Ten members of the LaSalle High School Athletic Hall of Fame include (front, from left) Tom Hamel, David Hamel, sitting in for his father, Dr. Herbert Hamel, Colleen Colegrove, Barb LaTour, Doris Soeltner for her late husband Leroy "Bud" Soeltner; (back) Barry Pierson, Jim Lamoreaux for Bud Vecellio, Wade Huskey, Ed Lester Sr., and Mark MacDonald for his late father, James R. "Mr. Mac" MacDonald. The induction took place Sunday, December 28, at the Driftwood Restaurant. Six athletes and four distinguished service recipients were inducted into the inaugural class of the LaSalle High School Athletic Hall of Fame during banquet ceremonies at the Driftwood Restaurant Sunday, December 28.

Eighty family members, guests, and friends of the inductees were on hand and heard accounts about the outstanding athletes and distinguished members of the hall of fame, Leroy Soeltner, Barry Pierson, Ed Lester, Barb LaTour, Wade Huskey, Colleen Colegrove, Bud Vecellio, Tom Hamel, Herbert Hamel, and James MacDonald. They were chosen by committee for their significant achievements in the athletic programs at LaSalle High School (LHS).

Howard Everson, teammate and friend of the late Leroy "Jumbo" Soeltner, spoke about "the most unselfish athlete" he has ever seen over the years. Mr. Soeltner, a threetime all-state performer and captain, led the Saints to three Little Eight League titles. He was graduated in the Class of 1949, and later played football and basketball at Sault Tech.

Barry Pierson, Class of 1966, was introduced by Mark Mac- Donald, a former teammate who spoke about Mr. Pierson's accomplishments that included all- American, all-state, and player of the year in the Upper Peninsula. He won a Class D state championship and was Class C runner-up as a coach at LaSalle, and his resume from the University of Michigan.

Greg LaTour introduced Ed Lester, Class of 1973, the third athlete to be inducted.

"Ed was a standout in every sport he played, that included all-state, all- Upper Peninsula, all-conference in football, basketball, and track, and he was a true teammate," said Mr. LaTour. "You only get to see an athlete of his talent maybe once in a lifetime."

Barb LaTour of Chicago, Class of 1976, was introduced by Shelly (nee Shimkovitz) Morrish of Cheboygan, her friend and teammate.

"Barb was the best basketball player in the mid 1970s at LHS. The first 1,000-point scorer for girls basketball at LaSalle High School made you work hard to get better, and is still a true friend," she said.

Former Saints wrestling coach John Evashevski introduced Wade Huskey, Class of 1980, speaking about him as a true student of the sport of wrestling.

"His record as a wrestler for just two years was remarkable. Wade still holds the school record with an 86.8-career winning percentage and was the first Upper Peninsula champion in the history of LHS and twotime Michigan Huron Shores Conference champion. He was a hard worker on and off the mat," Coach Evashevski said.

Colleen Colegrove, Class of 1986, was introduced by Don Gustafson, principal and athletic director in 1986.

"Colleen was an outstanding athlete that had more than five school records in track and field when she graduated and still holds the school mark in the 100 dash and U.P. record in the 200 dash," he said. "Colleen is a coach and teacher on the island of Maui in Hawaii."

Jim Lamoreaux spoke about Bud Vecellio of Port Charlotte, Florida, who was unable to attend owing to health reasons. Mr. Lamoraux read an e-mail from Mr. Vecellio thanking the committee for their recognition, and he talked about Coach Vecellio's record at LaSalle.

Tom North spoke about the late James R. "Mr. Mac" MacDonald, as a teacher, as well as his coaching record as golf and football coach. He was also a yearbook advisor at LHS.

Inductee Tom Hamel, athletic trainer at LHS for 22 years, spoke on behalf of his father, Dr. Herbert Hamel, a community doctor in St. Ignace and unofficial athletic doctor at LHS for more than 30 years, who was also honored in the hall of fame. Dr. Hamel was unable to attend owing to health reasons, and Mr. Hamel thanked the committee for this honor for himself and his father.

"The 2008 induction was a huge success and the next ceremony is scheduled for October of 2009, but no date has been set," said committee member Doug Ingalls.