Surpriiiise, surprise, surprise: Barney Hester had no idea a surprise retirement party for him was coming

Barney Hester was in a meeting with Kevin Grooms, his successor as Bibb County athletics director, and thought they were attending another meeting at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. Instead, it was a surprise party celebrating Hester's retirement. And he was surprised.

Video: Michael A. Lough/The Central Georgia Sports Report

By Michael A. Lough

The Sports Report

centralgasports@gmail.com

          As he walked up to the entrance of the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame with Kevin Grooms for what he thought was a meeting, Barney Hester saw people inside, and didn’t think twice.

Video: Michael A. Lough, The Central Georgia Sports Report

          A group was having an event in the Hall, and he would commence passing it en route to a meeting room.

          As he opened the door, all the faces were looking at him, and some grandchildren stormed him at the entrance.

          The group that was there was for him, Bibb County’s Board of Education hosting a retirement party for Hester, now in his final month as Bibb County’s athletics director.

          Superintendent Dr. Curtis Jones, retiring at the end of the school year, was on hand along with several board staffers, coaches, family, friends, city leaders and other with a few cakes and other assorted gifts. Several of his current and former colleagues spoke, and there were hugs.

Barney Hester was had, by his successor, and was humbled by the retirement party in his honor at the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Video: Michael A. Lough/The Central Georgia Sports Report