FORT CAMPBELL, KY – Fort Campbell High School’s Marshall Patterson Athletic Hall of Fame is preparing to honor the newest inductees to the FCHS Athletics Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2025.
These inductees include a former coach and former students who attended Fort Campbell High School. The inductees listed below are expected to return to Fort Campbell on Oct. 3 for a host of events on the Hall of Fame Weekend.
A tailgating party is set for Friday, Oct. 3, at 5 p.m. at Fryar Stadium. The Class of 2025 will also be recognized that evening during the homecoming football game against Trigg County, which kicks off at 7 p.m. The third annual induction ceremony luncheon will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, at 12:30 p.m.
Coach James “Jimmy” Thomas: Football, Track and Field
James had a distinguished and well-rounded career at Fort Campbell High School, excelling in athletics, academics, and leadership and in football. Jimmy is nominated as a Coach. Coach Jim Thomas Coach at Fort Campbell High School 1992-2000. Coach Thomas named The Leaf-Chronicle All-Area Track Coach of the Year. Despite losing athletes every year to transfers, there isn’t such a thing as a bad track season at Fort Campbell. 1994-2000 In his seventh year as a track coach, Thomas and his teams enjoyed their 3rd state title, He has coached some of the top athletes that have walked the halls of Fort Campbell High School. He coached 2023 Hall of Famer Shakera Weston and State Champions Football players.
Liz Johnson Kelker: Women’sTrack and Field
Liz’s outstanding contributions to Fort Campbell High School’s athletic program, particularly in track and field, have left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire future generations. She began her remarkable athletic career early, joining the varsity track team as a seventh grader at Fort Knox High School. After transitioning to Fort Campbell, she continued to excel from 1971 to 1974. In her sophomore year, Liz won the state championship in the 440-yard run, showcasing her talent and determination. Her junior year was even more impressive as she played a pivotal role in leading the 1973 Girls State Championship Track Team to a historic, record-setting performance. That year, Liz not only reclaimed the state title in the 440-yard run—this time setting a record—but also anchored the 880-yard medley relay team to a state championship with a remarkable time of 1:52.6. As team captain, she led by example and helped guide the team to an undefeated season and the school’s first Girls State Track Championship. She received the superlative title of being “The most athletic female.” After graduating, Liz continued her legacy of service and excellence as a United States Army Master Sergeant. She later became a passionate health and wellness advocate, serving as the state captain for GirlTrek—the largest Black women’s health movement in history.
Steve Skelton: Football
Steve was a standout athlete and leader during his time at Fort Campbell, excelling in football, basketball, and academics. As quarterback, he led the first undefeated freshman football team in 1976, the 1978 Class A State Championship Team, and the 1979 Class AA State Championship Team. He earned honors such as All Western Kentucky Quarterback in 1979, was selected to the East-West All-Star Game as the quarterback for the West and served as team captain in both 1978 and 1979. Steve also played basketball from 1977 to 1979, captaining the team in 1979. He was named Outstanding Male Athlete in both 1978 and 1979 and served as Class President in 1977 and 1979, graduating as Class Valedictorian in 1980. His coaching career includes football at Yokota Air Base in 1987, youth leagues from 1990 to 2011, high school coaching in 2012, AAU basketball in Prattville, Alabama from 2011 to 2013, and coaching multiple youth baseball teams from 1990 to 2011. He earned three master’s degrees and served as both a Squadron and Group Commander in the United States Air Force. After his military service, he became a general manager of multiple distribution centers.
Cathy Hogan Blakely: Cross Country, Track and Field
Cathy V. Hogan (Blakely), Class of 1982, is a Fort Campbell alumna who excelled as a student-athlete and leader during her time at FCHS. From 1980 to 1982, she competed in track and field and cross country, setting school records in the 400m, 800m, and 1600m events. A member of the band (saxophone), vice president (1981–1982), senior class secretary, and voted “Wittiest,” she was also an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Her athletic achievements include being named in 3 Cross Country State Championships, 3 Track and Field State Championships, Most Valuable Athlete at the 1979 PTHS meet (3rd place), Most Outstanding Female Athlete (1979–1980), Outstanding Athlete (1980–1981), and recipient of the Sam Cook Award and Outstanding Female Athlete (1984–1985). Cathy and her family—parents Delois and Thomas Hogan, and sister Thomya—moved to Fort Campbell in 1974, where she attended school from 4th grade to graduation.
Katherine “Kitty” Davidson: Cross Country, Track and Field
Katherine has an impressive track and field and cross-country career, achieving multiple honors and awards throughout her academic years. She was consistently recognized for her athletic excellence, including being named Most Outstanding Runner, team captain, and breaking 22 cross-country course records in Kentucky and Tennessee. She also earned accolades in track, with victories in the mile, 880, and 2-mile events, and a state championship in both sports. As a freshman, she was named Most Athletic and later became Most Valuable Runner, while also earning team victories and state championships in both track and cross-country. She was a part of Cross-Country State Championship Team and Track and Field State Championship team, in her junior year, she set state records, received an invitation to the Olympic Training Center, and continued to break school records. Ultimately, she chose to attend Western Kentucky University for her love of long-distance running and athletic opportunities.
Marcus McClinton: Football, Basketball, Track and Field
Marcus McClinton, FCHS Class of 2004, is a standout nominee for the Marshal Patterson Hall of Fame due to his remarkable athletic achievements, leadership, and lasting impact on both Fort Campbell High School and beyond. A multi-sport athlete in football, basketball, and track, Marcus excelled most notably in football, earning All-District, All-WKC, All-State, All-Leaf Chronicle, and All-KY New Era honors during the 2002–2003 seasons. He was named Team MVP, District Player of the Year, and one of only 22 seniors statewide to receive the prestigious Lexington Herald-Leader “Class of the Commonwealth” award. He led FCHS in tackles and rushing yards for two consecutive years, guiding the team to its first playoff appearance in seven years and an 11-2 season that ended in a regional title game. At the University of Kentucky, Marcus was a four-year starter, team captain his junior and senior years, a two-time All-SEC player, and instrumental in leading the Wildcats to their first bowl appearance and two Music City Bowl victories in seven years. After college, he signed with the New England Patriots and played two seasons of arena football. Beyond sports, Marcus is now a Naval officer in Jacksonville, Florida.
1980 Men’s State Championship Cross Country Team
The 1980, Fort Campbell High School State Championship Cross Country Team coached by class of 2023 Hall of Famer Coach Lee Lange: Rick Dahl, Mike Metelko, Jesus (Yiyo) Santiago, Peter Salter, Roland Zirkle, Greg Patton, Darrell Smith and Mike McGunnies, holds a special place in the school’s athletic legacy, having achieved a remarkable three-peat with the same core group of athletes. These teams demonstrated exceptional endurance, teamwork, and consistency, dominating the Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) State Championships for three consecutive years. In 1980, they made history by recording the lowest point total ever at that time in KHSAA State Championship Cross Country history, a testament to their dominance and strategic racing, with a score of 64. The teams were led by standout runner, Peter Salter(17:24), whose leadership and performances helped propel the Falcons to victory year after year.