Members of the 1965 Saints football team inducted into the LaSalle High School Sports Hall of Fame at Kewadin Shores Casino Saturday, October 17, include (front, from left) Frank Ahlich, Phil Robinson, Randy Neelis, Elaine Huggins (representing her husband, the late Assistant Coach Tom Huggins), Jo-Nell Rubick (representing her husband, the late Head Coach Ronn Rubick), Tom Hamel, David Schlehuber, Ken Brown; (back) Mark MacDonald, Barry Pierson, Bob Giacherio, Mike Smith, Rick Savard, Tom Alkire, and Bruce St. Louis. The St. Ignace Saints 1965 undefeated (8-0) football team and six individual athletes were inducted into the second annual LaSalle High School (LHS) Sports Hall of Fame during a banquet at Kewadin Shores Casino Saturday, October 17.

One-hundred twenty-five family members, guests, and friends of the inductees were on hand to honor the first team to be inducted, along with athletes Coach Jerry Gallagher, Ken Brown, Sandy (nee Halberg) Krause, Greg LaTour, Dan Wyers, and the late Jim Brown, Sr.

The 2009 individual inductees into the LaSalle High School Sports Hall of Fame include (front, from left) Jerry Gallagher, “Moie” Brown for the late Jim Brown Sr., Ken Brown, Dan Wyers; (back) Greg LaTour, and Sandy Krause. Twelve members of the 1965 Saints football squad and Jo-Nell Rubick, wife of the late Head Coach Ronn Rubick, and Elaine Huggins, wife of the late Assistant Coach Tom Huggins, were introduced by Marty Spencer, the present St. Ignace coach. He recalled the perfect season that led to the Michigan Huron Shores Conference championship.

Barry Pierson, captain and quarterback of that team, thanked his teammates who were present, including Bruce St. Louis, Mike Smith, Randy Neelis, Mark MacDonald, Phil Robinson, Bob Giacherio, Rick Savard, David Schlehuber, Tom Alkire, Frank Ahlich, Ken Brown, and trainer Tom Hamel. He also praised his teammates who went into the military following graduation from high school.

Prentiss “Moie” Brown, Jr. spoke on behalf of his older brother, Jim Brown, from the class of 1941, who passed away in 2008.

"Jim was a great LHS athlete and a true Saints fan. He respected his teammates and loved to talk about all the athletes who played for St. Ignace," Mr. Brown recalled.

"His biggest accomplishment that he was proud of was his 35 years as the president of the school board. LHS has a special scholarathlete award that is presented to one male and female each year. Another proud moment came after the present high school was open in 1963 and Jim made the first basket at the north end of the gymnasium."

Jerry Gallagher introduced Ken Brown, class of 1968, and called the former all-state player a quiet, but strong, leader who earned the respect from his teammates. He did whatever it took for his team to win, Mr. Gallagher said.

"Ken was a strong competitor on the football field and carried his work ethics to the coaching ranks for more than 30 yards at the varsity and sub-varsity level, and to this day still is a huge part of the community of St. Ignace," Mr. Gallagher said.

Peter Everson introduced and spoke about Coach Jerry Gallagher, who had an impact on many lives at LHS and was a strong mentor to Mr. Everson.

Coach Gallagher, who will also be inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in April 2010, left his mark on both the athletic and educational programs in St. Ignace.

Mr. Gallagher talked about all the memories he made while living in St. Ignace with his wife, Barb, and sons Dan and Patrick.

"I don't know why I left this great community. I had great coaches to work with and outstanding athletes to coach, and they are a huge part of this award," he said.

Coach Gallagher led the Saints to a 57-13-1 record in his eight years as head coach that included a state championship season in 1973. He later became athletic director, principal, and superintendent at LaSalle High School.

Sandy (nee Halberg) Krause, Class of 1981, was introduced by her younger sister, Kerry Schieding.

"I was my sister’s biggest fan,” she said. “Growing up, we always had to shoot hoops in the backyard instead of doing homework or doing chores -- that I ended up doing."

Mrs. Krause was a two-time female athlete of the year and scored 1,092 career points while earning all-conference, Upper Peninsula, and all-state honors. She was a member of the 1980 U.P. state volleyball championship squad.

"Sandy is very modest and that is why I am up here to talk on her behalf," Mrs. Schieding said.

Greg LaTour, Class of 1974, was introduced by his friend and teammate, Ed Lester.

"We grew up in the same neighborhood that in the 1960s and 1970s was called Third Ward,” Mr. Lester recalled. “We played all the sports in the backyard and later at the junior high and high school level."

Mr. LaTour, who quarterbacked the 1973 state championship team, thanked his coaches and teammates for the success he experienced on the athletic field. The former athlete of the year earned all-conference, all-Upper Peninsula, all-state, and all- American honors in football and basketball.

Dan Wyers, Class of 1978, was introduced by his younger brother, Kirk Wyers.

"I looked up to my brother during our school years in St. Ignace,” he said. Later the brothers were captains on the Northern Michigan University football and basketball teams.

Mr. Wyers began his message by quoting the late Green Bay Packers head coach Vince Lombardi.

"Football is a great deal like life in that it teaches that work, sacrifice, perseverance, competitive drive, and respect for authority. It is the price that each and every one of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile."

"You pay a price to be an athlete and coach. To coaches Peter Everson, Barry Pierson, Mike Perry, Ken Brown, Bucky McPhee, and Joe Frazier, you made me a better person and taught me leadership skills that I use each day of my life," he said.

Mr. Wyers thanked his family and friends, especially his parents, Pat and Sharon Wyers, and grandfather Dave Wyers, Sr. The former LHS and Upper Peninsula record holder in the discus said that athletes in St. Ignace are very competitive.