Adair County A Club

Adair County A Club Adair County Alumni Club

08/10/2026

Glynn “Red” Nixon ’58

The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame proudly announces the posthumous induction of Glynn “Red” Nixon, a 1958 graduate of Adair County High School whose remarkable coaching career helped shape generations of student-athletes and produced some of the most memorable accomplishments in Adair County athletics history.

Nixon returned to Adair County in 1968 as a teacher and coach, beginning a career that would leave its mark across multiple sports. A 1964 graduate of Campbellsville College, Nixon served Adair County students both in the classroom and in athletic competition, earning a reputation as a dedicated coach who expected his athletes to work hard, compete, and represent their school with pride.

On the basketball court, Nixon spent several years as an assistant coach before taking over as head coach of the Indians in 1977. He led the program through the 1983 season and was at the helm of the memorable 1979-80 team, which remains one of the most storied boys’ basketball teams in Adair County High School history.

While Nixon made significant contributions to basketball, his accomplishments in cross country established him as one of the most successful coaches in Adair County history and among the most accomplished cross country coaches in KHSAA competition.

His success began early. In the fall of 1970, Nixon coached an individual state champion, setting the stage for more than a decade of outstanding achievement. Year after year, his teams established Adair County as one of the region’s premier cross country programs. From 1968 through 1980, Adair County boys qualified for the state meet each season, an extraordinary run of consistency and excellence.

The pinnacle came in 1980 when Nixon guided the Indians to the KHSAA Class 2A State Cross Country Championship and was named the 1980 KHSAA Class 2A State Coach of the Year.

Throughout his tenure, Nixon’s teams captured numerous regional championships and finished as regional runners-up multiple times. His success at the regional level was unmatched: Nixon won more regional championships as a coach at Adair County High School than any other coach in the history of Adair County athletics, regardless of sport.

His teams also collected numerous Southern Kentucky Athletic Conference championships and individual meet victories, while many of the student-athletes he coached went on to compete at the collegiate level. Nixon additionally contributed to Adair County athletics as track and field and golf coach for several years, further demonstrating the breadth of his influence on the school’s athletic programs.

Yet Nixon’s legacy extends beyond championships, trophies, and postseason appearances. Through basketball, cross country, track and field, golf, and his work as an educator, he helped establish a standard of commitment and competitive excellence that influenced generations of Adair County student-athletes.

Glynn “Red” Nixon’s posthumous induction into the Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame honors a distinguished educator and coach whose championship accomplishments, remarkable consistency, and lasting influence earned him a place among the most successful coaches in Adair County athletics history.

08/09/2026

Yves White ‘80

The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame proudly announces the induction of Yves White, Class of 1980, one of the most dynamic scorers and pure shooters in the history of Adair County basketball.

A standout performer for the Indians from 1978 through 1980, White played a major role in helping elevate Adair County basketball into one of the premier programs in the 5th Region during his era. During his junior season, he helped lead the Indians to a winning record and a semifinal appearance in the 5th Region Tournament, setting the stage for an outstanding senior campaign.

White followed with a remarkable senior season as the leading scorer on a high-powered Adair County offense that finished with 22 victories and spent much of the 1979–80 season ranked No. 2 in the 5th Region. Known for his smooth shooting stroke and deep range, White became feared by opposing defenses for his ability to score from virtually anywhere on the floor. Long before the three-point line existed in Kentucky high school basketball, he consistently knocked down long-range “rainbow” jump shots that energized crowds and changed games.

His outstanding senior season earned him All-District, All-Region, and All-Southern Kentucky Athletic Conference honors while also receiving Courier Journal Honorable Mention All-State recognition. In addition to leading the Indians in scoring, White also led the team in free-throw percentage, showcasing the shooting touch and offensive consistency that defined his career.

Following graduation, White continued his basketball career at the collegiate level. During his freshman season at Lindsey Wilson Junior College, he led the team in scoring. He later transferred to Saint Catherine Junior College, where he played under legendary coach J.D. Strange. During his sophomore season at Saint Catherine, White averaged 20 points per game on a team that led the nation in scoring while averaging nearly 100 points per contest.

Yves White’s induction into The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame honors not only his scoring ability and athletic accomplishments, but also the excitement and style of play that made him one of the most memorable basketball players ever to wear an Adair County uniform.

08/08/2026

Coach Cleo Shively

The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame proudly announces the posthumous induction of Cleo Shively, whose decades of dedication and leadership helped build and shape the tradition of cheerleading and school spirit at Adair County High School.

For generations of Adair County students and athletes, Shively served as far more than a cheerleading coach. She became a driving force behind school pride, student involvement, and the spirit that surrounded Adair County athletics for nearly three decades. Her passion, energy, and commitment helped create an atmosphere that united students, athletes, and the community in support of the Indians and Lady Indians.

Shively first began coaching cheerleading at Adair County in 1977, serving through 1985 before later returning in the 1990s and continuing through 2006. During that time, she helped elevate the ACHS cheerleading program into one recognized for both school spirit and competitive success. Among the program’s accomplishments under her leadership were championships at the 2005 CANAM Central Kentucky Cheer and Dance Competition and the Taylor County Invitational Cheer and Dance Competition, along with an impressive 6th-place finish at the CANAM National Cheerleading Competition.

In addition to her work at Adair County, Shively also coached cheerleaders for two years at Chandler Chapel and Logan County, further sharing her passion for leadership, teamwork, and school spirit with young athletes throughout the region.

Beyond the competitions and awards, Shively’s greatest impact was the culture she helped create at Adair County High School. Through pep rallies, Friday night football games, basketball seasons, and countless school events, she helped generations of students develop pride in their school and community while teaching the importance of teamwork, discipline, enthusiasm, and leadership.

A longtime educator, Shively devoted 36 years to teaching full-time and continued serving students for several additional years after retirement in a part-time role.

Cleo Shively’s posthumous induction into The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame honors not only her accomplishments as a cheerleading coach, but also the lasting spirit, pride, and tradition she helped instill throughout Adair County athletics.

08/07/2026

Coach John Peck

The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame proudly announces the induction of former Adair County football coach John Peck, whose leadership and dedication helped transform the Indians football program and establish one of the most successful eras in school history.

Peck began his coaching career at Adair County in 1987, taking over a program that had not experienced a winning season in nearly two decades and faced significant challenges in facilities, equipment, and staffing. Rather than being discouraged, Peck embraced the opportunity and quickly began building a culture of competitiveness and belief within the program.

After showing progress during his first two seasons, the breakthrough came in 1989 when Peck led the Indians to their first winning season in more than 20 years while also capturing the PAC Conference Championship.

The success continued with back-to-back 8-3 seasons in 1990 and 1991, including Adair County’s first-ever state playoff appearance in 1991. The 1991 team also earned landmark victories over Monroe County and Russell County.

In 1992, the Indians reached new heights under Peck’s leadership, earning Top 10 rankings in both the Associated Press and LIT Class AA polls, climbing as high as No. 6 in the state—the highest ranking in program history at that time. Adair County finished 8-3 and once again claimed the PAC South Conference Championship.

From 1989 through 1992, Peck guided the Indians to a remarkable 30-14 record and a .681 winning percentage, which still stands as the best four-year winning percentage in program history. He remains Adair County’s all-time leader in football coaching victories with 48 wins and served as the school’s longest-tenured head football coach with nine seasons leading the program.

Peck’s impact on Adair County football extended far beyond the varsity level. Over a remarkable 24-year coaching career at Adair County, he also served as middle school head coach for 10 seasons, returned multiple times as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator, earned PAC Coach of the Year honors four times, and was recognized in 2021 as a member of the Legends of the PAC Conference.

John Peck’s induction into The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame honors not only his coaching accomplishments and victories, but also his lasting impact on the growth, culture, and tradition of Adair County football.

08/06/2026

Ricky Groves ‘80

The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame proudly announces the induction of Ricky Groves, Class of 1980, one of the most versatile and accomplished multi-sport athletes in school history.

A four-sport letterman for the Indians in basketball, football, cross country, and track, Groves distinguished himself through his athleticism, competitiveness, and ability to excel across multiple sports at an elite level. As one former coach said, “Not only did he compete in four sports, he competed at an elite level in four sports.”

On the basketball court, Groves earned All-Conference honors and was recognized with the team’s Defensive Award for his toughness, effort, and leadership. On the football field, he developed into one of the top players in the region, earning All-Conference honors, All-State Honorable Mention recognition, and finishing among the leading rushers in Kentucky during his senior season. Among the highlights of his remarkable football career was an unforgettable 109-yard touchdown run that remains one of the most memorable plays in school history.

Groves also left his mark in track and field, where his speed and explosiveness made him one of the premier athletes in the state. He finished runner-up in the Kentucky state meet in both the long jump and triple jump while also capturing a regional championship in the 440-yard run.

Following his outstanding high school career, Groves continued his athletic journey at St. Catherine Junior College, where he played collegiate basketball.

Ricky Groves’ induction into The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame honors not only his extraordinary accomplishments across four sports, but also the dedication, versatility, and competitive spirit that made him one of the most respected athletes of his era.

08/04/2026

Van Giles ‘11

The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame proudly announces the induction of Van Giles, Class of 2011. Giles is the first boys’ golfer to be inducted into the Hall of Fame and one of the most accomplished players in the history of the Adair County golf program.

A consistent leader and standout performer throughout his high school career, Giles helped elevate Adair County boys’ golf to unprecedented success during one of the greatest stretches in program history. From his sophomore through senior seasons, the Indians compiled an outstanding combined record of 57-10 while establishing themselves as one of the premier golf programs in the region.

Individually, Giles qualified for the Kentucky high school state golf tournament during both his sophomore and senior seasons and also helped lead the Indians to the state tournament as a junior after the team finished as 4th Region runner-up. He was a two-time Heartland Conference Individual Champion in 2009 and 2011 and finished as conference runner-up in 2010, cementing his place among the top golfers in the area during his era.

Giles also played a major role in several historic milestones for the program. He was a member of the first Adair County boys’ golf team to ever qualify for the state tournament in 2010, while the Indians also finished third in the region in both 2009 and 2011 and captured back-to-back Heartland Conference Team Championships in 2010 and 2011.
One of the defining moments of Giles’ career came on September 14, 2010, when Adair County posted a program-record score of 141 (-3), led by Giles’ remarkable 4-under-par round of 32.

Van Giles’ induction into The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes not only his outstanding individual accomplishments, but also his instrumental role in helping establish Adair County boys’ golf as a championship-caliber program.

08/03/2026

Liana Critz ’94 Pippen

The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame proudly announces the induction of Liana Critz Pippen, Class of 1994. Pippen undoubtedly is one of the most accomplished and consistent players in the history of Lady Indians basketball.

A four-year starter for Adair County, Pippen helped establish the Lady Indians as one of the premier programs in the region while building a remarkable career defined by scoring, rebounding, durability, and leadership. From the moment she stepped onto the court as a freshman, she quickly emerged as one of the top young players in the area.

During her freshman season, Pippen earned All-Area honors, was selected All-20th District, named 20th District Freshman of the Year, earned Second Team All-20th District recognition, and was selected to the 20th District All-Tournament Team. She also established a school record with a perfect shooting performance, going 7-for-7 from the field and 2-for-2 from the free throw line. Her strong freshman campaign concluded with team recognition as the Lady Indians’ Most Improved Player while finishing the season with 159 points, 163 rebounds, 17 assists, 7 blocks, and 17 steals.

As a sophomore, Pippen elevated her game even further, earning All-20th District, All-5th Region, and All-SKAC honors while helping lead Adair County to the first Girls’ 5th Region Championship and first Sweet Sixteen appearance in school history. She finished the season with 400 points, 232 rebounds, 42 assists, 25 blocks, and 49 steals.

Her junior season continued to showcase her all-around excellence as she recorded 445 points, 276 rebounds, 84 assists, 22 blocks, 46 steals, and 148 deflections. During her senior season, Pippen earned All-Heartland Conference and All-5th Region honors after totaling 418 points, 233 rebounds, 85 assists, 19 blocks, 59 steals, and 166 deflections.

By the conclusion of her outstanding career, Pippen had established herself as one of the greatest players in program history, finishing as Adair County’s all-time leading scorer with 1,422 career points and all-time leading rebounder with 1,002 rebounds. Equally impressive was her durability and dedication to the program, appearing in every game of her high school career for a total of 122 games while helping lead the Lady Indians to a combined record of 78-44.

In addition to her success on the basketball court, Liana was also an accomplished track star at ACHS, finishing as state runner-up in the long jump competition, while setting a new school record in the process.

Liana Critz Pippen’s induction into The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame honors not only her extraordinary statistical accomplishments, but also the consistency, toughness, and leadership that helped shape one of the most successful eras in Lady Indian’s basketball history.

08/02/2026

Greg Bardin ‘72

The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame proudly announces the induction of Greg Bardin, Class of 1972. Few individuals have impacted Adair County athletics as both an athlete and coach more profoundly than Greg Bardin. A member of the Class of 1972, Bardin distinguished himself as a three-sport standout before returning home to build one of the most accomplished coaching careers in school history.

On the basketball court, Bardin earned All-SKAC, All-Region, Honorable Mention All-State, and East-West All-Star honors while establishing himself as one of the area's premier players. He also lettered in baseball during his junior and senior seasons and excelled in track and field, winning both the SKAC and regional high jump championships before finishing fourth in the high jump at the KHSAA State Track Meet.

Bardin continued his athletic career at Campbellsville College from 1972-1976, lettering in both basketball and baseball. As a basketball player, he was a two-time All-KIAC and All-District selection and concluded his collegiate career as a member of the prestigious 1,000-Point Club.

Returning to Adair County High School, Bardin embarked on a coaching career that would leave a lasting legacy across multiple sports. 
As head girls' basketball coach from 1977-1987, he compiled a 120-93 record while guiding the Lady Indians to the program's first winning season in 1978-79. His teams finished as district runner-up four times and reached the regional tournament for the first time in school history. His success earned him multiple SKAC Coach of the Year honors.

Bardin's impact extended well beyond basketball. As boys cross country coach, his teams captured four regional championships, three regional runner-up finishes, two SKAC championships, and twice finished third in the KHSAA Class AA State Meet while also earning two fifth-place state finishes. His girls cross country teams added two regional championships, four regional runner-up finishes, and two SKAC titles. As track and field coach, he guided numerous individual regional champions and coached four individuals to Class AA state runner-up finishes.

In recognition of his extraordinary coaching career and lasting influence on student-athletes, Greg Bardin was inducted into the 5th Region Coaches Hall of Fame in 2008. Bardin’s induction into the Brown and Brown Adair County Athletics Hall of Fame is a reflection of his remarkable accomplishments as both a competitor and coach that have left an enduring legacy that continues to shape the proud tradition of Adair County athletics.

08/01/2026

Darren Ballou ‘09

The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame proudly announces the induction of Darren Ballou, Class of 2009. Ballou stands as one of the most accomplished and decorated basketball players in the history of Adair County High School.

A dominant force on the court throughout his high school career, Ballou established himself as one of the premier players in Kentucky high school basketball while helping lead the Indians to multiple historic postseason runs, including appearances in the Kentucky Sweet 16 in both 2007 and 2009.

Ballou’s list of honors and accomplishments is among the most impressive ever compiled by an Adair County basketball player. During his sophomore season, he earned All-20th District honors and was named Kentucky All-State Honorable Mention. As a junior, he elevated his game to another level, earning selection to the prestigious King of the Bluegrass All-Tournament Team while also being named All-20th District, All-Region, and 5th Region Player of the Year. His outstanding junior campaign concluded with Second Team All-State honors.

His senior season further cemented his legacy as one of the elite players in the Commonwealth. Ballou again earned All-20th District and All-5th Region honors while repeating as 5th Region Player of the Year. He was selected First Team All-State and earned the honor of representing Kentucky in the Kentucky-Indiana All-Star Game, one of the state’s highest recognitions for high school basketball players.

Over the course of his remarkable career, Ballou scored more than 2,000 points and collected more than 1,000 rebounds, joining an elite group of players to reach both milestones while consistently impacting every aspect of the game through his scoring, rebounding, toughness, and leadership.

Following his career at Adair County High School, Ballou continued his basketball journey at Lindsey Wilson College.
Darren Ballou’s induction into The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame honors not only his extraordinary accomplishments and accolades, but also the lasting impact he made on one of the most successful eras in Adair County basketball history.

07/31/2026

1992 Adair County Football Team

The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame proudly announces the induction of the 1992 Adair County Indians Football Team, one of the most accomplished and influential teams in program history.

Under the leadership of head coach John Peck, the 1992 Indians elevated Adair County football to unprecedented heights and helped cement the program as one of the premier teams in Kentucky Class AA football during the early 1990s. Entering the season with growing confidence following back-to-back 8-3 seasons, the Indians responded with one of the finest campaigns ever produced by an Adair County football team.

Throughout the 1992 season, the Indians earned statewide recognition by climbing into the Top 10 of both the Associated Press poll and the LIT Class AA rankings, reaching as high as No. 6 in the state—the highest ranking in program history at that time. Adair County finished the regular season with an outstanding 8-2 record and came within two plays of an undefeated regular season and district championship, suffering a dramatic double-overtime loss to Glasgow in one of the most memorable games of the era.

The Indians finished the season 8-3 overall while capturing the PAC South Conference Championship and advancing once again to the state playoffs before falling to a powerful Bullitt East team. The season further solidified the dramatic turnaround of a program that had not experienced a winning season in nearly two decades before Coach Peck’s arrival in 1987.

Known for their toughness, confidence, and explosive playmaking ability, the 1992 Indians featured many of the standout players who helped establish one of the winningest stretches in school history. From 1989 through 1992, Adair County compiled a remarkable 30-14 record and a .681 winning percentage, which still stands as the best four-year winning percentage in program history.
Beyond the wins and rankings, the 1992 team helped change expectations surrounding Adair County football. The Indians proved the program could compete with—and defeat—many of the top teams in the region and state while creating excitement and pride throughout the school and community.

The induction of the 1992 Adair County Football Team into The Brown and Brown Adair County Athletic Hall of Fame honors a team whose success, toughness, and belief helped lay the foundation for future generations of Adair County football.

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