Alex English in 2020 Hall of Fame Class of National Federation of State High School Associations

According to the National Federation of State High School Associations, seven outstanding former high school athletes highlight the 2020 class of the NFHS Hall of Fame, including three who went on to earn gold medals in the Olympics and four others who excelled in professional football, basketball and baseball.

 Here's what they had to say about our famous alumnus, Alex English, whose #22 Dreher jersey was recently retired - the only jersey to be retired in Dreher history:

 "Prior to his stellar college and professional careers, Alex English was one of the top high school basketball players in South Carolina history during his days at Dreher High School in Columbia. English was a first-team all-state selection three consecutive years, Player of the Year in South Carolina in 1971 and 1972, and was a two-time all-American. He set the all-time scoring records at Dreher, and his No. 22 jersey was later retired.

English stayed home for his college career and is still known as the greatest player in the University of South Carolina history. He ranks first in scoring and third in rebounding in Gamecocks’ history and was a two-time all-American, and he had his second No. 22 jersey retired by USC.

 While he played for four teams during his 16-year professional career, English will always be remembered for his decade of the 1980s with the Denver Nuggets. He was the NBA’s leading scorer in the 1980s with 19,682 points and was the first player in league history to score 2,000 points in eight straight seasons. English set 31 records in 10 seasons with the Nuggets and is the team’s all-time leader in points (21,645) and assists (3,679). English was an eight-time all-star – all with the Nuggets – and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1997. 

Our legendary science teacher, coach, and athletic director Mike DuBard was inducted into the Hall of Fame of the SC Athletic Administrators Association. 

Here is what the SCAAA had to say about Coach DuBard:

 "A standout football and baseball player at Dreher High, Mike DuBard recently concluded a successful 42-year career in education, including a 31-year run as athletic director.  He taught biology, sciences and chemistry while first coaching football and softball, having earned his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the University of South Carolina. 

 In high school, Mike was the catcher on the 4-A State Championship baseball team, and later was recognized as all-area, all-region and all-state as a center on the football team.  He earned Shrine Bowl and North/South All-Star Game selections.  

 His coaching career began as an assistant football coach at Dreher High at the age of 19, and then accepted a coaching position at Thornwell School in 1974 where they promptly recorded back-to-back SCISA titles.  

 He then became defensive coordinator at Eau Claire High for a year before re-joining the coaching staff at Dreher in 1976.  He became athletic director in June of 1986 and held that position until retiring in June 2018.

 He has been recognized as a AAA Conference Athletic Director of the Year, numerous times the Region AD of the Year, and received, also numerous times, the H.B. Rhame Award which signifies the best athletic program in Richland School District One.

 He has been married to June for 42 years and they have two children."