the 1977 season as the College World Series national runner-up with the Gamecocks.
Taken by the Kansas City Royals in the 13th round of the 1974 MLB Amatuer Draft out of high school, McLean made it to the professional level in 1978. “Excelling as both a pitcher and outfielder,” McLean played minor league baseball for the Kinston Eagles in the Carolina League.
Pamela Morrison, student-athlete
VIDEO: Pamela Morrison Acceptance Speech
Long before the recent success of the Richmond girls’ basketball program, Morrison was a staple on the court for the Lady Raiders. During her acceptance speech, Morrison gave scholarships to Jamyia Lindsey and Sa’Quanna Bostic, two current members of the basketball program.
A three-year varsity basketball player from 1984-1986, Morrison helped lead Richmond to three consecutive conference championships during that span. Averaging 22.5 points per game during her senior season in 1985-86, Morrison was crowned the conference’s Player of the Year for girls’ basketball.
Leading the team during her three varsity seasons, Morrison helped Richmond record a 68-7 overall record during that time under coach Wayne Williams. Selected to the North Carolina Coaches Association’s East-West All-Star game in 1986, Morrison finished the game as the MVP.
Michael “Rabbit” Waddell, student-athlete
VIDEO: Michael Waddell Acceptance Speech
One of only a few Richmond student-athletes to have a nickname attached to his career – among the likes of Davis and Walter “Flip” Ellerbe – Waddell rightfully earned his moniker as “Rabbit” during his football playing days at Richmond.
A two-time state championship winner with the Raiders and Hall of Fame inductee coach Darryl Barnes (class of 2023), Waddell was an elusive threat that weaved through opposing defenses. During the 1997 season, Waddell set (and still holds) the NCHSAA record for the most punt returns for a touchdown in a single season (7). He also holds records for most career punt returns for a TD (9) and most total returns for a touchdown (18).
Named a Parade All-American in 1999, Waddell played college football at The University of North Carolina and was a Second Team All-ACC defensive back in 2001. Drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the fourth round of the 2004 NFL Draft, Waddell played professionally until 2008.
Bunny Lee Wall, legacy member
VIDEO: Bunny Lee Wall Acceptance Speech, given by Cristion Spivey
Another longtime beloved member of the Richmond Senior community, Wall was a familiar face in the hallways to students and faculty, as well as to the public at sporting events.
With nearly 40 years of service to Richmond Senior High School as an employee and a supporter of all athletics, Wall was “known for his kindness, work ethic and unwavering commitment to others,” as noted on his induction plaque.
Instrumental in game day preparations for Friday Night Lights, Wall passed away in 2020. Accepting his induction to the Hall of Fame on his behalf was his grandson Criston Spivey.
Nikki Wells Smith, student-athlete
VIDEO: Nikki Wells Smith Acceptance Speech
Another four-sport student-athlete, Wells Smith played volleyball and participated in track and field in the fall and spring sports seasons. Doubling up during the winter sports season, Wells Smith played basketball and ran indoor track and field.
Making her mark in the Richmond record books, Wells Smith set the school’s record for females in the long jump (18’-8”) and the triple jump (37’-1”), both of which still hold today. She was a four-time MVP and four-time All-Conference selection in track, as well as a state champion long jumper, and was named All-Conference four times for basketball.
A lifelong educator, Wells Smith has dedicated her professional career to helping the youth of Richmond County. Returning to her old stomping grounds, Wells Smith is currently one of Richmond’s guidance counselors responsible for scheduling and mentoring students.
Perry Williams, student-athlete
VIDEO: Perry Williams Acceptance Speech
When Williams and his fellow Raiders won the 1978 state championship in football, it not only marked the first for the Richmond football program, but would start the “eight year” trend that lasted four decades.
Tough on the gridiron as a defensive back, Williams was also a speedster who dominated in track and field. During his college career at North Carolina State University, Williams participated in both sports. In 1983, he set N.C. State’s then-record time in the 55-meter dash with a time of 6.22 seconds.
Drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 1983 NFL Draft, Williams went on to have a successful 10-year career as a cornerback and safety. Playing in 146 games for the Giants, he had 18 career interceptions before retiring after the 1993 season. A two-time Super Bowl winner, Williams hoisted the Lombardi Trophy in 1986 and 1990.
Wayne Williams, coach.
VIDEO: Wayne Williams Acceptance Speech
Joining Bishop as the other coach in this year’s induction class, Williams put together a successful career coaching the Green and Gold in two sports – girls basketball and girls golf. Because of his success, Williams was the recipient of the 2024 George Whitfield Baseball Clinic Hall of Fame Award.
In 33 years as a head basketball coach, Williams recorded a 422-282 overall record (.599 winning percentage). With the Lady Raiders, he coached the team to eight conference championship titles.
Also successful on the golf course, Williams led the Lady Raider golf team to consecutive team state championships in 2002 and 2003. He also led Richmond to a state runner-up finish in the 2001 state championship match. On those title-winning teams was Whitney Wright, a 2023 Hall of Fame inductee.
Sports editor’s note: All historical information and statistics provided by Richmond Senior High School’s athletics department.
The Richmond Observer will publish a photo gallery of Monday’s Hall of Fame Induction later this week.
