Central High Inducts 10 into Hall of Fame, Spotlighting Tyrone Goodson

Central High School celebrated a halftime Hall of Fame induction that honored 10 former players and coaches and underscored the school’s role in community life and youth development. The ceremony took place during Central’s boys basketball game against Weeki Wachee on Jan. 19, 2026, and drew alumni, families, and neighbors to the gym for a night of recognition and local pride.

Leading the class was Tyrone Goodson, a multi-sport standout at Central who went on to play football at Auburn and with the Green Bay Packers. Goodson’s induction highlighted more than athletic achievement; it spotlighted his ongoing ties to Hernando County through youth programs and a youth foundation that supports community events including bicycle giveaways and football camps. That continued engagement illustrates how former student-athletes can contribute to health, mentorship, and opportunity in their hometowns.

Also inducted were Tre Joyner, Caden Bergantino, Braden Joyner, Rashaad Boyce, Dwayne Williams, Matt Zandecki, John Sedlack - the original Central coach - Alex Ruoff, and Doug Ivancsitis. The late Kevin Welch received a posthumous induction, prompting an outpouring of memories and gratitude from those who remembered his contribution to Central athletics. Photographs from the induction captured the ceremony and the crowd’s response, preserving the night for school yearbooks and community archives.

The event reinforced Central’s long-running tradition of athletics as a civic anchor. School sports in Hernando County are more than competition; they are settings where young people build fitness, discipline, social ties, and resilience. Public health research shows that access to structured physical activity and mentoring reduces risks for obesity, substance use, and social isolation. In practical terms, Goodson’s foundation programs - from bike giveaways to football clinics - add crucial resources for families who face barriers to recreation and safe play spaces.

The gathering also raised questions about sustaining and expanding local supports. Volunteer-led initiatives and school-run programs provide meaningful opportunities, but they depend on stable funding, facilities, and partnerships to reach the county’s most underserved neighborhoods. Strengthening those connections between schools, nonprofit foundations, and county services can promote equity in youth health and development and help keep young residents active and engaged.

For Central families, the Hall of Fame ceremony was a reminder of shared history and the tangible ways alumni give back. As Central moves through the season, the school and community can build on the momentum of Jan. 19 by supporting youth programs and advocating for resources that keep sports and mentorship accessible to all Hernando County children.