FUHS to initiate athletic Hall of Fame

Fallbrook High School is in the process of establishing the Fallbrook Union High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame will recognize four categories: individual athletes, coaches, supporters, and teams.

“It’s something that we’ve never done,” said Fallbrook High School athletic director Patrick Walker.

Walker is on a committee which includes former athletic directors Heather Schulte and John Hayek, coaches Tim Oder and John Drew, and Associated Student Body advisor Josh Way. “We’ve been thinking about it for about a year now,” said Hayek, who is now a vice-principal at the school. “We’ve been looking at other Hall of Fames throughout the county.”

General criteria has been developed, but specific issues are still to be determined. “We have lots to talk about, lots to consider,” Hayek said. “I just can’t stress enough how important it is that the community get involved.” The first induction will take place this Fall, and the committee has set a June 25 deadline for submitting nominations for the first induction. “There’s some great athletes we can get in there,” Walker said.

The criteria for athletes includes athletic achievements, personal standards and ethics, and school, community, and professional career involvement. Athletes must have graduated from Fallbrook High School; those currently playing at higher levels are eligible for induction although Walker indicated the possibility of delaying induction for some of those athletes so that their families can be present in later years.

Walker noted that some star Fallbrook High School athletes with subsequent character issues might not merit induction. “These things will definitely be looked at under a microscope before we make the decision to put someone in,” Walker said.

On the other hand, some Fallbrook High School graduates had less than stellar playing careers but have made significant off-field athletic contributions at other levels, and Walker indicated the possibility of enshrinement for those graduates.

The criteria for coaches and assistant coaches includes coaching achievements, personal standards and ethics, and school, community, and professional career involvement. No retirement criteria exists, allowing for the possibility that final-year coaches might be enshrined as well as former coaches who are still on the school faculty.

Since many community supporters contribute perpetually, active supporters are eligible for induction pending selection by the committee.

The criteria for teams includes noteworthy achievements, strengths which enabled the team to accomplish or exceed its goals, and whether team members continued to be positive representatives for the school in their communities or professions.

The annual inductees will be recognized during halftime of a Fallbrook High School home football game, and an annual induction dinner will also take place. A new trophy case in the school gymnasium will recognize the Hall of Fame members.

“What we need to do is roll out these (nomination) forms and see what we get back,” Hayek said.

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