SALEM HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT Wall of Champions INDUCTION CEREMONY 5th Class SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2018 SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
Wall of Champions Program The purpose of the Wall of Champions program is to honor Salem High School s top student-athletes, coaches, administrators and teams who have made a positive impact on the local community, earned success on and off the field and who serve as role models for today s student-athletes. The Wall of Champions will create an increased awareness and pride at Salem High School. 5th Class Inductees 1974-75 Boys Basketball Ken Johnson Team Ed McCarthy 1995 Soccer Team Mia Sarkesian James C. Anderson Shellye Sills Brian Wolcott Jillian Dombrowski *Lifetime Achievement: Marge Verduce
Ceremony Agenda 5:00 Social Hour Master of Ceremonies: 5:55 National Anthem Paul Sincock 6:00 Opening Remarks Wall of Champions 6:15 Dinner & Dessert Committee: 7:00 Ceremony Induction 9:00 Closing Remarks Anna Britnell Committee Chair Rich Hewlett, Allie Suffety, Bob Blohm, Bob Cummings, Chuck Olson Brian Samulski Athletic Director SALEM ATHLETIC PROJECTS FUND All proceeds from the Wall of Champions program will contribute to athletic facility upgrades at Salem High School. Our facilities have not changed since 1970, but our programming and participation has doubled. Donations can be made on our website. WWW.SALEMATHLETICS.COM WALL OF CHAMPIONS 6th CLASS The nomination window for the 6th class is now open. You may nominate candidates through our website. This class will be honored in the winter of 2019. Details coming soon!
Lifetime Achievement Award ABOUT THE AWARD: In the spring of 2017, the Wall of Champions Committee determined that the program was in need of an additional, honorary award. This recognition was put in place for those who have served Salem High School in a role other than administrator, coach, or athlete. 2nd RECIPIENT: Marge Verduce Marge always worked hard and had things completely under control! Marge was the athletic secretary at Salem High School when it opened in 1970 until passing away in August of 2010. Marge was know for her great work ethic, always taking her work home with her and her love for high school athletics. Gary Balconi We lost Scott on Thursday, August 31st, 2017 after a short battle with cancer. Scott Beaman s incredible career in Plymouth-Canton Community Schools was the driving force behind the committee s decision to add this honor The award has been named the Scott Beaman Lifetime Achievement Award.
James C. Anderson ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Football 4 years, 3 letters All League Quarterback All League Defensive Back All Observerland, All Metro West, Honorable Mention All Suburban, All Metro and All State Member of the Michigan State University Baseball Team I never observed another athlete that worked harder than Jim. Gary Balconi Basketball 4 years, 2 letters Co-Captain (Senior Year) All League, All Observleland, All Metro West, Honorable Mention All Suburban. All Metro, and All State Selected for the 1979 Christmas Classic All-Star Team 95-22 (82%) Overall football, basketball, and baseball record. Outstanding Athlete Class of 1980 Baseball 4 years, 2 letters, Co-Captain All League, All Observerland, Honorable Mention All State
Jake Baker ACCOMPLISHMEN TS: Basketball 62-9 Varsity Basketball Career All Conference, All Area, All Observerland, All Region, All Metro, All Suburban, All State Soccer Earned 3 varsity letters All Conference, All Region, and All State Honorable Mention Track and Field Earned 2 varsity letters Jake represents the class of Salem Athletics. His humble determination and hard work ethic made him one of the best basketball players to ever wear the Salem uniform. Bob Brodie Jake was 6th in Mr. Basketball Voting
Kathy Dillon ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Basketball 3 year letter winner 3 time All League and All Observerland 3 year MVP 2 year captain set 8 school records (career and single season for points, assists and steals; single game assists and steals) Member of Michigan AAU Basketball Team Softball 4 year letter winner 3 time All League; 2 time All Observerland set 3 school records (career and single season hits, stolen bases and runs scored) Volleyball 3 year letter winner State Championship Tournament finalist Track and Field 2 year letter winner Swimming Letter winner set school record (200-yard medley relay) Kathy earned 13 varsity letters across 5 sports Kathy set school records in 3 different sports Kathy was Plymouth Salem High School Female Athlete of the Year in 1978 Kathy was a walk-on for basketball at Western Michigan University and played semi-pro basketball Kathy joins brothers Tim ( 74 Football, 75 Basketball, 75 Baseball, and individually) and Paul ( 77 Football) on the Wall of Champions
Jillian Dombrowski ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Volleyball 4 years, 4 letters All Division, All Observerland, Detroit News Athlete of the Week, All District, All Region, All Area, All Conference Soccer 4 years, 4 letters All Division, All Distrit, All Region, All Observerland, All Conference, All State Basketball 4 years, 3 letters Plymouth Salem 2001 Female Athlete of the Year
Ken Johnson ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Plymouth-Salem Head Girls and Boys Soccer Coach 1981 1995 Boys State Finalist 1989 and 1992 Several District Titles Boys Regional Finalist 1984 All-Midwest Coach of the Year, 1987 Ken was the man that brought soccer to Plymouth-Salem High School Gary Balconi Established both boys and girls soccer as Varsity Sports at Plymouth-Canton Educational Park. Boys State Championship 1995 Girls State Championship 1987
Ed McCarthy ACCOMPLISHMENTS: District Coach of the Year 7 times Regional Coach of the Year 3 times Observerland Coach of the Year 3 times Most Boys Soccer Wins in school history 8 District Championships 4 Regional Championships Mr. Soccer Kevin Cope 2008 Mr. Soccer Runner-Ups Brett Konley 1997 Scott Duhl 1999 Brian Popeney 2002 Ed was the already well established as the boys soccer coach when I started as the Athletic Director. Ed s knowledge of the game was a given, but what I was most admired about Ed was his competitiveness and his professionalism. No matter what the game situation, his side line demeanor never was too high or too low, but one of grit and determination. Tom Willette
Mia Sarkesian ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 4 Varsity Soccer Letters All Conference 1996, 1997, and 1998 Played Soccer at the University of Notre Dame 82-14-4 All District First Team 1996, 1997, and 1998 All Region First Team 1996, 1997, and 1998 All State 1st Team 1996, 1997, and 1998 All State Dream Team 1997 and 1998 74 Goals and 36 Assists in her high School Career Detroit Free Press Top 10 Scholar Athletes
Shellye Sills ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Basketball 3 Varsity Letters All Division (Sophomore) All Conference (Junior and Senior) All State Honorable Mention Volleyball 4 Varsity Letters All Division (Sophomore) All Conference ( Junior and Senior) Team MVP (Senior) All State Second Team (Senior) 1312 Kills 592 Blocks Played Volleyball at Ohio State University Ann Arbor News High School Player of the Year
Brian Wolcott ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Baseball 4 Years, 3 Varsity Letters All State Dream Team 15-0 Senior Season Record Member of the High School All Star Game Starting Shortstop for the 1975 State Champs Baseball Team Basketball 4 Years, 2 Varsity Letters All Metro West All Suburban Frist Team Golf 2 Years, 1 Varsity Letter Member of the USA Baseball Team 1980 and 1981 Winning Pitcher in the Gold Medal Game vs Cuba Brian was an unbelievable two sport athlete who competed in basketball and baseball. Brian was one of those few athletes that rarely made a mistake and was mentally tough. You wanted Brian as your teammate! Tom Wilette
1974 75 Boys Basketball Team ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Suburban Eight Champs (12-2) District Champs Regional Champs Only boys team in school history to make it to the Final Four This team was loaded. They had size, they had great guard play, they could hit the outside shot and played with tenacity under Coach Fred Thomann that was unmatched in the Metro Detroit area. Another chapter in the greatest sports year in the schools history. Tom Willette
1995 Boys Soccer Team ACCOMPLISHMENTS: WLAA Division and Conference Champs District Champs Regional Champs State Champs
Inaugural Class Inductees John Beaudoin Jim Ellinghausen Jordan Falcusan Tiffany Grub- Dena Head Rich Hewlett Tom Moshimer Chuck Olson Ron Orris Fred Thomann 1974 Football Inducted February 6th, 2016
2nd Class Inductees Gary Balconi Paul Cummings Ron Egloff Jill Estey Ron Finley James Head Kelly Jaskot John Sandmann Tom Willette 1975 Baseball Inducted October 15th, 2016
3rd Class Inductees Tom Davey Chris Gilles Wendy Gilles Jeff Gold Ron Krueger Scott Niemiec 1980 Wrestling 1987 Soccer Team 1991 Baseball Inducted April 29th, 2017
4th Class Inductees Fred Locke Brian Gilles Tim Dillon Kim Miller Jaq Merrifield Robert Dasher Jeff Roth LaTonya Wheeler 1974 Golf Team 1977 Football Inducted September 16th, 2017
Thank You Event Sponsors! Fundraising Campaign The Wall of Champions program serves as a fundraising campaign for facility upgrades specific to the Salem Athletic Department. Since opening in 1970, our facilities have seen little change and our programming has near doubled. In summer of 2017, our Wall of Champions funds assisted the P-CCS Bond work that was done in the gym to bring the facility back to life. Upcoming projects include: weight room expansion, coaches locker room renovations and large scale outdoor projects in partnership with the district. If you would like to make a contribution tonight, please visit the EEF table (credit cards accepted, all donations are tax deductible). Athletic Website: www.salemathletics.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/gorocks Twitter: www.twitter.com/salemhsrocks