CHS Wall of Fame part of homecoming festivities
For the 15th consecutive year the Clinton High School Wall of Fame will induct new members. This year’s inductees are Mr. Russell Fritts, Dr. Jim McGinley, Dr. Robert Ball McGinley, and Mr. Charles G. “Bones” Seivers.
Established in 2004 as part of the school’s centennial celebration, the Wall of Fame honors C.H.S. graduates who became successful in their chosen fields or individuals who have contributed greatly to the school. All four of this year’s honorees are Clinton graduates.
Russell Fritts combined athletic and academic success before taking a leadership role with Roadway Express Freight Company.
The 1973 graduate excelled in numerous sports at Clinton, but he capped his career with an improbable victory in the track and field state championships.
Fritts had never competed in the decathlon but his coach, Gary Holbrook, was convinced he should try it. His first attempt would be at the championship, which he not only won but set a state record in the process.
That success would lead to a track scholarship at the University of Tennessee. While there, he won a Dogwood Relays Championship, competed against Russia as a member of the AAU squad, and won a championship at the Penn Relays.
He was a runner-up twice in the ultra-competitive Southeastern Conference Championships before winning the decathlon championship in 1977. It is little wonder that he was named the U.T. Most Valuable Player and that he became a Division I All-American.
After graduating with a degree in business administration, Fritts spent the next 32 years working for Roadway Express Freight/YRC Freight Company. He would find the same kind of success there as he achieved in the athletic arena. He became a leader-first as a dock supervisor, then a terminal operations manager, an assistant distribution facility manager, and finally terminal manager for Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina.
As a terminal manager, he received a citation from the Food Bank of North Carolina for his efforts to fight hunger and a “Captured for Kids Gazette” citation for contributions made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital to help fight childhood cancer.
Mr. Fritts is currently enjoying retirement.
Dr. Jim McGinley was the valedictorian for the C.H.S. class of 1967. He was also a drum major, a flag raiser, and a Boys’ State delegate. He was active in student government and a member of the popular local band The Embers. It is little wonder his classmates voted him “Most Likely to Succeed.”
Mr. McGinley did, indeed, succeed. After graduating from Harvard he went to medical school at Emory University. He would complete his internship at Emory and the University of Tennessee. In the process, he would become a board certified specialist in two different areas. He is an emergency medical specialist and an internal medical specialist.
In 1976 Dr. McGinley began his work in his two areas of specialization. He continues to do so 42 years later. He is affiliated with the Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, Tennessee and the Heritage Medical Center in Centerville.
When he is not practicing medicine, the doctor has two activities he is passionate about. One is running. The other is playing the mandolin in The Grateful Bluegrass Band. Of his time in Clinton, he says, “I’m proud to be a graduate of the Clinton School System – from Miss Mossie King’s first grade class to Mrs. Eleanor Davis’ senior English class.” And, in one of the rarest occurrences, he is not the only Dr. McGinley being inducted. He older brother is also joining him this year.
Dr. Robert McGinley is a 1962 C.H.S. graduate and a 1966 graduate of Princeton University. He received his medical degree from Emory Medical School.
He credits fellow Wall of Fame member Jerry Shattuck as being the inspiration for attending Princeton. After completing his studies at Emory he did a one year internship at Parkland Hospital in Dallas – the trauma center where President Kennedy was taken years earlier. He refers to his training there as, “The hardest working time of my life,” but adds he, “learned a lot about managing very sick and injured patients.
McGinley then spent two years in the Navy – achieving the rank of lieutenant. He spent his time at the Orlando Naval Training Center, working in the outpatient clinic.
After the Navy, McGinley moved to Memphis for four years of training on what would become his life’s work. He would become an orthopedic expert, specializing in total joint treatment and arthroscopy.
In 1977, Dr. McGinley joined Orthopedic Group in Mobile, Alabama. He has worked there for more than 41 years and is currently a senior partner. Additionally, he has been a president of the Mobile Community Medical Society, a Chairman of the Board of UMS-Wright Preparatory School, and a Board Member of the Christian Medical Ministry of South Alabama.
Charles G. “Bones” Seivers is a 1953 graduate of C.H.S. and was a member of the basketball team. After high school he joined the United States Army and became a sergeant at a NIKE missile site in Massachusetts. He also spent 20 years in the Tennessee National Guard.
Bones was employed at Union Carbide when he entered the political arena. He successfully ran for Clinton City Council in 1962 – a position his father James had held in the 1950s. He was elected Mayor of Clinton in 1971. Two years later, that position would expand to a full time one, and Bones would serve in the office for two decades (1973 – 1993).
Highlights of the Seiver tenure include building the Clinton Community Center, which was dedicated to him, Lakefront Park, the Clinton Library, South Clinton Elementary School, and fire stations for both North and South Clinton. In addition, he was instrumental in annexing South Clinton and Mariner’s Point as well as adding tennis courts and walking trails to Jaycee Park.
In 1993, Bones moved to Nashville to become President and C.E.O. of Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund – an entity he helped create. Their goal is to help communities save money by providing low cost funding for projects needed in various communities. A quarter century later, Bones is still President and C.E.O, presiding over an organization that has made over 1,453 loans to over 70 different counties and over 200 cities. Not a single loan has defaulted.
Mr. Seivers has received myriad awards for his leadership and community service. He was a member of the original committee that did the feasibility study for the 1982 Knoxville World’s Fair. He received the Tennessee Municipal Leagues’ highest service award – the Beverly C. Briley Award.
Bones has spent 65 years in the work force – 55 years working with local communities. In 1987, a portion of the main highway between Clinton and Oak Ridge became officially known as Charles G. “Bones” Seivers Boulevard.
The Wall of Fame induction ceremony has become part of the annual homecoming tradition. This year homecoming is Friday, September 21st. The four honorees will ride in the parade and be honored on the football field prior to the game against Central.