Sugg remembered as class act on, off court

Charles Richard Sugg, born April 8, 1944, was known to all of his friends and family as Ricky.

Sugg was an outstanding athlete at Berryville High School. He played quarterback for the football team, played guard on the basketball team and was a high jumper on the track team.

Sugg is among five individuals who will be inducted into the Berryville Athletic Hall of Fame in September, along with Gordon Carr, Allen Gustin, Dean Lee and Beverly Webb. The Carroll County News will profile each inductee in the weeks leading up to their induction.

The 2025 Hall of Fame activities are scheduled for Sept.19 and 20. The inductees will be introduced during halftime of the Berryville/Yellville Summit football game on Friday, Sept. 19, at Bobcat Stadium. On Saturday, Sept. 20, a pancake breakfast will be held at 8 a.m. in the Berryville High School cafeteria before the formal Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in the Performing Arts Center beginning at 9 a.m. All events are open to the public and everyone is encouraged to attend.

Sugg was a leader on teams that Hall of Fame coach Jack Edens proclaimed his best he ever coached.

Sugg played in the 1962 Coaches All Star Game with the intention to attend college in Conway, but basketball coach Glen Rose and the University of Arkansas came calling, and Sugg became a Razorback.

Sugg had a tremendous career playing basketball at Arkansas. He was named an All-Southwest Conference guard twice, in 1965 and 1966.

In 1965 Sugg became the first Razorback basketball player to score more than 40 points in a game, when he scored 41 points against Centenary. He did this long before three-point shots were allowed.

During his senior season as a Razorback, Sugg averaged 13.4 points and three rebounds per game while producing a career field goal percentage of 46.3 and 82.9 percent from the free-throw line. He also lettered for the Razorback track team as a high jumper.

In 1967, Sugg married Patty Holmes Sugg. The couple had two daughters, Angie and Bobbie. Sugg tragically lost his life in a job site explosion in 1973.

Sugg’s family and teammates, they stressed that he was, “as solid off the court as he was on the court.”

They remembered his smile and distinctive laugh. Several old teammates had gathered to share memories of Sugg and it was obvious they still carried fond memories with them.

Sugg’s leadership and personality will forever live in the hearts of his teammates. He not only starred as an athlete, but also as a family man and friend.