MONTGOMERY — Long-time Pleasant Home principal Jim Garner was among the dozen people members of the 2014 Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame class inducted OF Monday night at the Renaissance Montgomery Convention Center.

Garner was inducted as an administrator for his role not only as principal at PHS, but his tenure on the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Central Board of Control.

Prior to the banquet, each inductee had the chance to speak at a press conference.

Garner said his origins as an administrator, and coach at one time, came as a result of others.

“I was inspired by my high school coach, who also happened to be my uncle (Frank Ray Garner), who is a member of the Hall of Fame — Class of ’98,” Garner said. “Also, some other people are Wayne Clark, my assistant principal for many years.”

While a principal at PHS, the Covington County native’s legacy included establishing a new multipurpose building with an auditorium/area; media center and lobby/commons area; a new five-room elementary school wing; a new football field with a press box, concession stand and restrooms; renovation and expansion of the current gymnasium; a new field house; and many other improvements to athletic facilities at the school.

Garner also coached at several schools, including 12 years at LBWCC, before he became principal at PHS in 1984. He served on the Central Board of Control from 1997 until 2010.

At the banquet, Garner and the other inductees — which included Mike Battles, Richard Brown, Major Lane, Alvin Moore, Larry Morris, Donnie Roberts, Dr. James Robinson, Nancy Shoquist, Mike Smith, Tony Stallworth and Eugene Weatherly — received a gold medal shaped in the state of Alabama, a plaque and another gift.

When asked how he used his position as an administrator to keep the student athletes motivated, Garner said that having good education and athletics programs anywhere goes a long way.

“They fit together like a hand and a glove,” he said. “When you have good teams, good years in your sports programs, you found that your kids excelled in the classrooms. I think it’s just a motivational tool that helps youngsters to stay in school most of all and try to excel in all areas of their lives.”

Garner retired from PHS in 2010.