LOCAL SPORTS
CHADRON HIGH GRAD TO ENTER NEBRASKA HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS HALL-OF-FAME
By JOHN AXTELL, DOUBLE Q COUNTRY RADIO
Sep 21, 2007, 07:54

A 2006 Chadron High School graduate will be among those honored Sunday when the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame Foundation holds its 14th annual induction ceremonies in Lincoln.

Drew Pope, a sophomore at Nebraska Wesleyan University, will receive the Ron Gustafson Inspiration Award, which recognizes individuals who've overcome exceptional challenges to compete in high school sports.

Pope was diagnosed in 1992 with leukemia at age 5 with a prognosis so poor that the Chadron State College football team made him an honorary captain for one of its home games.

Pope successfully completed chemotherapy 3 years later, and went on to became a key member of the Chadron High football, basketball, and track programs nearly a decade later.

22 athletes, coaches, contributors and officials will be inducted into the hall of fame during those ceremonies at the Lied Center in Lincoln. None of the inductees are from west of North Platte.

There are 22 athletes: Bobby Bass, Omaha Benson 1975; Randy Brooks, Creighton Prep, 1977; Elmer Dohrmann, Seward, 1933; Jeff Evans, Fremont, 1973; Stan Parker, Bellevue East, 1982; Doug Phelps, Hastings, 1975; Virginia (Stahr) Gee, Centennial; Erick Strickland, Bellevue West, 1992; Clarence Swanson, Wakefileld, 1917; Howard "Dutch" Welch, Gothenburg, 1924; Allison Weston, Papillion-LaVista; 1992; and Andre Woolridge, Omaha Benson, 1992.

Five inductees are coaches: Paul Brungardt, Humphrey St. Francis: Linda Carlson, North Platte: Ron Coleman, McCook: Don Kelley, Lincoln Pius X: Jim Puetz, Columbus Scotus.

Three are contributors to high school athletics: Mark Ahmann, Wayne; Dwaine Gahan, Oakland; Ronald Park, Millard.

Two are officials: Dennis Logan/Dan Newmyer, North Platte.

Three Silver Anniversary teams will be recognized; Wilber-Clatonia girls basketball, Wheeler Central girls track and field and Columbus boys tennis.

Two Golden Anniversary teams, Lexington football and Clatonia boys basketball.


The Fischer Family Award will presented to the Henry and Ethel Rother Family of Wolbach, while the Great Moment in Nebraska High School Sports Award goes to The NSAA's invitation to the Hall of Fame and Nebraska Coaches' Association to share a new building in Lincoln.


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