Approximately 200 guests will be on hand, for the Inaugural Induction Ceremony and approximately 28 of the 36 honorees will either be in attendance or have a family representative, said Fort Myers athletic director David Burns, chairperson for the Hall of Fame committee.
Five of the inductees are deceased while others, including NFL Hall of Famer and North Fort Myers graduate Deion Sanders, are either unable to attend or haven’t responded to invitations.
“We’re going to honor the ones who show up,” Burns said. “We’re very happy with the response we’ve gotten.”
Lehigh Senior High School Graduate Robyn Anglickis – Rocco was the first inductee from that school. Anglickis-Rocco was the top recruit for the University of Miami who competed in the 50-, 100-, and 200-yard freestyle and 100- and 200-yard backstroke…placed second at the 1995 U.S. Open in the 200-meter backstroke with a time of 2:15.93. She was the Four-time Most Valuable Swimmer at Lehigh Senior High School…named Scholastic All-American from 1995-1997 and member of All-Conference team…competed at the Senior Nationals from 1995-1997 and Junior Nationals in 1993 and 1994…swam in the 200-meter backstroke at the 1996 Olympic Trials…personal bests include: 24.12 in the 50-yard freestyle, 51.02 in the 100-yard freestyle, 1:49.94 in the 200-yard freestyle, 56.87 in the 100-yard backstroke and 2:06.0 in the 200-yard backstroke…and swam for Swim Florida Club Team.
This year, each school chose its own Hall of Famers. Next year, a seven-member committee, including representatives from the school board, superintendent’s office, media and community along with a high school principal, an athletic director and a retired educator, will select a maximum of five athletes and two contributors for the 2013 induction class.
Each of honorees will receive a commemorative plaque emblazoned with their high school yearbook photo. Identical plaques will also be hung in the Lee County School District building on Colonial Blvd., which will serve as the hall of fame’s physical location.
2012 Hall of Fame Inaugural Inductees:
» Cape Coral: Bill Beatty, Colleen Healy, Curtis Kinchen
» Cypress Lake: Johnie Church, Donnie Ellis, Charles Griffin, Jenny Schuller
» Dunbar: Robert Green, Clarence ‘Chuck’ Mims, Melvin Smallwood Morgan, Thomas Watkins, Walt Wesley
» Estero: Catherine Cartwright (Tumbleson), Anthony Henry
» Fort Myers: Jammi German, Matt Markowski, Terry Jo Myers, Lamar Payne, Pat Putnam, Luiza Ramos, Joe Renfroe, Eric Riley, Sam Sirianni Sr., Derek Weatherford
» Lehigh: Robyn Anglickis (Rocco)
» Mariner: Earnest Graham, Greg Spires
» North Fort Myers: Bobbie Dewey, Mike Greenwell, Jevon Kearse, Deion Sanders, Chad Senior
» Riverdale: Sammy Edwards, Karl Engel, Roni Hipp, Donna Williams