St. Johns fans cheer against Detroit King during their MHSAA Class A semifinal game Friday, March 18, 2016, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. St. Johns fell 56-48.
Jenny (Poff) Pruett, left, will be one of eight individuals inducted into the St. Johns High School Athletic Hall of Fame on Sept. 9.
ST. JOHNS – The inaugural class for the St. Johns High School Athletic Hall of Fame has been announced, and it will feature current and former coaches, athletes and teams that left a mark on the school’s athletic history.
Jim Makarauskas, Paul Sternburgh, Beth Swears, Dale Knight, Gina Mazzolini, Anne (Brocker) Pierson, Jenny (Poff) Pruett and Levi Rost will be inducted into the hall of fame on Sept. 9, as will the 1949-51 football teams and the 1978-79 boys swim team.
The event will feature a “Welcome Back Ceremony” and will be followed by recognition at the Redwings’ varsity football game against Mason.
“The Hall of Fame will recognize both individuals and teams for exemplary accomplishments, contributions and service to St. Johns High School athletics,” said Director of Athletics Chris Ervin. “We look forward to enshrining this impressive inaugural class and many more in the future to celebrate the history and tradition of St. Johns athletics.”
Tickets for the inaugural induction will go on sale in August and can be purchased at the St. Johns athletic office.
Information on the inductees, which was provided by St. Johns, can be found below:
Coaches
Jim Makarauskas: Former swim and dive coach who coached the boys for 25 seasons and the girls for 16 seasons; coached a combined 49 seasons as head coach and assistant coach over a 40 year stretch; honored with the Michigan Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association Matt Mann Award (’98); inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame (2009).
Paul Sternburgh: Current golf coach who has coached the boys for 36 seasons; inducted into Michigan Intercollegiate Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame (’11); previously coached softball for 19 years earning a 363-140 overall record.
Beth Swears: Former basketball coach who coached the girls for 26 seasons earning a 380-199 overall record; Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan Coach of the Year (1990); inducted into the BCAM Hall of Fame (2007).
Former St. Johns swim and dive coach Jim Makarauskas, center, will be one of three coaches inducted into the school’s inaugural athletic hall of fame class on Sept. 9.
Teams
1949, ’50 & ’51 football teams: Completed three consecutive undefeated seasons with a 26-game winning streak; inducted into the Greater Lansing Sports Hall of Fame (2006). Team was coached by Terry Carey.
1978-79 boys swim team: Completed 11-1 season and earned first conference championship in school history; outscored its opponents by average of 42 points per meet; finished in 7th place in the state. Team was coached by Jim Makarauskas.
Student-athletes
Dale Knight (football, basketball): Earned 13 varsity letters during high school; four-year starter in football; member of the 1952 Michigan State University national championship football team; member of the 1953 MSU Big Ten and Rose Bowl championship team; 1950 SJHS graduate.
Gina Mazzolini (girls basketball, volleyball): First ever SJHS Female Athlete of the Year (1974); four-year letter winner at Central Michigan University in basketball and volleyball; inducted into the CMU Athletic Hall of Fame (1992); 1974 SJHS graduate.
Anne (Brocker) Pierson (girls basketball, track and field): SJHS Female Athlete of the Year (1989); All-State basketball player (1988); four-year letter winner at Canisius College; inducted into the Canisius Athletic Hall of Fame (2005); 1989 SJHS graduate.
Jenny (Poff) Pruett (basketball, softball): SJHS Female Athlete of the Year (’05); Current SJHS record holder in assists, steals, 3-point field goals, free throw percentage and second in points scored; Runner up in Miss Basketball Award (2004); two-time All-State in softball; played basketball at Michigan State University and Ohio University; 2005 SJHS graduate.
Levi Rost (basketball, baseball): Basketball standout who played two years at Lansing Community College and earned junior college All-American honors; played two years at Western Michigan University earning All-MAC honors; played professionally in Europe for 10 seasons; 2001 SJHS graduate.
Contact James L. Edwards III at jledwards@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @JLEdwardsIII.
Donations to the Hall of Fame
Although associated with St. Johns Public Schools, the St. Johns High School Athletic Hall of Fame is privately funded with the support of local community members and businesses. Individuals and businesses interested in making a donation to this effort are urged to contact the SJHS Activities Office at (989) 227-4134 or view the Hall of Fame website at http://www.sjredwings.org/athletics