About Inductee

From the time Paul McCrary was a young boy, he always had a ball in his hand. His parents, Betty and Billy McCrary, spent countless hours with him. They even built a basketball court in the backyard during his middle school years because he loved the game so much and because we knew he was destined for success because of his strong work ethic and competitive desire. He began playing all sports at the Madison YMCA and then focused on basketball at Monrovia Middle School, coached by Jerry Taylor. The Hawks won two county championships and McCrary was named MVP. He then went on to become a Sparkman Senator, lettering as a sophomore on a team that finished 31-1 and finished second in the state tournament. As a junior, he was named best defensive player on the team that went 31-1 again under coach Stanley Stafford. McCrary moved to Athens as a senior and played for coach Jerry Todd. As a Golden Eagle, he averaged 18 points and eight assists and was named All-Area and All-State. I was very blessed to have Coach Taylor, Coach Stafford, Coach Todd and Coach (Joe) Dean as a young player, McCrary said. Not only did they encourage me as a player, but they consistently modeled good character and integrity. These lessons prove to be the most important in life and these men will always have my utmost respect. McCrary, who holds Birmingham-Southerns all-time assist record (544), was inducted into the schools Hall of Fame in 2007. He started as a junior and senior and helped lead the team to 41 wins. Named team captain as a senior, McCrary was hailed as a hard-nosed, aggressive, playmaking guard by the Panthers head coach, Joe Dean. The summer before his junior season, McCrary spent six weeks in the Philippines and Korea, touring with the Athletes in Action team, a ministry of the Campus Crusade for Christ International. He led the team to an 18-5 record, averaging 14 points and five assists. It was a great experience, McCrary said. Getting to share the love of Christ with others while pursuing my passion for basketball is truly one of the highlights of my basketball career. Also having the support of my grandparents and parents at the games is a memory I cherish. After graduation from Birmingham-Southern in 1988, McCrary attended the UAB School of Dentistry for the next six years, receiving a Doctor of Dental Medicine with a specialty in Endodontics. From 2004-2007, McCrary won two county titles as coach of the Madison Academy Junior High girls basketball team. He now has a successful endodontic practice in Huntsville and resides in Madison with his wife of 21 years, Lisa. The McCrarys have two children attending Bob Jones High School: Vaughn, a senior, and Murphy, a junior.