Lansing Civic Events: July 2021

Saturday, July 31, 2021

Dave DeMarco - - Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame 2021 Induction Ceremony

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

Dave DeMarco

July 29, 2021

By Chuck Krafft

Dave DeMarco hosts a popular local radio show on AM-730; he is also called “Mad Dog.” I’m personally a big fan of his show and actually call in once or twice a year.

He earned two varsity letters as a baseball player at Lansing Catholic and participated in the first Diamond Classic tournament.

He has been a huge part of the Lansing Area sports community for a long time. In addition to his radio program, he has helped host the Midnight Madness opening of the Michigan State basketball season as well as many other events.

He has also done an in-depth interview with Muhammad Ali. He is really generous with his time and helps with many fund raising events including a Lansing Catholic Baseball fundraiser that brought in over $45,000. He also helped to raise more than $50,000 to help the St. Vincent’s Home for Children.

Mr. DeMarco was brief with his acceptance speech. He introduced his long-time produces Brock Palmbos. He said that one of his most memorable experiences was the Muhammad Ali interview.

He thanked his family and friends for their support.

For those who wish to read about the entire induction ceremony, here is a link.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-greater-lansing-sports-hall-of.html

1975 Lakewood High Boys Basketball - - Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame 2021 Induction Ceremony

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

1975 Lakewood High Boys Basketball Team

July 29, 2021

By Chuck Krafft

The 1975 Lakewood High team won the Michigan Class B State Basketball Championship. Coach Rolly Krauss introduced the team and made some remarks. The team always came on to the court to “Thank God, I’m a Country Boy” which was a huge hit by John Denver in the late 1970s - - this was appropriate because Lakewood High is in a rural area and draws students from four local towns.

Coach Krauss told us that the team’s goals of 25 wins and the State Championship. They achieved both of those goals!

Coach Krauss related a humorous story where Jay Kimble had read a fortune that said the team would win. He blurted this during a timeout late in the tournament; the team went on to win that game. They then beat Jackson Lumen Christi in the semifinals with a late run and rolled over Mt. Pleasant in the championship game.

He told us how adults lined up at 7 AM to try to get tickets for the tournament games. (My small town, Frankenmuth, went on runs when I was in seventh and eighth grade; I remember how everyone was totally behind the team and understand this.) To tweak the sports writers who were dismissive of a small town rural team, the students dressed up in cliché “farmers’ outfits” to attend the games.

After they won the championship, cars were lined up for miles to congratulate the players as their team bus arrived in town.

Coach Krauss finished by thanking the committee for inducting his team!

For those who wish to read about the entire induction ceremony, here is a link.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-greater-lansing-sports-hall-of.html

Perry Costello - - Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame 2021 Induction Ceremony

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

Perry Costello

July 29, 2021

By Chuck Krafft

Mark Ditsworth came to the stage and introduced Perry Costello, who helped him learn umpiring.

Then, everyone was surprised by a video of Baseball Hall of Famer John Smoltz congratulating Mr. Costello on his induction. It was great to see that he took the time to do this! He thanked Mr. Costello for being one of his mentors.

Perry Costello thanked the committee for recognizing umpires and inducting him. He told us the process that involved going to a training program for umpires. He umpired baseball and basketball and thanked Mike Keating for his help learning.

He also cited Scott Warner, who was a really good friend in his formative years. His Brother Joe, helped instill the competitive nature that helped him grow in sports. He thanked the Lansing Community as well.

For those who wish to read about the entire induction ceremony, here is a link.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-greater-lansing-sports-hall-of.html

Gina Mazzolini - - Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame 2021 Induction Ceremony

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

Gina Mazzolini

July 29, 2021

By Chuck Krafft

Gina Mazzolini was a great athlete in two different sports (basketball and volleyball) for both St. Johns High School and Central Michigan University. She led her Central Michigan Chippewas to their first state title with a record of 24-9 in 1976-77.

She scored 988 points in her career which is the tenth leading total in CMU women’s basketball history. She is also in the top ten in scoring average, rebounds and rebounding average. In 1974, she was the first ever St. Johns female athlete of the year.

She opened her acceptance speech by thanking the high school and college coaches who came. She let us know of all the hurdles women had to climb when girls’ sports were starting. There were problems getting equipment, gym time and almost everything else.

She appreciated the help and mentoring she received from her parents, both of who were athletic. Her mother taught her the underhand free throw shot that is generally the most accurate way of shooting them (even if modern players won’t do it because it doesn’t look “cool.”)

Her parents emphasized character as she grew up. As she had to do much of her training at home, there were many broken things, etc. She said that eight siblings and one bathroom taught her a lot about teamwork and organization.

Sports taught her confidence, problem solving and teamwork. She treasured her relationships with her teammates. The lessons she learned playing sports at St. Johns and Central Michigan helped her to learn how to work hard and compete in life.

For those who wish to read about the entire induction ceremony, here is a link.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-greater-lansing-sports-hall-of.html

Hub Waite - - Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame 2021 Induction Ceremony

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

Hub White

July 29, 2021

By Chuck Krafft

Hub Waite had a twenty year run as a men’s fast pitch softball player and coached football, softball and basketball for 46 years. He spent 33 years as the coach of Lansing Catholic and won 812 games against 391 losses in a successful career.

He was District Coach of the Year 16 times, Regional Coach of the Year 6 times and was the Lansing State Journal Coach of the Year 6 times.

Mr. Waite shared a story about how he was watching the Midland Football team practice; the coach asked him to leave as spectators were not allowed to watch practice. He was surprised a few days later when the coach found out he had been a star athlete and asked him to be an assistant coach!

When he started coaching at Lansing Catholic, his first task was to get the girls to understand that they were capable of winning. There was an amusing story about a player misunderstanding an instruction to go outside (on a slide) and running out of the stadium.

There was another fun story about a girl getting a walk to decide a district game followed by fans storming the field before the batter and runners could take their bases.

He asked his long-time assistant John Richardson to stand and introduced his wife and family.

For those who wish to read about the entire induction ceremony, here is a link.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-greater-lansing-sports-hall-of.html

Denny Hill - - Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame 2021 Induction Ceremony

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

Denny Hill

July 29, 2021

By Chuck Krafft

Denny Hill had a great career as a swimmer and as a swimming coach. He received eight varsity letters from Lansing Eastern in football, swimming and track. He also had a successful swimming career at Michigan State University.

He had a stellar career coaching swimming. He coached both the men’s and women’s swimming teams at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbors. His teams won 31 state meets, finished second 24 times and finished from third to eighth place 29 times.

He won many awards for coaching swimming. When he accepted his induction, he thanked many people who helped him along the way. He told us that if you set out to win and prepare to win, the wins will come from the preparation and effort. He thanked the mentors who taught him as well as the athletes who swam for him.

He promoted a family atmosphere with his teams. He thanked his family and friends who were present as well as thanking the Lansing Community for getting him involved in swimming.

For those who wish to read about the entire induction ceremony, here is a link.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-greater-lansing-sports-hall-of.html

1977 DeWitt Girls Basketball Team - - Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame 2021 Induction Ceremony

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

1977 DeWitt Girls Basketball Team

July 29, 2021

By Chuck Krafft

The 1977 DeWitt Girls Basketball Team was one of the State’s first Girls Basketball Champions. They were a Class C team at the time; the only losses in their season were to a Class A Lansing Everett team that featured Magic Johnson’s sisters, Evelyn and Evonne, who had strong college careers and an Okemos team that lost only one game all season and was the state runner up in Class C.

They were one of the first women’s teams. Coach Chris Kane told us that as it was one of the first girls’ basketball seasons, the season was a story of pioneers, trailblazers and mentors. Most of DeWitt’s games were against schools with larger enrollments. She said the story reminded her a bit of the movie, “Hoosiers.”

There were many challenges making sure that the team had basic equipment and other resources as girls’ sports were so new at the time.

There was a humorous story about the game ball disappearing after they won the championship. After the MHSAA said they would not be awarded their trophies unless the game ball was given back. At that point, a basketball mysteriously rolled through the locker room!!!

For those who wish to read about the entire induction ceremony, here is a link.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-greater-lansing-sports-hall-of.html

Joseph Farhat - - 2021 Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

Joseph Farhat

July 29, 2021

By Chuck Krafft

Joseph Farhat was a promoter who did a lot to popularize pocket billiards. He owned Velvet Rail Billiards for about fifteen years. AS he is also deceased, Jean Anne Cardwell accepted his induction.

Joseph Farhat was instrumental in getting laws passed to allow minors to come into the billiards parlors and encouraged the kids to learn to play pool. Velvet Rail Billiards became one of the top billiards locations in the nation.

He also got Lansing Community College to start a billiards program. Ms. Cardwell noted that he was never interested in publicity for himself but was always looking to help others.

For those who wish to read about the entire induction ceremony, here is a link.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-greater-lansing-sports-hall-of.html

Pete Schmidt - - 2021 Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

Pete Schmidt

July 29, 2021

By Chuck Krafft

Pete Schmidt was a football coach who had a lot of success at Okemos and Albion College as a head coach and was also an assistant in the Big Ten at Indiana for four years. He was also inducted posthumously.

His wife, Rebecca, represented him at the ceremony. She told us that Pete’s character and work ethic are what enabled him to accomplish his successes as a coach.

For those who wish to read about the entire induction ceremony, here is a link.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-greater-lansing-sports-hall-of.html

Wayne Terwilliger - - 2021 Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

Wayne Terwilliger

July 29, 2021

By Chuck Krafft

Wayne Terwilliger was inducted posthumously. His children, Marcy and Steve accepted the award for him.

Mr. Terwilliger was a baseball player who played in the major leagues, mostly at second base for all or parts of nine years. He was noted for his great fielding expertise and was involved with pro baseball for sixty-two years in all.

He served in Saipan in World War Two and also participated on a championship baseball team in the military. He was noted for refusing to tolerate racial injustice and also for supporting his daughter’s project to help to protect wolves. He had a huge heart and is missed by his family.

For those who wish to read about the entire induction ceremony, here is a link.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/2021-greater-lansing-sports-hall-of.html

2021 Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - - Overview

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

July 29, 2021

By Chuck Krafft

Last year’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony had to be postponed because of the COVID crisis. This year, things came together and the Hall of Fame was able to formally induct the people who were selected in 2020.

Bob Every, the Executive Director of the Hall of Fame, made some opening remarks. He let us know of the fine collection of plaques and artifacts in the museum located in the front hall of the Lansing Center. He told a story about Magic Johnson being enthused about the Hall and giving a $100,000 donation.

It was time for the invocation and because the regular person was in the hospital, I was given the honor of doing it. As the ceremony was not disrupted by a lightning strike, I’m hoping that my invocation was acceptable!

He then acknowledged the generous sponsors:

Applegate Home Comfort

Shaheen Chevrolet

AF Group

Magic Johnson Enterprises
Auto Owners Insurance

Dean Transportation

Edward Jones Investments

Dan Henry Distributing

Bob then introduced and thanked the Hall of Fame Board Members. He also suggested that people complete forms in the Official Brochure for the event if they want to nominate someone to be inducted next year.

He then introduced inductees from previous years to honor them. About 30 inductees or their representatives were introduced and honored by the crowd.

Paul Stein, a football, basketball and baseball player from Lansing Eastern, who also played quarterback at the Air Force Academy and set seven records while he played was the first inductee. He had a successful Air Force career and retired as a Lieutenant General and Superintendent of the Air Force Academy. As he is deceased and his family was not able to attend, they sent an email that Bob Every paraphrased.

His family thanked the hall for the introduction and said that Paul Stein’s secret of success was the ability to put others first.

The other inductees were either able to accept their awards in person or through a representative.

Wayne Terwilliger:

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/wayne-terwilliger-2021-greater-lansing.html

Pete Schmidt:

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/pete-schmidt-2021-greater-lansing-area.html

Joseph Farhat:

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/joseph-farhat-2021-greater-lansing-area.html

1977 DeWitt Girls Basketball Team:

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/1977-dewitt-girls-basketball-team.html

Denny Hill:

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2021/07/denny-hill-greater-lansing-area-sports.html