For those who were inducted into the Bexley High School Athletic Hall of Fame on November 2, 2019, the induction ceremony provided an opportunity to pay tribute to the persons, programs and special place where they grew up. It was the recreation programs in Bexley where they discovered their passions; the parents who made innumerable sacrifices that allowed them to follow their dreams, and the teachers and coaches who stressed dedication and teamwork that put them on a path to success in athletics and life.
As leaders on the court, field, track and mat, each recipient described how athletics shaped their experiences in the Bexley Schools. Over 130 family members, friends, former teammates and coaches and Athletic Hall of Fame members, many of whom had travelled from as far as California, Washington, Texas and Arizona gathered to celebrate the new class of inductees.
The members of the Class of 2019 BHS Athletic Hall of Fame are (in order of graduation year):
- *Jim Moriarty, ’68 – recognized as one of Bexley’s greatest athletes who captained the 1967 football and baseball teams. His daughter, Melissa accepted the award on behalf of the Moriarty family from HOF member, Brett Counts.
- Steve Callif, ’69 – basketball stand-out, one of Bexley’s “dynamic duo” who led the Lions in scoring in 1966, 67, 68 & 69. Coach Gene Millard presented Steve with his award.
- Jeffrey Schneider, ’72, the long-time track and field coach, Bexley Band Director and assistant girls’ basketball coach for the Lions. HOF member, Jennifer Ridgley Bunker presented Jeff with his award.
- Bernie Miller, ‘85 – Bexley’s only state champion wrestler. Former wrestling coach, Vince Speciale presented Bernie with his award.
- Erika Willhite, ’90 – all-star field hockey player who still holds school records for most goals scored in a game, most goals in a season and most career goals. Field Hockey Coach, Kara Whitlach presented Erika with her award.
- *Andrew Stern, ’92 – a two-time state doubles tennis champion who also captured third place in the state as an individual player in 1992. Andrew’s mother, Rozanne Stern accepted the award from Andrew’s former doubles partner and HOF member, Kevin Seckel.
- Lindsey Macklin Poor, ’04 – a standout player in basketball and soccer who led the girls’ soccer team to the state semi-finals in 2014. Former Girls’ Basketball Coach, Wade Brockwell presented Lindsey with her award.
- Briana “Bree” Hinkle, ’06 – a stand out athlete and leader in girls’ basketball and track who set many season records. Jennifer Ridgley Bunker presented Bree with her award.
- Paul “Tyler” Stanley, ‘07 – a talented all-round athlete who captained both the 2007 soccer and basketball teams and earned 10 varsity letters in four sports. Coach Sean Roberts presented Tyler with his award on behalf of former coach, Eric Acton, who was unable to attend.
- Jalen (Robinette) Rowell, ’12 – a multi-talented three sport athlete who still holds several school records in football and a member of the 4x100m record-setting relay team. Former Football Coach John smith and Coach Shane Roberts presented Jalen with his award.
*denoted deceased
The Bexley high School Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1989 to honor the memory of Rebecca Millard Attwood, the daughter of former Bexley Coach Gene Millard and his wife, Sally. Gifts made by the Millard Family and others to the Rebecca Millard Attwood Fund of the Bexley Schools have supported the Hall of Fame over the years. The next Athletic Hall of Fame induction is slated for 2022, but nominations are excepted year-round at bexleyalumni.org.
