The nine members of the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame who were inducted in the hall's seventh class in 1993:
Paul Brandenburg
According to the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame: “Paul 'Brandy' Brandenburg was a man who gave many years to the youth of Washington County in managing and coaching Little League and basketball.
“Brandy was coach of Little League teams for many years. Even when his team was not playing, he'd go over to the field and help get it ready for the teams that were playing — always there behind the scenes for 30 to 40 years.
“On Brandy's vacation he would take the boys of the teams on bicycle trips and picnics above Smithsburg, and he and his wife, Lucille, would have the boys in on holidays. For Christmas, presents were given to each player on the team.”
James 'Jim' Brown
According to the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame: “Jim Brown began his coaching career at Hanco*ck High School, leading the Panthers to the state tournament three times in seven seasons. His overall record was 104-48.
“In 1966, Jim transferred to North Hagerstown High School, and he became the head basketball coach in 1970. His 1972 team won the state Class A championship. In eight seasons at North, Jim's team won the Tri-State title four times.
“Jim became head coach at Hagerstown Junior College in 1979 and in the 12 seasons before his induction, he had a 280-115 record. Jim received coach of the year honors four times — twice by NJCAA Region XX — and has more than 500 victories.
“Jim's efforts were instrumental in construction of the HCC athletic facility. Many of Brown's players went on to receive NCAA scholarships.”
Douglass C. Cochran
According to the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame: “Douglass 'Doug' Cochran graduated from Emory & Henry College, earning his Masters from the University of Kentucky. He coached high school football in Virginia for six years, compiling a 44-13-2 record.
“In 1957, he came to South Hagerstown High School, where he accepted the position as head football coach. Doug started football at the new school and led them to an undefeated CVAL season in 1962.
“Doug was appointed Supervisor of Physical Education and Driver Education by Washington County Public Schools in 1967. He established annual Washington County track and field championships for boys and girls. He established a swimming program for all their graders in county schools. Doug spent 39 years in athletics and education before his retirement from the county school system in 1988.
“Cochran was instrumental in building tennis courts at all county public schools. Tracks and North Hagerstown and South Hagerstown high schools were part of his accomplishments.
“Douglass Cochran has been inducted into the Maryland State Athletic Hall of Fame.”
Carlton Dehart
According to the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame: “Carlton Dehart was a world class rifle shooting champion whose exploits statewide, nationally and internationally brought credit and recognition to Hagerstown and Washington County for a quarter of a century.
“For seven years, he was the Maryland State Small-Bore Rifle Shooting champion. He was a nationally-ranked marksman for many years and competed in the United States championship matches in Camp Perry, Ohio, for many years.
“He was a member of the Maryland National Guard Rifle Team which won the coveted Hilton Trophy in 1955 and 1956. He was the individual champion marksman in the Second Army matches from 1954 through 1958.
“Carlton received the National Rifle Association Open Regional and National Championship gold medal. His picture appeared on the front cover of 'The American Rifleman' magazine in 1966.”
Dwight W. Guyton
According to the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame: “Dwight Guyton lettered in four sports at South Hagerstown High School — football, basketball, baseball and track. In football, Dwight was selected to the CVAL all-conference team two consecutive years and was a member of South's undefeated team in 1962. He received a full football scholarship from the University of Maryland in 1963.
“In basketball, Dwight was selected as an All-City and All-CVAL guard two straight years.
“Baseball was Dwight's game. During his baseball days, Guyton led National Little League in hitting and home runs, and had the most RBIs in PONY League. He was the leading lifetime hitter at South at the time of induction. “Dwight played professional baseball in the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers organizations.
“Guyton was player-coach for the Hagerstown Braves and led the FCABL in hitting. He served as coach at Halfway Little League and Hagerstown PONY League for seven years.”
J. William Lightner
According to the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame: “William 'Bill' Lightner started officiating in 1941 when he and his brother, Earle, officiated junior varsity games at Hagerstown High School for coach Eddie Semler.
“Paired with his brother, Bill has worked thousands of basketball games in a four-state area, officiating in the Mason-Dixon Conference, West Virginia Intercollegiate Conference, and state tournaments in Maryland and West Virginia.
“Bill and Earle worked the first North Hagerstown-South Hagerstown game played at the new South gym.
“Earle Lightner Sr., Bill's father, set the pattern for Bill's love of basketball and officiating, being one of the first officials in Maryland to work with a heavy schedule, and also the second man in Maryland to be honored with a life membership in the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials.
“Bill has served as president of Western Maryland District Board No. 24 for several years prior to induction and was responsible for bringing in many new officials.”
Earle Lightner Jr.
According to the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame: “Earle Lightner Jr. started officiating in 1941, when he worked junior varsity games at Hagerstown High School with his brother Bill. Earle and Bill were called the Lightner twins in officiating, but with sister Patricia, it formed a set of triplets.
“Earle and Bill were unquestionably the busiest basketball referees in area hardwood activities, both scholastic and collegiate, officiating in the Mason-Dixon Conference and West Virginia Intercollegiate Conference, as well as state tournaments in Maryland and West Virginia.
“The Lightner twins officiated the first North Hagerstown-South Hagerstown game at the new South gym.
“Mr. Lightner Sr. started Earle, along with Bill, in officiating. It was their love for basketball that gave them a heavy schedule officiating basketball, baseball and football.
“Earle's officiating came to an end when he retired in 1975. The county appreciated Earle's efforts and dedication in training new officials in this area.”
Reno Powell
According to the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame: “Reno Powell is a legend when one mentions Hagerstown PONY League or the Hagerstown Braves. He is best known for the Hagerstown PONY League, as he helped build the league, affiliated for 35 years, and held the position of field director for PONY Baseball International.
“Reno helped organize the Franklin County Adult Baseball League in 1977. The league was for young men after competing in legion and college baseball.
“In 16 years with the Hagerstown Braves, the team never had a losing season, winning 75% of its games.
“Powell has held a number of offices in the PONY League and was the secretary at the time of induction. He was still as active as ever in youth sports at age 71.”
Chuck Zonis
According to the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame: “'Chuck' Zonis, a 1971 graduate of Shippensburg College, always had a passion for sports and a dream to teach school, work with children and coach high school sports. That dream brought him to North Hagerstown High School after graduation.
“In 1973, Chuck became head coach for the North baseball team. He built up the program and in 1986 he saw his hard work and dedication pay off when the Hubs won the state championship. Three years later, in 1989, his team won the state championship again. Chuck was named 'Coach of the Year' in both seasons and coached the All-Star Game in 1987 and 1990.
“At least three of his former students have gone on to play professional baseball. Others have benefitted from the lessons learned on the playing field. Dedication, teamwork and fair play have all been hallmarks of his coaching style.
“Chuck volunteered his time in many ways, hosting Little League baseball camps and coaching Federal Senior League. Chuck has been quite an inspiration to the students, players and citizens of Washington County, always putting his best foot forward.”
