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HILLMAN - The Hillman High School Sports Hall of Fame will induct its 13th class on Sept. 26, honoring two multi-sport standouts, the 1995 state runner-up baseball team and longtime coach Gary Jones.
The ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Hillman High School. Doors open at 1 p.m. The new inductees also will be recognized at halftime of Friday's homecoming football game against Hale.
Jeff Jones, a 1988 graduate, and Alexa Ramacher, a 2008 graduate, headline the individual honorees. The hall also will recognize the 1995 baseball team that finished as Class D state runner-up and present the Richard Brown Trailblazer Award to Jones.
Jones was an All-State honorable mention running back in football and an All-State selection in baseball in 1987 and 1988. He earned first-team all-conference honors in baseball his final three seasons, was named North Star League MVP as a senior and helped Hillman win the conference title as the ace pitcher. He also was a first-team all-league selection in football his last two seasons and received the Bay City Golden Helmet Award.
On the basketball court, Jones was a first-team all-conference pick his last three years and scored 1,146 points in three seasons. He earned 10 varsity letters in football, basketball, track and baseball.
Ramacher, who competed as Alexa Schook, was a three-sport athlete in basketball, volleyball and softball. She earned All-State honorable mention from the Detroit Free Press in basketball as a senior and still holds the school record for assists in a season. She was a first-team All-NSL selection in basketball as a junior and senior and first-team all-area by the Alpena News both years.
In softball, Ramacher earned first-team All-NSL honors as a junior and senior along with all-district and all-region recognition. She collected 11 varsity letters.
The 1995 baseball team, part of Hillman's 1990s baseball dynasty, lost to New Buffalo in the state final. Dave Checkley was head coach and Dan Kennard was assistant coach. The roster included Tom Barrie, Jason Barrie, Chad Cohoon, Charlie Davis, Cory Davis, Todd Dodge, Rick Firman, Robert Golombeski, Chris Kennard, Jeff Kenyon, Mark McMurray, Mark Oswald, Matt Oswald, Mike Oswald, Geoff Selesky, Lucas Shepard, Jason Weiland, John Wright and manager James Vanderveer.
The Richard Brown Trailblazer Award, given in memory of Richard Brown, who died at age 102, will go to Gary Jones, a 1964 graduate. Jones captained and quarterbacked Hillman's undefeated 1963 football team. After his playing days, he coached Little League for 20 years, won a state championship in 1994 and coached many of the players from the school's 1990s baseball teams. He also coached junior varsity basketball.
The award recognizes athletes and contributors from earlier generations who helped build Hillman athletics.
All community members, family and friends are invited.