Strive Not to Be a Success, but Rather to Be of Value
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The Michigan High School Coaches Central Michigan University Association Hall of Fame Induction Bovee University Center Ceremony Terrace Room HALL OF FAME Hall of Fame Class of 2019 Jack Brown Joyce Christmann Saturday, September 15, 2019 Thomas Claus 1:00pm Jim Leonardo Victor McGuire Douglas McKay Tom Micallef Darrin Millar David J. Miller Strive not to Len Perkins Steve Porter be a success, Dan Skatzka Dan Stolz But rather to Mark Thomas be of value. Norbert Wegienka 2019 mhsca induction banquet TABLE OF CONTENTS PROGRAM Information pg. Board of Directors………………….. 1 WELCOME Past Presidents & Distinguished Service List…………………………... 2 Mark F. Holdren, Executive Secretary 2019 Distinguished Service……. 3 2019 Inductee Biographies…….. 4-11 MASTER OF CEREMONIES Jack Brown………………………… 4 John Cunningham, President Joyce Christmann……………….. 4 GREETINGS FROM CMU Thomas Claus…………………….. 5 Jim Leonardo……………………… 5 Stan Shingles, Asst. V.P. Recreation, Events, and Conferences Victor McGuire……………………. 6 Douglas McKay…………………… 6 50 YEARS OF COACHING Tom Micallef………………………. 7 Mike Jolly, Service Award Chair Darrin Millar……………………….. 7 David J. Miller…………………….. 8 INVOCATION Len Perkins………………………… 8 Name Steve Porter……………………….. 9 Dan Skatzka……………………….. 9 MEAL Dan Stolz……………………………. 10 Carved Grilled Sirloin, Boursin Chicken, Garden Salad Buffet, Fresh Asparagus, Roasted Redskin Mark Thomas……………………… 10 Potatoes, Assorted Classic Desserts Norbert Wegienka……………….. 11 2019 “40 Under 40” Award……… 11 ASSOCIATION UPDATE 2019 NHSACA Hall of Fame…….. 12 Jim Okler, Executive Director 2019 NHSACA Awards (COTY)… 13 MHSCA Coach of the Year………. 14 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD 50 Years of Service Award……... 14 Jim Okler, Executive Director MHSCA Hall of Fame List……… 15-20 Hall of Fame Ring Information… 20 HALL OF FAME PRESENTATIONS Partner Associations and Executive Board Sponsors………………………………. 21 MHSCA Address Information and Hall of Fame History……………. Back EXECUTIVE OFFICERS John Cunningham President Ted McIntyre 1st Vice-President Debbie Williams-Hoak 2nd Vice-President Darrin Millar 3rd Vice-President Larry Merx Past President Jim Okler Executive Director Mark Holdren Executive Secretary Jack Johnson Executive Director Emeritus MEMBERS AT LARGE Mike Jolly - Warren Kim Spalsbury - Grand Ledge 2018-2019 MHSCA ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES Dave Elliott Baseball Elizabeth Grunch Basketball Michael Roach Bowling Melissa Coito Competitive Cheer Larry Merx Football Debbie Williams-Hoak Golf John Cunningham Gymnastics Girl’s Lacrosse Mike Jolly Men’s Lacrosse Karen Leinaar MIAAA Sue Miller Skiing Ted McIntyre Softball Darrin Millar Swimming & Diving Eric Gajar Tennis Steve Porter Track & Field/Cross Country Jodi Manore Volleyball Mark Holdren Wrestling EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES Mike Jolly Service Award Chair Larry Merx Rich Tompkins Multi-Sport Award Chair 1 Distinguished Service Award MHSCA This award is presented each year to someone who has done an outstanding PAST PRESIDENTS job supporting and promoting athletics in general, and has shown considera- tion and assistance to the high school scene and the Michigan High School Paul Smarks Coaches Association. Bob James Ed Werner The following are past recipients of the MHSCA Distinguished Service Bob Hayes Award. Steve Sluka Ed Braybiel Ron Finch Helen Geovanes Jack Streidl Win Schuler Barry Anderson Vern Norris Dick Oulette Bob Reynolds Russ Thomas Bill Bupp Fritz Crisler Don Lund Jack Johnson Biggie Munn Walt Bazylewicz Earl McKee George Alderton Richard Snyder Charles Jones Jack Heppenstall MaryKaye Murphy Jo Lake Buck Reed Tom mcShannock Dan McShannock Don Wattrick Warren D. McKenzie Tiger Teusink Terry McDermott Dick Kishpaugh Rich Tompkins Ray Fisher Kermit Ambrose Mike Jolly Francis Staley Roy Allen Norm Johnson Bingo Brown Dick Lowry Bill Miilu Bill Kelly Robert James Jack Shriver Earl Staley Tom Hursey Sue Barthold Wally Weber Richard Maher Kim Spalsbury Russell LeCronier Jack Johnson John Cunningham Mike Torrey Charles Forsythe Jerry Cvengros Jim Okler Dale Kennedy Suzanne Martin Dave Larkin Forster Wilkinson Jack Moss Al Cuthrell Jim Lewis Tiger Teusink Gregg Kirchen Harold Sponberg Herb Beromedi Nancy Brisette Hal Middlesworth Don Lessner Sue Miller Clayton Kowalk Lloyd Carr Rick Zoulek Bill Odykirk Dan McShannock Marti Covert George Maskin Mike Jolly Von Metzger Sam Madden Blake Hagman Jenna Ruddell Brother George Rich Tompkins Mike Rado Bob Calihan Diane Laffey Mike McGinnis Paul Carey Jim Okler Sue Miller Don Chanham Gina Massiloni Mark F. Holdren Jim Campbell John Harrington Steve Porter Morley Fraser Ronald Tomassoni 2 Larry Merx 2019 Distinguished Service Award Ron Tomassoni Ronald P. Tomassoni is recognized as an esteemed man, who through his selfless efforts and hard work, made high school bowling what it is today! In recognition of his efforts he has been selected as the 2019 recipient of the MHSCA Distin- guished Service Award. Ron was drafted into the U.S. Army and served for two years. During this time, he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, and then served in Korea, finishing his tour of service at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. After his discharge he moved back to Iron Mountain, where he began working for Fleury, Singler & Co. In 1961, Ron took over his father’s business, Recreation Lanes. He saw the popularity of bowl- ing as a way to bring inexpensive entertainment to the residents of both Iron Moun- tain and Kingsford. In 1978, he opened Recreation Lanes of Kingsford, and in 1984 he transformed a vacant swampy lot into what is now Antoine Plaza, where Recreation Lanes of Iron Mountain is now located. It was always Ron’s dream to see bowling as an accredited Varsity sport in Michigan’s high schools, and he worked tirelessly to fulfill that vision. He began by forming youth leagues at his home bowling center, Recreation Lanes, in the 1960’s, and helped other centers in the area form youth leagues of their own. He then worked with the area schools to introduce kinds to bowling through physical education classes. In 1993, Ron, along with nine other proprietors in the UP, established the Upper Peninsula Bowling Centers Association. Their next move was to approach their schools about getting bowling into the high schools. The first season of the Upper Peninsula Bowl- ing Conference was held during the winter of 1993-94. Motivated by the success in the Upper Peninsula, Ron be- gan contacting other proprietors throughout the state of Michigan to create conferences in their areas. He worked closely with Randy Allen to establish guidelines and rules for bowling which would follow the rules of the MHSAA. Because of Ron, in 2003, bowling became a varsity sport in the state of Michigan, sanctioned by the MHSAA. The first State Regionals and State Finals tournaments were held in 2004 with schools participating in 12 regions within three divisions (A, B and C-D). This coming bowling season’s Regionals tournament will have six regions in each of the four divisions (D1, D2, D3 and D4), with 387 schools participating in high school bowling. The model that Ron is credited with developing has been the basis for the development of high school bowling in 37 states. Ron’s Iron Mountain High School Varsity bowling teams attended local conference, regional and state tourna- ments, and in 2009, his IMHS boys bowling team place first in the Division 3 State Tournament, bringing the first State Championship bowling trophy to Iron Mountain High School. Ron was also an avid bowler. He was inducted into the Tri Area Bowling Hall of Fame for his dedication and ser- vice to the sport of bowling. He founded the Michigan High School Interscholastic Bowling Coaches Association and served as its first president. In 2009, the MHSAA honored Ron by naming him the 2009 High School Bowling Coach of the Year. The City of Iron Mountain also presented Ron with a proclamation at a City Council meeting in April of 2010, acknowledging all he has done for the youth of Iron Mountain and the sport of bowling in Michigan. Sadly, Ron passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. Serving as Pallbearers were the members of Ron’s 2009 State High School Bowling Championship team. High school bowling would not be where it is today if it were not for the insightful vision and unwavering determi- nation of Mr. Ronald Tomassoni. He was a great man who will forever be lovingly remembered as the “Godfather of High School Bowling”. 3 Jack W. Brown, St. Philips 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee Jack Brown enters this year’s MHSCA Hall of Fame with forty-six years of coaching experience. He started his career in 1968 where he spent three years as the JV football coach for Battle Creek Saint Philips Catholic Central High School. In 1972 he became the assistant varsity football coach (defensive coordinator) for Battle Creek Saint Philips and continued there until 2017. During his coaching tenure he helped lead Saint Philips’ teams to a record of 244-190-1. This includes a Class C state championship in 1974, a Class D state championship in 1985, State runners up in 2015, and seventeen playoff appearances. Over the course of his coaching career Jack was honored by his peers and community for his ser- vice and coaching. In 1996 he was named the MHSFCA Assistant Coach of the Year. He was later inducted into the MHSFCA Hall of Fame and the Saint Phillips Catholic Central Hall of Fame. Jack was an active member of the MHSFA and MHSCA for many years. He was also an active member of the Battle Creek community, volunteering for numerous school, community, and church related activities including the Battle Creek City Track Meet and Battle Creek Lift-A-Thon. He is respected for his dedication to his sport, coaching staff, student athletes and community. Joyce Christmann, L’Anse Creuse 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee Joyce Christmann has spent twenty-six years coaching girls and boys track and cross country at L’Anse Creuse High School and Middle School. Under her leadership the girls track team earned four league titles and two conference championships.