MARCELLUS – Throughout its 129-year history, Marcellus High School was one of the few schools in Onondaga County that did not have an Athletic Hall of Fame.
In 2019, the Marcellus Sports Booster Club thought it appropriate that one be established, so the club selected a Hall of Fame Committee.
It consisted of representatives of the present MCS Administration, MCS coaches (present and retired), members of the Booster Club (present and retired), representatives from village and/or town government, and local residents with a strong interest and/or connection to MCS athletics.
A number of local schools (Auburn, Susquehanna Valley, Homer, Fabius-Pompey, East Syracuse-Minoa and Jordan-Elbridge and West Genesee) provided examples to study and consider.
All of those schools had a Mission Statement, and the HOF Committee decided that it first needed to write one of its own.
“The Marcellus High School Athletic Hall of Fame was chartered to recognize the accomplishments of the inductees for their contributions to the fine traditions and to preserve the history of Marcellus athletics.
“The purpose is to motivate current athletes, connect the past to the present and develop pride in the rich traditions of Marcellus athletics. These inductees exemplify Marcellus’ commitment to academic, community, sportsmanship, and athletic excellence.”
Now the committee labored over what should be included in the Marcellus Athletic Hall of Fame, including nomination information and nomination form, the eras, and categories to use, as well as suggested guidelines and a timetable.
Nominations, it was decided, could be provided by anyone in the public and mailed or emailed to the Booster Club at the high school.
The nomination form would outline five different categories for nomination, each nominee having to have graduated or retired for at least 10 years, and the nominations could come from three eras, including:
– Female Athlete
– Male Athlete
– Coach/Administrator
– Team
– Contributor
The nominations could come from three eras, including
– Legends Era – prior to 1950
– Middle Era – 1951 – 1980
– Present Era – 1981 – present
The Guidelines to use in the nomination process were suggested including:
– level of competition achieved
– leadership qualities
– impact a candidate had on the athletic program in general, honors and awards achieved
– School, League, or State records held
– Community involvement
– Length of affiliation with the athletic program
– Year of graduation/retirement
– Sportsmanship/Citizenship/Character/Civility
– Post-high school athletic career accomplishment
– Academic achievement
A timetable was established with an April 1 nomination deadline, a June 1 deadline to finalize the list of honorees, and an induction ceremony to be held in September or October during Alumni/Homecoming weekend.
For three years the committee, interrupted as it was by COVID-19, struggled over the process, carefully reviewing each and every nomination submitted. There were a great many nominations, and it was extremely competitive. It was difficult for the committee to make its final decisions.
In the end, the committee decided to select two nominees in each category and in a final, secret ballot, chose the following as members of the inaugural 2022 Marcellus High School Athletic Hall of Fame, honored in an induction ceremony on Oct. 8:
From the Class of 1990 – Outstanding Female Athlete – Christina M. Bailey
From the Class of 1986 – Outstanding Female Athlete – Patty Curtin White
From the Class of 1958 – Outstanding Male Athlete – Merton H. Raner
From the Class of 1970 – Outstanding Male Athlete – Ted Lewis Kinder
Outstanding Coach at MCS from 1972 to 1996 – Mary Tompkins Chappell
Outstanding Coach and Administrator at MCS from 1940 to 1971 – George A. Arthur
Outstanding Team from 1971 – the 1971 Varsity Cross Country Team – Dan Muldoon, Pat Coyne, Pat Reagan, Mike Males, Tim Sheridan, Paul Coyne, Mike Gooden, Fred Gooden, Jack Fitch, Tim Coyne
Outstanding Team – the 1989 Varsity Girls Soccer – Christina M. Bailey, Julie Barstow, Jessica Clarke Freeman, Lori Clarke Grattan, Margeaux Coyne, Elle Curinga, Kathryn Curinga Bolster, Katie Curtin Powell, Kerry Delaney Manahan, Kate Duffy Shanahan, Nancy Germain Spears, Kim Harkness Bishop, Hope Moses Salinas, Megan Murphy Beakman, Lisa Patterson MacLachlan, Sally Reed, Stephanie Santos Songer, Sharon Snyder Swain, Shelby Thayer, Ali Van Derhoof Thomas, Kim Vile Donovan, Cris Waters, Liz Weber O’Neill, Jill Whyte King, Coach Mary Chappell.
From the Class of 1950 – Outstanding Contributor to MCS Athletics – Frank “Brud” Wilson
From the Class of 1981 – Outstanding Contributor to MCS Athletics – Don MacLachlan
