By Mark Blentlinger
Six individuals and two teams were inducted into the Schoolcraft Hall of Fame during halftime of the February 18 Schoolcraft vs Parchment basketball game.
Schoolcraft’s 1988 Class D football state champions were recognized. At a game with Frankfort, Brad Johnson set a state record with an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown. The Eagles defeated Frankfort 42-7. The team had two all-state players, Johnson and Larry Hoskins.
The 2008 Class C volleyball team defeated Unionville-Sebewaing 25-19, 22-25, 25-17, 25-21. This team was the first Schoolcraft volleyball team to win the state championship. Its record was 43 wins, nine losses, three ties.
Ted Manning coached a total of 45 high school football seasons at six schools. He was an assistant coach at Schoolcraft High School for 35 seasons, from 1986 to 2007, and Schoolcraft Middle from 2008 to 2015. From 1986 to 2013, Manning served as Schoolcraft’s athletic director. He also taught in Schoolcraft during this time.
Rich Peters was a 1958 graduate of Schoolcraft High School where he played basketball, track, baseball and football. He helped and encouraged Schoolcraft youth through volunteering in Little League and football.
Janie Pincumbe Gillaspie, a 1984 Schoolcraft graduate, participated in varsity track for four years. She placed second in the state in the 100-yard dash in 1981, third in the state in the 100-yard dash in 1982, first in the state 100m (state record) in 1983, third in the state long jump in 1983, and third in the state 400m in 1983. She was a four-year all-conference, three-year all-region, and three-year all-state track athlete.
Jon Pryor, a 1992 Schoolcraft graduate, played varsity football and received first team All-State running back honors in 1990 and 1991. He was selected to the 1992 Michigan All-Star Game and was a member of the 1988 Class D and the 1989 Class C State championship team. Pryor was also four-year varsity basketball player and a 1,000-point scorer at Schoolcraft High School. In the spring, he ran track, earning All-State Honors in the 4×200 relay.
Mark Rasmussen was quarterback of the 2001 Schoolcraft State Championship football team. He was selected first team St. Joseph Valley (defensive back), first team SJV (quarterback), and SJV most valuable player. He also played varsity basketball for two years and varsity baseball for four years. He earned Honorable Mention All-SJV (1999), All-District (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002), All Region (2001, 2002), second-team All-State (shortstop) 2001, SJV Most Valuable Player 2002, and Honorable Mention All-State (pitcher) 2002. He was also a four-year baseball player at Western Michigan University.
Mike Steil started teaching at Schoolcraft in 1970 and retired in 2005, Mike coached track for 37 years, compiling over 250 dual wins (an 86% winning record), eight league titles, and six regional championships. He was inducted into the State Hall of Fame in 2010. He also coached football from 1970 to 1999. In 1992 Steil was selected as assistant coach of the year. He also coached varsity men’s and women’s cross country.