Two Panther Icons were honored Friday. They spent over four decades teaching, coaching, mentoring, and leading the youth at Russellville and Russellville High School.
Wayne Mullen, Russellville High School Class of 1961, was a star basketball player for the Panther Regional Runner-Up Team in ’61. He play basketball for Belmont and earned advanced degrees at Western Kentucky University.
He returned to his alma mater in 1967 to teach Junior High Science and coach Junior High Boys Basketball. His 2-year record was 27-1. He was hired to coach Russellville High School in the ’69-’70 season and took the Panthers to Regional Tournament in the first season.
He became the first Athletic Director in 1970, and held that position, as well as the Assistant Principal, until his retirement in 1996. His wife, June, is a retired educator. His children, Jason and Casey, are Russellville High School graduates and his grandchildren attend the Russellville schools. His daughter-in-law, Tonya Mullen, teaches at RHS.
Representing Coach Mullen’s basketball players was Keith Northern, a 1971 Russellville High School Graduate and All-District player for Coach Mullen.
Mickey Meguiar, Auburn High School Graduate of 1964, played basketball for Cumberland College and studied Austin Peay and Western Kentucky University.
He was hired to teach Russellville Junior High School Social Studies and be the Assistant Boys Coach in 1970. He became Head Coach in 1972, and his team became district champs his first three seasons, ‘73, ‘74, & ‘75. He returned to the bench in ‘80 to win the district dhampionship, and began his administrative career as he served as Stevenson Elementary School Principal, Russellville High School Athletic Director, and Principal until he retired in 2001.
His wife, Martha Jo, was the school secretary. His children, Lori Meguiar Bouldin and Michael, are both Russellville graduates.
Representing Coach Meguiar’s Basketball Players was Phil Todd, a 1975 Russellville High School graduate and member of Coach Meguiar’s 1973, ’74, & ’75 district championship teams.