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In
1957, long-time Centralia Sentinel Sports
Editor Bill Niepoetter first wrote in his
column “Niep’s Notes” that the City of
Centralia needed a Sports Hall of Fame. It
took 24 years and the work of Bob Jenkins, a
native of Massachusetts, to make it a
reality.
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In
1981, Jenkins formed a committee consisting
of himself, Niepoetter, Bob Jones, Ann
Murray, Chuck Mundell, Peno
Castellari, and John Abrams. In an amazingly
short time the wheels were rolling.
The
Centralia City Hall’s second
floor was chosen as the permanent site,
where the plaques and memorabilia would be
displayed. In 1996, the
display was moved to the new Centralia
Recreation Complex.
The
committee decided to induct six individuals
the first year, no more than four in each
ensuing year, and since has
added a team category, a V.I.P. Class, and a
Veterans’ category.
The
first year, about sixty persons attended the
banquet and induction ceremony, and now it
has grown to nearly
200.
In 2004, the Donald “Sparky” Meyer
Charitable Fund was established through the Centralia
Foundation by Donald Karchmer and his
sister, Ronna Karchmer Newburger.
This fund, in honor of “Sparky”, will be
used to provide funding for
the Centralia Sports Hall of Fame. The
committee receives no pay, and in fact, pays
for their own meals at the banquet.
If you have never visited the Centralia
Sports Hall of Fame, you should see it. It
is impressive in its local sports
lore.
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Dave Agee, Butch Border, Dick Carpenter, John "Mouse" Garrett, Vince
Holtkamp
Nancy Freels, Maryann Langenfeld, Randy List, Don Walker, Rod White, Herb Williams
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The Sports Hall of Fame by-laws state that
“the Hall of Fame will honor notable
sports figures, past and present, for their
contributions in their given sports field,
which has enhanced and made Centralia a fine
sports community.”
Along with the individual nominations, in
1982 the committee added a team category to
this criteria as well. Also, in 1982,
the V.I.P. Award was initiated. This is for
someone who may not be a notable athlete but
is known for his dedication to supporting
athletics and recreation in Centralia.
Nominations for induction into the Hall of
Fame are kept for three years and then they
must be nominated again or removed from the
list. Nominations
made before January 31 in any particular
year will be voted on for that year.
Nominations made after January 31 in any
particular year will not be voted on until
the next year.
To nominate an individual or team click
here.
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Anyone wishing to make a tax deductible
donation to help fund the Centralia Sports
Hall of Fame may do so by contributing to
this fund.
Please make your check payable to: The
Centralia Foundation and designate it to
The
Donald "Sparky" Meyer Fund. Your check should be
mailed to The Centralia Foundation, 115 East
Second Street, Centralia, Illinois, 62801.
To donate to the Centralia Sports Hall of
Fame click
here.
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