Unity Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2009

1972-73 Boys’ Basketball Team

David Grimmer

John Murphy

Rosemary Brickman

Jerri A. Miller

Terri Orr Freesmeyer

Sponsored by the Unity Sports Booster Club

Induction Ceremony December 28, 2009

On behalf of the Unity Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, we would like to congratulate our inaugural class. This diverse group’s accomplishments have endured the test of time. Please take the time to read about this year’s outstanding class of inductees. Do you know someone who is a graduate of Unity High School who deserves to be inducted in to the Athletic Hall of Fame? If so, then take a minute to fill out the form found at the back of this program. Thank you, alumni and friends, for your support of Unity High School and our newly founded Athletic Hall of Fame. Seth Klusmeyer Athletic Director

Donna Jansen Unity Sports Booster Club President

Qualification for the Unity Athletic Hall of Fame

STUDENT-ATHLETE

Must have competed at the varsity level for at least 2 years at Unity High School and made a major impact on the program.

Consideration given to outstanding accomplishments in the area of athletics at Unity High School.

Consideration given to the individual and team performance in the postseason.

Consideration given to accomplishments beyond and/or after Unity High School.

Consideration given to the athletes who have been out of school for at least ten years.

Any individual that wins a state championship is automatically nominated after the ten year anniversary of his/her graduation.

TEAM

Consideration given to team performance in the conference.

Consideration given to the team performance in the postseason.

Consideration given to a team that has been out of school ten years.

Any team that wins a state championship is automatically nominated after a minimum of ten years. COACH

Consideration given to outstanding contributions in the area of athletics as related to Unity High School.

Must have coached a sport(s) for at least three years at Unity High School.

Consideration given to the coach and team performance in the conference.

Consideration given to the coach and team performance in the postseason.

Must be in good standing with Unity High School. SUPPORTER

Must have made significant contributions to Unity High School Athletics.

Consideration given to length of time of support or service to the Unity Athletic Program.

Consideration given to involvement with all sports at Unity High School.

Consideration given to fundraising and financial support for Unity High School Athletics.

Hall of Fame Committee

Gary Brickman

Ken Gray

Sue Woodworth

Donna Jansen

Seth Klusmeyer

Ken Ellerbrock

Dean Woodruff

Johanna Voss

1972 – 73 Boys’ Basketball Team

The 1972-73 basketball team completed the best season in school history with a berth in the Sweet Sixteen where they fell to Petersburg Porta. They won their second consecutive West Central Conference Championship with a perfect 5 – 0 record, and an overall record of 27 - 3. In the process, the Mustangs surpassed their own conference defensive record by holding their opponents to 47.4 points per game. Eight different team members scored in double figures at least once during the year. The team won both the Hannibal Thanksgiving Tournament and the MVIT. Greg Campbell, Greg Frazier, and Steve Turner were named to the all-tournament team at Hannibal. Greg Campbell, Greg Frazier, and Ken Ellerbrock were selected to the all-tournament team at the MVIT. These 3 were also selected to the West Central All Conference Team. Gene Hendrickson and Dave Parker were selected West Central All Conference – Honorable Mention.

Unity won the regional at Brown County by beating Central 45 to 42, Quincy Catholic Boys 58 to 56, and previously undefeated West Pike 59 to 52. Advancing to the Christian Brothers sectional, Unity beat Bath-Balyki 53 -50 and then defeated Southeastern 56 to 54 for the sectional title. Unity’s bid for the state tournament was stopped at the Macomb Super Sectional by Petersburg Porta 72 to 77.

Sportsmanship and teamwork characterized their efficient style of play. Throughout the season individuals played “the good game,” had the hot hand, or made the “big play” to bring victory to the Mustangs.

Head Coach: Dick Spohr Asst. Coach: Dean Woodruff Players: Ken Ellerbrock, Greg Frazier, Greg Campbell, Gene Hendrickson, Dave Parker, Steve Turner, Bernie Woodworth, Merle Kenady, Danny Nichols, Grant Campbell, and Gary Shupe Managers: Doug Seeber and Chuck Miller Statistician: Wayne Whipps

(L – R) Doug Seeber, Mgr.; Greg Campbell, Steve Turner, Gene Hendrickson, Dave Parker, Merle Kenady, Ken Ellerbrock, Danny Nichols, Bernie Woodworth, Grant Campbell, Gary Shupe, Greg Frazier, Chuck Miller, Mgr.

David Grimmer David is a 1956 graduate of Unity High School. He competed in basketball all 4 years, baseball 3 years, and football for 2 years. David was selected All-Lamoine Conference in basketball for the 1955-56 season along with being named all state honorable mention and winning the Lions’ Club Free Throw Award. The football team finished with a 3-3-2 record his senior season. The basketball team finished with an 18 – 6 record. They placed second at the Payson Holiday Tournament, beating Notre Dame and losing to Pittsfield. In the Wenois Tournament, they also placed second by beating Barry and losing to Central. The baseball team finished with a 5-8 record. After graduating from Unity, David attend Culver-Stockton College where he played basketball. He is currently retired and enjoying his 5 grandchildren.

John Murphy

John, a 1957 graduate of Unity, was a multi-sport athlete who participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He was a varsity letter winner in football, baseball, and track all four years. John was a varsity letter winner for basketball his junior and senior years. John was the quarterback of the football team all four years. His senior year, John was selected to the all-conference first team for basketball. He was also named to the Chicago Tribune’s all-state honorable mention team, averaging 19 points per game. Unity beat Quincy Notre Dame at the Payson Seymour Holiday Tournament, which was QND’s only loss until the state tournament in which they placed 4th. John also batted 500+ his senior year with 8 home runs. He received the Senior Athlete

Award during the graduation ceremony. John has been married to Linda McClelland for 52 years. They have 4 children, 7 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. He received a B.S. degree from Western Illinois University and a M.S. degree from the University of Illinois. After working as a teacher and administrator at a community college for 37 years, John retired and now enjoys life on the farm near Tiskilwa, IL.

Rosemary Brickman Rosemary coached the varsity volleyball team at Unity for 16 years (1980 – 1995) compiling a 376 – 145 record (.721). Her number of victories and winning percentage are still the highest for any Unity program. During her tenure, the Lady Mustangs won 6 conference championships (’81, ’82, ’87, ’89, ’93, ’94), 6 regional titles (’82, ’86, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’95), and 2 sectional championships (’86, ’95) and advanced to the elite 8 in 1986. Her teams were known for their tenacious defense and “Never Say Die” attitude. She had 12 consecutive 20+ win seasons from 1984 – 1995. Numerous players from her program went on to play volleyball in college. Rosemary also coached the middle school teams for many years with several teams that reached the state tournament (1984 - 8th Grade, Elite 8; 1990 – 7th Grade, 2nd Place; 1991 – 7th Grade, Sweet Sixteen; 1996 – 7th Grade, Sweet Sixteen; 2001 – 8th Grade, Elite Eight; 2003 – 7th Grade, Sweet

Sixteen; 2003 – 8th Grade, 3rd Place). She was selected as the Quincy Herald-Whig Coach of the year in 1995. After 34 years, Rosemary is now retired from teaching and coaching. She enjoys life with her husband Gary on their small acreage near Ursa. Rosemary spends lots of time working in her flower gardens and exercising. She also has several small part-time jobs and is a volunteer volleyball coach for the 6th grade volleyball team.

Jerri A. Miller

Jerri was the state champion in the discus in 1974. This was a single class competition where she was competing with athletes from much bigger schools. Jerri’s score combined with Sue Evans Woodworth placing 4th in the 100 yard dash and Peggy Evans placing 5th in the 440 yard dash, allowed Unity to tie for 10th in the state. This was only the second year for Unity to have a girls’ track team, and they did not even have a track to compete on. Jerri went on to place second at the state meet in both 1975 and 1976. After graduating from Unity in 1976, she attended Washington University in St. Louis where she completed her degree in Physical Therapy. In 1991, she completed her MBA from the University of South Florida. Jerri received a Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Colorado in 2008. Jerri resides in Colorado. She has worked at the

University of Colorado – Boulder in the student health center as a Physical Therapist since 1992. Jerri stays active running, biking, skiing, and hiking.

Terri Orr Freesmeyer Terri is best known for placing first in the 200m hurdles at the 1980 Class A state track meet. She also competed in the 400 m dash and placed 5th that year. 1980 was not the only year Terri competed at the state meet. She placed 6th in 220 yard hurdles as a sophomore and 8th as a junior while lettering all 4 years. Terri also participated in volleyball her freshman and sophomore year, softball her freshman year, and basketball all 4 years. She was a varsity letter winner in softball and in basketball her junior and senior years. Terri was a 1st team WCC basketball player her senior year and was selected to the all tournament team at Central.

Terri was active in high school serving as the junior class president and on Student Council her senior year. She was the salutatorian of the class of 1980 along with being awarded Most Athletic Female and DAR Good Citizenship. Terri continued her education at Eureka College, graduating in 1984 with a B.S. in Biology and Chemistry, highest honors. At Eureka, she played softball and ran track. In track she was the 400 m hurdle state champion for small colleges. She is a 1985 graduate of St. John’s Hospital School of Medical Technology and received a M.S. in Health Service Administration in 1994 from the University of St. Francis. Terri has been married to Tim Freesmeyer for 18 years. She has 3 children; Ben – 16, Dan – 14, and Rachel – 11. She and her family have lived in Macomb for the past 8 years. She has coached baseball, softball, and junior high track. Terri continues to coach girls’ softball. Her family members are active in The Crossing, Macomb campus, where she leads a women’s group that conducts a home group. She works at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb where she is the section head of hematology and coagulation in the laboratory.

Unity High School Athletic Hall of Fame Nomination Form

The Unity High School Athletic Department is seeking nominations of former student-athletes, coaches and/or supporters who have made a significant contribution to Unity Athletics. The individuals selected will be recognized at the annual Unity High School Athletic Hall of Fame induction. Please complete the attached form to nominate Unity athletes, coaches and/or supporters for this prestigious award. Nominations are due by September 30

th .

Nominee________________________________________ Address_________________________________________ City____________________________________________ State_________________ Zip___________________ Phone__________________________________________ E-Mail__________________________________________ Nominee participated/coached in Unity sports at Unity High School from __________ to _________. My Name________________________________________ Address__________________________________________ City_____________________________________________ State__________________ Zip_____________________ Phone____________________________________________ E-Mail____________________________________________ Honorees to be inducted into the Unity High School Athletic Hall of Fame will be invited to the Induction Ceremony held during the MVIT.

In addition to this form, please send a letter of nomination listing nominee’s accomplishments per the nomination criteria. Submit materials to Unity High School, Attn: Athletic Hall of Fame, PO Box 200, Mendon, IL 62351.

Nomination Criteria:

STUDENT-ATHLETE

Must have competed at the varsity level for at least 2 years at Unity High School and made a major impact on the program.

Consideration given to outstanding accomplishments in the area of athletics at Unity High School.

Consideration given to the individual and team performance in the postseason.

Consideration given to accomplishments beyond and/or after Unity High School.

Consideration given to the athletes who have been out of school for at least ten years.

Any individual that wins a state championship is automatically nominated after the ten year anniversary of his/her graduation.

TEAM

Consideration given to team performance in the conference.

Consideration given to the team performance in the postseason.

Consideration given to a team that has been out of school ten years.

Any team that wins a state championship is automatically nominated after a minimum of ten years.

COACH

Consideration given to outstanding contributions in the area of athletics as related to Unity High School.

Must have coached a sport(s) for at least three years at Unity High School.

Consideration given to the coach and team performance in the conference.

Consideration given to the coach and team performance in the postseason.

Must be in good standing with Unity High School. SUPPORTER

Must have made significant contributions to Unity High School Athletics.

Consideration given to length of time of support or service to the Unity Athletic Program.

Consideration given to involvement with all sports at Unity High School.

Consideration given to fundraising and financial support for Unity High School Athletics.