Steve Riggs, Alexis Tibbetts to be inducted into FWBHS Hall of Fame

Two Fort Walton Beach High School (FWBHS) legends will be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame during halftime at the Vikings’ home game on October 13th. 

Alexis Tibbetts and Steve Riggs will become the fifth and sixth members of the exclusive Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to FWBHS and the community.

• The induction ceremony will take place at Steve Riggs Stadium, fittingly named after one of this year’s inductees. Tibbetts and Riggs will serve as honorary captains for the coin toss before the game.

Tibbetts dedicated over 45 years to the Okaloosa County School District as a teacher, counselor, administrator and superintendent. As principal of FWBHS, she led the school to become one of the top schools in the country. Because of her tireless effort and vision, Steve Riggs Stadium became the ‘Home of the Vikings’ in 2004-2005.

Riggs graduated in the inaugural FWBHS class of 1972. He was a standout percussionist and was the first musician to make First Chair at All-State. Riggs was selected as Mr. FWBHS in 1972 and was also a three-year member of the Viking ROTC.

He went on to become a successful businessman, having co-founded one of the top CPA firms in the country – Carr, Riggs & Ingram. He has continued to support FWBHS by being actively involved and financially supporting the Viking programs. Riggs also played an instrumental role in building the Viking Stadium, which now bears his name.

• Not to mention, all four his children are Vikings too!

“The stadium was a game changer for this school, and the two of them had the vision for it. They put their feet on the ground and dug deep and were the people behind it all,” said FWBHS Athletic Director Holly McDaniel. “We would not have this stadium, and we probably wouldn’t have the baseball field, if it wasn’t for the two of them and the tireless effort and work that they put into it on top of the financial support.”

Before the stadium was built, Bruner Middle School football teams played their home games on the practice field at FWBHS. The FWBHS football team got on a bus and played their home games at Choctaw. 

• Additionally, FWBHS students graduated at Choctaw and the Viking band never hosted a marching contest or festival. 

Now, all of that happens at FWBHS.

“Alexis Tibbetts and I will forever be tied together for the football stadium. Without Alexis Tibbetts, there would be no football stadium on the campus of FWB. Without my efforts, our stadium would be nowhere near the quality of what we have,” said Riggs. “Having your own football stadium changes the complexion of a school and all of the activities that can be held there.”

• Riggs also built the Olympic-sized track for the track team, making FWBHS the only county high school with an 8 lane track measured in meters instead of yards.

McDaniel said Riggs and Tibbetts were “no-brainer” choices for the Hall of Fame because of their work and vision to make FWBHS a source of pride for students and the community. Tibbetts was an innovator in math and science education, while Riggs continues to support FWBHS programs both financially and by attending events.

“I continue to support the academic, athletic and music programs at FWBHS as others supported them when I was a student there,” he added. “My high school and college (UWF) provided me the education to enter the business world and have some level of success. Sharing some of that success with another generation of students is the very least I can do.”

The Vikings will honor the legacy of Tibbetts and Riggs when they are enshrined in the FWBHS Hall of Fame next month.

“A storied duo of Viking Hall of Famers will be honored this October during halftime. FWBHS is honored to recognize the work and impacts that Steve Riggs and Alexis Tibbetts have had on our campus and community,” said FWBHS Principal John Spolski. “Both Steve and Alexis embody and demonstrate our Viking ‘Valhalla’ Spirit time and time again. The FWBHS administration and staff are grateful for their commitments and contributions from both of them.”