Congratulations 2009 FACA Hall of Fame Inductees
Congratulations to the following seven outstanding FACA Coaches for their contribution to high school athletics and the coaching profession. The induction and luncheon is set for 12:00 noon on January 10, 2009 at the Daytona Hilton Oceanfront Resort.
R.N. Ball – Titusville, Florida
Coach Ball is a graduate of East Tennessee State University and received his MA from University of Montevallo. He began his coaching career in Virginia at Cleveland High School in 1967. He moved to Lebanon High School in 1968 and then to Titusville Sr. High School in 1970, retiring in 2007. During his 40 years coaching, he has coached track & field, cross country, football, weightlifting and basketball. He has qualified athletes and/or teams to forty state championship competitions with over one hundred state qualifiers. His track & field athletes have qualified for State in every event except the 2 mile. Coach Ball served as FACA Track District Chairman, Cross Country District Chairman and on the FACA Board of Directors as well as an All-Star Coach and clinic speaker. Received the FACA Life Membership Award for his outstanding contribution to high school athletics and the coaching profession.
Wilson Edwards – Palatka, Florida
Coach Edwards graduated from the University of Florida and received his MS from Nova Southeastern University. He spent his 31 years as teacher and coach at Palatka High School. Coach Edwards served as Head Coach in football and boys & girls tennis and as athletic director. His Tennis Teams won three District Championships and he was part of a football coaching staff that has 14 District, 4 Regional, 1 State Runner-up and 1 State Championship. Coach Edwards represented his district as District Tennis Chairman and as District Athletic Director Chairman. He served as FACA State Tennis Chairman and on the FHSAA Athletic Director's Advisory Committee. Coach Edwards represented his district on the FACA Board of Directors and was FACA President in 2007-08. He received the FACA Life Membership and Meritorious Service Awards for his outstanding contribution to high school athletics and the coaching profession.
David Lawrence – Coral Gables, Florida
Coach Lawrence graduated from Florida State University and received his M.N.S. from University of Oklahoma. He began his teaching and coaching career at Hamilton County High School in 1966. He also coached at Miami Coral Park, Punta Gorda, Lake Weir, South Dade, Coral Gables and Gulliver Prep. He has coached football, track, swimming, basketball and tennis. His Boys State Basketball Team was State Runners-up in 1975 and his Coral Gables Boys Track Team was State Runners-up in 1996. Coach Lawrence was elected as an Assistant Coach for the South Football All-Star Team, represented his district as District Track Chairman and served 14 years on the FACA Board of Directors. He was FACA President in 1997-98 and currently serves as FACA Awards Chairman. He received the FACA Life Membership and Meritorious Service Awards for his outstanding contribution to high school athletics and the coaching profession.
Wendell McCraw – St. Augustine, Florida
Inducted January 10, 2009…Daytona Beach, Florida
Coach McCraw graduated from Louisiana College in 1962. He began his coaching career at Jeff Davis H.S. (Texas), moved to De Quincy H.S. (Louisiana) from 1963-65, then to Kosciusko H.S. (Mississippi) from 1965-67 and to Coffee County H.S. (Georgia) from 1967-68. He served as Head Boys Basketball Coach and Football Defensive Coordinator at those schools. Coach McCraw became the Head Boys Basketball Coach, Golf Coach and Football Defensive Coordinator at St. Augustine H.S. in 1969. He was named Head Football Coach and Athletic Director in 1981 and served six years as Head Football Coach and 21 years as Athletic Director. His football teams won six District Championships and one State Runner-up. He represented his district as FACA District Football Chairman and District Basketball Chairman. Received the FACA Meritorious Service Award for his outstanding contribution to high school athletics and the coaching profession.
Frank Permuy – Tampa, Florida
Coach Permuy graduated from University of Tampa and received his Masters Degree from Mississippi State University. He began his coaching career in 1972 at Leto H.S. He was named the Head Baseball Coach at University of Tampa in 1974. After finishing with two national top 10 rankings in five years, he returned to high school baseball as Head Coach at Tampa Jefferson H. S. In 1980 he moved to Tampa Catholic H.S. where his team won the State Championship in his first year. Gaither H.S. was opened in 1985 and he became the Head Baseball Coach. His Cowboys Teams have won 6 Western Conference, 6 District, 2 Regional And 1 State Runner-up Championships. Coach Permuy's teams have won over 500 games. Coach Permuy has been a 7 time FACA All-Star Coach and 3 time Florida Dairy Farmers “Coach of the Year”. He has served as FACA District Baseball Chairman and on the FACA Board of Directors. He is on the FHSAA Baseball Advisory Committee. Received the FACA Life Membership and Meritorious Service Awards for his outstanding contribution to high school athletics and the coaching profession.
Rance “Hoppy” Rewis – Sebring, Florida
Coach Rewis is a graduate of Southern Arkansas University. He began his coaching career in 1974 at Avon Park H.S. During his 10 years as Head Football Coach his teams were 74-34 with back to back State Championships in 1987 and 1988. The 1987 team was undefeated. He started the softball program at Avon Park H.S. and in 10 years won 6 Conference and 5 District Championships. He moved to Sebring H.S. as Head Baseball Coach in 2001 and in 8 years his teams have a record of 183-57 with 5 District Championships, 2 Regional Championships and a Final Four appearance in 2007. Coach Rewis was the Head Coach of the South Football All-Star team that won the 1989 Shrine Bowl. He was an Assistant Coach in the 2007 FACA Baseball All-Star Classic and has served as the Administrative Coach for the Baseball All-Star Classic for 8 years. Received the FACA Life Membership and Meritorious Service Awards for his outstanding contribution to high school athletics and the coaching profession.
Mark Schusterman – Miami Florida
Coach Schusterman is a graduate of Florida International University. He began his coaching career in 1985 at Gulliver Prep School. He has coached Softball, Boys Basketball and Girls Basketball and is currently the Athletic Director at Gulliver Prep. His Softball Teams have won over 400 games with 5 Final Four appearances to go with two State Championships, one State Runners-up and 4 Regional Championships. Coach Schusterman was elected three times as Head Coach in the FACA Softball All-Star Classic and five times as an Assistant Coach. He has served as FACA District Softball Chairman for 14 years and is currently the FACA State Softball Chairman and FACA representative on the FHSAA Softball Advisory Committee. Coach Schusterman was named FACA/Florida Dairy Farmers Softball “Coach of the Year” in 2001 and was named 3A Softball “Coach of the Year” in 1998 and 2003.
