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Mt. Vernon — The Mt. Vernon Township High School Sports Hall of Fame Committee has announced the Class of 2023 set to be inducted Saturday, Jan. 7 at Changnon Gym. The class includes 5 individuals, two teams and a single individual.
FRIEND
DAVE FARLEY – Dave was a “Founding Father” of our Hall of Fame in the early 2000s. His input and research on MVTHS Sports helped
form what would be the Inaugural class of Hall of Famers in 2005. He has worked tirelessly since then on our HOF Committee to promote worthy teams and athletes in the process of nominations. Dave also spent 21 years in the booth as a WMIX and Cablevision color analyst for MVTHS basketball and football broadcasts. A lifelong Mt Vernon resident and a MVTHS Alum, Dave is an avid Rams and Lady Rams Fan.
TEAMS
1967-68 RAMS BASKETBALL – Coach Bob Arnold in his first year coaching basketball at MTVHS – 26-5 Record – South Seven Co-Champs, Regional Champs, Sectional Champs, Sweet 16 – Lost in the Super-Sectional to Carbondale. Team was ranked as high as 3rd in State Polls during the regular season. Notable players on this team were HOFers Steve Strickland, Tommy Williams and Nate Hawthorne. Bob Windhorst, Mike Payne, Bob Donoho , Jim Smith and Terry Sledge were also key players for the Rams.
1974 RAMS FOOTBALL ( 74-75 school year) -Coach Les Feuquay – The team started the season with 7 straight wins – Final Record of 8-2 – This team was the first team in MVTHS history to qualify for IHSA State Football Playoffs. They were South Seven Conference Champions in the regular season – the team lost to Mattoon in the first round of the IHSA playoffs. The Rams were led by Hall of Fame Quarterback Scott Stranski . Other Hall of Famers on this team were Steve Lively, Tyrone Woodgett and Curtis Lott. Other key players for the Rams include Jon Hawthorne, Joe Meredith, Clifton Pierce, Martin Wagner, Rob Raney and Gene Lehde.
INDIVIDUAL ATHLETES
JIM MCDERMOTT- Class of 1939 – Outstanding Football player for the Rams, played varsity all four years. He was named to the All-State Football Team his senior season, becoming the first Ram ever to garner that honor. After graduation Jim accepted a full ride 4 year football scholarship to the University of Alabama.
LESLIE WILLIAMS- Class of 1982 – Two sport athlete for the Lady Rams in Volleyball and Track and Field, was a 4 time South Seven Champion in the 200 and qualified for the IHSA State Meet 4 straight years in 2 events as a freshman and 3 events her Soph, Jr and Senior year. Her events were the 800 relay, the 400 relay and the individual 200. Her Senior year Leslie reached All-State honors by placing 5th in the 200 at the IHSA State Meet. During her 4 years in Track she led her team in scoring every season and scored 199.5 points her senior season for the Lady Rams team.
MIKE STERNER- Class of 1986 – Mike was a three sport athlete for the Rams – Football, Wrestling and Track and Field. He qualified for State playoffs in all 3 sports. Mike was a three year Rams Football starter both ways. His senior year the team had a 9-0 regular season record and advanced to the State playoffs. He was a IHSA State Track and Field Qualifier 3 straight years and a 2 year Varsity Wrestler winning an IHSA Regional Championship and qualifing for State his Senior season. Mike earned 4 Varsity Football letters at Elmhurst College.
JEREMY HAYES – Class of 1996 – a three sport athlete – Jeremy played Football, Basketball and Track and Field. He excelled in Track and Field as a three time All-State Pole Vaulter. He qualified for the IHSA State Meet 3 times, placing in the top 8 all three years. He was both a two time IHSA Sectional Champion and South Seven Champion. Jeremy set the school record in the Pole Vault at 15-1. He continued his Track and Field career at McKendree College.
JEFF HOUSTON – Class of 1996 – a two sport athlete for the Rams, Basketball and Baseball. He was a starting point guard for the Rams basketball team for three seasons and a 4 year starter in baseball. His Junior season, he batted .527 and helped lead his team to the IHSA State Baseball Tournament. That 1995 Team has been Inducted in our Hall of Fame. He was a 2 year starter for RLC baseball and finished as a 2 year starter for SIU baseball.
All inductees will be recognized between the JV and Varsity Boys’ Basketball Games against Carbondale on Fri., Jan. 6, 2023.