A REALLY ROWDY HALL OF FAMER!

Congratulations to Winter Haven native Rowdy Gaines, who broke 11 world records and won three gold medals for the USA at the 1984 Olympic Games (after missing the 1980 Games due to the American boycott). He will be inducted December 8 to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs.

The graduate of Auburn University currently serves as Director of Outreach for the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in Birmingham.

Rowdy will join a class of heavyweights whose names will be added to the Hall. Among them:

Bob Hayes, the only man to ever win both an Olympic medal and a Super Bowl ring (Dallas Cowboys, 1971).

Evelyn Ashford, runner who won four gold medals.

Herb Brooks, hockey coach of the "Miracle On Ice" gold medal winners in 1980.

Kristi Yamaguchi, two time world champion and gold medalist in Albertville.

Dick Ebersol, Chairman of NBC Sports.