Spencer-Van Etten Central School District will host its Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday, July 13, at 4 p.m. at Spencer-Van Etten High School. The event will recognize six inductees whose contributions as coaches, athletes, and teams have left a lasting impact on the district’s athletic history.
This year’s inductees include Bill Bryant (contributor), Joan VanRiper (athlete), Otto Huhta (coach), Margaret Childs (coach), the 1967 Basketball Team, and the 1974–75 Wrestling Team. These honorees represent decades of service and achievement in a wide range of sports that have shaped S-VE’s athletic legacy.
Bill Bryant is being recognized for his contributions between 1979 and 1980, during which he supported football, track and field, and basketball. Joan VanRiper, a graduate of the Class of 1976, competed in field hockey, volleyball, basketball, softball, and track and field. Her athletic career spanned nearly every major sport offered at the time.
Otto Huhta coached from 1959 to 1971, leading student-athletes in basketball, football, and track and field. Margaret Childs, who served as a coach from 1979 to 2018, supported programs in field hockey, track and field, basketball, and volleyball. Their leadership helped define and grow athletics at S-VE for multiple generations of students.
The district will also recognize the 1967 Basketball Team and the 1974–75 Wrestling Team for their competitive success and contributions to team sports. These teams exemplify the pride and spirit of S-VE athletics.
The district invites all families, alumni, and community members to attend the ceremony. The celebration will take place in the high school gymnasium and is open to the public.