Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - - 2017

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

2017

It’s midsummer and a perfect night to watch the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame induct the 2017 class of honorees.  About 600 people have come to help to congratulate these fine athletes and leaders.

Bob Every, the Hall of Fame’s Director, thanked the Lansing Center Staff for all their work organizing the event and praised the chef for preparing an excellent meal. 

He also thanked the event’s sponsors and invited all past inductees to come to the front and introduce themselves.  About 50 people accepted the invitation and came to the front!  After they gave us their names, Bob Every thanked Michele Hoffman, who frequently does photography at Holt High events and is a professional photographer for handling tonight’s ceremony.

After Kellie Dean from Dean Transportation gave the invocation, it was time for the ceremony to proceed.

They opened as usual by presenting the Dick Letts Community Service Award.  Olivia Letts, Mr. Letts’ widow, introduced James Keyton Sr. (father of 2017 inductee James Keyton Jr.) and awarded him for his service. 

Bob Every got a bit emotional as he handed Mr. Keyton the award and cited all the work Mr. Keyton had done for the schools and in the community.  Mr. Keyton thanked many of the coaches who helped him along including Dick Letts, who coached him in boxing.  Mr. Keyton had a large family, many of who were also high athletic achievers.  Mr. Keyton thanked his wife and family for their support.

Mr. Keyton received a standing ovation.  

It was now time to induct the 2017 honorees.

Charlie Jablonski

http://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2017/07/greater-lansing-sports-hall-of-fame.html

Marcelle Carruthers

http://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2017/07/greater-lansing-sports-hall-of-fame_29.html

Leah Nilsson Kareti

http://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2017/07/greater-lansing-area-sports-hall-of.html

James Keyton, Jr.

http://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2017/07/greater-lansing-area-sports-hall-of_29.html

Steve Shipps

http://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2017/07/greater-lansing-sports-hall-of-fame_45.html

Andy Marsh

http://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2017/07/7-greater-lansing-area-sports-hall-of.html

Robert Roop

http://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2017/07/greater-lansing-area-sports-hall-of_30.html

Dan Stolz

http://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2017/07/greater-lansing-area-sports-hall-of_31.html

Marcus Taylor

http://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2017/07/greater-lansing-area-sports-hall-of_66.html

2002 Lansing Community College Softball Team

http://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2017/07/greater-lansing-area-sports-hall-of_32.html

1973 East Lansing Football Team

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The event was well-organized and special to every Lansing local sports fan.  Thanks to Mr. Every and everyone else who helps to maintain the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame! 

Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction 2017 - - 1973 East Lansing Football Team

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

2017

1973 East Lansing Football Team

The 1973 East Lansing Football Team won all nine of its games.  They scored 312 points and limited their opponents to 27 points.

They were voted the number two team in the State of Michigan that year.  

Coach Jeff Smith gave the acceptance speech.  Many of the team's players introduced themselves.  He noted that this was the eighth undefeated football team for East Lansing High since they started playing football in 1920.  

They only trailed in one game the entire year.  He also noted that the team played an entire game vs. Lansing Sexton with only one penalty.  Every player played in every game.  The team was in excellent condition, which helped them to pull away from opponents late in games.  Coach Smith noted that they did not have any player who was as large as 200 pounds on the team.

They tried to set up a game with the Saginaw Arthur Hill team which was undefeated and unscored upon that year.  (I was extremely familiar with that team; I grew up a few miles away in Frankenmuth and Arthur Hill's game was the highlight game in every Saturday's Saginaw News.)  They were not able to set up the game; I suppose that we will never know who would have won.  

As the State of Michigan did not have a football playoff that year, we will never know who the true champion would be.

Coach Smith pointed out that East Lansing had accumulated more playoff points if the State's system for determining playoff seeding had existed then.

Congratulations to the East Lansing Football Trojans on their fine season!

Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction 2017 - - 2002 Lansing Community College Softball Team

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

2017

2002 Lansing Community College Softball Team

The 2002 Lansing Community College Softball team, which was coached by Hall of Fame Director Bob Every had an excellent season with 49 wins and 7 losses.  They capped this successful season by winning the National Championship!

Bob Every chose to do the induction speech for this team.  His pride in their achievement showed through the entire presentation as he had to stop several times to gather himself.  

The softball team had come really close to the championship the previous two years.  In 2001, they were not defeated until the final game, which they lost and took second place in the country.  

Bob saluted Lansing Community College and its administration for their ongoing commitment to athletic excellence.  He had each of the players introduce herself and went on with the presentation.

He told a great story about a meeting with Muhammad Ali, the legendary championship boxer.  Muhammad Ali's words entertained, inspired and energized his team.  

The players did not have an easy road to the finals as they lost one game and had to be perfect or face elimination the rest of the way.  One day they had to play three games including one which went 14 innings.  Bob highlighted a great catch by Amanda Hickson in center field as saving the game in the semifinals.

In the final game, it was close at the beginning, but Jennifer Olds hit a booming home run that (in Bob Every's words) may still be traveling!  This triggered an eight run inning and the team went on to a victory as well as the national championship.

Bob said that each player contributed to the team and was proud of how the players fought even when the odds seemed to be against them.