2nd Class

Wall of

Champions

Wall of Champions Program

2nd Class Inductees

The purpose of the “Wall of Champions” program is

to honor Salem High School’s top student-athletes,

coaches, administrators and teams who have made

a positive impact on the local community, earned

success on and off the field and who serve as role

models for today’s student-athletes. The “Wall of

Champions” will create an increased awareness

and pride at Salem High School.

Ceremony Agenda

5:00 Social Hour

5:55 National Anthem

6:00 Opening Remarks

6:15 Dinner & Dessert

7:00 Ceremony

Induction

8:30 Closing Remarks

Master of Ceremonies:

Bill Keith

National Anthem:

Salem Athletic

Department Staff:

Brian Samulski

Anna Britnell

SALEM ATHLETIC PROJECTS FUND All proceeds from the “Wall of Champions” program will contribute to athletic facility upgrades at Salem

High School. Our facilities have not changed since 1970, but our programming and participation has

doubled. To make a donation, visit our website. WWW.SALEMATHLETICS.COM

“WALL OF CHAMPIONS’ 3RD CLASS

The nomination window for the 3rd class is now open. You may nominate candidates through our

website. This class will be honored in the Spring of 2017 in conjunction with a basketball game. Details

coming soon!

Gary Balconi

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

1971-1972

9th Grade Head

Football Coach

1972-1978

Asst. Varsity

Football Coach

1975-1991

Head Track & Field

Coach

1977-1985

Teacher—Business Department

1985-1995

Assistant Athletic Director

1987 P-CCS “Extra Miler Award”

Observerland “Coach of the Year”

1996—Present: Gary Balconi

Soccer Invitational (instrumental

in constructing our current

varsity soccer stadium)

Also a member of the Sandusky

High School Hall of Fame (1996)

"“Coach Balconi epitomized

what a high school coach

should be in all respects. He

led, motivated and taught

high school athletes how to

compete at the highest

levels. More importantly, his

values and character showed

us how a husband, father and

man should live his life."

-Rich Hewlett

“Gary and Paul were two of my original mentors,

during my initial foray into the world of high school

athletics. Two kinder and more helpful men you

will not meet. I am thankful for both their time

spent and patience shown toward me."

Marc Hage, Athletic Director Livonia Churchill HS

Paul Cummings

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

HS History Plymouth High School (Rocks) 1952-1956 Varsity Football (3 years) – Senior Captain Varsity Baseball (3 years) – Senior Captain 1959-1963 Assistant Director Community Education 1963-1983 Physical Education Teacher (Gallimore, Bird, Allen, Geer, West, Plymouth, Plymouth Salem) 1963-1973 Varsity Coach: Football, Baseball, Plymouth / Plymouth Salem HS 1963-1978 Director of 6th Grade Camp – PCCS 1969-1980 Aquatic Director Community Education 1974-1985 Assistant Athletic Director – PCCS 1985-1995 Director of Athletics, Health & Phys. Education K-12 1987 Extra Miler Award - Plymouth-Canton Community Schools 1995 Regional Athletic Director of the Year 1995 Sandmann – Cummings Football Classic Dedicated Salem/Canton Football game and all future games October 27, 1995

“Paul Cummings provided

exceptional leadership in the

Department of Physical Education

and Athletics at the PCEP. He

was instrumental in implementing

Title IX and establishing the newly

mandated Health Program in

1977. I was fortunate to have

worked with Paul in athletic

administration as well as serving

as a head basketball coach

under Paul.”

-Bob Blohm

Ron Egloff

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

1971: Junior Year

All-League 2nd Team

1972: Senior Year

All-League 1st Team , All-

State 1st Team

Four year varsity letter

winner

Participated in the Blue-Gray Bowl Game

Participated in the All-American Bowl

Full ride scholarship to The University of Wisconsin

Played 8 years on the Denver Broncos, 1 year with the San

Diego Charges Tight End in Super Bowl XII

————————————————————

Friend and 3 Sport Teammate Steve Robb wrote:

Ron grew up as the youngest son of Doug and Irene Egloff. His brother

Randy was a football captain at

Yale, his brother Dick a

linebackers at Arizona State

and his brother Dave a 3 sport

star at Plymouth High School.

Ron seemed to combine all their

traits and was an extremely

gifted 6’5” athlete—not a

common sight in 1973—it was no wonder he made it to the NFL.

He was confident, but not cocky. A good leader, but really just one of the

guys. A great teammate. He was a tough guy who didn’t have to act tough,

a big play guy that didn’t make a big deal out of it.

We all knew Ron was headed for big things, and I know all of his former

teammates are extremely proud of him. It could have not happened to a

better guy.

Ron is currently the Secretary and

Council Member of the Denver

Broncos Alumni Association.

Jill Estey

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Basketball 4 Year Varsity, 2 Year Captain

All-Area 1st Team (10th, 11th, 12th) 1st Team All-State (12th) All-Metro 1st Team (12th)

Soccer

4 Year Varsity, 2 Year Captain All-American Team (10th, 11th)

Michigan Miss Soccer (10th) No #2 Player in Michigan (11th)

1st Team All-State (10th, 11th, 12th) Observer Athlete of the Year (12th)

Career: 88 goals, 75 assists

Jill received a full scholarship to The

University of Illinois to play basketball, where

she earned Academic All Big Ten honors, team

MVP (senior year), was voted team captain

(junior and senior year), and won the “Lililian

Speck Courtsiders Award” for athletes excelling in

leadership, academics and ability

“I would have to call Jill the

“biggest little” I was so very

fortunate to coach. She was

the perfect student-athlete who

always represented Salem with

such class and whose

dedication and competitiveness

was something to behold!”

-Tom Williams

Ron Finley

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

4 Year Varsity Letter

Winner / 3 Year

Team MVP

1976: Junior Year

All Area Swim Team

State Meet: 2nd

Place, 100m

Backstroke

1977: Senior Year

Undefeated Senior Year—100m Backstroke

Ranked in the top 10 in the nation—100m Backstroke

1st Team All League Suburban 8

Suburban 8 Champion: 100m Backstroke

State Meet: 1st Place, 100m Backstroke

Detroit News 1st Team All-State

National Interscholastic Swimming

High School All-American

“Ron Finley unquestionably was the athlete that put Plymouth Salem

back on the map after a lull transferring from Plymouth HS. As an

individual, he was outstanding. He set expectations for years to come and

stepped up as an outstanding swimmer from our area and our state.”

Chuck Olson, Salem Swim & Dive Coach

James Head

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Basketball

4 Year Varsity (Senior Year Captain)

School Records: Most Rebounds in 1 Game (24)

2nd Most Blocked Shots

Career (154) Most Rebounds

Career (856)

Team Championships:

2 Divisions, 1 Conference,

2 Districts

Team Record (Career) 73-19

All-State Honors

All-American Honors

Played 4 years at EMU

“James was one of the best, if not the best, basketball players

ever to wear a Salem uniform. Not only was he a quality

basketball player, but a great person who is a classic example of

how a high school student athlete can turn his academic success

around and enter college to compete at that level. He has

become an excellent citizen and still contributes to current

student athletes careers by coaching and mentoring them..”

-Bob Brodie, Head Basketball Coach, Salem HS

Kelly Jaskot

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Basketball

4 year letter winner

BCAM All-Star Team (12th)

3rd Team All State / All Metro

(12th)

Volleyball

3 year letter winner

1st Team All Division, All

Metro, All Region (12th)

Softball

3 year letter winner

1st Team All State (12th) MHSSCA All

State All Star Team (12th)

Post High School

Lettered 4 years at UDM

(basketball)

“Jazz (nickname) was one of the best all-around, three sport,

natural athletes to ever play at Salem. As a softball player, she led

the team by demonstrating hard work & determination. Always an

exciting player to watch..”

-Bonnie Southerland, Head Softball Coach Salem HS

Basketball: Averaged 11.3 ppg,

4.1 assists

Softball: .419 batting average,

.977 fielding average

John Sandmann

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Teacher, Coach, Athletic Director—

Plymouth-Canton Community Schools.

1948-1985 (37 years)

Coached basketball, football, baseball,

track and golf

Proactive in the development of sports

for girls, before Title IX was enacted

Recognized multiple times as “Coach

of the Year” in both the league and the

MHSAA

Officiated at HS and collegiate level

Worked tirelessly in the 1960’s to

develop the athletic facilities that

now exist at P-CEP

Instrumental in developing and

seeking financial support for middle

school athletic programming

John passed on a tryout

with the Brooklyn

Dodgers to enlist in the

Navy—where he served

as a Captain in World

War II

“John Sandman was the architect of the Department of

Physical Education and Athletics when the Plymouth Canton

Schools opened the PCEP in 1970. John provided amazing

leadership as a trail blazer for what would become physical

education and athletics at the PCEP as we know it today. I

was honored to have served as a basketball coach for both

boys and girls under John's direction and leadership.”

-Bob Blohm

Tom Willette

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

1975 Senior Year Pitching Stats:

14 wins, 1 loss, 1 save. 93 2/3 innings pitched. 179

Strikeouts. 44 Walks, ERA 1.12

1975 1st Team All

State, All Metro West,

All Area, All League

1975 5th Round Draft

Pick (98th overall) to

the San Diego Padres.

2nd player from

Michigan chosen, 1st

pitcher

1978 21st Round pick

to the Kansas City

Royals

Full Athletic Scholarship to North Caroline State

University—4 years in starting rotation for the Wolfpack

“Tom was a hard-throwing left hander who also played solid

defense and could hit with power. He loved to compete and was

tough under pressure. Tom played a major role in the 75’

Championship season. Congratulations, Tom, on your induction.”

-Coach Gilles

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Michigan Division I State Champions

Overall record 21-7

Average Pitching ERA 1.51

Scored 153 Runs

“The 1975 team had all the ingredients of a Championship ball

club. They had great pitching, speed, power and defense. All were

tough competitors who had fun practicing and playing the game.

Wishing them the best, enjoy your weekend.”

-Coach Gilles

P.S.—Remember guys, don’t sack the bats too early.

1975 Baseball Team

Looking Back:

1st Class Induction

1st Class Inductees

Thank You Event Sponsors!

Athletic Website: www.SalemAthletics.com

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/gorocks

Twitter: www.Twitter.com/SalemHSRocks

“It takes an

endless amount

of history to

make even a

little tradition .”

Henry James