By: Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

Redmen and Lady Redmen of the past were honored Friday evening as the inaugural class of the Bucyrus City Schools Hall of Fame were enshrined.

The first hall class inducted were Robert Monnett, Natalie Winkelfoos, Sam Sabback, Thomas Holtshouse, Cecil Souders, Chuck Stone, and the 1970 Football Team.

During her time at Bucyrus High School Natalie Winkelfoos achieved many firsts in her career including the first person boy or girl to score 1,000 points in a basketball career. Winkelfoos added a few other firsts during the induction ceremony as she was not only part of the first class into the Bucyrus Hall of Fame, she is also the only female member to the hall of fame.

Winkelfoos explained that she is honored to be the first female in the hall, but she hopes that she isn’t the last.

“This is a fantastic honor,” Winkelfoos said. “It is especially special when you look around and I am the only female. I am certainly happy to be the first, but I don’t want to be the last.”
Winkelfoos was inducted by Wynford girls basketball head coach Amy Taylor-Sheldon.

Robert Monnett Graduated Bucyrus High School in 1929 and went on to play half-back for Michigan State University. After his time as a Spartan the NFL’s Green Bay Packers came calling. During his time for the Packers he helped the team secure a 1936 NFL championship. In 1973 he entered the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame. Friday night Monnett became a member of the Bucyrus Hall of Fame.

Jay Dennison inducted Monnett.

Bucyrus Graduate Sam Sabback was instrumental with Bucyrus tennis. For 47 years he taught lessons in the sport t Aumiller Park to over 4,000 kids. Sabback was also involved in every boys and girls tennis team for Bucyrus including being instrumental in getting the first tennis courts constructed at the school.

Sabback, who was unable to attend was inducted by Jack Hewitt.

Thomas Holthouse has been a vital member of the Bucyrus Community as a volunteer on various boards including President of the Bucyurs City School District Board of Education. Holtshouse also has a college scholarship named after him with the Crawford College Connection Tom and Pam Holtshouse Scholarship.

Holsthouse was inducted by Margaret Thornton.

Cecil Souders at 96 years of age could be the oldest living alumnus of the NFL. Originally set to go to LSU, Souders was snatched up by the Ohio State University where he went on to become a three-time All American. Souders was a member of the 1942 National Championship Team from OSU as well as earning All-Big 10 and All American honors and winning the Chicago Tribune’s Silver Football Award as MVP of the 1946 season.

Souders who was unable to attend due to a prior engagement sent a letter thanking the school saying that it is an honor to be part of the first Bucyrus Hall of Fame Class.

Chuck Stone who was an offensive lineman and track and field athlete at Bucyrus High School from 1972-1976. Stone still holds the record for shot put. While going to school Stone had as many as four jobs. One of his former bosses Dave Schiebler spoke of Stone working for him bailing hay so he could provide for his brothers and sisters.

Stone was inducted by his son Chris Stone.

The 1970 Bucyrus High School football team still holds the recognition as the only team to complete a perfect 10-0 season for the school finishing second in the State Rankings behind New Lexington. Tri-Captain Dave Markley gave memories of the season noting that the team had 13 seniors, 13 juniors, and 13 sophomores on the team, and that their final game that season was on Friday the thirteenth.

Both Markley and Dan Messerschmidt inducted the 1970 football team.