Maclin, McNeill Among 28 to Be Inducted Into Kirkwood High's Athletic Hall of Fame

The Kirkwood High School Athletic Hall of Fame Selection committee has announced the Class of 2013. The 2013 class will officially be inducted into the KHS Athletic Hall of Fame in a ceremony to be held on Saturday, April 13, 2013 at 6 p.m. in the Dave Holley Assembly Hall Varsity Gymnasium at Kirkwood High School.

The purpose of the Athletic Hall of Fame is to honor and recognize men and women athletes, coaches or community members who have made significant contributions to Kirkwood High School athletics.

2013 Kirkwood High School Athletic Hall of Fame

Keith Angel, Class of 1976

Angel was a two-sport athlete, earning varsity letters in football and track.  He earned All-State football honors and is regarded as one of the best lineman in KHS football history.  Angel was a state champion shot putter for track and field and still holds the KHS record.  Angel continued his education and athletic career at the University of Oklahoma.  Angel was named a member of the Kirkwood High School All-Century Football Team in 2007.

*Udell Chambers, Class of 1966

Chambers excelled at both basketball and baseball.  On the basketball court, he ran the offense, was quick on the dribble and was a deft passer.  On the baseball diamond, Chambers was quick on the base paths and possessed a strong arm with pinpoint accuracy.  Recruited by the Atlanta Braves in 1966, Chambers reported to the Gulf Coast League and was playing professional baseball just weeks after his high school graduation. Drafted by the Army in 1967, Chambers was killed nine months later in the Vietnam War. 

Patti (Hopkins) Clawson, Class of 1987

A standout athlete in both volleyball and track, some of Clawson’s accomplishments include selection to the1985 and 1986 All-Regional Volleyball Teams; 1985 Junior National Volleyball Team; 1985 All-American AAU Junior Olympic Women’s National Volleyball; Midwest Volleyball Magazine “Mighty 86” High School Stars of ’86; 1986 All-American: AAU Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships: and the 1984 and 1985 Suburban West All-Conference Volleyball Teams. Clawson was the first KHS volleyball player to receive a full four-year scholarship to a Division I school, the University of North Carolina. Additionally, Clawson held records at KHS in the long jump (20 years) and the triple jump (15 years).

Terrance Curry, Class of 1999

Curry was a three-sport athlete, competing in basketball, football and track and field.  He was captain of the football squad and led the team to district and conference championships.  His senior year, Curry led the KHS basketball Pioneers to the Missouri final four, losing to the eventual state champions, Riverview Gardens.  He was selected as St. Louis Post-Dispatch Defensive Player of the Year.  After graduating, Curry attended the University of Missouri-Columbia and was selected as a captain of the football team.  Curry was named a member of the Kirkwood High School All-Century Football Team in 2007.

Bill Ennis-Inge, Class of 1992

Ennis-Inge earned a combined eight varsity letters; two in football, two in basketball and four in track and field.  His football accomplishments include being named Suburban West All-Conference, All-Metro and All-State team selection.  In basketball, Ennis-Inge led the team as captain and earned Second Team All-Conference recognition.  He was also selected as captain and earned All-State honors for track and field.  After graduation, Ennis-Inge was a four-year letter-winner for the University of Iowa football team and competed in the 1993 and 1996 Alamo Bowls, 1995 Sun Bowl and was selected to the All Big 10 Academic Team.  Ennis-Inge was named a member of the Kirkwood High School All-Century Football Team in 2007.

Kalani Fifita, Class of 1993

Fifita moved from Hawaii to KHS as a junior and quickly adapted.  He lettered in football, basketball and track and field, with football being his standout sport.  He earned All-Conference football honors as a junior and All-Conference and All-State honors as a senior. Fifita attended Brigham Young University (BYU) and continued his football success as a four-year starting running back. He was named BYU’s Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 1998, Impact Player of the Year in 1999 and team captain and Most Valuable Running Back in 2000. The Cincinnati Bengals drafted him as a free agent in 2001.  Currently, he coaches at the University of Utah.

Lenard Johnson, Class of 1979

Johnson was a standout basketball player, leading the team to back-to-back Missouri state final four appearances where the team finished fourth in 1978 and third in 1979.  He holds the single game rebound record with 25 rebounds and single season scoring record with 683 points.  He was selected First Team All-State in 1979.  Johnson continued his academic and athletic career at the University of Nebraska as a Cornhusker.

Darrel Lee, Class of 2000

Lee was a great three-sport athlete at KHS, leading the Pioneer football and basketball teams to conference and district championships while also having an impressive career as a track and field athlete.  Lee represented the football squad as a team captain.  As a defensive end, he was first in career quarter back sacks (34), first in career fumble recoveries (7) and fourth in career tackles (209, 131 tackles and 78 assists).  Lee attended the University of Florida where he played defensive end, defensive tackle and linebacker.  After graduation, Lee became a member of the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. Lee was named a member of the Kirkwood High School All-Century Football Team in 2007.

Jeremy Maclin, Class of 2006

As a great two-sport athlete, Maclin led the KHS football team to a final four in football and a third place finish in basketball.  He played on the varsity football team freshman through senior years and was team captain. Maclin was selected First Team All State for football.  As a defensive back for the Pioneers, Maclin had 11 interceptions including one for a 99-yard touchdown return.  As a wide receiver and punt and kick off return specialist, Maclin compiled 4,815 all-purpose yards and a career total of 128 receptions for 2,559 yards with a 19.99 average.  Nearly one in four of Maclin’s receptions ended in a touchdown as he reached the end zone 29 times as a Pioneer.  After graduation, Maclin signed with the University of Missouri-Columbia where he was a wide receiver for the Tigers and named an All-American.  The Philadelphia Eagles selected Maclin in the first round of the draft in 2009 where he currently plays as a wide receiver. Maclin was named a member of the Kirkwood High School All-Century Football Team in 2007.

Michael McNeill, Class of 2006

McNeill excelled in football and basketball.  He was a three-year starter for the football team and a significant contributor to the 2005 semi-finalist squad.  That same year, he also led the basketball team to a third place finish in the state championship.  McNeill was a captain of the KHS football squad, playing defensive end and tight end.  He has 1,833 career all purpose yards with 97 career receptions totaling 1,816 yards with a 18.72 average.  McNeill continued his education and athletic career at the University of Nebraska.  He is currently a tight end for the St. Louis Rams.

Karen (Hopkins) Miranda, Class of 1989

Miranda was a swimmer and standout four-year volleyball player, leading the team to back-to-back appearances in the Missouri State High School Volleyball championship finals in 1987 and 1988.  The team placed second in state both years. Miranda was selected to the Missouri All-State Girls Volleyball Team in 1987 and 1988. After high school, Miranda continued to be recognized for her outstanding athletic performance in volleyball while attending Illinois State University.  At ISU, Miranda was a four-year letterwinner and was named to the 1992 Second Team All Missouri Valley Conference, 1992 Redbird Classic All Tournament Team, 1992 Sooner Invitation All Tournament Team and 1991 Arby’s Redbird Classic All Tournament Team. 

Alex (Pepin) Mooney, Class of 2003

Mooney was a four-year varsity starter for the Pioneer softball team. In 2003, she led the Kirkwood squad to its first ever district and sectional championships, taking the team to the Elite 8. Mooney was selected 2000, 2001 and 2002 Suburban West First Team All-Conference and was the first KHS softball player named to the Missouri All-State Team. Mooney continued her education and athletic career at Southern Illinois University, earning the Saluki Academic Excellence Athlete Award in 2004 and 2005.  While at SIU, she was announced as one of the top 10 college softball athletes in the nation for grade point average (GPA).  Mooney finished her academic and athletic career at the University of Missouri-St. Louis where she was chosen as softball team captain, earned the 2007 UMSL Athletic Academic Excellence Award and graduated Summa Cum Laude.

Bill Moulder, Class of 1973

Moulder lettered in both baseball and basketball.  He is regarded by most as one of the all time leading guards in the history of Kirkwood Pioneer basketball.  He led the 1972 and 1973 basketball teams to state final appearances, resulting in second place finishes both times and earning him All-State First Team honors.  Legendary Coach Denver Miller named Moulder as one of the five standout players he coached during his 43 years at KHS.  Moulder continued his basketball career at St. Louis University where he was a multi-year starter and at one time was the career leader in assists.

*Steven Powell, Class of 1974

Powell, better known as Stevie, was a two-sport stand out athlete at KHS, competing in football and in track and field.  Powell broke several track and field records for the Pioneers and was a dynamic football running back at both KHS and Truman State University.  His performance on the gridiron led to his selection to the Kirkwood High School All-Century Football Team in 2007 as well as his induction into the Truman State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.  He was named a First Team All-American in 1977 and was drafted into the NFL by the Buffalo Bills; he also played professionally for the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Jets.

Drew Rogers, Class of 1972

Rogers, who lettered in football, basketball and baseball, is still regarded as one of the all time basketball legends at KHS.  By the end of his freshman year, he earned a spot on the varsity team and played in every game thereafter.  Under coaching legend Denver Miller, Rogers led the Pioneers to a second place state finish in 1972, earning First Team All-State honors. He continued his basketball career at Meramec Community College, leading the Warriors to a conference title and junior college (JUCO) championship.  He later received a full athletic basketball scholarship to the University of Kansas.

*^Alphonse Smith, Class of 1945

Smith was in a league of his own, achieving championship status in five sports.  As a track and field star, Smith was the 330-yard dash and 4x100 relay champion.  On the basketball court, Smith earned the Most Valuable Player award in 1946.  In boxing, Smith was AAU Middleweight Champion and a Golden Gloves Champion in the middleweight division.  On the gridiron, Smith led the football team to an undefeated season in the Illinois-Missouri League.  With all those accomplishments, Smith experienced the most success in baseball making it all the way to the big leagues: first to the Negro League and later to the Major League Baseball Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.  He was selected to the MLB All-Star team twice (1955 and 1960) and played in two World Series (1954 and 1959).  After retirement, Smith went on to master a sixth sport: golf.  Since Missouri schools were segregated until 1954, Mr. Smith attended Kirkwood schools for African American students until high school.  He then attended Douglass High School, a high school for African American students throughout the St. Louis county area.

Don Wainwright, Class of 1959

Wainwright is a man of significant accomplishments.  While at KHS, Wainwright was a football and a track and field star.  In 1959, he won the Missouri State discus championship with a new state record of 155’-2.75,” helping the team to become the state track and field champions.  Playing wide receiver and middle linebacker for the football team, he earned All-League and All-District honors and was team captain.  After KHS graduation, Wainwright played for the University of Missouri-Columbia (UMC) and was part of the 1960 Tiger team that many believe to be the greatest in Mizzou history and a team that was inducted into the University of Missouri Athletic Hall of Fame. Wainwright continued his success as a Tiger until his senior year when he suffered a severe head injury during a game that left him unconscious for 13 days.  His near death experience, plus his knowledge as an engineering student, prompted Wainwright to become a pioneer in football helmet safety while still attending UMC.  His research helped in the early design of a safer football helmet for today’s athletes.

Greg Warren, Class of 1986

Greg Warren was a member of the football, cross-country and wresting teams at KHS. Warren ran his way to the cross-country state finals and excelled on the mats as a two-time Missouri State High School Wrestling Champion in 1985 and 1986 becoming one of the outstanding wrestlers of all time at KHS. His distinguished career continued in wrestling at the University of Missouri-Columbia where he became the Tiger team captain and an All-American.  He qualified three times for the NCAA Wresting Tournament and selected Big 8 Academic All-American.

Coaches:

Dale Collier

Coach Collier served as both a football coach (1980-1993) and athletic director (1980-1995) for KHS.  His .663 overall winning percentage and .714 Turkey Day winning percentage ranks him among the highest ever to coach football at KHS. Among his many accolades, Collier was selected St. Louis Post-Dispatch Coach of the Year, inducted into the St. Louis Metro Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame and named MSHSAA Athletic Director of the Year in 1993. 

Art Stout

The legendary Coach Stout coached tennis at Kirkwood High School for 52 years, leading his first team in 1958 to an undefeated 11-0 season. During his tenure as head coach, Stout’s boys’ teams won 14 conference/district championships and the state championship in 1978. He also coached the girls’ team to 10 conference/district championships and six MSHSAA final fours. In 2007, Stout was chosen as the MSHSAA Boys Tennis Coach of the Year.

Wilson Stocker

While at KHS, Coach Stocker served as the swimming and diving coach, football coach, baseball coach and athletic director. He is best recognized for his work with athletes in the pool, as he is the only KHS coach to lead three teams to state championships, including back-to-back team championships in 1965 and 1966 and again in 1972.  He also coached three divers to state championships.  In 1975, Coach Stocker agreed to serve as a volunteer coach for the first KHS MSHSAA sponsored girl’s sport, leading the girl’s swimming team in their inaugural season of competition. 

*Emil Wiggins

Wiggins began his coaching career in the 1930s at the original Kirkwood High School on Kirkwood Road, site of Nipher Middle School today.  He coached teams in football, cross country, and track and field. He led the KHS track team to nine state competitions, finishing in third place four times, second place three times and winning state championships in 1949 and 1959. He was elected to the Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1976.

Pioneer Award/Community

Robert Curry

Coach Curry is one of the first African American coaches in the Kirkwood School District.  Curry was the assistant KHS basketball coach and assistant KHS football coach.  Although Coach Curry retired from the district in 1994, he continues to work with students and helps any young athlete who asks.  He is credited with being an expert when it comes to the jump shot and has earned the nickname of “basketball shot doctor.”  Along with sports, Coach Curry encourages students to continue their education and works to help them believe in themselves.

Dave Endres

Dave Endres, KHS ’74, lives by a simple motto: “Anything for the kids.”  His motto is made evident by the countless hours, projects and resources he has donated his time and energy to for the betterment of facilities for Kirkwood students. Endres assumed a leadership role, along with 2009 Athletic Hall of Fame member Jim Scott, in developing the Kirkwood Diamond Classic Golf Tournament.  The tournament raised over $250,000 to improve the softball and baseball fields as KHS and North Kirkwood Middle School.  Although his two children have since graduated from KHS, Endres continues to be a vital school community member. Even today, he continues giving his time and knowledge by teaching a wood turning class at KHS.

Chris and Carol Krafft

For over ten years, the Kraffts have volunteered hundreds of hours for the Pioneer Boosters Inc (PBI).  They have shopped, lifted and loaded food and supplies for the KHS concession stands, worked tirelessly as PBI board members and have prepared weeks in advance for major events. The Kraffts arrive early at home Turkey Day games to make sure everything is ready for a great day of football.  They are usually the last to leave, only to be one of the first to arrive again the next morning to finish the clean-up. At home football games, Chris is a regular fixture at the BBQ area. Over the years, the Kraffts have engaged their whole family into the Turkey Day event, enlisting the help of their children Kelly, Michael and Katie.  PBI would not be able to provide the quality equipment, uniforms and resources they do to KHS athletics without the tremendous support of the Kraffts.

Ed Travis and Robert Wagner

Anyone who has enjoyed the fun and excitement of a Friday night football game at KHS can thank these two gentlemen.  In 1979, Mr. Travis and Mr. Wagner presented a petition to the Kirkwood Board of Education asking to borrow $35,000 to organize and execute a project to have football stadium lights installed before the 1979 football season began.  Travis and Wagner promised the school board that they would raise the $35,000 by private donations within three years.  It took just a year and a half before the loan was repaid to the Board.  Thanks to their efforts, Friday night football games continue to bring excitement to the Kirkwood community.

*Honorees who are being recognized posthumously.

*^ Recognized posthumously. Douglass High School was the only fully accredited African American High School in St. Louis County from 1925-56. It was located in Webster Groves on Holland Ave. but educated African-Americans from across St. Louis County and each graduating class contains students who lived in Kirkwood. The school closed in June 1956 following the landmark 1954 U.S. Supreme Court Brown vs. Board of Education decision and the Douglass students them went to the high schools in their home district.

Information provided by Kirkwood School District.