Sidelines: Perrysburg, Lake set to induct hall-of-fame members

1/26/2006

Rick Hill, author of controversial bestseller, Pete Rose, My Prison Without Bars, is one of five persons to be inducted into the first class of the Perrysburg athletic hall of fame.

Hill, a 1971 graduate, will be honored Feb. 18 along with Barb Smith (1982), Michelle Slykhuis (1982), Andy Fisher (1985) and former athletic director/assistant principal Bob Steinecker.

Hill, who has made a career as an actor, writer and producer, was a standout athlete, earning 10 varsity letters. He was a two-time Northern Lakes League player of the year in football after leading the league in scoring and rushing during his junior and senior seasons. His 42 career touchdowns and nearly 4,000 career rushing yards remain school records. He played at Georgia Tech and was a Rhodes Scholar finalist.

Smith was a three-sport standout, excelling in volleyball, basketball and softball. She led the Yellow Jackets to league championships before going on to play basketball at Ohio State. She played a major role in the Buckeyes four Big Ten championships and three NCAA tournament appearances. Currently the University of Minnesota s associate head coach, Smith has also served as head coach at San Diego State.

Slykhuis, a four-year letter winner in cross country and track, remains the school record-holder in the 1600 meters (5:10.7). A state finalist in track, she went on to compete at Miami University where she established a Mid-American Conference record in the 10,000 meters (34:48) that still stands.

Fisher played baseball and basketball. He was the NLL player of the year in basketball as a senior and went on to play at the University of Toledo, where he was a three-time All-MAC academic selection. He graduated cum laude with a bachelor s degree in business administration.

Steinecker worked 31 years at Perrysburg. The football stadium was named in his honor. He was responsible for starting 11 girls programs while increasing the boys athletic teams from four to 16 during his tenure as athletic director.

Three athletes will be inducted tomorrow into the Lake hall of fame.

Bob Abbey, a 1984 graduate, lettered in football, basketball and track. He was a regional qualifier his senior year in the discus. In football, Abbey was a two-time All-Northern Lakes League selection and All-Ohio honorable mention selection.

Gary Heath, a 1984 graduate, lettered in track, football and wrestling. Heath placed fifth in the regional in the shot put. Heath was an offensive lineman and a placekicker, earning all-district first team and All-Ohio special mention. In wrestling, Heath was a league and district heavyweight champion and placed sixth at the state meet.

Longtime coach Jim Bartosky also will be inducted. He coached basketball, tennis, track and football during his 34 years before retiring from coaching in 2003.

Bartosky was a head basketball coach from 1991-97 and won three sectional championships. He coached boys and girls basketball for a combined 21 years.

Old Fort s hall-of-fame induction of John Bruggemeier will take place Feb. 17 after the junior varsity basketball game.

Knights Hanus wins

Colton Hanus of St. Francis captured the title in the 145-pound division at the Cardinal Stritch Invitational. His name was omitted from the results.