David Price, I'Tavius Mathers among four to be inducted in first Blackman Hall of Fame class

Closing in on two decades as a school, it wasn't hard for Blackman to find good choices for its inaugural hall of fame class.

But the first class won't be a large group – only four will be inducted into the hall of fame the first year.

Former Blaze greats David Price, I'Tavius Mathers, Lindsay Sisco and Nathan Stephens will be honored at a ceremony Nov. 9 as the school's first inductees.

Here's a look at the Blaze's first hall of fame class:

David Price

An All-Star and World Series champion, Price is one of the aces of the Boston Red Sox staff, but he was a two-sport star at Blackman, also excelling at basketball during his time (2001-04) there.

In baseball, the four-year starter posted a career ERA of 0.43 with 151 strikeouts. He went on to Vanderbilt, where he was SEC Pitcher of the Year and National Player of the Year in 2007.

A first-round pick by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in 2007, Price has had an outstanding major league career that includes a 2012 Cy Young Award with the Rays and a World Series championship with the Red Sox in 2018.

Price has given back to the Murfreesboro community as part of Project 14, including construction of the city's Miracle Field and playground for children with special needs. Blackman's baseball field is named after him.

I'Tavius Mathers

Blackman's record-holder for rushing yards in a season and career, Mathers (2008-12) rushed for 4,867 yards and 58 touchdowns during his junior and senior years. After winning the Gatorade Player of the Year award for Tennessee in 2010, he went on to play at Ole Miss before transferring to MTSU for his senior season.

While at MTSU, Mathers became the first player in FBS history to have 1,500 yards rushing, 500 yards receiving and 60 receptions in a season. He set Blue Raiders records for rushing yards (1,561), all-purpose yards (2,194) and receptions for a running back (66).

After college, he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars before injuries cut his professional career short.

Lindsay Sisco

Sisco was an all-district volleyball player in 2001, 2002 and 2003, earning first-team all-state honors in 2002 and 2003.

During her senior season, she was named TSSAA Class AAA State Volleyball Tournament MVP and Gatorade Player of the Year for Tennessee.

She went on to play volleyball at MTSU after graduating from Blackman.

Nathan Stephens

Stephens was a sophomore the year Blackman opened (2000) and was a two-year starter on the basketball team.

But he was known more for his contributions off the court, including leadership, work ethic, academics and character. 

Stephens died in 2007 during a pick-up basketball game while attending the University of Tennessee.

A memorial scholarship fund has been set up for future Blackman athletes who exemplify Stephens' character.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

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