CHSAA inducts six members and the 1999 Columbine football team as its 30th Hall of Fame class
DENVER — The members of the 2018 CHSAA Hall of Fame were inducted during a ceremony on Wednesday night at the Denver Marriott Tech Center.
The inductees: Scott Elarton (Lamar), Jack Klapper (Denver East), Bart Stevens (Flagler), Patty Childress (Otis, Palisade, Grandview), Morton Dickson (Woodland Park), Terri Ward (Niwot), and the 1999 Columbine football team.
They are the 30th class in the history of the Hall of Fame, which began in 1989.
Columbine football coach Andy Lowry spoke on behalf of the class, saying, “We all appreciate CHSAA and this evening, and the humbling award we received this night. What a great honor this is.”
Biographies of each of the new members are included below. With their inclusion, CHSAA’s Hall of Fame now has 204 members.
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.
