Alliance High Athletic HOF to add six
Alliance High School Announces Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
ALLIANCE – Alliance High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame will welcome six new members during a Feb. 17 ceremony in the school’s Auditorium.
This year’s Class of 2024 is the first to be inducted since 2019, after cancellations due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s inductees are Samantha Bluhm ’08, Mark Black ’93, Vince Kehres ’94, Coach John Hampu ’69, Coach Al Eibel and Dennis Clunk ’75.
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“Arriving at these six deserving participants was not an easy task,” said Tim Goodman, athletic director for Alliance City Schools.
The Alliance Athletic Hall of Fame committee includes former Alliance High School coaches and athletes, current AHS administration and other Athletic Hall of Fame members. The group met several times to evaluate nearly 50 applications.
“This year’s inductees represent a diverse array of athletes, coaches and contributors. Each member has their own unique story of perseverance and triumph,” Goodman said. “These stories have added to the rich history and tradition of Alliance Aviator Athletics.”
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Learn about this year's inductees:
Samantha Bluhm, Class of 2008 – Four-time state qualifier and two-time state placer for swimming. She holds AHS records in the 200-yard freestyle; 50-yard freestyle; 100-yard butterfly; 100-yard freestyle; 500-yard freestyle; and 100-yard backstroke.
Vince Kehres, Class of 1994 – Before he became a 12-time national champion as a football player, assistant coach and coach at Mount Union, Kehres played football and baseball and was on the swim team at Alliance High School. His accomplishments include 1993 All-Stark County and All-Federal League in football. He also was a 2022 Art Broyles Award nominee.
John Hampu, Class of 1969 – A longtime coach, Hampu was with the State Street Blue Devils, Stanton Buckeyes and Alliance Aviators from 1972-1985. He coached the Stanton Buckeyes track and field teams to 10 undefeated seasons with more than 150 victories. He also coached 23 members of the AHS Athletic Hall of Fame and is a Karl Werthwein Award winner.
Dennis Clunk, Class of 1975 – A community contributor for the school district, Clunk championed the construction of numerous athletic facilities including Early Hill Park, the high school baseball and softball stadiums and the Rockhill Soccer Complex. He also founded Project 2000, which managed the construction of Marc Anderson Indoor Athletic Facility.
Al Eibel – The longtime coach was named the 2000 and 2002 Stark County girls cross country Coach of the Year and the Federal League girls cross country Coach of the Year in 2000. He also is a 2016 inductee of the Canton Rugby Hall of Fame.
Mark Black, Class of 1993 – He played football and baseball, and earned honorable mention All-Ohio, All-Northeast Ohio Inland District, All-Stark County, All-Federal League, All-Canton Repository and All-Alliance Review in football. He was the 1997 Lee Tressel Award winner, three-time All-OAC and two-time national champion at Mount Union.
The 7 p.m. induction ceremony on Feb. 17 is free and open to the public. The inductees will also be recognized at halftime at the varsity boys basketball home game Feb. 16 against Canfield. Tickets will need to be purchased to attend the game.
This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: Alliance High Athletic HOF to add six
