When Activities Director Todd Gordon began his duties in the Greene County School District last July 1, one of the ideas he brought from districts he’s been in the past was the creation of a Greene County High School Athletics Hall of Fame. That idea comes to fruition later this week on two nights at two locations in Jefferson.

Nominations were accepted last Fall and a committee met in November to choose the inaugural class of five. Some, but not all, of the criteria for HOF induction, included being a State Champion or first team All-State selection while in high school at either, Jefferson, Jefferson-Scranton, Greene County, Grand Junction, Rippey, Dana, East Greene, or Scranton. Or, a Paton-Churdan student that met the criteria in a sport shared with Jefferson, J-S, or Greene County, would also be eligible to be nominated. Provisions were also included for college All-Americans, Olympic, and professional athletes.

The 1994 J-S Class 2A State Championship girls’ track & field squad, former teacher/coach and A.D., Bill Kibby, Trisha Waugh-Pipkins, Kristi Kinne-Hayes, and Brent Mac Lagan, comprise this first Hall of Fame class. Mavis Sawhill was head coach of the track & field championship team with Tim Buenz and Kelly Simpson the assistant coaches. All three still live in Jefferson. It’s anticipated all three coaches, plus many of the athletes from that team will be in attendance, as will all the individual honorees.

A public “Meet & Greet” in the high school commons area will get things started at 6 p.m. this Thursday. Around 6:30-6:45 p.m., all will transition to the HS theatre where the inductees will address the crowd and talk about their high school careers.

The actual induction ceremony will be held on Friday, Jan. 17 in the middle school gym in between games when the Rams will be hosting Gilbert in a varsity basketball doubleheader.