NOTE: On October 4th, the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame will enshrine five new members as the Class of 2025 during their annual Induction Banquet that will be held in the Family Life Center of the First Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Over the next several weeks, the Jackson Parish Journal will celebrate their legacy with a special feature on each.
Today’s Edition: Sonny Terrill

You have heard people described as a “natural born leader”. This is a phrase often used to describe someone who seems to naturally possess leadership qualities, such as confidence, charisma, vision, and the ability to inspire others.

In reality, there is no such thing as a “natural born leader”, unless you are describing someone at the top of a monarchical-type government that is in effect in countries like the United Kingdom (England), Norway, or Spain, where only family members can ascend to the throne. 

While a special few may have some innate traits and natural tendencies that helped make their leadership qualities easier to see, the truth is that “natural born leaders” are made through following, experience, self-awareness, and intentional effort. They are someone who seeks opportunities to lead, listens, learns from others, practices communication and interpersonal skills, and embraces challenges. 

Whether you believe being a “natural born leader” is an inherited family trait or someone who possesses the drive to work themselves into the role, there is one member of the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame “Class of 2025” that uniquely blends both concepts – Sonny Terrill.

In regard to leadership being an inherited family trait, Terrill now becomes the only 3rd generation representative, that including this year’s class, is now a part of the 84-member Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame, following his uncles Fred Clay (Class of 2010) and Burl Brashear (Class of 2015).

When it comes to a “natural born leader” being made, the 1985 Jonesboro-Hodge High School graduate fits the bill there as well, having exhibited the above-described traits.

Terrill is the son of Terry Terrill and Vernie Meeks, both of whom were distinguished athletes in their own right. It was following their early guidance that led to his passion and love for athletic competition. 

“I guess you could say I was born into it,” laughed Terrill. “Both my parents were very competitive, and they passed that on to me.” 

The multi-talented Terrill, who starred at JHHS in football and baseball during the 1984 and ’85 seasons, also listened and learned from his coaches during his athletic career, giving credence to all but especially mentioning two who he claims made an indelible impact on his life.

“I was blessed to have great coaches while in school,” said Terrill. “Two who really made a difference in my life were Bill Decou in junior high school and Ted Reeves while in high school, and I will be forever grateful to them for the time they took to help develop me.” 

When it comes to giving the effort required and becoming self-aware of his abilities, Terrill recalls the summers and training that he took part in during his early high school years.

“Like my dad, I was a little guy growing up and was always playing against older and bigger people, which made me realize that if I was going to be a good athlete, I needed to get stronger and learn as much as I could,” said Terrill. “Then all of a sudden I had a growth spurt and by the end of my Sophomore year, I was 6’3″ tall and weighed 210 pounds and became aware that at my size I had the opportunity to really do some special things, which made me work even harder.”

Capitalizing on his newfound size and continuing to develop his skills, Terrill became an All-District tight end and punter in football, but it was baseball that showcased his best talents.

In his junior season in 1984, Terrill posted a .591 batting average, still one of the best in JHHS history, leading him to earn first-team All-District honors while also becoming a slick fielding third baseman with a cannon arm that led to him being selected as a Golden Glove recipient. 

In a move designed to make the team stronger, Terrill moved to catcher for the 1985 season, where he compiled a .550 batting average that, along with his command of the pitching staff and nearly zero allowed stolen bases, attributed to him earning First Team All-District and All-State honors. 

Once graduating from Jonesboro-Hodge High School, Terrill accepted a scholarship to play baseball for Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, where his talents blossomed even more. During the years of 1986-89, Terrill was a two-time All-Conference selection, won the 1989 conference batting title, and set NSU records for all-time single-season hits and doubles, while also ending his career with the fifth-highest career batting average in school history. 

When you remember a “natural born leader”, it isn’t only athletic abilities shown, the pat on the back, and the motivational words to his teammates that were conveyed that led to team accomplishments during their playing days that come to mind.  What also must be considered is the legacy left behind for others to follow that laid the framework for team success in the future, and it is no coincidence that JHHS won three straight state championships in football the years immediately following Terrill’s graduation. 

While obviously demonstrating the traits of being a “natural born leader,” Terrill takes great pride in following the distinguished athletes who have been selected as members of the Jackson Parish Sports Hall of Fame.

“When you think about all the great athletes to come out of Jackson Parish, and to think that now I am going to be in the Hall of Fame with them is kind of mind-blowing,” said Terrill. “Other than when my wife (Kim Kelly) agreed to marry me and when our daughter (Hunter) was born, I consider this honor the greatest thing that has happened in my life and something that I will always cherish.”