TIFTON — With spring sports in full swing at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, the school took time Saturday to honor those athletes and supporters that came before the current Stallions and Fillies.

Before an audience of almost 150 people, the school recognized its 2010 class of inductees into the ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame.

The 2010 class included Joseph Grist, Harley Klepfer, Jim Sparks, Thomas “Boo” Weekley and the 1991 national championship softball team.

Held in a big tent beyond the leftfield fence of Fillie Field, the event began with a welcome by ABAC President David Bridges, and a prayer by ABAC Public Relations Director Mike Chason. After the luncheon, the presentations were made to the inductees by ABAC Athletics Director Alan Kramer.

The first recognized was Grist, a basketball player, who attended ABAC from 1947-49.

In his sophomore season, Grist helped lead the Stallions to the state and regional championships. That Stallions team, under coach Robert Gressette, played in the national tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.

Grist would later attend the University of Miami to play basketball, and would later also play basketball at Piedmont College after serving in the army.

In 1954-55, Grist played professionally with the House of David. During his span with that squad, Grist would help the team go a combined 124-3.

Klepfer came to Tifton in 1991, when he was 71 years old.

Loving tennis, Klepfer went to ABAC and introduced himself to legendary Stallions head coach Norman “Red” Hill. The two became friends, and Klepfer would go on to play at the ABAC courts for the next 12 years.

Besides playing at what is now known as the Red Hill Tennis Center, Klepfer became a huge supporter of the ABAC tennis program.

Known to ABAC tennis players as “Grandpa Harley,” Klepfer has done every thing he could to support the program. He also has become a big support of the school as a whole, as he is a member of the ABAC Foundation’s President’s Club. As a part of the club, he has reached the Silver Level in giving.

Sparks was a part of the ABAC golf team through 1981-83.

During his career, the Stallions finished 10th nationally in 1982, and eighth in the nation in 1983. He was selected as an NJCAA All-American in 1983, as well.

After his eligibility was up, he became an assistant coach under Wayne Cooper.

He later became the owner of the Highland Lakes Golf Club in Hendersonville, N.C., in 1994. He also owns the Course Doctors Golf Course Construction Company in Flat Rock, N.C.

Sparks has never forgotten his alma mater, as he has helped ABAC in a number of areas over the years. That included serving as the spring commencement speaker in 2009. That ceremony also saw him receiving his associate’s degree in turf management.

Weekley played golf at ABAC in 1992-93.

He is currently on the PGA Tour, and was a member of the 2008 Ryder Cup team that captured that prestigious world title.

Through the Play Golf America Foundation, Weekley designated $30,000 for ABAC through his participation in the Ryder Cup.

The 1991 ABAC Fillies softball team, under coach Ellen Vickers, began the year with an 8-7 mark. That was due to several players missing times with injuries and illnesses.

However, the team bounced back in a big way, and ended up winning 23 of its last 24 games, on the way to a 35-9 overall record and the national championship.

That title meant a lot to the school as it was the first national championship a woman’s team had captured at the college.

Vickers was honored last year as an inductee, and she was present again to see her team honored.

Members of the squad were Leanne Yeager Bennett, Daphne Covington, April Crane Powell, Edy Tillman Leverette, Dawn Lingo, Patti Meeks Beasley, Lacy Whatley Kennon, Pam Purcell Crews, Kelly J. Britsky, Kelly Bryant Burch, Wendi Ward Bunn and the late Amy White.

After the ceremony, members of the 2010 HOF class were introduced before the current Fillies faced Central Florida in a softball doubleheader.