LH Sports Hall of Fame | Class of 2022

Each year, the Lake Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame Selection Committee chooses a group of exemplary past athletes, coaches, or athletic contributors for induction into the Lake Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame.  Five individuals were inducted into the Lake Hamilton Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, September 2, 2022:  Phillip Butterfield, Dr. Kevin Hale, Alan Puckett, Suzanne Fincham-Rains, and Billy Rhoden.  Read below for their bios:


Phillip Butterfield

Graduated from Lake Hamilton in 2009.  While at Lake Hamilton, Phillip was a member of the football team and received the following awards and accolades:  30 – 7 career record as starting quarterback, 2008 state title game MVP, 2-time all-state selection, 3-time all-conference selection, 2-time Garland County player of the year, 2008 Arkansas Associate Press Super Team Selection, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette 2008 6A Player of the Year, Little Rock Touchdown Club 2008 6A Player of the Year, 2008 6A/7A Player of the Year for the state of Arkansas. , 2-Time All Tri-County Team, 2008 Tri-Lakes Player of the Year, 2009 State All-Star Game Selection, 2 Time Landers Award Finalist, 2007 Fox 16 Player of the Year.  He set records at Lake Hamilton that include single-season passing yards, single-season passing touchdowns, single-game passing yards, single-game passing touchdowns, and single-game yards per completion.  One of his most memorable moments at Lake Hamilton includes winning the 2008 state title game.  After losing the title game the previous year and having a concussion, the road back to the state title was a long one but was a perfect ending to his high school career.  After graduating in 2009 Phillip was named a Team USA Selection: One of 45 graduating high school seniors to be selected to play on the United States’ first national team comprised of players ages 19 and under in the 2009 IFAF Junior World Championship.  He signed with Arkansas State University on a full-ride scholarship as the highest-rated recruit in A-State History (at that point in time) for the 2009 signing class.  He was #1 on the Sportscenter Top 10 highlights during the 2010 season for a touchdown pass, part of 3 consecutive Sun Belt Conference Title Champions (Golden age of Arkansas State football), and 3 consecutive trips to bowl games (2011-2013 seasons).  Phillip was voted Team Captain by his teammates during his senior season (2013).  Phillip received an MBA and now works at Stephens Inc. in Little Rock.  He is married to Brittany and enjoys volunteering with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Arkansas, golfing, traveling, and eating great food.  As a side hobby, he does radio commentary for Arkansas State Football.  


Dr. Kevin Hale

Longtime Lake Hamilton School District and Lake Hamilton Athletic Department supporter and contributor.  He has been involved in the Lake Hamilton School District since 1989.  Since that time, Dr. Hale has served on the LHSD Board of Education for 11 years with two terms as president.  He has and continues to treat athletic injuries through his healthcare practice, and continues to help students and programs in need through his foundation:  Kamo’s Kids.  Two of his most memorable moments at Lake Hamilton are anytime an athletic team has advanced to the state championship game or played in War Memorial Stadium.  He also has fond memories of when the school was able to convert both the track and football facilities and arena to be some of the best facilities in Arkansas!  Dr. Hale is currently president of Healthstar Physicians of Hot Springs.  He is in his 33rd year at Hamilton West Family Medicine Clinic where he continues to see patients.  He loves to duck and bow hunt and is excited about welcoming his first grandchild in October.   


Alan Puckett

Graduated from Lake Hamilton in 1998.  While at Lake Hamilton Alan played basketball for the Wolves and received the following awards and accolades:  All-State, All-Conference, 1998 All-Star, and Wendy’s All-Star Selection.  While in high school, Alan was named all-time leading scorer for the Wolves.  Two of his most memorable moments at Lake Hamilton include the epic battles he always had playing the Hot Springs Trojans.  It was always their toughest competition because they played against each other since 7th grade.  Another memorable, yet heartbreaking moment, was hitting a last-second shot in the semifinals of state thinking the shot won the game, only to realize the shot only tied the score and it went into overtime. After graduating from Lake Hamilton, Alan attended The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.  While at The Citadel, Alan scored 1,096 points, was 2nd all-time 3-point field goal at 242, and was named team captain his junior and senior years.  He is married to Lisa and has a daughter Haley who is a senior at Centenary College in Shreveport, LA, and a son Noah who is in 8th grade in Magnolia, Texas.  He is in his 20th year at Lenox tools, a division of Stanley Black and Decker.  Alan is also the Director of the Champion project, a Christian-based mentoring program to foster kids.


Suzanne Fincham-Rains

Graduated from Lake Hamilton in 2009.  While at Lake Hamilton, Suzanne was a member of the basketball, volleyball, track and field, and soccer teams.  Suzanne received numerous awards and accolades while at Lake Hamilton including All-Conference honors in Volleyball, Basketball, and Soccer; and All-State in Basketball all three of her years in high school.  During her junior year, she was named 6A State Tournament Volleyball MVP and a member of the 6A State Volleyball Championship Team.  During her senior year, she was named a McDonald's All-American Honorable Mention, received the KATV Full Court Award, played in the Arkansas All-Star Volleyball Game, and was a member of the 2009 6A State Basketball Championship team.  Suzanne set three basketball records while at Lake Hamilton:  #1 in most assists in a season, #1 in most rebounds in a season, and #5 in most career points.  Two of her most memorable moments at Lake Hamilton include pregame locker room fun with her teammates, and winning both the volleyball and basketball state championships with such a close group of girls, several of whom are still friends today. After high school, Suzanne attended Lyon College where she played both basketball and volleyball.  She still resides in the Batesville area and is going on her 10th year of coaching volleyball and teaching history at Southside.  She loves spending time with her two-year-old son, Zane.  They enjoy throwing the ball, playing cars, and hanging out at the local splash pad. 


Billy Rhoden

Graduated from Lake Hamilton in 1993.  While at Lake Hamilton, Billy was a member of the basketball, baseball, football, and track and field teams.  He was a member of the undefeated football team at Lake Hamilton (14-0) that won the 1992 state championship.   His memorable moment at Lake Hamilton is being blessed to have great teachers and amazing coaches throughout his school years.  After graduating from Lake Hamilton, Billy attended Ouachita Baptist University on scholarship to play football and throw the shot for the tiger track and field team.  After OBU, he went to Louisville and was a trainer for the University of Louisville and played one year for the Louisville Fire Arena Football Team.  He still says that he never played with such athletes as the ones he was lucky enough to play with at Lake Hamilton.  Billy said that athletics at Lake Hamilton changed his life and opened doors for him and he thanks his many blessings for the LHSD athletic department.