By: Mike Glesinger Panhandle Post
Homecoming week at Alliance High School was capped off Saturday with the induction of 5 new members to the AHS Activities Hall of Fame and the 2022 recipient to the Alliance Public Schools Foundation Wall of Fame.
The Activities Hall of Fame now includes 44 members with the induction of this years class. Alliance Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Troy Unzicker served as host of the event and explained the selection process for the Hall of Fame. The selection committee meets once a year to review and vote on new members. In order for a nominee to be inducted, they must receive at least a 75% majority vote from the selection committee. This year the committee reviewed 40 nominees, which included 22 State Champions or 1st Team All-State selections, 21 different individuals received at least one vote from committee members. After several rounds of discussion and voting, the committee selected this years inductees.
Jeff Colwell, Class of 1988. Jeff was a two-time State Wrestling Champion. Winning the Class A heavyweight title in 1987 and 1988. He was part of 2 State Champion Wrestling Teams.
Jeff was also was an All-Conference football player and competed in golf. Former Alliance Principal and Wrestling Coach, Dr. Pat Cullen spoke about how Jeff worked hard at being the best conditioned heavyweight, which helped him wear down opponents late in the match. Dr. Cullen talked about how Jeff had overcome an injury his senior season to comeback and repeat as a State Champion and the work ethic he had in practice each day.
Dan Farrington, Class of 1955. Dan was a member of the 1955 AHS State Champion Track and Field Team. He won Gold Medals in the 100 and 880 yard relay and still hold the AHS 200m record.
Dan passed away in 2020. His daughter, Jennifer Mooney accepted his award and talked of the Farrington family moving to Alliance from St. Louis when Dan was in Elementary School. He took to small town life immediately and participated in all sports through Jr. High and High School. He went on to participate in Track and Field at the University of Nebraska. Jennifer talked of Dan's love of his Family, Alliance and Nebraska. She said Dan, would have been thrilled to receive this honor.
Ryan Lovell, Class of 1992. Ryan was an Outstanding Performer in Music, Speech and Drama.
He was named Outstanding Actor his Senior year. He also talked about growing up in Alliance and the opportunities he had and the help, support and sometimes discipline he received from his teachers at AHS, which prompted him to go on to become a Music Teacher and Theater Director. He said he could not have accomplished anything without the love and support of his family and friends. A common theme with all the inductees. Ryan is just the 2nd performer to be selected to the Hall of Fame.
Kory Phill, Class of 1987. Kory was a 4-time State Wrestling Medalist and 2-time State Champion. Winning titles in 1986 and 1987. He as part of 3 State Champion Wrestling Teams.
Kory passed away several years ago. Dr. Pat Cullen, his high school coach, talked about Kory being a dominate wrestler and the first in AHS history to record 100 career wins, but on the otherside of things, Kory worked hard in practice to become better, he was a bit mischievous, but always kept the mood light, which tried his coaches and teachers patience at times. Dr. Cullen said Kory would have loved to receive this honor. He also spent some time talking about how all the teachers at AHS would go out of their way to help the other teachers and students when needed.
Dave Sautter, Teacher and Coach at AHS for 34 years. Dave taught Math and Coached Football, Volleyball, Golf and Basketball. He also served as Middle School Activities Director.
Dave is the all time winningest Coach in AHS Girls Basketball History and lead the Lady Bulldogs to the 2007 Girls Class B State Basketball Championship. Dave spoke about wanting to play sports at a young age and even though he went to college on a choir scholarship, he knew he wanted to be a coach. He talked about coaching multiple sports and learning from great mentors. He spoke about the great camaraderie with other AHS teachers and coaches through his career and about very talented athletes who worked hard to have success. Family and Faith were also a big part of his coaching career.
Like the others inducted, it was very clear that receiving this honor was something special.
The final honoree of the day was 2022 Alliance Public Schools Foundation, Wall of Fame recipient, Colonel Joshua McConkey.
Josh was a 1996 AHS graduate. He attended the RHOP program through Chadron State College and the University of Nebraska Medical Center graduating in 2003. While attending Medical School, Josh enlisted in the Nebraska Army Reserves receiving his commission as a Medical Service Corps Officer in 2000, later transfering to the Air Force in 2011. He served as a Flight Surgeon and was the leader of the Critical Care Air transport Team. He cared for both soldiers and civilians while deployed to Iraq in 2007. He has logged over 340 flight hours as a flight surgeon in both war and peacetime, logging over 90 hours of aeromedical evacuation and air assault, support troops.
Josh has also worked as an Emergency Physician for over 18 years and practiced ER medicine throughout the United States, New Zealand and Australia. He also served as an ER Provider in his hometown of Alliance. Josh along with his wife Elsa and their 3 children currently make their home in North Carolina.
In his remarks, Josh talked about growing up in Alliance and enjoying the small town life, in a tight knit community, that values a strong work ethic. He also gave credit to the teachers, administrators and sponsors that encouraged him during his high school years. He spoke of serving in combat zones around the world and seeing firsthand the distructions of war and its effect on people, and commended all Veterans and those currently serving.
Josh is the ninth recipient of the Wall of Fame honor, which began in 2014.
Nominations are welcome for both the Activities Hall of Fame and the APS Foundation Wall of Fame. Forms may be picked up at the District Administration office at 1604 Sweetwater, Alliance NE 69301