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Eight inducted in WHS athletic hall of fame

Monday, 15 June 2009

By MARK HUBER

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Orange and black were on display Saturday night as the 2009 class of the Wilmington High School athletic hall of fame was inducted during a ceremony in the high school auditeria.

Those inducted were Dwight Wallace (class of 1962), Mike Wilson (class of 1965), John Petty (class of 1968), Kerry L. Baker (class of 1977), Gary Williams (class of 1978), Louisa Gerritz Garry (class of 1983), Greg Nared (class of 1985) and Katrina Butcher (class of 1990).

The eight newest members join “Oakie” Waddell and Gary Downing, members of the inaugural class inducted last year.

Mike Wallace, the WHS athletic director, said the hall of fame has been “a long time coming” but as the evening unfolded those in attendance knew it was worth the wait.

Dwight Wallace was introduced by teammate Mike Ewing. They began their friendship as kindergartners at Smith Place School, Ewing said.

“Dwight was always a leader,” said Ewing.

Wallace earned 11 varsity letters at WHS and went on to play football at Bowling Green State University, where he was quarterback and team captain of BG’s Mid-American Conference championship teams. He later earned MAC coaching honors at Ball State University.

Wallace is currently a football analyst for the West Virginia University Mountaineer Sports Network.

“This (hall of fame) is a testament to Wilmington High School, not only what they’ve accomplished on the athletic field, but the champions they’ve become off the field,” Wallace said.

Shawn “Small Daddy” Wilson introduced his father “Big Daddy” Wilson.

“My father, my pastor, my role model, my friend,” Shawn said of Mike.

Shawn said a hall of famer “puts the needs of others above their own.”

Wilson said he “learned to be a champion right here in Wilmington, Ohio. What I learned here was family. I played with some great ones all over the United States and Canada, but none better than the ones here.”

Wilson played football at WHS, earning three varsity letters, and then the University of Dayton on a scholarship. He played professional football in five different leagues — the American Football League, the National Football League, the United States Football League, the World Football League and the Canadian Football League. He was named the outstanding lineman in 1979 and 1980 in the CFL.

Baker was introduced by her sister Billie Baker.

“Kerry has always been the leader of everything,” Billie said.

Baker earned nine varsity letters at WHS in volleyball, basketball and softball. She earned South Central Ohio League honors in both volleyball and softball. She walked on to the softball team at The Ohio State University as a freshman. From there, she earned an athletic scholarship and was a three-year varsity letter winner. She later played semi-pro softball and professional women’s football.

“I wanted this,” Baker said of induction into the hall of fame. “At Ohio State, I helped induct women into the hall of fame but I wanted to come home (and earn the honor). I wanted this,” said an emotional Baker.

Fred Summers introduced Petty, one of his former players at WHS.

“John’s the type of player that was a coach’s dream,” Summers said.

Summers recalled Petty’s great basketball weekend during his playing days when he scored 38 points in a SCOL-championship clinching win at Greenfield then scored 43 points in an upset win over No. 4 Hamilton Taft.

“It was an honor to be a Hurricane,” said Petty, who earned nine varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball at WHS. “It was a very special place, at a very special time.”

Petty chose Ohio State over Kentucky and Purdue and placed basketball for the Buckeyes. He earned a varsity letter on OSU’s 1971 Big Ten championship basketball team.

Dick Butcher introduced his daughter Katrina.

“At an early age, she learned to be tough and defend herself,” said Dick, who noted Katrina was the ninth out of 10 Butcher children. “It didn’t matter what sport it was, she wanted to play and compete.”

Butcher earned 11 varsity letters at WHS in volleyball, basketball and softball. She was the first female basketball player at WHS to score 1,000 career points. Butcher earned All-SCOL honors eight times in three sports.

“Thanks for letting me share the stage with you,” Butcher said. “A common thread here tonight is gratitude for teammates. Without teammates like Kathy Sprenz and Casey Seeger, I doubt I would be here tonight.”

Mike Halley introduced Nared.

“People talk about that million dollar smile,” said Halley, who coached Nared in football and basketball. “He lights up a room when he walks in.”

Nared earned eight varsity letters at WHS and was MVP in both football and basketball. He earned All-Ohio honors twice in football and three times in basketball. He is the school’s all-time leading scorer in basketball and all-time leading passer in football. He played basketball collegiately at the University of Maryland.

“I’m proud to be part of this community, part of this high school,” said Nared. “My mom (Audrey) instilled hard work in me at an early age.”

Nared looked into the audience at his daughter Jamie and said, “Jamie, this is me … this is my family. This is who I am and it doesn’t get any better than this.”

John Patton introduced Williams.

“Gary did it all,” said Patton.

After earning 12 varsity letters at WHS in football, basketball and track, Williams went on to play football at Ohio State. He caught a touchdown pass in a Rose Bowl game against Southern California, a moment not lost on Patton.

“I started crying like a baby, seeing my buddy … catch a pass in the Rose Bowl,” Patton said.

Williams is the only WHS player to score 1,000 points and grab 1,000 rebounds in his/her career. At OSU, he caught a pass in 48 straight games, still an NCAA record.

“It’s been a blessing,” Williams said, “to see my hometown people here. I thank you very much.”

Jan Augenstein introduced Louisa Gerritz Garry.

“Louisa was a gifted scholar-athlete and a joy to coach,” said Augenstein, who coached Garry in track and field. “She was the quite the competitor. She had the ability to focus. You could see it in her eyes.”

Garry earned four letters at WHS and went on to a record-setting track career at Yale University. At WHS, she was third in the state in the 100-meter hurdles and fifth in the 400-meter dash in 1983.

“The thing we most value in Wilmington is a sense of community,” Garry said.

Garry said the hall of famers truly appreciated “how much this community gave to them as young athletes.”