Archive: Sports

Do you know where Lansing's Sports Hall of Fame is? Go into Lansing High School and walk all the way down the hall, then take a right. Walk past the gym as far as you can go and take a left. Last Saturday (01/14) three athletes were inducted, and for the first time a team was brought into the Hall of Fame in a packed ceremony that was sandwiched between the Junior Varsity and Varsity Basketball games.

Inducted into the Hall of Fame "Class of 2005" were Tanisha Jenkins (1990), Jim Pronti (1993), Bill Kerry (1994) and the Ludlowville High School Basketball Team, known as The Trojans, from the 1943-44 school year.

"Last year we had four nominations of teams, but it was not enough," says Hall of Fame Committee chairman Marty Christopher. "We had enough this year to pick a team, and this team just stood out." Marchell's two sons put together a packet for the committee to review. They searched old Ithaca Journals, copying the box scores, teams they challenged and other information. The committee felt the team was outstanding, and it became the very first to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Master of Ceremonies Geoff Wright kicked off the ceremony, saying, "We hope that tonight's ceremony will encourage and motivate Lansing's current and future athletes to aspire to work hard, play fair and develop the individual and team accomplishments that warrant their consideration for the Lansing Sports Hall of Fame."

Tanisha Jenkins, Jim Pronti, Bill Kerry

He introduced current Hall of Fame members, many of whom were present. He then introduced the inductees, to much applause. He then read from the long list of accomplishments of each inductee, after which Marty Christopher gave them a copy of the plaque that would later be hung on the Hall of Fame wall behind the gym.

Tanisha Jenkins (1990) 12 time medal winner -- 4 in basketball, 4 in volleyball, 3 in softball, 1 in track and field Lettered in Varsity Track in 8th grade Three seasons on the Bobcat Girls Softball Team as short stop and pitcher Four year varsity member Led teams as a junior and senior to a combined 28-14 record MVP Award both years Led team to Sectional Championship Best score was 29 points against Southern Cayuga First female Bobcat to score 1,000 points 4 year starter and 4 year IAC All-star Twice named to NYS All State basketball squad 4 years on Varsity Basketball team with basketball scholarship to Lock haven University Currently lives in Charlotte, NC.

William T. "Bill" Kerry (1994) 9 time medal winner -- 4 in baseball, 3 in football, 2 in basketball In football led teams to 25-4-1 record over 3 seasons, named IAC & Section IV Division All-Star 3 years Selected to play in the Ernie Davis, Sr. All-Star game As runner and middle-linebacker Named school's best athlete as a senior Twice named IAC All-Star in Baseball 148 hits rank him #1 in Lansing Catcher and Pitcher Career .485 BA in over 300 at bats Led teams to combined 87-10 record including 3 IAC Championships and a Sectional title Started all 4 years at LeMoyne College where he had a baseball scholarship Signed as catcher with Saint Louis Cardinals in 1998

James P. "Jim" Pronti (1993) 9 Varsity Letters -- 3 in football, 3 in basketball, 3 in baseball Two time IAC All-Star football player Baseball teams with combined 64-8 record 17-3 record in Baseball 17.3 ERA in 150 innings pitched .353 BA in 258 ABs. Teams were IAC Champions and Sectional Finalists twice Selected to IAC All-Stars Baseball team three times Football twice Quarterback in junior and senior years, 16 wins As linebacker over 118 tackles as senior Selected to play in the Ernie Davis, Sr. All-Star game MVP at Sevion IV Bowl in 1992 Started 3 years in Basketball 1993 Lansing Scholar Athlete of the Year

Ludlowville High School Men's Basketball Team (1943-44) Rich Zifchock, John Christopher,Tom Marchell, Jim Howell, Casper "Monk" George Varsity and Junior Varsity honored Completed season with 11-2 record (1 loss in season, then in State Sectionals Hall of Fame member Coach Leonora Doria was the only woman coach in Lansing boys sport Starting five: Bob Brill, Casper "Monk" George, Tom Marchell, Ed Haynor, Jack Stull Supporting players: Jim Howell, Nick George, Jim Buck, Joe Listar, John Christopher, Rich Zifchock, Gerald Stockton

The committee, chaired by Marty Christopher, includes Sharon Bowman, Gary Christopher, Steve Colt, Chuck Crandall, Ron Eastman, Jack French, Matt Hollister, Maureen Muggeo, Karen Parkes, Bill Rankin, Ed Redmond and Geoff Wright.

"The team was nominated by Tim Marchelle, who is Tom's son," says Marty Christopher. "Tom is one of the members of the Varsity team. With only seven of them still living, the honor is going to go to all of them." All but one of the surviving team members made it to the ceremony, traveling from as far as Arizona and North Carolina.

The Hall of Fame began in the Fall of 1998 with the induction of 10 charter members. It now has one team and 39 individual members. Christopher says he thinks the team's induction will break ground for other teams. Anyone can nominate a team or an individual player. The requirements are that the team graduated at least ten years ago, and that the nominator provides as much information as possible so that the committee has what they need to consider the nominee. "We need names and records and statistics and things like that," says Christopher.

Lansing Athletics Hall of Fame

So next time you're near the High School take a walk past the gym. Take a look at the athletes that have served and inspired the community over its long, proud sports history.

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