We recently learned more about what’s behind the Orange and Blue during a weekend celebrating all things Spartan.
Everything that’s happened since the school opened its doors in January 1966 led to a celebratory game and the first inaugural class of WS’s Athletic Hall of Fame. inductions.
The great mixture of talented athletes and coaches who wore the Spartan Orange and Blue created a sentimental reunion of memories and laughter.
Between coaches who opened WS on day one, to athletes who graduated a mere 16 years ago, the weekend was spent respecting how they have modeled our Spartan identity within and beyond the school’s walls.
To kick off the Friday night game, a golden football arrived via helicopter onto the baseball field, and was escorted to the turf by Detective Joe Plazio, who walked these halls for eight years as the school’s FCPD Resource Officer. Dozens of alumni came back in their dated spiritwear to support the team.
“It’s the nicest thing to touch the past,” said alum and track star Steve Nobles, a runner from the Class of 1971. Nobles led the school to state championships during his time here and went on to run for the College of William & Mary. Nobles was one of 21 individual honorees inducted into the newly established Hall of Fame on October 8.
The induction ceremony, which took place at the Waterford in Springfield, was attended by more than 100 past and current Spartans. The event was opened with remarks by Director of Student Activities Andy Muir. Later, Muir went on to display heartfelt video clips portraying the accomplishments of each individual inductee.
“It was an honor to represent my team and sport,” said swimmer Missy Bell Bunch, Class of 1997.
Bunch helped win three state swimming championships for the Spartans and continued her swimming career at the University of Tennessee, where she was a four-year Varsity athlete.
Bunch, echoing the sentiments of her fellow inductees, said she was humbled by the opportunity to be included in the Hall of Fame.
For some inductees, it did not take only athletic ability to make a difference in the community. Coaches and contributors took their mark on improving the life of Spartan athletes beyond expectations. The relationships built between athletes and coaches became that of a second family.
“I’m here because of Vic Kelbaugh. He was a father figure to all of his runners,” former Cross Country coach and longtime Physics teacher Ed Linz said. Kelbaugh, one of the inductees, taught world history here and coached Sharif Karie, also an inductee. Karie was a break-out Cross Country and track athlete during his Spartan career.
Former teammates of coaches and athletes being inducted traveled from around the country to celebrate the achievements of their Spartan family on both Friday and Saturday.
Kara Lawson (Class of 1999), who is probably the most accomplished Spartan athlete of all time, was honored for helping to win two state basketball championships.
She said she enjoyed the chance to visit with old friends on Friday and remember the old days at the luncheon on Saturday.
“It’s very satisfying looking back at my time” as a Spartan, Lawson said. “There were some of my most memorable achievements [here]. Seeing a lot of my teammates was extra special.”
Lawson, who was ranked second in the nation among high school basketball players as a Spartan, went on to a college career with top-ranked Tennessee, and then played on three WNBA teams, including Sacramento, Connecticut and DC. Lawson also won a gold medal at the 2008 Olympics in Bejing. She is now an ESPN broadcaster.
Friday night’s game, Lawson said, gave her a chance to catch up with old friends, including math teacher Shannon Rapoza, who played with her on the Spartan team that captured States in 1997.
Lawson said she still appreciates the well-known Spartan Spirit, including the fact that she was friends in high school with a cross-section of students, not just the jocks.
“Just because you play one sport doesn’t mean you can’t be friends” with a lot of different people, she said.
Muir, who as the school’s DSA has jurisdiction over all student activities, including sports, gave each Hall of Fame inductee a framed silver plate, a Spartan shirt and goodie bag.
After screening the video tributes, he said that even though all of the inductees are a little older, they still have that good old Spartan Spirit
“Our jumps may be a little smaller, speed a little slower, distance a little shorter, but our passion is still as deep as ever,” said Muir.