Ronan honors former athletes in Wall of Fame ceremony
The 1960 Chief basketball team captured the state title. Members of the championship team were honored at the Wall of Fame ceremony at the Ronan Activities Center. Pictured, from left, are Gayle Decker, Ronan Booster Club; Rich Janssen, Ronan School District 30 board member; and 1960 team members Nels Jensen, Roger Cheff and Ron Richwine. Attending but not pictured: Harold Fullerton. (Bob Gunderson/Lake County Leader)
Last Friday during an extended intermission between the girls’ and boys’ Ronan vs. Polson roundball rivalry wrangle basketball contests, a number of Ronan athletes were recognized for their contributions that predate the current Wall of Fame athletes that adorn the walls of the events center.
Gayle Decker, along with others among the Ronan Booster Club, came to the realization that some prominent athletes from an earlier era deserved comparable recognition among those currently featured among the Wall of Fame.
The following individuals were publicly acknowledged during the presentation for their athletic achievements of an earlier generation.
Ronan Wall of Fame inductees
1929 — Phillip “Frenchy” Roullier; First Team Boys’ All-state Basketball
1929 — Alexander “Sam” Clairmont; Second Team Boys’ All-state Basketball
1931 — John Cornelius; State Champion, 880-yard run
1948 — Ralph Salomon; State Champion, mile run
1950 — Richard “Dick” Schroer; Shrine Football Game
1953* — Dick Barber; all-state Track
1956 — Kenneth Schroer; Shrine Football Game
1957 — Dan Corcoran; Shrine Football Game
1960 — George White Jr.; Shrine Football Game
1960 — Harold Fullerton; Shrine Football Game; All-state Basketball
1960 — Jim Hurt; All-state Basketball
1960 — Leonard “Lenny” Schacher; All-state Basketball
1964 — Dennis Webster; Shrine Football Game; All-state Basketball
1966 — Roy Loman; Shrine Football Game
1935* — Ronan “Chiefettes” Girls’ Basketball Team
1960 — Ronan Chiefs Boys’ Basketball Team, State B Champions
*(Girls’ basketball was not a sport recognized or organized by the High School Association during these years, so no divisional or state tournaments were ever held. This team had a four-year record of 65 wins and four losses, and won the Lake County Championship four years in a row. Technically, they don’t qualify for the Wall as a team, but it is believed a solid case can be made for their inclusion.)