by Justin Gibson | Nov 12, 2019 | Schoolcraft, Sports
Doug Ryskamp at right.
Doug Ryskamp is a 1977 graduate of SHS. He went on to graduate from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1981 and a master of school administration degree from WMU in 1986. He served as a teacher and administrator in Schoolcraft Community Schools for 32 years and, as far as anyone knows, is the only individual to have served as principal of Schoolcraft Elementary, Middle, and High Schools. He coached basketball for 17 years and amassed a record of 100 wins and 33 losses as head coach.
His athletic accomplishments here in Schoolcraft include selection as an all-state tennis player in 1976 and ’77, All St. Joe Valley League basketball player as a sophomore, junior, and senior. He scored over 1,000 points in his basketball career and is quick to point out that it was before the institution of the three-point basket in Michigan high school basketball.
by Justin Gibson | Nov 12, 2019 | Schoolcraft, Sports
Al Johanson graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in 1969 and a Master’s degree from WMU in 1978. He was an elementary teacher here in Schoolcraft for 27 years and elementary principal for four years. His other contributions to our school system include: Elementary career education leader and resource speaker; one of the founders of the Athletic Boosters big hole golf outing fund raiser; Junior Pro basketball coordinator; middle school track and basketball coach; treasurer of the Schoolcraft PTO.
He served as high school golf coach for 25 years. During that time, his teams won 13 conference championships and five regional championships. Sixteen of his teams qualified for the state golf meet and won three State Championships in 1996, 1998, and 2002. He is a two-time Michigan high school golf coach of the year and a member of the Michigan High School Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
by Justin Gibson | Nov 12, 2019 | Schoolcraft, Sports
The 1959 boys track and field team won the team state championship that year. In the fifties anyone running 440 yards or more was limited to just one event. What makes this feat even more amazing that we did not have a track in Schoolcraft until 1984. For practice the team ran from Cass St. to 14th St. to Lyons St., ending at Cedar St.
In 1959 the name of Randy John cock appears on the track record board in the SHS gym for the shotput. The team was dominated by sprinters John Munson, Dean Boone and Louie Burdick. Middle distant runners were the Rodebaugh brothers, Jon and Dennis and Roydon Maile. This team was coached by Mr. Trembley. The scoring was done by the following: Jon Rodebaugh, state champion in the 880 yard run; John Munson, 2nd place in the 220; Dean Boone, 2nd place in the 440; relay team, 2nd place in the 880; Dennis Rodebaugh, 3rd place in the 880; John Munson, 3rd place in the 100 yard dash.
by Justin Gibson | Nov 12, 2019 | Schoolcraft, Sports
Erica Ryskamp Wallace and her family.
Erica Ryskamp Wallace is a 2003 graduate of Schoolcraft High School. She graduated from GVSU with a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology in 2007 and a master’s degree in public administration in 2014. She now serves as the athletic chief of staff at Wayne State University.
In Schoolcraft she enjoyed a two-year softball career, being named All St. Joe Valley League as a senior. During her four-year Eagle varsity basketball career, she scored over 1,000 points and became the all-time leading girls’ basketball scorer, during a time, which her dad will be eager to point out, did include the three-point field goal. She was named the SJV most valuable player as junior and a senior while she and her teammates won conference titles in both of those years. She was selected all-state as a junior and a senior and named a Detroit Free Press top 100 girls basketball player as a sophomore, junior and senior.
After graduating from SHS, she was definitely not done with basketball. During her four-year career at GVSU she compiled this amazing list of accomplishments: scored 1,409 points, placing her in the top 5 in school history; made 223 three point shots, second all time at GVSU; her 39.3 three point field goal percentage ranks third all-time; she was the captain of the 2006 Lakers team who won the NCAA Division II National Championship; she was inducted into the GVSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015.
by Justin Gibson | Nov 12, 2019 | Schoolcraft, Sports
These cross country team members came to accept the award for their efforts in 1992.
Eight members of the 2019 Hall of Fame Class are the 1992 Class D State Champion Girls Cross Country Team.
During the 1992 season this group of young ladies accomplished a regular season dual meet record of 9-0, won the St. Joe Valley League Championship, regional championship, and won the state championship race while scoring a mere 55 points, 74 points ahead of second place.
Team members were; Yvonne Oliphant, Susan Palleshi, Heather Triezenberg, Marcie Weslock, Kim Saunders, Laura Oliphant, Emily Palmer, Stacia Johnson. The coach of this championship team was Rob Kauffman.
by Justin Gibson | Nov 12, 2019 | Schoolcraft, Sports
Doctor Sauer accepts his award surrounded by family.
Doc Sauer is from the Kalamazoo area. He moved to Schoolcraft when in the 5th grade, graduating in 1949. At a young age he decided he wanted to be a veterinarian. After graduation from high school he attended Michigan State College (later the University) where he received his Bachelor of Science, Master’s degree and his Doctorate.
Doc joined the Schoolcraft Board of Education in 1966 where he served our students for 42 years. During this time, Doc Sauer was a charter member of the Schoolcraft Foundation. Doc is a local Teachers Professional Development Grant Donor. In addition, he awards an annual student scholarship.
The Schoolcraft High School Media Center was named in his honor in 2007 for his dedication and service to the school district. In retirement, if there is such a thing for Doc, he became a 4-H leader. He helps the students with horse health and how to handle them. Dr. Jack Sauer is just very interested in working with kids.
