Doug Kennedy, pictured in the Northwest Alabamian in 1990.
HALEYVILLE - Doug Kennedy, 61, of Haleyville, has been selected for induction into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2020.
A paralympian, Kennedy holds many world records. According to the ASHoF, Kennedy was the world record holder for the 1500m, the 10K, the 15K and the 5-mile. He was a gold medalist in the 1990 Goodwill Games in the 1500m. He was on the 1988 and 1992 U.S. Paralympic Teams.
His career began in 1987 when he won the silver medal in the Stoke-Mandeville Games in Albany, England in the pentathlon. He went on to win two gold medals for the U.S. National Pentathlon team in 1987 and 1988. Kennedy’s career was unmatched in 1990 as he was considered the greatest wheelchair racer in the world. He was given the Sington Award as the Physically Challenged Athlete of the Year for the State of Alabama.
As part of the 52nd Class inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Kennedy will be inducted along with famed Auburn and NFL running back Ronnie Brown; former Bama center and head coach of Mississippi State, Sylvester Croom; Auburn-Montgomery baseball establisher Q.V. Lowe; Clemson Associate Athletic Director for Football Administration Woody McCorvey; former New York Yankee and Silver Slugger Award Winner Jorge Posada; Birmingham-Southern basketball coaching legend Duane Reboul and Southeastern Conference referee Steve Shaw.
The induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 2, in the Birmingham Ballroom at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel. For more information or to purchase tickets, please contact the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Museum at 205-323-6665.
A more in-depth article about Kennedy and his accomplishments will be coming soon in the Alabamian.
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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