Hodges and McClafferty inducted into Chowan HOF

Gattis Hodges, who is the Voice of the "Hawks and Sean McClafferty a former four year captain Hawk soccer standout were recognized during the halftime at Chowan's football game and later inducted along with four other inductees Saturday night at the Hall of Fame banquet.

Gattis Hodges, "The Voice of the Hawks"

Gattis Hodges was voted in the 2016 Chowan University "Jim Garrison" Hall of Fame class as a patron after serving the University and the Department of Athletics for more than 30 years. The Potecasi, North Carolina native has a rich and deeply rooted history in media and radio all over the state and into Southeastern Virginia.
 
Gattis began his career behind the scenes at Chowan in 1982 as a statistician for the Chowan football program. He gained ground in the department with his passion for sports and public address announcing and was asked to serve as the PA announcer for the men's basketball program from 1983-1985. His knowledge of sports and his "on air" charisma landed him a job at local radio station, WBCG 98.3, as a game analyst for the men's basketball program.
 
Gattis wet his sports appetite at Chowan which eventually turned into a successful on-air career with a variety of media outlets.
 
Over his career Gattis has called 21 North Carolina High School Athletic Association and Virginia High School League state championships, three Babe Ruth World Series Tournaments, two Colonial Athletic Association baseball tournaments, several NJCAA and NCAA regular season and post-season games, two Oyster Bowls, and the 1988 East Bowl.
 
Gattis has had the opportunity to interview such athletic greats as Bob Burke, Nate McMillan, Chuck Amato, Lefty Drissell, Jim Garrison, Terry Holland, Herb Sendek, Gary Hahn, Fred Vinson, Bobby Cremins, John Bunting, and Dave Odom to mention a few.
 
Gattis is in his 12th year hosting a local favorite, "Talkin' Sports with Gattis Hodges", hosted on First Media Radio outlets all over Northeast North Carolina and Southeastern Virginia.  Gattis can also be heard as the play-by-play webcast analyst for Chowan football and Chowan men's and women's basketball.
Along with his storied career in broadcasting, Gattis also works locally for Georgia-Pacific (28 years) as a Chemical Process Safety Manager. He serves on the Chowan University "Jim Garrison" Hall of Fame committee and was the guest reader at a Chowan Christmas in 2014.  He is a longtime member of Potecasi Baptist Church, where he is currently serving on the Deacon Board. 

Gattis is married to Patricia Bryant Hodges and recently celebrated 41 years in marriage. Together they have two daughters, twins Brandy Hodges Galloway and Sandy Hodges Storey, and five grandchildren, Morgan Taylor, Peyton Galloway, Alex Galloway, Lauren Storey, and Hannah Storey, two son-in-laws, Leon Galloway and Mike Storey.

Sean McClafferty, Class of 1998

Sean McClafferty was recruited out of Altamonte Springs, Florida by Coach Eric Terrell.  Coach Terrell was introduced to Sean after a travel soccer tournament in Florida. Sean decided on Chowan because he didn’t meet the grade point requirements for Division I.  

Sean McClafferty is the only soccer captain in Chowan history to hold that position all 4 years. He was recruited to play on the “originals team” in 1993 and earned 3 MVP’s, Most Outstanding Defender, and the prestigious Senior Award.  Other noteworthy stats include: beating the 3rd ranked team in the nation, winning the Domino’s Classic and the Roanoke Classic tournaments and having the highest winning percentage of any Chowan Soccer team with the record of 12-5-1 (Fall 1996). Sean was also voted by the coaches to be a part of the All-Tournament Teams and the Brevard Indoor Tournament MVP. 

While at Chowan, Sean also played tennis his junior year and was awarded the Most Improved Player. His senior year he was the team MVP.

While finishing up student teaching, in the Fall Semester of 1997, Sean served as the assistant soccer coach for Chowan. 

Upon graduation, Sean decided to stay close to Chowan by teaching in the area at Northampton County and Roanoke Rapids School Districts. He has taught for 18 years with experiences at Seaboard-Coates Elementary, Conway Middle and Chaloner Middle School. He has earned many prestigious awards such as Teacher of the Year, Top AIG teacher award, and recently his math class placed 1st in the Nation during a National Contest with Sumdog. Sean has continued sharing his love for sports by coaching Middle School Football, Basketball, and Track-and-Field. 

During his 17 years of coaching, he has won 14 Football Conference Titles, 5 Basketball Conference Championships and 8 Track-and-Field Championships. He continues to mentor not only his current players but his past players as well. Sean finds great joy in supporting his boys in travel ball and through their high school and college careers.

Sean currently teaches 6th grade Math and Science at Chaloner Middle School in Roanoke Rapids, NC. He is the assistant Football Coach and the Head Basketball Coach. 

Sean is an active supporter of Chowan Athletics and Chowan Soccer.  Sean has participated in the Chowan Alumni Soccer games, as well as, the locker room drive and various other projects.  He also serves on the Chowan Alumni Council and was featured as a Distinguished Alum. 

Sean is married to Jenifer Hill McClafferty, Class of 1995.  They reside in Roanoke Rapids, NC and are the proud parents of a rescue dog, named Scout.