Cook County High School will soon honor noteworthy athletes and teams through an athletic hall of fame.
The school board approved the project on December 19. A hall of fame board has been organized through donations to the athletic fund.
Current I.S.D. 166 assistant principal and activities director Mitch Dorr made the presentation to the school board. He noted that this had been discussed within the community for a long time, and recently several people have urged the school to set up a hall of fame to honor former athletes and teams.
During his presentation, Mr. Dorr noted that although Cook County is a small school, it has had a long tradition of team success in high school sports. “Few schools face the same challenges of isolation and distances that make opportunities, scheduling, and getting notoriety extremely challenging.
The Cook County Athletic Hall of Fame was created to remember and celebrate those individuals and teams whose athletic accomplishments of contributions were truly exceptional.
“Individuals and teams selected to the hall of fame are to be memorialized by recognition with a plaque on Cook County Schools’ Hall of Fame board located in the athletic hallway by the high school gymnasium. The Cook County Athletic Hall of Fame committee will approve all selections. Induction ceremonies will be held at a time and place determined annually.”
There will be several membership categories. The first will be for athletes from the modern era (graduates of the past 40 years) and then for athletes from the legacy era (graduates of more than 40 years ago).
Included for selection will be coaches and athletic directors, teams, and special contributors.
To be selected candidates for selection as athletes, coaches or athletic directors must have been affiliated with Cook County High School or be Cook County residents at the time of their achievements. Exceptions may be permitted if, for example, a Cook County graduate excels elsewhere at a high level in a sport that he or she learned in Cook County or a sport not played in high school.
A modern-era athlete must have graduated from high school at least 10 years prior to becoming eligible. A legacy era athlete must have graduated from high school 40 or more years ago to be eligible.
Coaches and athletic directors must have completed their time at Cook County at least five years prior to becoming eligible. Teams must have achieved exceptional success at least 10 years prior to becoming eligible.
Special contributors may be nominated because of extraordinary service to Cook County sports as, for example, longtime devoted fans, school administrators, game officials, trainers, managers, journalists or broadcasters. Eligibility will be based on, among other things, length and degree of dedicated service. It may include candidates who are continuing to serve the school or city in some capacity at the time of nomination.
Hall of fame members may be removed from membership if their actions bring discredit or dishonor to the school or community.
After the first year, hall of fame inductees shall be selected on an annual basis by a fair and open process that involves several steps. No more than five hall of fame sections shall be made in the second year, no more than three in succeeding years. Exceptions may be allowed because of unique circumstances, the health of candidates, etc. in which case at least six committee members must concur.
There are more criteria outlined in the process, but if you would like to learn more or submit an athlete, team, coach, etc. to be considered for inclusion in the I.S.D. 166 Athletic Hall of Fame, please request a nomination form from Mitch Dorr, the school’s activities director.
Serving on the hall of fame committee will be Mitch Dorr; Deb White, school board member; Mike Booker, former coach; Pam Taylor, former coach; Marlene Wester, current coach; Mike Prom, current coach; Tom Nelson, a member at large; and Courtney Quaife, community member.
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