“It means everything I ever
dreamed,” Cossey said of being inducted into the Hall of
Fame. “I didn’t really play much until the 11th grade. I
worked hard and when I got the opportunity to go out there
and play, I tried to make the most of it. Now, all these
years later, it’s an honor to be remembered and considered
worthy for something like this. Of all the great players we
had at Rector, to be considered one of them is one of the
greatest honors I’ve ever had.”
A 1965 RHS graduate, Cossey
lettered in basketball as a sophomore, junior and senior.
His outstanding play during his senior season earned him the
distinction of being named Honorable Mention to the 1965
All-American Team. That same year, he was also named to the
Arkansas High School All-Star Team, as well as chosen for
All-State and All-District distinction.
Cossey was also named All-State as
a junior. In high school, Cossey put up some impressive
numbers, finishing with 1,244 points while averaging 15
points per game for his tenure, shooting 55.1 percent from
the floor, 78 percent free throw shooting, 640 rebounds and
108 assists. As a senior, Cossey scored 644 points, had a
field goal percentage of 57 percent, made 82.1 percent of
his free throws and grabbed 336 rebounds.
Cossey also lettered in baseball
at RHS as a sophomore, junior and senior, while pitching and
playing first base. In the semifinals of the 1964 district
tournament, Cossey was not only the winning pitcher, but he
also hit a homerun.
Cossey went on to play basketball
at Arkansas College (now Lyon College) from 1966-1969.
There, he was named All-Conference, All-District NAIA and
Honorable Mention All-American in 1968 and 1969. In college,
he set the school record for most free throws made in
succession at 33, tied the record for most free throws made
in a game with 18 and finished fifth in career scoring with
1,891 points.
As a coach, Cossey earned a total
of 503 wins during his time with Cave City, Nettleton,
Grubbs, Clay County Central, Bradford and Prescott. He won
10 conference championships, made five state tournament
appearances and secured a state runner-up finish.
“I truly feel blessed with the
life that I’ve had,” Cossey said. “For me, it all started
right there in Rector. I wouldn’t be who I am today without
the school and everyone who supported me.”
