CHSAA Hall of Fame announces Class of 2018
30th Anniversary Class Features Patty Childress, Morton Dickson, Scott Elarton, Jack Klapper, Bart Stevens, Terri Ward and the 1999 Columbine High School Football Team
AURORA – The Colorado High School Activities Association Hall of Fame has announced its 30th Anniversary Hall of Fame class, a six-member, one-team group that depicts the rich history of the Association, along with providing real-life examples of what participation, coaching, leading and advocating for students can do. Each of these people has established themselves as a role model for today’s young people seeking their way to adulthood.
The CHSAA Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018 includes three of the state’s top former athletes in Scott Elarton (Lamar), Jack Klapper (Denver East) and Bart Stevens (Flagler), along with volleyball coach Patty Childress, music teacher/judge Morton Dickson and one of the state’s top female sports ambassadors, Terri Ward (Niwot). The 1999 Columbine football team, which staged a remarkable season following the tragedy at the school that spring, will also be inducted.
“Each year, after every CHSAA Hall of Fame announcement, we wonder how the selection committee can come up with a class to rival the previous one. Then the Hall of Fame presents the new class, ones who have equally impacted Colorado high school activities,” CHSAA Commissioner Rhonda Blanford-Green said in making the announcement. “We have an exemplary class. It is humbling in a year of remembrance so specific to our state that the CHSAA Hall of Fame will recognize student participants’ courage, resilience and team unity in the face of tragedy by honoring the 1999 Columbine championship football team. We will also induct a former Dave Sanders Award recipient during this event. I’m excited for the 2018 inductees, as well as for our new date and location in DTC.”
The CHSAA Hall of Fame selection committee is headed by Bob Marken (Buena Vista). Committee members include Kevin Boley (Legend), Glenda Bates (Prairie View), Larry Brunson (CHSAA Hall of Fame), Dick Katte (CHSAA/NFHS Hall of Fame), Ellie Kempfe (Prospect Ridge), Jeremy Kerns (Byers), Shelli Miles (Widefield), Dan Mohrmann (CHSAANow.com), David Robinson (Montezuma-Cortez) and Cherie Toussaint (Pueblo SD 70 Schools).
“Selecting a hall of fame class is a challenging endeavor. The committee was focused on exceptional achievement, impact on the state of Colorado, community focus and character. They debate and advocate knowing that there are so many deserving of this recognition. The 30th class reflects the efforts, passion and love Colorado has for high school activities,” CHSAA Hall of Fame administrator Bert Borgmann said.
The Class of 2018 will be inducted during a ceremony on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at the Marriott Hotel-Denver Tech Center (I‑25 and Orchard). Individual tickets may be purchased for $60 each by contacting the CHSAA. The festivities get underway at 6:30 p.m. Seating is limited.
The selection of the one student participant to the CHSAA Hall of Fame puts the total number of participants in the hall at 71. There are now 71 coaches/sponsors, 28 administrators, 17 officials and 12 significant service contributors enshrined in the CHSAA Hall of Fame that began in 1989. There are also five teams in the hall. The Hall of Fame now features 204 inductees.
Biographies of the newest additions to the hall include:
PATTY CHILDRESS (Otis, Palisade, Grandview) – [Coach/Sponsor]
Longtime volleyball coach who posted a 493-170 career coaching record. Her teams won 5 state titles, finished second five times and had another two final 4 appearances.
She has earned numerous coaching honors from the Colorado High School Coaches Association and the Sportswomen of Colorado.
She was coach of the year 8 times and was the Dave Sanders Award recipient in 2013.
MORTON DICKSON (Woodland Park) – [Coach/Sponsor]
Morton Dickson was a vocal music teacher for Woodland Park for 34 years, during which time his programs were one of the most active and successful ones in the CHSAA Music Festivals.
Rarely did his programs receive any rating lower than “Superior.” His students regularly earned top spots in the CMEA All-State Choir.
He continues to judge the CHSAA festivals.
SCOTT ELARTON (Lamar) – [Student Participant]
One of the state’s most dominating prep athletes, Elarton’s baseball team won four consecutive state titles and were runners-up twice in basketball.
He was named Player of the Year six times, four in baseball and twice in basketball.
He earned Prep All-America honors in baseball.
He was a first round selection in the 1994 MLB amateur draft by the Houston Astros, and played professional baseball for 19 years, 10 of those in the major leagues.
JACK KLAPPER (Denver East) – [Student Participant]
One of the state’s most dominating tennis players, Klapper won three No. 1 singles championship (only 3-year high schools back then) and was just the second player to ever do so.
The other one is in the CHSAA Hall of Fame. He led his team to three straight state team titles under CHSAA Hall of Fame member Bill Weimar.
Following high school, Klapper played tennis and squash at MIT. He has been a neurologist in Denver for the past 50 years.
BART STEVENS (Flagler) – [Student Participant]
One of the state’s top small school athletes, Stevens led Flagler High School to a 45-5 football record and was named the A8 Player of the Year twice.
He was a four-time all-state selection in football and ran for 1,956 yards, threw for 4,559 yards, scoring 25 times on the ground and had 67 TD passes. He played basketball for two years and medaled at the state tournament twice.
He played collegiately at CSU-Pueblo and then became a teacher, coach and administrator.
TERRI WARD (CCGS/Niwot) – [Significant Contributor]
Dedicated to girls’ sports, Ward has been the constant driver and facilitator for the Colorado Coaches of Girls Sports.
Her tireless efforts on behalf of young female athletes is unsurpassed in Colorado. A teacher and coach at Niwot, Ward has been at the center of many activities benefiting and enhancing opportunities for the girls’ athletes of state.
She has been a fixture for women’s leadership throughout her career with CCGS, Sportswomen of Colorado, Niwot High School and many volunteer activities at the state and national level.
COLUMBINE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL 1999 – [Team]
April 20, 2019 is the 20th Anniversary of the Columbine shootings. Its impact on the world, nation, state and community was immense and devastating.
People across the globe followed the Columbine football team, watching the healing process and resiliency of that school and, in particular, its football team. Media scrutiny was overwhelming and the pressure on the team incredible.
The team beat Cherry Creek 21-14, and head coach Andy Lowry was coach of the year and three players made the All-Colorado team that year, more than any other school.
Additionally, the staff has selected the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, which exists to honor those individuals who merit recognition and distinction for their exploits, accomplishments, and leadership in sports and athletic endeavors in the state of Colorado with its Colorado Tradition Award. The Colorado Sports Hall of Fame has sponsored the Class 4A and 5A state football championships at Broncos Stadium at Mile High for the past 12 years, as well as providing funding to a number of youth programs across Colorado.
The CHSAA staff has also selected Cal Butcher (state volunteer for Spirit, Volleyball, Track & Field, Basketball) and Special Olympics Colorado Senior Vice President of Programs Chaka Sutton to receive the Distinguished Service Award this year.
Tickets are $60 per seat or $600 per table of 10. Please contact Laikyn Cooper (lcooper@chsaa.org) for reservations. Contact the CHSAA office with questions.
