The Carter County Sports Hall of Fame (CCSHOF) was established by Charles “C.Y.” Peters and Jamie Combs to recognize, honor and preserve the rich sports history of Carter County, Tennessee.
The Hall of Fame celebrates the athletes, coaches, officials, administrators, supporters and other individuals who have made significant contributions to sports throughout Carter County. Its reach extends beyond high school athletics to include middle school, college, youth leagues, boys and girls clubs, and the many individuals and fans who have helped shape the local sports community.
The goal of the CCSHOF is to recognize the accomplishments of those who have made a lasting impact on Carter County athletics while preserving their stories and contributions for future generations.
Charles “C.Y.” Peters has dedicated much of his life to athletics and promoting sports in Carter County.
Peters served as a Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) official for 30 years, working football, basketball and baseball. He also enjoyed a professional wrestling career spanning more than 25 years and has been inducted into both the Tennessee Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Southern States Hall of Fame.
His contributions to local sports extend well beyond the playing field and officiating arena. Peters formerly served as president of the Stoney Creek Youth Club and was a founder of the Watauga Junior Athletic League. He also published Double Play Sports Weekly, a publication dedicated to recognizing and celebrating youth athletes.
Throughout his career, Peters has written for several newspapers, covering athletics at every level, from youth leagues to college and professional sports. His passion has always been to promote athletics and recognize the people who make Carter County sports special.
A 1977 graduate of Unaka High School, Peters participated in both football and basketball.
A lifelong Carter Countian, Combs has devoted 36 years to local sports journalism in the newspaper field.
The Elizabethton resident (Hunter community) logged 21 years working for the Elizabethton Star, spending 19 as the publication’s sports editor (10 years) or assistant sports editor (9).
Also to Combs’ credit are 13 1/2 years with the Johnson City Press, for whom he served in a variety of roles. Functioning as a writer, copy editor and desk anchor, he also performed page layout and design.
Along the way, Combs has produced two publications of his own: the Piney-Bluff Press Box (2015-16) and Carter Football Weekly (2016).
A Northeast Tennessee sports historian, Combs is a product of both school systems within Carter County. He studied at Valley Forge Elementary and Siam Middle before attending Elizabethton High, from where he graduated in 1988.
Steve Lowe brings a lifelong appreciation for athletics and a personal connection to Carter County sports to his role as web host and treasurer of the Carter County Sports Hall of Fame.
Lowe’s athletic background began in the Unaka youth sports programs, where he played three years of youth club football and earned a spot on the all-county all-star team. He also participated in two years of Unaka youth club basketball and played two years for the Unaka Elementary basketball team.
At Unaka High School, Lowe played four years of varsity baseball under head coach Claude Holsclaw.
His playing career continued well beyond high school, as he competed for 17 years in slow-pitch softball with various teams throughout the Tri-Cities.
Lowe currently resides in Piney Flats with his wife, Trish, and daughter, Chelsea. Through his work with the CCSHOF, he looks forward to helping preserve Carter County’s sports history and providing a place where the accomplishments of local athletes and sports contributors can be celebrated for years to come.