Phases one and two of the Hall of Fame Update are now complete. Enlarged pictures of state champion athletic teams (phase 1) and individual/relay champions (phase 2) are now currently displayed. The Argus/Dispatch posted a nice article on the update. Thank you Jeff Wendland.
These updates need financial support as no tax monies are involved in the update. Tax deductible contributions can be made through the Rock Island/Milan Booster Club. The music fine arts phase should go through RIMA (Rock Island Music Association) and both should be designated” HoF” for the Halls of Fame. Donations for Drama/Speech should be designated separately from that of Music as these two divisions of fine arts probably won’t be displayed in the same areas.
Our next endeavor is to update the All State board (phase 3) with pictures of student athletes who have placed in state tournaments or have been voted to 1st teams by print media. Click here to view the criteria for the Hall of Fame. Pictures and nameplates are a necessary cost, but we will soon run out of room and will need to build new showcases.
Phase 4 involves a whole new venture. The Booster Club has established criteria for a Fine Arts Hall of Fame but currently, this doesn’t exist. Preliminary talks with members of the Music Department have yielded some ideas as to an appropriate location for this phase such as establishment of a “Fine Arts Alley” between the auditorium and band room on 1st floor or the use of the foyer in the Auditorium. As stated before, I am a novice in this area and would assist anyone who would like to head this up. Ed and I have plenty on our plates and would gladly lend support, but if left to us, we probably won’t get to it in our lifetimes. Kym VandeGriff has recently volunteered to head up Drama/Speech display…thanks Kym.
Phase 5 currently doesn’t exist, but would involve recognition of former Rocky athletic greats who have distinguished themselves after their high school careers. We have many who have achieved fame on the college and/or professional levels. This could be a part of the current Larry Shriver Memorial as there has been no update of this since 1975 and the criteria is somewhat vague. This probably would require the relocation of its current placement to a larger area in the foyer. This phase is still in its concept stage.
Other phases could include posting of lists of sports teams achieving conference championship status, like what is posted in the stadium for the football/track teams. It has also been suggested listing of Illinois Hall of Fame Coaches who have worked with Rocky athletes through the years. We have 12 or so of these coaches.
Again, please consider a donation to either the Booster Club or RIMA to support Rocky’s athletic/fine arts greats.