Cape Coral High School to enshrine first members of Athletic Hall of Fame
Cape Coral High School is creating an Athletic Hall of Fame to forever enshrine student-athletes, staffers and others who made their mark during their time at the school.
The inaugural class includes one principal, one athletic director, one state championship team, three contributors, two coaches and 13 student-athletes.
The inductees will be honored at one of four football games this year (Aug. 26, Sept. 23, Oct. 28, Nov. 4).
“We discussed creating an Athletic Hall of Fame over the last few years but with all of the COVID health and safety protocols in place it would have been a challenge to honor and recognize our inductees in a manner they deserve,” said Cape Coral High School Principal Chris Engelhart. “There are so many amazing athletes, coaches and other contributors that have made a tremendous impact on the school and local community and we want to honor their accomplishments and them as people.”
Athletes to be inducted include: Phyllis Conroy, a FHSAA Girls Golf State Champion; Dakota Rahme, a FHSAA Wrestling State Champion; Pete Rausch, a FHSAA Wrestling State Champion; Jon Jackson, a FHSAA Wrestling State Champion; Chris Hefty, a FHSAA Swimming State Champion; Colleen Healy, a FHSAA Swimming State Champion; Isaac Harvin, a FHSAA State Track and Field Champion and football standout; Eddie Carmean, a former professional soccer player; Curtis Kitchen, a former NBA player; Tommy Tolles, a former PGA tour member; Jaylen Watkins, a former NFL player; Nate Allen, a former NFL player; Ed Gant, a former NFL player; and the 2011 State Championship Soccer Team.
The athletic director being inducted is Bill Beatty, CCHS’ first athletic director.
The coach being inducted is Dave Funk, who led the boys basketball team for a number of years.
Contributors being inducted are Jason Lawrence, a former Seahawk baseball player; Don Justice, a community member who helped build the school’s athletic facilities; and Terry Falk, the assistant principal over Cape Coral athletics. The principal being inducted is Ida Baker, the first principal of CCHS.
“Our initial class of 20 is incredibly accomplished and it will be great to recognize them at our home football games this year and in our brand new Hall of Fame display in our gym lobby,” Engelhart said. “We also have many other Seahawks who are deserving of this recognition and it will be great to continue to build on this initial class and honor new inductees each year.
“We are extremely proud to be able to honor our former student-athletes. It’s a very impressive group and we are excited to build on the Seahawk tradition and reconnect with our alumni as we honor them.”
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