Tommie L. Shelby never met a person that wasn’t his friend and he never went a summer without being involved in a softball or baseball tournament that either involved a youth or adult player.
Shelby’s contributions to the Oxford Park Commission and the Lafayette-Oxford-University community over the years was legendary and much appreciated. The time he donated in the summer, both as a coach and softball player, are why Shelby will be recognized as this year’s Buster Dixon Classic Award winner.
The award is given to those who have contributed greatly to OPC men’s slowpitch softball over the years. It started in 1999, but has not been given to an individual since 2007 when Vic Goolsby was honored. Past winners include Buster Dixon (1999), Walter Phillip Rikard (2000), Shellie Tutor (2001), Bernice Craig (2002), Harvie and Juanita Watkins (2003), Janet and Don Whitten (2004), Glenn Hill (2005) and Lee Edward Price (2006). (April 15, 2011, Page 7A)
