WRAL-TV Sports Anchor & Reporter Jeff Gravley proudly displays his Webb Athletics Hall of Fame plaque. |
WRAL-TV Sports Anchor/Reporter Jeff Gravley knows his play-by-play and stats when it comes to sports. But all that knowledge didn’t come from studying books. Gravley is an athlete in his own right, and his high school recently honored him for his contribution to athletics. J.F. Webb High School inducted Gravley into its Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, October 26, 2007.
Gravley is an Oxford native and a 1981 graduate of J.F. Webb High School (1978-1981). He played football, basketball, baseball and track at Webb and lettered in all those sports. Gravley earned honors as MVP in football and baseball his senior year and was also Male Athlete of the Year at Webb in 1981.
The Webb Sports Hall of Fame strives to preserve the tradition of athletics from a variety of Oxford area schools with recognition of past athletes, coaches, administrators or volunteers. The award highlights the past in order to insure a promising future, honoring a person of high character with the ability to serve as an appropriate role model for current Webb students.
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The 2007 J.F. Webb High School Sports Hall of Fame inductees: (l to r) Chip Bunn, Tilden Martin, Jeff Gravley & Johnny Thorpe.
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“It was an incredible two days,” said Gravley. The Friday night game was rained out, but the induction dinner did place that night. Then Gravley went back for the rescheduled game on Saturday night and was recognized on the field with the other inductees at half-time.
“I’m very honored and humbled to be inducted into the Webb Athletic Hall of Fame,” said Gravley. “It was especially nice to go in with 2 former teammates, Chip Bunn and Johnny Thorpe.”
Al Woodlief, a family friend who is also Mayor of Oxford, nominated Gravley for the Hall of Fame.
“You’ve maintained a well-balanced delivery of each aspect of your life,” Woodlief told Gravley at the presentation. “I’m very proud to ask you to come forward and receive this honor from those who respect, love and admire you, especially me.”
Gravley enjoyed stepping back in time to visit his beloved Oxford.
Gravley received a personal plaque and his name will also be engraved on a permanent plaque in gym lobby at J.F. Webb. |
“By no means am I like Al Bundy, trying to squeeze into my old jerseys and return to the days of old,” said Gravley, “but it’s nice to still have a link to my high school and hometown.”
After his graduation from Webb, Gravley attended East Carolina & then NC State. He earned a degree in broadcasting. He’s been at the sports desk at WRAL-TV for 19 years, winning a number or honors. Gravley is the recipient of an Emmy for his coverage of the 2004 NFC Championship, has won The Miller Lite Motorsports Journalism Award for Excellence and was named the NC Sportscaster of the Year for 1998.
Thanks to WRAL-TV’s Jeff Gravley for these capcom photos.
