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The purpose of the Van Buren High School Hall of Honor is threefold. First, to recognize and honor the great students and other individuals who have brought Honor to Van Buren High School (VBHS); second, to establish in the hearts of our Van Buren youth a motivating influence to excel; and third, to foster pride, preserve good sportsmanship, scholarship, and citizenship in our school, city, and community.
Van Buren High School Hall of Honor is a memorial to the outstanding students and other individuals who, through their achievements and or athletic endeavors, have brought honor to themselves, their school, and the community of Van Buren.

Candidates for membership in the Van Buren High School Hall of Honor shall be former Van Buren High School students and/or personnel who meet the requirements set forth in the constitution. Candidates must receive a two-thirds majority vote from the Van Buren High School Hall of Honor Board of Directors.

  • Academic — All men and women who were outstanding scholars, were on the honor roll after eight semesters, and brought Honor to VBHS by their outstanding post high school academic and/or professional careers.
  • Contributions — All men and women who have made outstanding contributions to the athletic programs at Van Buren High School.
  • State Champions — Individual and team State Champions from any sport. Candidates shall become eligible for induction five (5) years after graduation.
  • All State — Individuals who have been selected to any recognized All State Team. Candidates shall become eligible for induction five (5) years after graduation.
  • Memorial Award — All men and women who earned varsity athletic monograms during high school and, after high school, brought honor to Van Buren High School by their outstanding civic achievement or post high school athletic careers.
  • Distinguished Service — All men and women who have contributed meritorious service to VBSD.
Hall of honor ceremony
Holly Brown Hall of honor ceremony

VBSD Hall of Honor

Clair Bates

Coach Clair Bates 

Education:

  • Fort Smith High School Graduate, 1932
  • Attended Fort Smith Junior College and was a member of the last football team in 1934

Coaching:

  • Won a Junior High State Basketball Championship in 1948 for Van Buren
  • Coached 11 District Champions and 13 All-State players in Football
  • In Boys Basketball he coached 2 State Champions and 2 State Runner-Ups
  • In Boys Golf he coached 4 State Titles and 2 Runner-Up spots
  • In Girls Basketball he coached 5 State Champions
  • From 1950-51, his teams had a 60 game winning streak
  • From 1953-55, his teams had an 86 game winning streak
  • First Coach to produce a boys and girls state championship teams in the same year, 1950
  • First Coach of the West Team in Arkansas High School Coaches Association All-Star Game, 1956
  • First Coach to serve on both basketball and football AHSCA All-Star coaching staffs
  • In 1979, the Van Buren High School gymnasium was named in honor of him
  • Inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1987
  • Inducted into the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1995 (inaugural year)

 

Floyd Sagley

Floyd Sagely 

Education:

  • Van Buren High School Graduate, 1950
  • All-State Football and Basketball player
  • Member of the 1950 State Basketball Championship team
  • Most Valuable Player of the State Tournament
  • Went on to play and started in all Football and Basketball games at the University of Arkansas from 1950-1954
  • Led the Southwest Conference in pass receiving in 1953
  • Selected to the 1953 All-SWC team
  • Selected as Second-Team, All-American in 1953
  • Played in the National Football League for the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Cardinals
  • Inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1985
  • Inducted into the University Hall of Honor for football and basketball in 1997

Military Service:

  • Served in the US Army during the Korean War (All-Army District Team)

Community:

  • Helped form Arkansas’ first Fellowship of Christian Athletes Chapter
Harry O. Hamm

Harry O. Hamm 

Education:

  • Attended Broadway School in Van Buren until 1915
  • Credited Van Buren teachers for his success
  • Served in the US Navy for 2 years

Career:

  • Licensed Attorney in the State of Arkansas
  • Started Dale Carnegie courses in California in 1946 and later in Nevada


Honors and Achievements:

  • Outstanding contributions of hand bells, organs, and other furnishings for a number of churches including Heritage United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church
  • Erected monuments at the County Courthouse in Van Buren and at the Municipal Complex – one monument to Cyrus Adler, an educator, another monument to The Mothers of the Word, and a third monument to The Teachers of the World
  • Harry O. Hamm left his estate to establish an educational foundation for scholarships to Van Buren High School Graduates. The individual scholarship awards are for up to $8,000 per academic year for up to five years.