5 Super Athletes With Ties To Huntsville

Sports have a way of teaching invaluable life lessons — building character, fostering teamwork and strengthening the bonds within a community. In the Huntsville area, these values have shaped some truly remarkable athletes from different eras, whose accomplishments continue to inspire.

Patch has teamed up with T-Mobile to spotlight five standout athletes whose achievements have left a lasting mark on our community. While this list is just a snapshot, there are countless others who have helped shape the rich sports culture in our area.

1. Michaela Morard (Golf)

A Huntsville native and five-time Rolex All-American, Michaela Morard built a stellar junior career by winning multiple Alabama state titles and setting a record at 21-under in the Alabama Women’s Stroke Play. After beginning her collegiate journey at Alabama, she transferred to USC, where she made an immediate impact with consistent top-20 finishes. Morard also qualified for seven USGA events, won her first professional tournament at the 2020 Tennessee Women’s Open (as an amateur) and represented the U.S. at prestigious international events like the Junior Solheim Cup.

2. Margaret Hoelzer (Swimming)

Born in Huntsville, Margaret Hoelzer rose to become a two-time Olympian, three-time Olympic medalist and world record-holder in backstroke. In the 2008 Beijing Games, she earned two silver medals and a bronze, adding to a 2004 appearance in Athens. Along with her dominance in the pool — a 22-time All-American and six-time national champion at Auburn University — Hoelzer became a vocal advocate for child abuse prevention, drawing on her own experiences to raise awareness. She serves as a spokesperson for organizations like the National Children’s Advocacy Center, demonstrating her commitment to positive change both in and out of the water.

3. Bobby Eaton (Wrestling)

Huntsville-born “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton became a legend in professional wrestling thanks to his innovative in-ring style and success as part of the famed Midnight Express tag team. Working alongside Dennis Condrey and later Stan Lane, and managed by Jim Cornette, Eaton secured titles in Mid-South Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling and Jim Crockett Promotions. Later, he captured the WCW Tag Team Championship with Arn Anderson and briefly held the WCW Television Title in 1991. Beloved for his technical expertise, Eaton left an indelible mark on wrestling’s tag team division before his passing in 2021 at age 62.

4. Nic Dowd (Hockey)

One of the few NHL players from Alabama, Nic Dowd developed his game in Huntsville before heading to St. Cloud State University, where he earned All-American honors and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in 2009 and debuted in the NHL in 2016. After stints with the Kings and Vancouver Canucks, he signed with the Washington Capitals in 2018 and posted career highs, notably earning a reputation as a reliable center with a knack for timely goals.

5. Stewart Cink (Golf)

Born in Huntsville and a graduate of Georgia Tech, Stewart Cink soared to prominence with a PGA TOUR career spanning multiple decades and highlighted by his 2009 Open Championship victory. Standing at 6’4”, Cink has amassed over $40 million in career earnings, claiming multiple TOUR wins along the way. Known for his consistency and unflappable demeanor, he famously returned to the winner’s circle in 2020 with his son Reagan as his caddie.

This content is brought to our community in partnership with T-Mobile.