Mike Emmons - who spent his entire 24-year career as a head coach at North Callaway - was honored with his induction into the Missouri Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Friday night at Tan-Tar-A Resort at the Lake of the Ozarks.
"I'm so humbled with the experience," said Emmons, who retired after the 2013 season but remains at the high school as a physical education teacher and assistant track and field coach.
Emmons compiled a 157-94 record at North Callaway, experiencing only four losing seasons. He guided the Thunderbirds to nine appearances in the state playoffs, including three quarterfinal appearances, eight district championships and four conference titles.
"I was lucky enough to spend my entire career at North Callaway, as a Thunderbird," Emmons said. "The community, the booster club, our athletic director - Terry Metcalf - the administration at North Callaway made it a great place to call home.
"I never took that for granted and I never left."
Emmons was joined by his wife, Ellen; their two daughters, Morgan and Nicole; his mother, Connie, and his sister, Lynda Hammers, her husband, Mike, and their son, Tate. Emmons' son, John Michael, was unable to attend Friday night's induction.
Emmons' father, John - who was an assistant with him for five years at North Callaway - died in 2002 after a battle with cancer.
"It really has been a family event and I'm so fortunate that they were so supportive of me," Emmons said.
Emmons was introduced before his induction by two of his longtime assistants, Kevin O'Neal and Reid Randolph. O'Neal - a 1994 North Callaway graduate - succeeded Emmons as head coach and is also the Thunderbirds' offensive coordinator. Randolph is North Callaway's defensive coordinator.
"I'd like to say thank you to all of my assistant coaches; it truly was a team effort with us," Emmons said. "I know our success would not have happened without them. I'm proud to say they were more than just coworkers, they're lifelong friends. I can see that by how many are here tonight."