Wabash County Museum to host 1st Annual Wabash County Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

Sports Hall of Fame Committee members Steve McClure, Rick Harness, and Bill Barrows hosting the Wabash County Museum's speaker series, Talkin Sports

As part of the new county sports exhibit that is coming later in 2025, the Wabash County

Museum is happy to share the 1st Annual Wabash County Sports Hall of Fame Induction

ceremony will be held on Saturday, August 2nd at 3 pm at Market Street Grill’s Ivy Room.

The Wabash County Sports Hall of Fame was established in 2024 and is an initiative of the

Wabash County Museum intended to preserve the history and tradition of superior athletics in

our county. The Hall of Fame seeks to highlight the past in order to ensure a promising future

through the recognition of past athletes, coaches, administrators, philanthropists, and

volunteers who have made significant contributions to sports in Wabash County. Those

selected serve as models for future generations.

The 2025 inductee class were selected by a twelve member committee which is chaired by Bill

Barrows, Sports Curator at the museum. Barrows shares, ““The Wabash County Museum is

proud to tell the stories of these amazing individuals who reflect the competitive spirit of

athletics in Wabash County.”

The public is encouraged to attend the reception but RSVPs ARE REQUIRED by Friday, July 25th. To RSVP, please reach out to the museum by phone at (260) 563-9070, send an email to

bbarrows@wabashmuseum.org, or RSVP on our website event page at www.wabashmuseum.org/events-1/wabash-county-sports-hall-of-fame-induction-ceremony 

The 2025 inaugural inductees, who will be recognized in an exhibit at the museum, include:

From the Pioneer Era (1860 through 1920)

● Carl W. Burt

● Leewell “L.H.” Carpenter

● G. Glen Coolman

● Gus Dorais

● Bob “Jelly Bean” Jones

● Bill Milliner

● Walter Cecil “W.C.” Mills

● George Mullin

● Chris Schenkel

● Raymond “Dutch” Struck

● Billy Thom

From the Contemporary Era (1951 - 2000)

● Dr. Steve Ahlfeld

● BJ Cantrell

● Dave Fulkerson

● Robin Gratz

● Stan Leland

● Clyde Lovellette

● Michelle Melzoni

● Chris Rood

● Joe Ross

● Jon Ross

From the Modern Era (2001 - Present)

● Jared Cordes

● Mike “Doc” Emrick

● Tom Finicle

● Dan Ford

● Kaleigh Hensley