Bart Rison - 2002 

Bart Rison, a native of Ravenna, Kentucky, become a two-sport standout at Faulkner State during the mid-1970?s and has gone in to enjoy an outstanding coaching career in his native Kentucky.   

Rison was recruited by Hall of Fame Coach Jack Robertson during his early tenure with the Sun Chiefs and enjoyed two highly successful seasons in both basketball and baseball.  As a freshman during the 1974-75 seasons, he averaged 8.6 points per game and hit a shot from mid-court to beat Gadsden State in the Alabama Junior College State Tournament.  The team finished 19-12.  Then during his sophomore season, Rison was the starting point guard on a team that averaged 91.7 points per game and posted a 26.-8 record that stands as one of the best in the school?s history.  Rison averaged 9.9 points per game himself, but his main role was getting the ball to three teammates who had averages of 21, 19 and 16 points, respectively. 

During his sophomore year he was team captain and also earned Most valuable Player honors for the Sun Chiefs as he hit 54 percent for the field and 73 percent for the charity line.  His two years with the Faulkner State basketball team produced a 45-20 record for the school. 

In his two years with the Faulkner State baseball team, Rison hit .383 and .436, respectively, and helped the Sun Chiefs post a combined record during those two seasons of 61-22.  His 51 runs scored and 31 bases on ball during 1977 season were both school records at that time.  As a sophomore, Rison was named to both the Alabama junior College Conference All-Region Team and the American Association of College Baseball Coaches All-District Team. 

After graduating from Faulkner State, Rison attended Athens State College, where he played on the same team with another Hall of Fame member, Gary Redus.   

Upon graduation from college, Rison returned to his native Estill County, Kentucky, where he served as head basketball coach for five years, compiling an 81-59 record.  He then moved to nearby Montgomery County high School where he has spent the last 16 seasons.  His teams have combines for over 400 wins with 10 district championships, one regional title, and four regional runner-up positions. 

In addition to his coaching in basketball, Rison recently became head softball coach, and in his very first season directed his team to the regional title game.  He has also served as a baseball umpire for two decades and umpired in 14 Kentucky State High School State tournaments.  In 1998, Rison was inducted into the Kentucky High School baseball Coaches Association hall of Fame. 

Rison is a member of the 10^th Region Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame and is the only two-time President of the Kentucky High School Coaches Association. He coached the Kentucky. All Star in their series in the nation, in 1998. 

Rison?s wife Sue, works for an accounting firm in Mt. Sterling.  He has two children, Becca and Daniel, who are students at Montgomery County high School where his brother Phil, serves as Assistant Principal and Athletic Director.  Coach Rison?s parents, Johnny and Barbara Rison, reside in Irvine, Kentucky. 

From his long time success as a basketball coach, to his distinguished career as an umpire, along with other roles, such as assistant football coach during his early tenure to softball coach as his most recent undertaking, Rison has always excelled as a teacher of sports and- a teacher in the game of life for his players.  Today he continues to do so.