Valparaiso High School inducted its Class of 2012 Hall of Fame on January 28, 2012 during a special afternoon ceremony at Strongbow Inn.
Nominees included: Mark Allen, Charles (Skip) Bird, Collette (Douglas) Huffman, Tom Hampson, Adolph (Adie) Jankowski, Sarrah (Stricklett) Mosher, The Reggie Family: Sid, Maredith, Erica, John and Peter, Amy (Shurr) Agema, Rebekah (Porter) Peterson, Shannon (Swanson) Domico, Ellison (Tipton) Carter, Sue (Watts) Collins and Greg Kirby.
Valparaiso High School Athletic Director Mark Hoffman was the host for the evening, with the honor and privilege of introducing the presenters and inductees. All inductees reiterated the great honor bestowed upon them to be included in the Valparaiso High School Hall of Fame, thanking family, friends and the Hall of Fame Athletic Committee for selecting them.
Dale Ciciora, a former Valparaiso High School coach, pointed out to be honored in the Hall of Fame, it is based on merit. He commented. “It is so nice to hear these stories and comments and see the people that developed from these programs.” He added, “These people did these things because of their coaches and also because of their parents who cared.”
Ciciora concluded, after introducing inductee basketball great Sue (Watts) Collins, that all these inductees are successful today because of their opportunity to participate in these programs and by their own talents.
Patty Bird remarked about the honor presented to her father, Charles (Skip) Bird, by saying, “This award reinforces all the good that my father brought to the community and to the kids as well. He would have been truly touched. To be recognized by his peers is one of the greatest honors.” Accepting the honor was Betsy, wife of Skip Bird, along with his daughters Mary and Patty.
Greg Kirby commented about his Hall of Fame honor by saying, “I loved coaching at Valpo. It was a great 16 years and if you are a high school coach in the state of Indiana, it doesn’t get any better than this.”
When asked what this honor means to the Reggie family, Sid Reggie humbly gave credit to the Valpo school system. Maredith commented, “It’s a great honor to be recognized over such a long period of time.” Daughter Erica said, “This is a great privilege. We learned discipline from our father from his coaching experience. From a sporting standpoint, we learned teamwork and they (Sid & Maredith) have created a great work ethic in all of us.”
To read more about the biographies of the inductees click here.