The Cabot Schools Hall of Fame was created in 2008 to celebrate the successes of public education by honoring talented graduates of Cabot Public Schools, as well as local leaders who have provided distinguished service to influence public school excellence.

The Hall of Fame Inductees are recognized on the High School Campus in the entrance to the Arena/Fine Arts Building.

Purpose and Criteria for Nomination (click to download)

Please fill out the NOMINATION FORM ONLINE or download a print version.

We are looking for nominees for the next class of inductees. Nominations are due by August 1st.

We are looking forward to our next banquet and inductee class, details will be posted as soon as possible. The banquet will be in the fall of 2025.

HALL OF FAME

Click on each picture to see more information!

Induction Class of 2009	Induction Class of 2013	Induction Class of 2019
Induction Class of 2010	Induction Class of 2014	Induction Class of 2023
Induction Class of 2011	Induction Class of 2015
Induction Class of 2012	Induction Class of 2017

Induction Class of 2009




Induction Class of 2010



Induction Class of 2011



Induction Class of 2012



Induction Class of 2013



Induction Class of 2014


Induction Class of 2015



Induction Class of 2017



Induction Class of 2019



Induction Class of 2023

If you have questions or need more information please contact Panther Foundation at director@cabotpantherfoundation.org.

Jerry Bridges was born in Hot Springs and is a graduate of Lakeside High School where he played basketball for his father, Jack Bridges. He graduated in 1985 from Ouachita Baptist University where he was a 4-year letterman on the Men’s Basketball team coached by Bill Vining. Jerry earned his Masters in Administration from the University of Central Arkansas in 1997.

Coaching basketball runs deep in the Bridges’ family. Jerry’s father, Jack, coached basketball for 40 years as did his older brothers Jamie and Joe with 30 plus years each of coaching High School Boys Basketball. As a family they have coached in 11 state championship basketball games.

Jerry spent 31 years as a High School Boys Basketball Coach and 3 years as an Athletic Director for a total of 34 years. He coached at Caddo Hills, Morrilton and Ft. Smith Southside before trying this had in Athletic Administration in Mountain Home. After realizing his heart was in coaching, he returned to the basketball court at Cabot High School in 2004. After taking over the reins at Cabot, the Panthers landed 11 consecutive state tournament berths and then accomplished what no one thought could be done…beat the Malik Monk led Bentonville Tigers in 2016 for Cabot’s first ever State Championship in Boys Basketball history. Jerry led all 4 schools he coached, in 4 different classifications, to a State Championship title game, winning 3 State Championship titles and 2 State Runner Up titles.

Bridges was inducted into the Arkansas High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame on July 9, 2021, is a two-time recipient of the Lowell Manning Award (1990, 2016) and the AHSCA Boys Basketball Coach of the Year (1990, 2016). He earned AR Democrat Coach of the Year in 1990 and the KARV Dream Team Coach of the Year in 1991. Bridges was the Head Coach of the West All Star Team in 1990, Assistant Coach of the West All Star Game in 1991 and Head Coach of the East All Star Team in 2016 and was selected as Head Coach of the USA Basketball Youth Development Festival (South Region) in Colorado Spring, CO in July 2020.

Jerry and his wife, Lori, reside in Cabot and have 4 children: Jack, Jaylin, Jenna along with their bonus son, Jacob Hudson. Jerry and Lori also have 4 grandchildren: Hanlee, Ella, Parker, and Beckett.

These days Jerry can be found working at the family-owned Arkansas Alligator Farm and Petting Zoo in Hot Springs. He also enjoys spending time hunting, fishing, spending time at Lake Ouachita with his family as well as traveling the state watching high school basketball while supporting his former schools and teams.

Doug Erwin was born July 21,1956; he is a native of Lonoke County. Doug attended Cabot schools where he joined the FFA in the 9th grade and was the Star Green Hand. Doug showed Polled Hereford Cattle and won a Champion at The Arkansas State Fair in 1971.

In 1974 he was a contestant in the Arkansas High School Rodeo Finals. He entered in the Saddle Bronc Riding, Bull Riding, and The Cutting Horse Competition. He is the only Cowboy to ever win first at all three events and a record that still holds today. This led him to attain the title of Arkansas High School Rodeo Association “All Around Cowboy of 1974”. He went to the National High School Rodeo Finals in Tomah, Wisconsin.

After graduating from Cabot High School in 1974 he attended Arkansas State University at Beebe, on a Rodeo Scholarship. After 2 years at Arkansas State University, he was offered a Rodeo Scholarship to Oklahoma State University in Goodwell, Oklahoma. He Graduated in 1979 with a Major in Agricultural Business, and a Minor in Animal Science.

After Graduation he returned home to Cabot to begin training thoroughbred race horses, for the next 15 years. In 1995 while training, he broke his neck in a horse accident. While on the injured list he got his Real Estate License and became an auctioneer. For the next 12 years he did auto actions while also selling Real Estate.

From 2000-2008 he served as President of The Texas Longhorn Association. He raised and showed Cattle, winning a Grand Champion at the Texas State Fair 6 years in a row.
Awarded the Top Hand award by the Texas Longhorn Breeders Assoc of America in 2007.
Awarded The Herdsman award for the Texas Longhorn Breeders Assoc of America in 2008.
Elected Lonoke County Judge in 2010.
Lonoke County Republican Man of the Year in 2011.
Secretary-Treasurer for The Arkansas County Judges Association in 2018 and 2019
Served as the VP of the AR County Judges Association and Legislative Chair in 2020 -21.
Served as President of Metro Plan of Central Arkansas in 2021 and 2022.
President and Chairman of the Central Arkansas Planning and Development in 2020-21.
President of the Arkansas County Judges Association in 2020-2021
He is currently serving on the AR Judiciary District Court Resource Assessment Board, appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson
He is a 32nd Degree Mason, Past Master of Cabot Lodge #319
He serves on the board of First Community Bank
He and his wife Gail have been married 38 years and have one son, Luke Erwin
He is a Member of Crossroads Cowboy Church, in El Paso, Arkansas