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2025 MHS Athletic Hall of Honor Inductees
2025 Class - Athletic Hall of Honor
James Patrick "Pat" Cline - Class of 1993 - Student Athlete - Baseball, Football
Raymond Butler "Ray" Gault- Class of 1974 - Student Athlete - Baseball, Football
Austin Michael Jensen - Class of 2007 - Student Athlete - Track, Football, Baseball, Wrestling
Prince David Matt - Class of 1980 - Student Athlete - Football
Floyd McPherson, Jr. - Class of 1981 - Student Athlete - Basketball
Dale Eugene "Gene" Brown - Contributor
1985 State Championship Football Team
Click the link and ENJOY our 2024 Athletic Hall of Honor Banquet Video
Enjoy these photos from our 2025 Athletic Hall of Honor Banquet. Thank you to Billy Dzwonkowski of Billy D Photography, MHS Class of 2006, for capturing the evening in these awesome photos.
JAMES PATRICK “PAT’ CLINE – MHS Class of 1993 - Student Athlete
Pat is being inducted as a student athlete. He was a dual-sport varsity athlete who excelled in both baseball and football during his time at Manatee. He was a two-year varsity offensive lineman and a member of the 1992 State Championship Football Team that was inducted into the Hall of Honor in 2024. Pat helped the team by leading the way to 155 points scored over four playoff games. He was one of two players from the Bradenton/Sarasota area chosen for First Team All-State Florida. He was also selected as an All-Star for the Florida-Georgia PAL game in his senior year.
Although Pat had a dominating presence on the football field, standing at 6’4”, his passion and love were for baseball. Although he played outfield at MHS, he excelled behind the plate as a catcher. In his junior year, he hit 299, and then 444 in his senior year, when he was chosen not only for the All-Star team but also for All-State. As a first-team 4A Florida Athletic Coaches All-Star, he was drafted out of high school in the 6th round (166th overall) by the Chicago Cubs. In 1996, he was the Florida State League All-Star Team Catcher, and in 1999, he was ranked #7 by Baseball America Rankings for the Cubs' Prospects.
Pat’s biggest supporter and cheerleader was his Mother, Peggy Cline, who passed away in 2012. Her pride and love were evident in her collection of newspaper articles, photos, and statistics she kept during Pat’s athletic career.
Pat has volunteered for the Hernando De Soto Historical Society for over 15 years and is a driving force in rallying his classmates together for reunions and maintaining contact. Pat lives in Palmetto and is an estimator at Cox Chevrolet.
RAYMOND BUTLER "RAY" GAULT– MHS Class of 1974 - Student Athlete
Ray is being inducted as a student athlete. He was born in Bath, Ohio, a suburb of Akron, before moving south, and his baseball career received its indoctrination on the sandlots of St. Petersburg. A catcher in those days, it was not until he reached the age of 11 that he was converted into a pitcher.
A dual sport athlete at Manatee who excelled in both baseball and football, earning All-Conference in both sports. Ray was selected for the Prep Grid Honor Roll with his accomplishments published in the 1973-1974 All-America Football Award Yearbook. He played Varsity Baseball for three years and was All-Conference and All Area in baseball in 1973 & 1974. He played Varsity Football for two years and was All-Conference in football in 1974.
As far back as memory will permit him, he had a childhood aspiration to become a big league ball player. After completing a distinctive three-year tenure as the ace of the Manatee High pitching staff, his credentials were impressive enough to lure a baseball scholarship from Manatee Junior College. With the Lancers, he was All-Conference in 1976. Ray’s dreams of becoming a big league ball player were energized when he was drafted in the second round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975, the San Francisco Giants in the second round, the Detroit Tigers in the first round (23rd overall), and the Cleveland Indians in the first round (8th overall). Ray signed with the Cleveland Indians and played 3 years in AA baseball.
Ray lives in Manatee County and is the Director of Private Wealth at Smith Company, a Capitas Financial partner.
AUSTIN MICHAEL JENSEN – MHS Class of 2007- Student Athlete
Austin is being inducted as a Student Athlete. He is one of four generations of graduates from our Alma Mater, and he is related to George Delesline, Class of 1943, who was killed in action in WWI and is honored in our Heroes display in the Davis Building. Austin was a talented athlete at MHS, excelling in football, track, wrestling, and baseball, with a particular standout performance on the football field. He was a 5A first-team All-State in both 2005 and 2006 with 74 solo tackles, 100 total tackles, 7.5 sacks, 6 caused fumbles, and two fumble recoveries. He was the Captain of the team in 2006 and a 2005 All Area Defensive Player of the Year. Austin confirmed that he holds the school record for the most kicks blocked.
As a wrestler, Austin held a 15-2 record, including winning JV States.
He was a track and field 2006 regional finalist for men’s 100M, 200M, 400M, 400M X4, 100 M X4 relays, long jump, and discus. Many newspaper articles were found online highlighting his athletic career.
Austin was awarded a full athletic scholarship to Florida Atlantic University, where he played as a Safety. In 2010, Austin was a passenger in a vehicle involved in a terrible automobile accident, causing life-threatening injuries. His competitive spirit and work ethic were in his favor as he struggled to heal. Eleven months later, he awaited clearance to return to the Florida Atlantic football field, showing what hard work and determination can do.
He was the 2010 Wilma Rudolph Student Athlete Academic Achievement Award finalist and was recognized as the Comeback Athlete of the year in 2011 by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Austin lives in Manatee County and is helping others regain a normal life as a Physical Therapist Assistant, a Licensed Massage Therapist, and a Strength and Conditioning Specialist at the South Florida Injury and Convenient Care. He was nominated by Shawn Gettinger, a 2006 graduate who suffered a traumatic brain injury and stroke that nearly took his life. Shawn shared that Austin’s enthusiastic and encouraging approach helped him go from a wheelchair to walking unassisted today. Without Austin’s help, Shawn doesn’t know if he would have ever made the same progress.
PRINCE DAVID MATT – MHS Class of 1980 - Student Athlete
Prince is being inducted as a Student Athlete. He was active in football, wrestling and track in high school as well as the Student Advisory Committee, Hi-Y, and Student Council. He was chosen as the 1979 Third Team All State Running Back & the Sarasota-Manatee Area Back of the Year. He was a member of the All-County Football Team in 1977,1978 & 1979, Co-Captain of the 1979 football team and a three- year starter.
Prince attended FSU on a football scholarship and was starting outside linebacker and played in the 1981 Orange Bowl National Championship game against Oklahoma. He also played in the Gator Bowl and the Peach Bowl. While at FSU, Prince established several weightlifting records for the athletic program, including a bench press of 535 pounds at a bodyweight of 215 pounds.
Prince played with the Tampa Bay Bandits until an injury forced him to stop.
Prince lives in Manatee County and is employed by Everglades Farm Equipment.
FLOYD MCPHERSON, JR. – MHS Class of 1981 - Student Athlete
Floyd is being inducted as a Student Athlete. Floyd was a talented athlete while at MHS and excelled in football and basketball, focusing solely on basketball after his sophomore year when it was apparent that he would not be allowed to play his natural position of quarterback.
He was a 6’3” Small Forward with ball handling skills, passing and rebounding prowess with a deft touch from the perimeter. He personified his nickname - “Smooth Floyd.” Floyd earned a scholarship to MJC, averaging 19 points per game, and was named to the All-Conference and First Team All-State Teams. He was inducted into the MJC Basketball Ring of Honor.
He completed his education at Shorter University, averaging 24 points per game and being named to the All-Conference Team. He was also named Conference Player of the Month and nominated for the Georgia Player of the Month for all colleges for averaging over 30 points per game that month.
During and after high school, Floyd worked with younger players to refine their skills and maximize their athletic potential. His dedication and work ethic inspired many notable athletes at MHS and throughout Manatee and Sarasota Counties.
Floyd lives in Manatee County and is employed as a Foreman by PGT Innovations.
DALE EUGENE "GENE BROWN – CONTRIBUTOR
Gene is not a graduate of MHS, but that is not required for the Contributor Category. He was nominated for his outstanding contributions to the interscholastic athletic programs at MHS. Gene started volunteering for MHS in 1989 and became the sideline broadcaster as he watched the 1989 team win the state championship. He has been an active officer, booster, and radio broadcaster for over 35 years and is still going strong. He was the Booster Club President for 15 years and raised over $2,000,000.00 for MHS in the last 30 years, including funds for the video board, its rebuild, and the new play clock.
Gene maintains all the signs at Hawkins Stadium, constructed the new Boys and Girls Lacrosse sign, and served as a broadcaster on the radio for the football team for 30 years, etc.
Gene is currently the Mayor of Bradenton and is continually working on behalf of Manatee High School. Manatee is the only high school within the city limits of Bradenton, and he will literally go by the high school and pick weeds around the stadium and zip tie signs that have broken off the fence. In addition to being the Mayor and his contributions to football, Gene also financially supports the school through his business, Brown & Sons Funeral Home.
1985 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM
After suffering a loss against Lakeland the year before, ending the hope of back-to-back state titles, the 1985 Hurricanes had a lot to ponder. Coming into the fall of ’85, they did not have a solidified starting Quarterback and suffered a loss against cross-town rival Southeast in the 4th game of the year. “Don’t give Manatee a second chance” was heard among the team and their followers after Riverview surprised Sarasota and kept the Canes’ season alive, and the team proved that it was true.
The Canes saved their best game of the season for the Class 5A final on December 20, 1985, rolling over Pensacola Woodham, 50-22, to win the 1985 State Championship game before 9,000 frenzied fans at Hawkins Stadium. After the State Championship Game,
Coach Joe Kinnan’s comment was “That first half might be as fine a 24 minutes of football any high school team has ever played” and Assistant Coach Gary Theiler said “Sarasota should have never let us back in this thing in the first place” - - BUT THEY DID – AND WE WON!!