Hoover Niece Inducted into the Dawahares KHSAA Hall of Fame
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association inducted its Class of 2022 into the Dawahares KHSAA Hall of Fame presented by Roberts Insurance on Sunday, May 15, in the Central Bank Center Ballroom in Lexington. This year’s induction class included former High School Coach Hoover Niece from Estill County.
Hoover Niece played football and basketball for Whitesburg during his final two years of high school. He went on to graduate from Eastern Kentucky University and start his teaching and coaching career in neighboring Estill County. In 29 seasons, the first two as an assistant, he helped the Engineers to two sub-district championship contests, four First-Team All-State players, one Mr. Kentucky Football finalist, one Kentucky All-Star and one All-American. In 27 seasons, ECHS was 128-108-1 and twice Niece was named Kentucky All-Star team assistant coach.
Because of issues surrounding the pandemic, a class was not selected for 2021. The class of 2022 combines two years’ worth of consideration. This year’s 17-member class consists of former high school coaches, athletes, officials, administrators, and contributors and will bring the total number of honorees in the Hall of Fame to 491.
Coach Niece will be recognized during halftime of our August 19th home football game vs. Powell County, as we dedicate our new stadium and Hoover Niece Field.