On December 11, 2021, Valparaiso High School Athletics inducted this year’s Athletics Hall of Fame class with a ceremony in the afternoon and the Hall of Fame basketball game against Kankakee Valley High School at night.
This year’s 13 inductees included the following: Michael Cavanaugh ’53, Alana Hancock Harrington ’92, Clint Keithley ’01, Kathy McKibben Levandoski ’78, Chuck Nightingale ’67, Jeff Rybak ’84, Rick Underwood ’70, Cindy Willis Douthett ’82, Jones Family (Dan Sr. ’61, Jennifer ’84, Jessica ’86, Colleen ’88, Dan Jr. ’91, Marcus ’93), Gioia Family (Dan, Carl ’03, David ’00, Tom ’97), Mark Hoffman, Charles Stanier, and Karen Devries.
The Valparaiso High School Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to honor those alumni and individuals who have brought positive recognition to Valparaiso High School through their contributions to athletics. This year’s 13 inductees join 81 current members and will forever be remembered in the school’s history for the significant impact they made in their athletic or coaching careers.
“This year’s class is incredible,” Valparaiso High School Athletic Director Stacy Adams said. “Valparaiso High School has a long and rich athletic history. We are looking forward to celebrating the 2021 Hall of Fame class and the legacy of VHS athletics.”
After the induction in the afternoon, the Valparaiso High School basketball team took the court to face off against the Kankakee Valley High School Kougars. With excitement in the air and the support of the 2021 Athletics Hall of Fame class, the Vikings exploded on the court to win 73 – 40 over the Kougars. Junior Mason Jones had an impressive performance on the court with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Senior Breece Walls also had a monumental night with 17 points, 3 assists, and 6 steals. The game wasn’t all Walls and Jones however as Derrick Brooks, Jack Kuka, and Blaine Dalton all had solid performances to support the Vikings on the way to their fifth win of the season.