Celebrating Cardinal Greatness!
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
We proudly honored the CCPS Hall of Fame Class of 2026 during a special induction ceremony celebrating their accomplishments and lasting connection to Clark County Public Schools.
Congratulations Larry Allison, Henry Branham, Jerry Cecil, Bob Cowen, Greg Dyk, Jason Epperson, Steele Harmon, Preston Knowles, Gordon Parido, and Kevin Wilson. We are proud to honor your legacy!
LARRY ALLISON
Beginning his coaching career at Millersburg Military Institute in 1972, Larry Allison spent 50 years across five sports, totaling more than 2,700 games. Throughout his career, he coached at Millersburg, Deming, Harrison County, and George Rogers Clark, serving in head and assistant roles across boys and girls basketball, softball, baseball, tennis, and football. He also dedicated nearly a decade to the Bluegrass Umpires Association. As a head coach, Larry earned 1,095 wins, 10 district championships, and four region titles at Clark County alone. Across his career, he contributed to six 10th Region titles as head coach and five more as an assistant. His leadership earned him induction into the 10th Region Boys Basketball Hall of Fame (2005), 10th Region Girls Basketball Hall of Fame (2008), and Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2010). Larry’s five-decade tenure stretched from the beginning of Title IX through a global pandemic, defined always by the relationships he built. Fittingly, his career concluded with the 2022 GRC baseball season, his first love.
HENRY BRANHAM
Born in Clark County in 1959, Henry Branham is a lifelong resident and 1977 GRC graduate. He married his high school sweetheart, Gloria, in 1979; together, they have a daughter, Brooke, and two grandchildren, Parker and Maddie. Henry’s career reflects deep devotion to his community. After working in the family business and operating his own business, he entered public service as a Fiscal Court Magistrate from 1994 to 1999. He later served as Clark County Treasurer from 2004 to 2007 and as Clark County Judge Executive from 2007 to 2019 and again from 2021 until his retirement in 2022. Even in retirement, Henry active supports Clark County Public Schools, volunteering his time to empower students, schools, and the community he has proudly served throughout his life. From business owner to public official and volunteer, Henry’s life embodies a lasting commitment to Clark County.
JERRY CECIL
Jerry Cecil and his family moved to Winchester in 1984, establishing a long legacy of supporting education, athletics, and extracurricular programs across Clark County. Their three children—Rebecca, Tom, and Andy—all graduated from George Rogers Clark in 1987 and 1991. Over the decades, Jerry and his wife, Marion, have remained fixture figures in the local sports and school community. They consistently show up to invest their time and resources into local educational initiatives. Driven by a deep commitment to youth development and civic pride, Colonel Cecil worked with Cadet Command in 2006 to approve a JROTC program for GRC, which is now in its 20th year. Today, you can still regularly find Jerry and Marion in the stands, cheering on the Cardinals and supporting students, families, and programs across Clark County. Their enduring dedication showcases what it truly means to be lifelong supporters of Cardinal nation. GO Cardinals!
BOB COWEN
Born July 23, 1925, Bob Cowen dedicated his life to music, education, and public service. A World War II veteran, Bob served as a foot soldier with the 49th Infantry Division before embarking on a distinguished career in education. Bob served as a schoolteacher and band director for 25 years. He and his wife, Betty, directed the First Christian Church choir for 23 years, and Bob performed with bands at country clubs and hotels for 35 years while co-owning a Lexington music store for a decade. Bob’s commitment to service was equally notable. He volunteered at Clark Regional Hospital for 18 years and directed an annual Variety Show raising over $30,000 for the Generations Center. His lifetime of cultural and civic contributions was formally honored in 2025 when Mayor Reed presented him with the Key to the City. From classrooms and stages to military service and local volunteer work, Bob Cowen made an enduring impact on Clark County.
GREG DYK
From 1996 through 2010, Greg Dyk served Clark County Public Schools as a Health and Physical Education teacher and men’s soccer coach, shaping students both in the classroom and on the field. Greg took on extensive leadership roles within CCPS, serving as Freshman Academy Coordinator, Health Department Chairperson, and a member of the Site-Based Decision-Making Council. Beyond the district level, he represented the region as District and Region Soccer Commissioner. As a head coach, Greg led his teams to the pinnacle of Kentucky high school soccer. Under his direction, the Cardinals reached the State Soccer Championship semifinals in 1996 and earned the title of State Runner-Up in 2007. For 14 years, Greg combined teaching, coaching, and leadership to make a lasting impact on students and the Clark County community.
JASON EPPERSON
A Winchester native and 1994 GRC graduate, Jason Epperson earned his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Kentucky University. He and his wife, Elizabeth, are the parents of seven children: Isaiah, Noah, Gunner, Piper, Hartlee, Rush, and Beckett. Jason and Elizabeth own Eppic Films, an award-winning production company. Their work has earned five Emmy Awards and over 20 Gold ADDY Awards, with films featured on Netflix and Prime Video. Jason also achieved national acclaim on FOX’s reality competition On the Lot, produced by Steven Spielberg and Mark Burnett, finishing as First Runner-Up. Recently, Jason returned to his roots to produce a documentary following the GRC boys and girls basketball teams in their pursuit of back-to-back state titles. Whether directing film projects, supporting local initiatives, or enjoying time with his family, Jason demonstrates how storytelling can bring communities together.
STEELE HARMON
Steele Harmon has a deep legacy with CCPS, having served as youth minister at First Methodist Church, founding the GRC Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) huddle, and helping restart it in the 1990s while serving as an assistant GRC football coach. A Centre College graduate, Steele coached football and baseball at Newport, Bellevue, Mt. Healthy, and Centre College, where he eventually became Athletic Director. He later served as Danville High School football coach and counselor before becoming the first FCA Kentucky State Director in 1983. For over 35 years, he traveled Kentucky launching FCA huddles, hosting camps, and mentoring athletes through faith and sports. Steele is an inductee of the Centre College Hall of Fame (five-sport athlete), Centre Athletic Hall of Fame (1955 football team), Bellevue High School Hall of Fame, and Northern Kentucky Athletic Directors Hall of Fame. His lifelong dedication to youth coaching and guidance leaves an enduring mark.
PRESTON KNOWLES
Basketball excellence defines Preston Knowles’ legacy. At GRC, Preston scored over 1,000 points, earned 10th Region Player of the Year, was named AP First Team All-State, and led GRC to the 2007 State Tournament for the first time in 17 years. His GRC jersey was retired as only the second in school history. Preston continued his career at the University of Louisville, scoring 1,000+ points and finishing fourth all-time in single-season made three-pointers. He earned Second Team All-Big East honors (2011), Big East All-Tournament Team honors, and NCAA Elite Eight Player of the Game recognition (2009). He was inducted into the 10th Region Hall of Fame in 2014. Professionally, Preston played 10+ seasons, making eight playoff appearances, winning multiple championships, earning All-Star Game MVP honors, and setting single-game steal records in Croatia’s ABA League. Today, Preston continues mentoring Kentucky's next generation through athletic training and coaching.
GORDON PARIDO
A 1976 GRC graduate and 1981 University of Kentucky graduate, Gordon Parido began his career in basketball, serving as a student and graduate assistant under legendary UK coach Joe B. Hall. He went on to teach and coach at Mullins and Prestonsburg high schools, leading Prestonsburg to its first 15th Region championship in 1989. Gordon transitioned to a distinguished career in school administration, serving in Fleming, Wolfe, and Estill counties before returning to Clark County as principal of GRC, a position he held until his retirement in 2010. Regionally, he served on the KASSA Board, the Commissioner of Education’s Principals Advisory Board, and the Kentucky Center for School Safety Board. At GRC, he implemented PBIS, expanded Advanced Placement courses via the AdvanceKentucky grant, and helped present the proposal for the new high school campus. Post-retirement, Gordon served two terms on the Clark County Board of Education (one year as Chair), guiding the approval and construction of the GRC Athletic Complex. From coach to principal and school board and community leader, Gordon has devoted his career to Clark County education.
KEVIN WILSON
A lifelong Clark County resident and 1975 GRC graduate, Kevin Wilson has spent decades championing local athletics. When his daughter played for the GRC Lady Cards Softball Team from 1995 to 2000, Kevin served as the team’s official statistician, traveling with the program and supporting coaches and athletes. Kevin and his wife, Perri, remain active supporters—buying tickets, frequenting concession stands, wearing team apparel, and encouraging community members to show up for student-athletes. His simple message reminds everyone that showing up from the stands makes a real difference in young lives.
A liver transplant recipient in 2003, Kevin will celebrate 23 years with his organ transplant this November—a life-changing experience that deepened his gratitude for family, health, and community. Kevin's enduring dedication shows that making an impact isn't just about playing on the field; it's about showing up for the community you love. As Superintendent Dustin Howard says: Go Cards!
