Trinity forms Athletics Hall of Fame

TRINITY – Details are coming together for the first Trinity High School Athletics Hall of Fame, with the first induction class likely coming later this year.

“Trinity has an extremely rich heritage,” athletics director Robert Mitchell said. “We’ve got years and years of great athletes and championships. We’ve got decades and decades of special accomplishments.”

Mitchell said the goal is to recognize achievements of coaches, student-athletes and contributors. The school has been around in some form for more than 125 years.

“We have a wide variety (of potential Hall of Famers) from different generations,” Michell said. “It won’t be a problem finding them. This first class, the toughest part is going to be just narrowing it down.”

Criteria has been established for inductees and there will be a nomination process. If an individual or team is nominated, that nomination will stand for five years (unless the person or team is selected for induction).

An immediate matter is putting together a full Hall of Fame committee. The school principal, athletics director and Booster Club representative will have spots on the committee, while up to four more board members are sought, Mitchell said.

The committee will have the assistance of longtime school observer and historian Dan Warren, who has chronicled and preserved much of the history associated with Trinity athletics. Mitchell said he has been a caretaker of trophies and uniforms through the years.

Potential board members should contact Mitchell ([email protected]). Committee members will be involved in the selection process, fundraising and banquet organization.

Mitchell, a 2006 Trinity graduate and 18-year staff member, has served as athletics director for 10 years. He said the concept of an athletics Hall of Fame for the school was initiated shortly before the pandemic and then put on hold.

“I’ve always kind of wanted it,” he said. “Right now is the perfect time to move forward.”

While honoring the history of Bulldogs athletics will be at the forefront of the Hall of Fame’s mission, Mitchell said there are other benefits. He said this is a way to show current and upcoming high school students the wide scope of Trinity athletics in hopes that they, too, can appreciate the history.

To make a Hall of Fame nomination, a form is located on the school’s athletics and alumni Facebook pages. Mitchell said the goal is to have the committee at work by next month with the first induction in late autumn. The intention is for it to be an annual event.

By Bob Sutton