Hall of Fame Update
Ed Lillis/Rick Miers
Co-somethings?
BACKGROUND
Originally the Hall of Fame was established by Shorty Almquist. (February 9, 1968 unveiling)
It appears that prior to 1990, only male basketball and football players were placed on the All State Board on the west end of the foyer.
Any athlete/relay that was a state champion is recognized on the east end of the foyer.
A Crimson Crier article indicates that AD Jack Whan updated the foyer at least once.
The Lettermen’s Club under the guidance of Bill Burrus updated the Hall of Fame in the 80’s, we believe.
The Booster Club last updated the Hall of Fame last, but it’s been 2003 since the last update.
In our research, we have discovered that no single entity has been consistently in charge of updating the Hall of Fame.
We obtained a qualifying criteria list for athletes from the Booster Club, but no one knows much about it origin.
In the criteria mentioned above, a provision for the establishment of a Fine Arts component for All State recognition was included. This presently doesn’t exist.
NEEDS
A growing number of athletes who have met the criteria for inclusion in the Hall of Fame are missing from the display.
An overall concept/design is needed for the foyer display area. Aside from the All State and the State Champions boards, on the west and east sides respectively of the ticket booth, displays have been placed randomly without serious consideration for future expansion/additions.
The wall directly east of the ticket booth needs reconfiguration including the following:
*Remove/relocate the Larry Shriver Memorial materials. Additions to it haven’t been made since 1976. This board could be used for State Champions expansion.
*Remove and relocate the ’79 Stadium Donor Board.
*Remove the old bulletin board on that wall.
*Replace/enlarge the 4 state champions pictures and add the other 4.
A proper location for the enlarged State Champion team pictures needs to be established. Perhaps on the wall mentioned above or other prominent setting.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR
A digital Hall of Fame (athletic and fine arts) has been established with links on the high school site. Postings will soon appear.
Contacts have been made to establish a fine arts component for the Hall of Fame in an area of the school other than the field house foyer. Ideas include use of the auditorium foyer or establishment of a “Fine Arts Alley” on the 1st floor between the auditorium and the band area. No firm decision had yet been made as to the best location.
Research on state finishes has been started using the IHSA website. Former coaches have been contacted in order to furnish more complete/accurate listings.
The current display has been inventoried for missing photos, errors, accuracy, etc.
Bill Gustafson has been consulted for artistic input and aesthetic appeal. Bill is a noted local artist who has painted murals throughout the QC area.
Information and prices have been gathered on some of the update costs i.e. enlargement of state champion team photos, nameplates, etc.
A criterion for inclusion in the Hall of Fame has been updated.
Current and many past coaches have been contacted for input on the project.
The present display area has been evaluated in the areas of aesthetics and effective use with an eye to future additions and display expansion.
Enlargement of the 8 other state champion team pictures has been tentatively approved for greater visibility.
EXPANSION POSSIBILITIES
Add a list of 13 Illinois Hall of Fame Coaches who have worked with RIHS athletes.
Establish a category/display area for those who have attained special status in sports.
*All American status
*College accomplishments
*Professional level accomplishments (Nelson, Bowman, Egerson, Collier, Mickeal)
Add championship boards for sports with undefeated notations (similar to what is posted in the stadium for football and track)
Add “Mythical State Champions” (’44 & ’69 football teams)
Establish a digital “Decades” athletic greats listing.
SUGGESTIONS/IDEAS
Some entity from fine arts needs to be recruited for the establishment of that component of a future Hall of Fame. It currently doesn’t exist and it is too big of a job for Ed and me to start, however we will be glad to provide support so as to avoid reinventing the wheel.
A good place to begin is expanding the digital Hall of Fame. There are links to both Athletic and Fine Arts Halls of Fame on the high school webpage.
We think it a good idea for each head coach who has an athlete qualifying for the Hall of Fame obtain a picture (it can be a digital image) for posting in the display. The athlete can supply an 8×10 or a headshot can easily be taken.
A logical place for the posting of coaches’ pictures who have led teams to state championships would be next to the enlarged team pictures instead of in a random row above a bulletin board.
Records and other like materials should be stored in the Athletic Dept so that the next update runs more smoothly. Unless there is a reason to the contrary, the Fine Arts should be stored there too.
All future relays that obtain Hall of Fame status should get their pictures taken together to save cost/space.
Due to its close proximity to each other, we believe that the Hall of Fame updating and the Boosters’ Brick Project can be mutually beneficial to each other somehow.
Proper communications should be established that keeps ALL involved in the loop. This includes custodian/maintenance people as well as coaches/administrators. Too many times things are planned and dumped into the lap of people who should have had prior input.
It is not our intent to diminish any current recognition of team/individual displays but rather update to bring about balance in recognition of all who have qualified.
It is our opinion that anyone who has qualified for the Hall of Fame should remain. I have led reunion groups on tours and this is the most popular stop for most attendees. Expansion will create the opportunity for closer ties with our alumni and perhaps inspire future students to attain that level of accomplishment.
At some time in the future, a press release needs to be created to advertise the updating efforts. Print and TV media as well as online sources such as the website, Twitter, Facebook, etc. should all be used. This would help in soliciting funds and help obtain missing pictures, etc. from the public.
We need a method where supporters can make tax-deductible contributions easily….and not just for this project.
Here is the site where we have posted pictures and commentary on the future updating.
http://www.risd41.org/ri/rockislandhigh/photos/foyerupdate/webfolder/halloffame.html
Respectfully submitted,
Ed and Rick
12/1/11
