New Wall of Fame class worthy of honor

One by one, they walked the track toward Manchester immortality.
As each of the new inductees to the Manchester Athletic Wall of Fame moved along the track, their contributions to the school district were read off while the packed crowd applauded in appreciation of their contributions to the school district.
It was a special night Sept. 2 as the fourth class was inducted to the Wall of Fame during halftime of the Manchester varsity football team’s home opener against the Michigan Center Cardinals.
What began in 2007 has become a nice opening night tradition in Manchester. As a new school year begins, the district takes time to honor those who shaped the athletic program into what it is today. And the Wall of Fame Class of 2010 is certainly no exception.
Three athletes, two teams, a coach, four volunteers and a business were honored during the ceremony. The athletes were Alicia Seegert (’83), Jeff Punches (’02) and Jon Schaible (’04) and the coach was John Korican Sr. The 1956 Manchester football team and the 1956-57 boys basketball team was inducted along with volunteers Keith Reed, Duane Kuebler, Ron Punches and Jeff Knouase. The Award of Merit, which salutes the contributions of local businesses to the athletic department, went to Ron and Joann Finkbeiner of Bridgewater Lumber Company.
The athletes in this year’s class made significant contributions to the MHS athletic department as players and representatives. Seegert was a member of some of the early female sports teams in Manchester and was most well-known for her efforts in softball. Punches was a standout multi-sport athlete who lends his expertise as a coach for junior varsity baseball and freshmen boys basketball.
Schaible helped the Manchester varsity baseball team to a deep playoff run as a senior in 2004. One of his most memorable moments came in the Division 3 district tournament when he recorded a strikeout with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh at Onsted, giving the Dutchmen the district crown. Three years later, Schaible helped the Spring Arbor University baseball team to an appearance in the NAIA World Series.
Korican has played an active role in Manchester athletics for decades. After serving as a head coach for several sports, including football and basketball, Korican became Manchester’s athletic director. Korican remains active with the schools as a member of the Manchester Civic Club (formerly Optimist Club) and is a familiar face at all sporting events.
One of the best things about Manchester’s Wall of Fame is that it honors those who volunteer their time to help better the program. Since I started covering Manchester athletics, I’ve always been amazed who the community comes together to support the school district. And it’s not just limited to athletics. Village residents have assisted in improving school facilities and educational departments.
The 1956 football team and 56-57 basketball teams posted two of the best seasons in school history, and helped set the standard for future teams’ success.
The first home game is always a special night as it signals the beginning of a new school year. But while Manchester celebrates a new beginning, the athletic department takes time to honor its past, a past worth celebrating.