Traditions run as deep in Oakwood as the roots of our beautiful trees.  Last week, Oakwood High School celebrated their 16th Annual Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.  Prior to the ceremony, the room was filled with alumni, families, staff members, retired coaches and staff members offering hugs and reminiscing about their days.  I was grateful to interact with our alumni hearing about their accolades, accomplishments, family, and current life.  A video looped in the background providing snapshots and reminders to the faces and connections amongst teammates that sparked memories and laughter.

This year, we inducted five alumna and two teams that represented the heart of the community competing at the regional and state levels.  A common thread ran through the accolades: heart and determination.  As each presenter introduced an inductee, similar stories were shared of how the community, staff, coaches, family members, and teammates supported the individual on and off the field.  There was also a profound sentiment of "fight" that went into their training and preparation; time and effort was spent to get better and better.

John “Jack” Storms, Class of 1936, participated in football, basketball, baseball, and golf, earning 11 letters.  Jack was starting quarterback and also started on defense on the undefeated and unscored upon 1935 Oakwood football team.  Jack then went on to play both quarterback and fullback at my alma mater, Miami University!  In baseball, Jack was starting catcher, Captain, and the team’s top hitter.  His daughter was at the ceremony to receive the award on his behalf.

Charlie Roberts, Class of 1984, participated in soccer, baseball, and football.  He earned 11 Varsity letters while earning 4 in both soccer and baseball.  In soccer, he was Captain in his senior year, 1st Team All-Area, and participated in the North/South Game.  He was also the leading scorer with 47 goals.  In baseball, he was Captain his senior year, Team MVP, 1st Team SWBL, 1st Team KO Times, 2nd Team All-Area, and played in the MVBCA All Star game.  In football, he earned 3 Varsity letters at the starting kicker and was 1st Team SWBL and Honorable Mention Herald Team his sophomore year.  

Laura Gregory, Class of 1998, participated in soccer, basketball, and softball.  She earned 12 Varsity letters! In soccer, she earned 1st Team SWBL honors in her sophomore and junior years, was named 2nd Team All-South her sophomore season, 1st Team All-Area, and 1st Team All-South her junior year as her team was state ranked. Her senior year she was 2nd Team SWBL and 1st Team All-South.  In basketball, she was Honorable Mention her sophomore year and 2nd Team SWBL her junior year.  Her senior year she was 2nd Team SWBL, won the Coaches Award and played on the 21-2 Championship Team.  In softball, she was 2nd Team SWBL in both her sophomore and junior year.  In her senior season, she was 1st Team SWBL, won the school a league championship, and got the team ranked as high as 7th in the state. 

Janie Gregory Sammons, a 1998 OHS graduate, earned 12 varsity letters while participating in soccer, basketball and softball. In soccer, Janie Gregory earned 2nd Team SWBL honors her sophomore and junior year.  She was also 2nd Team All-South her junior year.  Her senior year she was 1st Team SWBL, Division II All-Area, 1st Team All-South, and Honorable Mention All-State. In basketball, she was Honorable Mention SWBL her sophomore year and 2nd Team SWBL her junior year.  Her senior year she was 1st Team SWBL, Coaches Award winner, and became the second all-time leading rebounder in school history.   In softball, she was Honorable Mention SWBL her sophomore and junior year.  Her senior year she earned 1st Team SWBL. 

Peter Hix is a 2010 OHS graduate who was a standout in both cross country and track.  In cross country, he was a three time SWBL Champion, team captain and finished 4th in the State meet his senior year.  In track, he was team captain, four time league champion, three time district champion, two time regional champion, and a State Champion in the 1600 his senior year.  He was also named to the Ohio All-State Team and the Academic All Ohio Team. 

Also being recognized, the 1974 and 1975 field hockey teams.  Both teams were 8-0 during the regular seasons.  The 1974 team scored 41 goals and only allowed 1 goal.  The 1975 team was unscored upon in all 8 games.  Both teams soundly beat their rivals, Fairmont East and Fairmont West.  There has not been another undefeated varsity field hockey team at OHS since 1975.  Coach Kathy Koogler led both teams.

I'd like to thank the 2023 Hall of Fame Committee for their hard work to review and select the inductees.  I also appreciate Rob Stephens and Christy Whalen Heppener for co-chairing the committee and their preparation.  We appreciate our inductees for coming home to be recognized.  Thank you for your contributions and legacy!