WS Chronicle

Art Blevins recently retired from Hanes Hosiery Recreation Center after nearly 40 years in the Winston-Salem Recreation and Parks Department.  He returned to the center for the championship game of the newly minted “Coach Art’s All-Star Summer League” on Aug. 22.

Blevins presented Richard Singletary with the championship trophy after Singletary led the Pacers to a 56-39 win over the Nuggets.  Singletary, who grew up under Blevins at the Hosiery, has been volunteering for years at the center.

“It was great to be back at home at the Hosiery for the day,” said Blevins.  “This is my heart and I miss my kids and the center but I am so happy to see the league still going on.”

“I am so proud of Richard because he grew up here playing for me when he was 14 years old and now he is 36 years old and volunteering,” Blevins continued.  Richard is like my son or little brother and I am very proud of him.”

DC Hudson and Isaiah Conrad of the Pacers were too much for the Nuggets to handle as they led the team to the 2017 Coach Art’s All-Star Summer League Championship.  Jaurice Watson, Jason Russell, Emanuel Moore, DJ Barkley and Jalen Barkley also played well for the Pacers.

Hanes Hosiery recreation leaders, Patrice Johnson and Jeremiah Hawks, renamed the basketball league to honor the newly retired Blevins. Johnson and Hawks said “This was a tribute and honor to Coach Art and his legacy for over 38 years of service to the community.”

Along with having the league named after him at the center, the city will also honor Blevins later this year by naming the Hanes Hosiery gym the “Art Blevins gym.” 

Blevins said he is “truly humbled, blessed and touched deeply by these honors.  God has truly blessed me in so many ways.  The Hanes Hosiery recreation center and the kids will always be in my heart and in my life.”

Coach Blevins says he wanted to thank Johnson, Hawks, City Council member Denise “DD” Adams, Recreation and Parks director William Royston and the city of Winston-Salem.  It was Adams who recommended to Royston that the gym be renamed for Blevins. 

Over the years Blevins has racked up countless numbers of accolades and honors for his dedication to the city of Winston-Salem and the kids in the respective recreation centers he has been employed with.  The renaming of the gym in his honor will add to a legendary career.