Sterling Schools Foundation

The most recent SHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on Friday, January 25 at Homer B. Musgrove Fieldhouse. James Wike '02, Lorraine Lyon-Kunde '83, Thomas Hoffman '46, former coach/athletic director Bruce Scheidegger, and the 1984 Boys Tennis Team were honored. Each inductee's Hall of Fame bio is listed below.

James Wike
James Wike graduated from Sterling High School in 2002. While in high school James excelled in swimming. Put simply he is the best swimmer in the history of Sterling High School. His swimming career spanning the years 1999-2002 includes many outstanding accomplishments. Included in this are the following: James was a 3 time state champion in the 100 yard backstroke (2000, 2001, 2002), he broke the state record in the 100 backstroke in 2001 with a time of :49.38—1st swimmer in Illinois history to break the :50 second mark, as a freshman he placed 2nd in the state in the 100 backstroke and 8th in the 200 yard individual medley, placed 2nd in the state in the 200 yard individual medley in 2000 and 3rd in the same event in 2001, won state in the 200 yard individual medley in 2002, broke over 60 records at home and away during individual meets, was sectional champ 4 consecutive years in both the 200 yard individual medley and 100 yard backstroke, was a member of both the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay that qualified for state in 2001 and 2002.

James other accomplishments include: team captain for 4 years, Best Freshman Award winner in 1999, recognized at the Illinois Swim Association State banquet for 1999-2002, awarded Illinois Swim Association Swimmer of the Year in 2002, and was awarded the key to the city by Mayor Ted Aggen in 2002. He is the only 3 times state champion in the history of Sterling High School athletics. James also was named the Roscoe Eades Award as the top male senior athlete at Sterling High School in 2002. His other records and accomplishments are too numerous to mention here.

James continued his swimming career at Auburn University where he became the captain of the team and was a two time SEC swimmer of the week. His Auburn team won the SEC Championship in 2006 and 2007. He was a three time SEC individual champion and was first team All SEC in 2006 and 2007. He was a member of the 2006 and 2007 NCAA Team Champions. In the 2006 NCAA Championships he finished second in the 200 and 400 Medley Relays, fourth in the 200 Individual Medley, and eighth in the 200 Backstroke. In the 2007 NCAA Championships he finished fifth in the 100 Backstroke, sixth in the 200 Backstroke, Eighth in the 200 Individual Medley, and swam pre-lims for the NCAA Champion and record setting 400 Freestyle Relay. He was a 9-time NCAA All-American.

In his USA Swimming Career he finished near the top in many events—especially the 100 Backstroke in which he ranked in the top 25 in the world in 2006 and 2007 and finished in 3rd place in the U.S. Open in 2006 and 6th place at the U.S. Nationals in 2007. With his top 8 finish at the 2007 U.S. Nationals, he qualified for Team USA where he traveled to Chiba, Japan for the Japan International Grand Prix. He attended the U.S. Olympic trials in 2004 and picked up a 4th place finish in the 100 yard backstroke.

Thomas Hoffman
Thomas Hoffman graduated from Sterling High School in 1946. While at Sterling he competed in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He played on the 1946 football team considered by many to be one of the best teams in SHS history. He was selected to the All-Conference team that same year. He proved his ability as an all-around athlete by playing basketball, participating in track where he threw the discus, and playing baseball.

After graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps and eventually served 18 months during the Korean War. He was selected as a member of the Special Services and entertained the troops by playing on the football and baseball teams.

Thomas attended Monmouth College after high school and participated in all five of the sports that were offered there and lettered in football, basketball, baseball, track, and swimming. He was selected to the Midwest Conference first team in football. After graduating from Monmouth with a major in education he accepted an offer to play for the Green Bay Packers. A serious knee injury during training camp ended his football career.

Thomas taught civics and government at Niles Township High School in Skokie, Illinois and coached sophomore football and baseball. He then left the teaching profession and began a long career in the railway maintenance-of-way business. During his 47 year tenure in the railroad business he traveled to all fifty states, Great Britain, and many other European countries. He was a very active and civic minded member of the community and served in many capacities. He loved to fish, ski, play tennis, and golf. He passed away in June of 2001. His wife Marilyn lives in Glen Ellyn. They have three daughters: Susan, Beth, and Christine. He is also survived by two sisters: Jean Kelsey of Sterling and Susie Stewart of Minot, North Dakota.

Bruce Scheidegger
Coach Bruce Scheidegger coached at Sterling High School from 1998-2007 and served as Head Girls’ Basketball Coach for 9 years. He was also Head Golf Coach for 5 years and served as the Head Baseball Coach for 2 years. Bruce served as Athletic Director for his final 4 years as he continued leading the girls’ basketball program. A 1976 graduate of Chadwick High School, he competed in golf, basketball, and baseball. During his junior and senior baseball seasons, his team advanced to the IHSA Sectional final in the then one-class system. Upon graduation, he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 32nd round of the free agent draft.

Bruce continued his education at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa where he competed in baseball and basketball. His baseball team advanced to the JUCO World Series both his freshmen and sophomore seasons. He then attended the University of Illinois where he played baseball and was named captain during his senior year. Bruce then signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants before returning to finish his degree in 1981.

As a coach at SHS, Bruce had many accomplishments in the 3 sports that he coached but it was in girls’ basketball that he had his most success. His last 8 teams won at least 21 games per season and 6 of his 9 teams won 25 or more games. His last 7 teams won the NCIC Championship while compiling a conference record of 72-4. His 2007 team entered the post season as the #7 sectional seed, but upset #1 Dekalb in overtime in the regional final, #6 Rockford Boylan in overtime in the sectional semi-final, and #2 Freeport on a last second three-point play in the sectional championship game. In the Super-Sectional at the NIU Convocational Center, Sterling knocked off Maine West 61-47 to earn a spot in the Elite 8. It was Sterling’s first Sectional title and trip to the state finals since 1983. Overall, Bruce’s teams at Sterling compiled a 217-65 won-loss record (77% winning percentage), one super-sectional title, one sectional title, 5 regional championships, and 7 NCIC titles. His 217 wins ranks second in SHS history behind only Sue Strong who won 250.

His golf team won the 1998 Regional Championship as well as the NCIC Championship in 1999. After being an excellent athletic director at SHS for 4 years, Bruce now serves as athletic director at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Illinois. He currently resides there with his wife Deb. They have three daughters: Samantha, Kristin, and Molly.

Lorraine Lyon-Kunde
Lorraine Lyon Kunde graduated from Sterling High School in 1983. While in high school Lorraine excelled in track and field where she was a 4 year varsity letter winner. She holds the school long jump record of 18’ 8 ½”.

Lorraine captured first place in the NCIC in the long jump for 4 years. She also captured first place in the 200 hurdles in 1982 and 1983, finished in first place in many relays from 1980-1983. She captured the Sectional title in the long jump in 1982 and 1983. Lorraine was selected as the track MVP both 1982 and 1983 and was co-captain in 1983.

In other state competition, Lorraine was a state qualifier in 1980, an alternate in 1981, a 200 hurdle qualifier in 1982, and finished in 8th place in the long jump the same year. In 1983, she again qualified in the 200 hurdles and finished in 5th place in the long jump.

While in high school, Lorraine was an excellent student and was active in many clubs and organizations including the Calculus Club, Spanish Club, “S” Club, and National Honor Society.

Lorraine continued her track and field career at the University of Wisconsin - Lacrosse competing during the 1985 season. She finished in 3rd place in the long jump in NCAA Division III National Track and Field Championship in 1985 earning All American honors. She set the school record for the outdoor long jump at a distance of 18’ 6”. In the Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship, she finished in 1st place in the long jump. She also won the WWIA Outdoor conference long jump and was a member of the winning 400 meter relay team. She tied the school record for the indoor 60 yard dash with a time of 7.2 seconds.

During the summer of 1984 she competed in a track and field meet in Hong Kong with the International Sports Exchange program. She finished 1st in the long jump. She also competed in the Prairie State games in 1985.

Lorraine continued her education at Sauk Valley Community College and graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1988. She is employed by Bay Valley Foods as a food scientist and resides in Sterling with her husband Brad and their two children Josh and Molly who both attend Sterling High School.

1984 Boys Tennis Team
The 1984 Boys’ Tennis team was one of the best teams in SHS history. The team was coached by former SHS tennis player Eric Byar. Team members were Mike Shearburn, Francisco Ruiz, Chris Hafner, Tom James, Pat Razo, Todd Neese, Jeff Cedro, and Eugene Stemmle. Coach Byar, who represented SHS as an athlete in 1979 and who himself was a state qualifier, led the team to a record of 6-1 in dual meets. Their only loss was to state power Moline. Showing their excellence in the conference meet, they were successful in winning the NCIC Championship. The team also won the Sterling Invitational Tennis Tournament. In another highlight of the season, they defeated tennis powerhouse Galesburg by a score of 5-4. They were the District and Sectional Champions and the entire squad qualified for and advanced to the State Tournament. At the State Tournament the team finished in 12th place. Tom James, who was named Team MVP placed 7th at the State Meet. For a school that has a great tradition in tennis, this team certainly exemplified excellence as true Golden Warriors.


	Sterling High School Athletic Hall of Fame

	The most recent SHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony took place on Friday, January 25 at Homer B. Musgrove Fieldhouse. James Wike '02, Lorraine Lyon-Kunde '83, Thomas Hoffman '46, former coach/athletic director Bruce Scheidegger, and the 1984 Boys Tennis Team were honored. Each inductee's Hall of Fame bio is listed below. James Wike James Wike graduated from Sterling High School in 2002. While in high school James excelled in swimming. Put simply he is the best swimmer in the history of Sterling High School. His swimming career spanning the years 1999-2002 includes many outstanding accomplishments. Included in this are the following: James was a 3 time state champion in the 100 yard backstroke (2000, 2001, 2002), he broke the state record in the 100 backstroke in 2001 with a time of :49.38—1st swimmer in Illinois history to break the :50 second mark, as a freshman he placed 2nd in the state in the 100 backstroke and 8th in the 200 yard individual medley, placed 2nd in the state in the 200 yard individual medley in 2000 and 3rd in the same event in 2001, won state in the 200 yard individual medley in 2002, broke over 60 records at home and away during individual meets, was sectional champ 4 consecutive years in both the 200 yard individual medley and 100 yard backstroke, was a member of both the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay that qualified for state in 2001 and 2002. James other accomplishments include: team captain for 4 years, Best Freshman Award winner in 1999, recognized at the Illinois Swim Association State banquet for 1999-2002, awarded Illinois Swim Association Swimmer of the Year in 2002, and was awarded the key to the city by Mayor Ted Aggen in 2002. He is the only 3 times state champion in the history of Sterling High School athletics. James also was named the Roscoe Eades Award as the top male senior athlete at Sterling High School in 2002. His other records and accomplishments are too numerous to mention here. James continued his swimming career at Auburn University where he became the captain of the team and was a two time SEC swimmer of the week. His Auburn team won the SEC Championship in 2006 and 2007. He was a three time SEC individual champion and was first team All SEC in 2006 and 2007. He was a member of the 2006 and 2007 NCAA Team Champions. In the 2006 NCAA Championships he finished second in the 200 and 400 Medley Relays, fourth in the 200 Individual Medley, and eighth in the 200 Backstroke. In the 2007 NCAA Championships he finished fifth in the 100 Backstroke, sixth in the 200 Backstroke, Eighth in the 200 Individual Medley, and swam pre-lims for the NCAA Champion and record setting 400 Freestyle Relay. He was a 9-time NCAA All-American. In his USA Swimming Career he finished near the top in many events—especially the 100 Backstroke in which he ranked in the top 25 in the world in 2006 and 2007 and finished in 3rd place in the U.S. Open in 2006 and 6th place at the U.S. Nationals in 2007. With his top 8 finish at the 2007 U.S. Nationals, he qualified for Team USA where he traveled to Chiba, Japan for the Japan International Grand Prix. He attended the U.S. Olympic trials in 2004 and picked up a 4th place finish in the 100 yard backstroke. Thomas Hoffman Thomas Hoffman graduated from Sterling High School in 1946. While at Sterling he competed in football, basketball, baseball, and track. He played on the 1946 football team considered by many to be one of the best teams in SHS history. He was selected to the All-Conference team that same year. He proved his ability as an all-around athlete by playing basketball, participating in track where he threw the discus, and playing baseball. After graduation he enlisted in the Marine Corps and eventually served 18 months during the Korean War. He was selected as a member of the Special Services and entertained the troops by playing on the football and baseball teams. Thomas attended Monmouth College after high school and participated in all five of the sports that were offered there and lettered in football, basketball, baseball, track, and swimming. He was selected to the Midwest Conference first team in football. After graduating from Monmouth with a major in education he accepted an offer to play for the Green Bay Packers. A serious knee injury during training camp ended his football career. Thomas taught civics and government at Niles Township High School in Skokie, Illinois and coached sophomore football and baseball. He then left the teaching profession and began a long career in the railway maintenance-of-way business. During his 47 year tenure in the railroad business he traveled to all fifty states, Great Britain, and many other European countries. He was a very active and civic minded member of the community and served in many capacities. He loved to fish, ski, play tennis, and golf. He passed away in June of 2001. His wife Marilyn lives in Glen Ellyn. They have three daughters: Susan, Beth, and Christine. He is also survived by two sisters: Jean Kelsey of Sterling and Susie Stewart of Minot, North Dakota. Bruce Scheidegger Coach Bruce Scheidegger coached at Sterling High School from 1998-2007 and served as Head Girls’ Basketball Coach for 9 years. He was also Head Golf Coach for 5 years and served as the Head Baseball Coach for 2 years. Bruce served as Athletic Director for his final 4 years as he continued leading the girls’ basketball program. A 1976 graduate of Chadwick High School, he competed in golf, basketball, and baseball. During his junior and senior baseball seasons, his team advanced to the IHSA Sectional final in the then one-class system. Upon graduation, he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 32nd round of the free agent draft. Bruce continued his education at Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs, Iowa where he competed in baseball and basketball. His baseball team advanced to the JUCO World Series both his freshmen and sophomore seasons. He then attended the University of Illinois where he played baseball and was named captain during his senior year. Bruce then signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants before returning to finish his degree in 1981. As a coach at SHS, Bruce had many accomplishments in the 3 sports that he coached but it was in girls’ basketball that he had his most success. His last 8 teams won at least 21 games per season and 6 of his 9 teams won 25 or more games. His last 7 teams won the NCIC Championship while compiling a conference record of 72-4. His 2007 team entered the post season as the #7 sectional seed, but upset #1 Dekalb in overtime in the regional final, #6 Rockford Boylan in overtime in the sectional semi-final, and #2 Freeport on a last second three-point play in the sectional championship game. In the Super-Sectional at the NIU Convocational Center, Sterling knocked off Maine West 61-47 to earn a spot in the Elite 8. It was Sterling’s first Sectional title and trip to the state finals since 1983. Overall, Bruce’s teams at Sterling compiled a 217-65 won-loss record (77% winning percentage), one super-sectional title, one sectional title, 5 regional championships, and 7 NCIC titles. His 217 wins ranks second in SHS history behind only Sue Strong who won 250. His golf team won the 1998 Regional Championship as well as the NCIC Championship in 1999. After being an excellent athletic director at SHS for 4 years, Bruce now serves as athletic director at Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Illinois. He currently resides there with his wife Deb. They have three daughters: Samantha, Kristin, and Molly. Lorraine Lyon-Kunde Lorraine Lyon Kunde graduated from Sterling High School in 1983. While in high school Lorraine excelled in track and field where she was a 4 year varsity letter winner. She holds the school long jump record of 18’ 8 ½”. Lorraine captured first place in the NCIC in the long jump for 4 years. She also captured first place in the 200 hurdles in 1982 and 1983, finished in first place in many relays from 1980-1983. She captured the Sectional title in the long jump in 1982 and 1983. Lorraine was selected as the track MVP both 1982 and 1983 and was co-captain in 1983. In other state competition, Lorraine was a state qualifier in 1980, an alternate in 1981, a 200 hurdle qualifier in 1982, and finished in 8th place in the long jump the same year. In 1983, she again qualified in the 200 hurdles and finished in 5th place in the long jump. While in high school, Lorraine was an excellent student and was active in many clubs and organizations including the Calculus Club, Spanish Club, “S” Club, and National Honor Society. Lorraine continued her track and field career at the University of Wisconsin - Lacrosse competing during the 1985 season. She finished in 3rd place in the long jump in NCAA Division III National Track and Field Championship in 1985 earning All American honors. She set the school record for the outdoor long jump at a distance of 18’ 6”. In the Wisconsin Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship, she finished in 1st place in the long jump. She also won the WWIA Outdoor conference long jump and was a member of the winning 400 meter relay team. She tied the school record for the indoor 60 yard dash with a time of 7.2 seconds. During the summer of 1984 she competed in a track and field meet in Hong Kong with the International Sports Exchange program. She finished 1st in the long jump. She also competed in the Prairie State games in 1985. Lorraine continued her education at Sauk Valley Community College and graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1988. She is employed by Bay Valley Foods as a food scientist and resides in Sterling with her husband Brad and their two children Josh and Molly who both attend Sterling High School. 1984 Boys Tennis Team The 1984 Boys’ Tennis team was one of the best teams in SHS history. The team was coached by former SHS tennis player Eric Byar. Team members were Mike Shearburn, Francisco Ruiz, Chris Hafner, Tom James, Pat Razo, Todd Neese, Jeff Cedro, and Eugene Stemmle. Coach Byar, who represented SHS as an athlete in 1979 and who himself was a state qualifier, led the team to a record of 6-1 in dual meets. Their only loss was to state power Moline. Showing their excellence in the conference meet, they were successful in winning the NCIC Championship. The team also won the Sterling Invitational Tennis Tournament. In another highlight of the season, they defeated tennis powerhouse Galesburg by a score of 5-4. They were the District and Sectional Champions and the entire squad qualified for and advanced to the State Tournament. At the State Tournament the team finished in 12th place. Tom James, who was named Team MVP placed 7th at the State Meet. For a school that has a great tradition in tennis, this team certainly exemplified excellence as true Golden Warriors.