TFS inducts trio into Legends Hall of Honor

Tallulah Falls School has inducted three into the TFS Athletics Legends Hall of Honor. On Saturday, April 18, former coach and athletic director Scott Neal, along with 2017 graduates and basketball teammates Josey Keene and Michael Van Hooser, were officially inducted in a special ceremony.

25-26 HOH FLYER | VIDEO OF CEREMONY | PHOTOS

SCOTT NEAL

Scott Neal has left a legacy and impact that will forever mark the rise of Tallulah Falls School athletics. Neal left a championship program out West in New Mexico before the 1999-2000 school year. In 26 years at TFS, he brought not only the athletic programs to the forefront but was all about creating lasting relationships with all athletes, coaches, and faculty/staff.

Neal was the Athletic Director for most of his stay at Tallulah Falls, and coached cross country and track and field at all levels. When he first was assigned to take over the athletic scene, TFS had just a handful of programs. By the time he retired in 2025, there were over 45 different teams competing.

His desire to pass along to others what he had gleaned, coupled with his excitement to give people opportunities to succeed was unmatched. Neal harped on character and gratitude more than success on the field of play. He established the 'GREAT' moniker that surrounded the athletic programs for decades, and his expectations for all programs to be winners outside competition ultimately had the same results within.

Countless athletes, coaches, teachers, and students were forever changed by his leadership and discipleship. He continues to keep connections, offering encouragement, guidance, and faith even after athletes move on and now that he has as well.

At TFS, he coached numerous track and field individual state champions, and had more than a dozen of his track and field teams finishing in the top-8 at state. That includes the 2021 boys track and field team which won an Area Championship and placed a record third at the State Championship.

JOSEY KEENE ('17)

Josey Keene ('17) was a key player for arguably one of the best seasons in school history for boys basketball. A standout guard, Keene played from 2013-17, helping guide the program to 50 wins.

He scored 456 points (15.7/game) in the 2016-17 season, which at the time was the 2nd-most points in a single season. He finished his career with 1,346 points, graduating as the all-time leader for TFS. He also had 447 rebounds (2nd all-time at time of graduation), 127 blocks (still the all-time record), 157 steals (3rd-most), and 212 3-pointers made (still all-time leader).

Keene's 445 field goals made is still the program career mark (tied). Among his other records include still holding the single-game mark in points (37), graduating with the most blocks in a season (47), single-game blocks (still first with five), single-season 3-pointers (84 – still the record), 3-pointers in a game (seven, held at time of graduation), and 15 field goals made in a single-game, which is still the record.

The 2016-17 Indians made a historic Sweet 16 run, which was only the second occurrence at the time, while going 24-5 (2nd-most wins in a single season), and holding a #2 state ranking, matched only two other times to this day.
Keene, who also was a member of the Interact Club at TFS, was a Presidential Scholar and on the Trustees' Honor Roll. He earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Georgia Tech. He pursued a career in entrepreneurship.

MICHAEL VAN HOOSER ('17)

Michael Van Hooser ('17) was a standout basketball player for TFS, playing from 2013-17. He was a core player on the Sweet 16 team in 2016-17, which held a #2 state ranking and went 24-5 overall (2nd-most wins in a single-season).

Van Hooser was a leader on and off the court, and was the driving force behind that special season, as he helped elevate the play of everyone around him. In his junior year ('15-'16), he scored 443 points (17/game). He scored 392 in his final season, and had five games of 25-plus points in his career.

He scored from long distance (148; 2nd-most all-time), at the free throw line (289 FT made – most all-time), and everywhere in between. His career includes being part of the elite 1,000-point club (1,137), adding 444 rebounds (3rd-most at time of graduation), 173 assists (3rd), and 34 blocks (3rd).

Among his accolades includes earning 1st Team All-Region honors ('16-17), 2nd-Team ('15-16), and is in the BLITZ Hall of Fame. He also played one season of baseball for TFS, and was a Presidential Scholar and was on the Trustees' Honor Roll.

After Tallulah Falls, Van Hooser went on to Middle Tennessee State University, originally to also play basketball. He went on to earn a Bachelor's in Sports Management at the University of Georgia, and a Master's in Hospitality Management at the University of Mississippi.
At Middle Tennessee State, Van Hooser was part of the 2018-19 Conference USA Championship team, which was nationally-ranked #24. He coached in college at UGA, where he helped develop players such as Athony Edwards, Nic Claxton, and others. Now a Field Sales Pro for BSN Sports, he also coached basketball at Celebration High School, assisting four players to reach the college level.