Rupert (Rocky) Shaft - - 2022 Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

 

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

RUPERT (ROCKY) SHAFT

July 28, 2022

By Chuck Krafft

 

Rocky Shaft was the Holt High School wrestling coach for 47 years.  He compiled a 624-108 record. 

His teams won 25 league titles, 35 district championships, 15 regional titles and three state titles!

He was twice nominated for National Coach of the Year and is a member of both the Michigan and National Wrestling Halls of Fame!

Mr. Shaft is deceased, so his widow, Liz Shaft and his former assistant coach, Stan Granger, (who is now Holt’s varsity wrestling coach) accepted the Induction Plaque.  Stan Granger made the acceptance speech as well; he had also been coached by Rocky Shaft when he was in high school. 

Stan Granger pointed out that Coach Shaft had a gruff exterior, but a really warm heart.  He never yelled at his wrestlers.  He always was positive and encouraging, even to the students who were not top wrestlers.  He always tried to find ways to make sure that everyone got chances to wrestle.  He never cut anyone from the wrestling team.  (At a school as large as Holt, that means a lot!)

What Stan remembered most about Coach Shaft was his humility and his phenomenal memory for sports facts and detailed accounts of wrestling meets from years past. 

Stan Granger showed some emotion during his speech.  His favorite quote from Coach Shaft was, “The fun is in the memories.”  This sums up both Stan’s respect for his former coach as well as Coach Shaft’s humility, spirit and all he brought to several generations of wrestlers!

For those who wish to read about the entire event, here is a link to the Overview page!

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2022/07/2022-greater-lansing-area-sports-hall.html

 

 

2022 Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - - Jim Brandt

 

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

JIM BRANDT

July 28, 2022

By Chuck Krafft

 

Jim Brandt coached Track at Grand Ledge for 28 years; he also coached Cross Country for 19 years and Basketball for 10 years.  He had a big hand in founding the Lansing Invitational Cross Country Meet in 1989.

In cross country, he had 66 consecutive dual meet wins and won 11 CAC Championships in 12 years.  He also won 3 Regional Championships and coached 6 All-State Runners.  He was the Lansing State Journal Coach of the Year in 1994.

In track, he won one CAC Championship, two West Central Championships and ten Eaton County Championships.  In 2005, he was entered into the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

His first comment was a story about a Magic Johnson dunk against one of his basketball teams that was so impressive that his Grand Ledge bench gave its props!  He noted that Magic Johnson went on to coach in the NBA while he went on to coaching track!  (Like most inductees, Mr. Brandt was quite humble!)

He thanked his athletes for their hard work and dedication.  He also thanked the coaches that helped his teams to achieve on a level that earned this recognition.

He showed a great sense of humor throughout his talk as he ended by telling us that he was happy to see his grandchildren at the event.  He noted that if he had known about grandkids, he would have skipped the “kids” part of the process!

For those who wish to read about the entire event, here is a link to the Overview page!

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2022/07/2022-greater-lansing-area-sports-hall.html

 

2022 Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - - Overview

 

THE GREATER LANSING AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME

INDUCTION CEREMONY

 

July 28, 2022

 

By Chuck Krafft

One of my favorite annual events every year is annual induction ceremony at the Greater Lansing Area Sports Hall of Fame.  Of course, as I do every year, I played piano during the happy hour portion of the evening.  For those of you who missed it, (from my You Tube Channel) here is one of the songs I played.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAyGsC_FuNo

 

Bob Every, the Executive Director of the Hall of Fame made some opening remarks.  He told us the story of moving the Hall of Fame from Lansing Community College to its present home in the Lansing Center. 

 

He acknowledged the sponsors and the Selection Committee Members and reminded the audience that they can submit names for consideration for the 2023 Class of Inductees.  He also thanked Barry Kiel as well as Brian Calloway and several other reports from the Lansing State Journal for publishing articles that highlighted each of the inductees.

 

The sponsors include:

Applegate Home Comfort

AF Group

Mary Ellen Sheets

Gregory Eaton & Associates

Dean Transportation

Dan Henry Distributing

ASAP Printing contributed the beautiful brochures that everyone received as a memento of the occasion!!

He also thanked Scott Keith, director of the Lansing Center, for the wonderful buffet dinner with great service as well as for the beautiful home that is provided for all of the Hall of Fame’s exhibits.

Sarah Anthony, the State Representative for the Lansing Area got up to salute the 2000 and 2001 Lansing Everett Girls Basketball Teams as well as the 2001 Lansing Community College Softball team.

Bob then introduced Jim Brandt, a long-time track, cross country and basketball coach at Grand Ledge High School.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2022/07/2022-greater-lansing-sports-hall-of.html

At this point, Bob Every introduced all the former inductees who made it to the 2022 ceremony!  I did not count, but would estimate that at least 40 former inductees were there to be saluted by the audience!

After a quick “Happy Birthday” complete with official song to former honoree Kim Spalsbury, it was time to introduce the next inductee, Rupert (Rocky) Shaft.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2022/07/rupert-rocky-shaft-2022-greater-lansing.html

The next inductee was Josephine Mask.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2022/07/josephine-mask-2022-greater-lansing.html

After that, Rachel Turney Justice was inducted into the hall.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2022/07/rachel-turney-justice-2022-greater.html

 

Now, it was time for the 2000 and 2001 Lansing Everett Girls Basketball State Champions to take their place on the stage!

 

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2022/07/lansing-everett-2000-and-2001-girls.html

 

The next inductee was Dan Olsen.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2022/07/dan-olsen-2022-greater-lansing-area.html

Roland Carter came up to the stage next.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2022/07/roland-carter-2022-greater-lansing-area.html

Roger Callard was the next inductee.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2022/07/roger-callard-2022-greater-lansing-area.html

The final induction of the evening was the 2000 Lansing Community College Softball team.

https://lansingcivicevents.blogspot.com/2022/07/2000-lansing-community-college-softball.html

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