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Cantonment Youth Sports Hall Of Fame Members Inducted
September 6, 2015
The Cantonment Cowboys held an induction ceremony Saturday afternoon for their new Hall of Fame wall at the Cantonment Sportsplex on Well Line Road.
Gene Atkins, Morgan Fowler, Shaquille Purifoy, and Bud Norton were inducted onto the Hall of Fame.
Gene Atkins had a passion for coaching youth football and baseball. Atkins coached in both Atmore and Pensacola for over 45 years. He was widely known for his time working with youth in the 1960’s through 1980’s during his nearly 25 years living in Atmore.
Morgan Fowler was a cheerleader whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 12 from leukemia.
Shaquille Purifoy was known by his family, friends, coaches, teammates and others as the life of the party, the clown in the classroom, and the playmaker on the field. Shaq’s personality was larger than life. Many in the community considered him one of their own. He was a role model; one who set the example through his walk with the Lord which was evident in his everyday life. Shaq’s life was tragically cut short when he was shot while visiting his parents when home from college on June 14, 2014.
Bud Norton was a coach in the Escambia County area. He was a part of the Cantonment park in some capacity for more than 30 years, be it park president to having grand kids playing there. Bud is one reason why the park is still around today.
Courtesy photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Cantonment Youth Sports Hall Of Fame Members Inducted”
Have Time? Check this out. Booth Field, Little League . I took my mother last year to the field and said I want to show you some thing. If you look closely you can still see the base line and mound. Mom is 89. I am 60. We both shared heart to heart memories. Flashbacks. They were priceless. Thanks Bill Mooney and Buddy Norton.
Coach Mooney was a young person’s mentor on how to begin a team relationship, learning to play organized little league baseball. Never did I remember a temper on mistakes. I remember counsel and encouragement. His hand on your shoulder and speaking soft encouragement and re-assurance. He made a lot of players who they would become. I sincerely make a vote to Mr. Coach Mooney for giving that priceless time helping the kids learn to become united with others for a great learning experience. Coach Mooney and Coach Norton influenced my career. It started there and ended with countless accomplishes. I vote YES.
Mr Norton was a great man…he and my dad coached a lot of years together.
Dad coached baseball, football, and umpired baseball….those were great memories
Congrats to the Norton’s and Akin’s families ! Bud was a great role role model to have at the ball park for many years and raised some fine sons to carry on his legacy there. Coach Gene was dedicated as well to the youth and coached my son on up into the’90’s in football. FYI , he lived in Cantonment not Atmore. Have some fond memories with both of these guys. Well deserved recognition !
Congratulations, Norton Family. Many memories playing ball in the Nortons front yard in the shadows of the Boothe Field lights. Buddy and Dot volunteered many years at Cantonment. Recognition well deserved.
Thank you for covering this story !!! We get so use to seeing bad news that good news is very refreshing and a lot of the Media does not like to cover it and I want to applaud you for doing so!!! Thank you!!!
I am so happy that Bud Norton is being honored at the ball perk. He truly made a good impact on his world. We need more like him.
Coach Atkins was a great mentor in my life. He coached me in both football and baseball, that cigar started out long by the end of practice it barely stuck out his mouth; it was never lit. The experience was made more enjoyable and better respect not only for the game but other people as well.