WHS Athletic Hall of Fame

On Thursday, July 1, nine new members were inducted into the Wellsville High School Athletic Hall of Fame (HOF). With the nine new additions there is now a total of 56 members honored for contributing in their own way to the Tiger Pride. The HOF was started with the first class being inducted in 2004. Since it was begun this was the fifth class to be installed.

Their individual plagues, complete with their picture, have been added to the wall of honor in the WHS Auditeria along side their 47 fellow members. We've already covered their accomplishments that got them selected in posts on June 28. Back then we used year book pictures.

Shown here in the collage and the group shot is what the selected new members look like today. Pictures in the collage was taken during both the reception with some family members and some at the ceremony. The late James "Boo" Carter was represented by his brother Frank "Frau" Carter.

In the group photo, seated from the left is Frank Carter, Collin Kinsey, John Euill, Lynda Salter Kelly and Jason Ours. Standing from the left is John Bobalik, Garry Allison, Dr. Laurie Punch and Dan Tice. During the induction ceremony Allison was introduced by twin brother Terry, Bobalik by brother Steve, Euill by fellow team mate Roger Ours, Kinsey by twin brothers Dave & Dan, Jason Ours by former coach Bob Rudder, Dr. Punch by former coach John Weeda, Kelly by sister Cindy and Dan Tice by Joe "Fu" Fusco.

Boo Carter is the second member of that Carter family to be selected. Along with his brother Les he joins nephews Bo & Troy Carter in the HOF. John Bobalik reminded us of a group of ladies that followed the team he played on and got to be known as the "Tiger Loonies". His mother Clare was one of them. John Weeda said Laurie Punch was a coach's dream with her athletic talents and always striving to improve in her events. We think John Euill summed it up best when he noted "being recognized by your home town is better than anything they do in Canton".

For us it was an honor shaking hands and renewing acquaintances with some and meeting anew the others. Congratulations to each of them and thanks to the HOF Committee for inviting us to attend it all. It was indeed a privilege.

ole nib