4 inducted into Bob Jones Hall of Fame
MADISON – Homecoming Week 2023 at Bob Jones High School built school spirit and celebrated the current school year. Another tradition reflects on alumni legacies with induction into Bob Jones Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding alumni who excelled during high school and have compiled significant contributions in their careers. People who are not alumni qualify by benefitting the school in leadership or service.
The 2023 Hall of Fame inductees served as the homecoming parade’s Grand Marshals on Oct. 26 and were honored with a reception that Bob Jones culinary students catered. New members received on-field recognition at halftime of the homecoming football game on Oct. 27.
Four individuals were inducted for 2023 into Bob Jones Hall of Fame:
* Dr. Ashley Hoffman – Graduated in 2003. She was President of the SGA, Treasurer of Red Cross Club and Captain of the cheerleading team. She was also a member of the school’s dance team, competition cheerleading team, track team, homecoming court, National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mu Alpha Theta, Junior Civitans and United Way Leaders Council.
Hoffman earned a bachelor’s degree in the Honors Psychology program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She was a Student Researcher at the UAB Center for the Advancement of Youth Health. She was also awarded the John Ost Undergraduate Research Award and inducted into Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology.
Hoffman went on to earn master’s and doctorate’s degrees in clinical psychology in 2013. Before returning to Madison, Dr. Hoffman provided psychological services at a university counseling center, a children’s clinic at a community mental health center, an inpatient psychiatric hospital and as Associate Director of a sexual abuse treatment program.
After returning to Madison, Hoffman practiced at Valley Christian Counseling and Asbury Counseling Center and is now in private practice. Hoffman is a member of the American Psychological Association and the National Register of Health Service Psychologists. She has served our community as a speaker on mental health topics with Madison City Schools, Huntsville Police Department, local women’s groups, churches, dance studios and suicide prevention initiatives.
* Russel Johnson – Graduated in 2009 in Top Ten Percent. Held membership in National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Club, Chemistry Club, Junior Civitan, First Priority, Fellowship of Christian Athletes or FCA and Spanish Honor Society. On Bob Jones’ five-time championship swim team, individually he rated individual Top 3 finishes, state relay records and All-Metro honors.
At Auburn University, Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and master’s degree in secondary mathematics education. He taught math and tech classes at Auburn High School and was awarded Alabama’s highest K-12 Computer Science Award. He then worked as Instructional Technology Specialist at Auburn High and mentored teachers in implementing best-practice software.
In 2022, Johnson returned to Madison as Secondary Instructional Technology Specialist for the district. He shares his knowledge at local and state conferences.
* Reggie Ragland – Class of 2012. Led the Patriots to victories in varsity football and basketball. Ragland’s basketball team upset the first-place team to clinch 2009-2010 Class 6A Championship. Ragland’s football team advanced to state playoffs; he was named to All-State Team three times and honored as “6A Lineman of the Year.” For track and field, he competed in discus and shotput.
At the University of Alabama, Ragland received a bachelor’s degree in consumer sciences. He and teammates won two national championships; Ragland was named “2015 SEC Defensive Player of the Year.”
In 2016, the Buffalo Bills drafted Ragland in NFL’s second-round draft. With Kansas City Chiefs, Ragland and team won the Super Bowl. Ragland signed with Detroit Lions for 2020; the next season, he signed as free agent with New York City Giants.
In Madison, Ragland founded the Reggie Ragland Football Camp, where he has hosted hundreds of youth. “I teach the kids to work hard and to try and put themselves in position to be successful in everything they do,” Ragland said.
* Ryan Dupree — 2015 graduate and basketball team player. Tragically, Dupree passed away at 24 years old but left an outstanding legacy of a love for Christ, family, his fiancee, basketball and helping children. He participated in National Honor Society, FCA and varsity basketball.
Dupree pursued an associate’s degree in business administration and management at Snead State Community College, where he captained the basketball team and was named NJCAA Academic All-American. He received a bachelor’s degree in sport studies at Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in business administration at Belhaven University, where he earned recognition as an ASC Academic All-Conference.
While finishing graduate school, Dupree worked one year as a coach. During summers, he served as youth coach for park and recreation departments in Madison and Starkville, Miss. He then worked as Assistant Varsity Coach at Shorter University, only for one month but leaving a tremendous impact on players.
Since Dupree’s death, many people from various towns have shared about his lasting, positive impressions. The RD3 Legacy Foundation Inc. was established to award scholarships to Bob Jones basketball players. This outreach has perpetuated Dupree’s legacy of leading students to Christ with basketball.