Federal Way Public Schools Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame Class To Be Honored at Memorial Field in September
The September 13, 2008, match-up between the Federal Way High School and Emerald Ridge High School football teams promises to stoke up a lot of memories for fans: Halftime of the game will be dedicated to honoring the first group of Federal Way athletic trailblazers to be inducted into the Federal Way Athletic Hall of Fame.
Prior to the Hall of Fame Game, a reception will be held for at 5:30 p.m. in the Federal Way High School cafeteria. The new Del Taco scoreboard will be dedicated just prior to the game at 6:45 p.m., and the game kick-off is set for 7 p.m. KOMO TV news anchor and Federal Way resident Keith Eldridge will serve as master of ceremonies for the evening’s events.
Federal Way Public Schools established the Athletic Hall of Fame to honor past employees who have made a major impact on the district’s athletic programs. These people 1) must have served the district for a minimum of ten years, 2) must either have been retired for five years from full time teaching and major coaching responsibilities or deceased, and 3) must have made a significant impact on the district’s or a specific school’s athletic program.
Inaugural Class of 2008 – “In tribute to those who paved the way”
| Joe Anderson | Football, Track and Cross-Country Coach / Lakota, Federal Way and Decatur high schools |
| Gary Brines | Football, Baseball, Basketball and Tennis Coach, AD, and National Coaches Association President / Federal Way High School |
| Merlin Epp | Football and Baseball “Voice of the Eagles” / Federal Way High School (deceased) |
| Chuck Gearhart | Football, Baseball and Basketball Coach / Federal Way High School and Thomas Jefferson, 1958 to late 1970’s |
| Duane Hammil | Wrestling, JV Baseball Coach, Principal, AD and District AD / Federal Way and Decatur high schools (deceased) |
| Bill Harris | Cross-Country and Track Coach, AD / Federal Way High School |
| Kathy Harris | Tennis (5 years) and Volleyball (27 Years) Coach/ Federal Way High School |
| Bud Hatley | Football and Track Coach, District AD /Federal Way High School (deceased 2002) |
| Al Hoppenrath | Swim coach at Federal Way for 24 years, track and football at Totem |
| Jim Judson | Soccer Coach and AD, six state championships / Thomas Jefferson |
| Jan Kirk | Volleyball and Track Coach, 28 years / Lakota Middle School |
| Turner Kuhn | One of Federal Way’s earliest coaches; Football, Basketball and Baseball / Federal Way High School (deceased) |
| Sam Mitchell | Football, Basketball and Softball Coach / Thomas Jefferson |
| Ron Nilson | Baseball and Basketball Coach, AD / Kilo Middle School |
| John Sparks | Football and Basketball Coach, strong supporter, 1940-1959 / Federal Way High School (deceased) |
July 1,, 2008