2005 - YHS Induction Class

Hall of Fame - 2005

 

 

 

Hall of Fame induction Class of 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

  • C. Robert Arvin
  • Monica Ball-Honore'
  • Michael Bass
  • George Beaudette
  • Ronald D. Isbell
  • George Kielwasser
  • Rita Passage
  • Dr. Delbert Pearson
  • Jim Philippou
  • Edwin Shadford
  • Ernie Slater
  • Ruth Ann Wallace
  • Claude Wilbanks
 

C. ROBERT ARVIN – YHS 1961 – FOOTBALL – WRESTLING – TRACK – AMERICAN HERO

  • School participation – Debate Club – Latin Club – All School Play – Boy’s State – County Government Day – Model United Nations – Thespian’s Club – Interclass sports – Forensics – dramatic Reading Club – Jets Club – the Sem Staff (School newspaper) – Yearbook Staff - National Honor Society – Varsity Club
  • School government and leadership – Eagle Boy Scout - home room officer – Class President, one year – Student Council and Student Council President
  • Valedictorian- one of three for the Class of 1961
  • 4 years of football – quarterback
  • 4 years of wrestling – Co-captain of the 1961 State championship wrestling team
  • 1960 – All State wrestler - runner-up at 145 pounds
  • 1961 – 154 pound undefeated State Champion
  • 4 years of track and field – member of an All State relay team
  • 1961 – Entered West Point Military Academy graduating in 1965
  •  He continued to distinguish himself and honor Ypsilanti and YHS at West Point
  • He wrestled for 4 years, was voted captain of the West Point team and was a qualifier to the NCAA Wrestling Tournament
  • In military competitions, Bob won the triathlon and “Recondo” which is hand to hand combat being the last cadet standing in his class of 700
  • 1965 – By his senior year he was honored as First Captain and Brigade Commander.
  • 1965 – Graduated 44th in his class of 596 and earned the Varian Award for Highest Military Efficiency
  • 2nd Lieutenant, Bob completed Ranger and Airborne jumpmaster School and was attached to the 505 Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division
  •  On October 8, 1967, after being wounded and returning to action, he was killed in action by the Viet Cong in the Thua Tien Province.
  • Captain Arvin was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart, silver star, and a second silver star with Oak Leaf cluster
  • Captain Arvin is buried at West Point and left behind his wife of 14 months, Merry Lynne (YHS 1960)
  • Captain Arvin’s story did not stop there
  • Ypsilanti High School wrestling coach, Roy Wilbanks, instituted the YHS Arvin Wrestling Award awarded many years to the YHS wrestler that best exemplified the qualities of leadership, scholarship, and service
  • West Point - The Arvin Wrestling Award is now given annually to “The graduating member of the West Point wrestling team who best exemplifies the qualities of C. Robert Arvin in the area of leadership, scholarship, and commitment to Army wrestling”.
  • 1989 – The nearly 500,000 square foot gymnasium complex at West Point was renamed in his honor – The Captain C. Robert Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center, supported by his 1965 West Point classmates
  • 2002 – The Ypsilanti Veterans’ of Foreign Wars renamed post 2408 in honor of C. Robert Arvin.
  • 2004 – The Captain C. Robert Arvin Foundation established – For 12 years, Ypsilantians and West Point classmates raised funds to award top high school seniors in the Ypsilanti area. 115 senior recipients shared in over $110,000 in the Awards for Excellence program.
  • Captain Arvin has personal displays in three locations – The Ypsilanti Historical Museum, The Michigan Military Museum in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and in the Alcove at the entrance to the Captain Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center at West Point.
  • 2017 -Ypsilanti native and Emmy nominated documentary producer Brian Kruger, released a video on Bob’s life, “Where the Brave Dare to Tread”, that is being distributed to every library and high school in the state of Michigan.
  • 2020 – Bobarvin.org website established
  • 1967 - 24 years - The incredible life of Captain C. Robert Arvin

MONICA BALL–HONORE’ – YHS 1986 – CROSS COUNTRY – VOLLEYBALL – TRACK

  • 1986 – Co-captain of all three sports- cross country – volleyball – track
  • 1983 – Member of the regional championship YHS Track and Field team
  • 1984 and 1985 – Member of the 2nd in State 1600 meter relay team
  • 1985 – member of the All State 800 meter relay team
  • 1986 – Member of the 2nd in State 400 meter relay team
  • 1986 – 2nd in State in the 400 meter run
  • Monica broke many YHS track records that stood for over 15 years
  • Member of the YHS volleyball team that brought home trophies from many tournaments
  • 1986 – Member of the YHS Co-Conference Volleyball Championship
  • 1986 -School service – NHS ( Honor student) and listed in  Who’s Who Among High School Students
  • 1986 – Accepted full scholarship to Purdue University for volleyball
  • 1986-1990 – Earned several volleyball honors including Most Improved Purdue Player, Big Ten Honorable Mention, Big Ten Player of the Week, and All Tournament Team Awards
  • 1990 – Graduated from Purdue with a B.A. in Communications
  • Ms. Ball continued volleyball for many years as a player, coach, official, and game announcer
  • Member of the San Diego Volleyball Team that won the National Grass Volleyball League Championship
  • 2006 – Trained for her first triathlon
  • Married to Clovis Honore’ and they have a son and 4 step-childre

MICHAEL BASS – YHS 1963 – FOOTBALL – BASKETBALL – TRACK

  • 1963 – Class president and class officer all 4 years of high school
  • School service – NHS, Ypsi Sem (School newspaper), Debate, Boy’s State, Forensics, Inter-class sports, and homeroom officer
  • Ypsilanti youth baseball leagues he was one of the best baseball players
  • 4 years each of YHS football, basketball, and track
  • 1961 and 1962 – All Conference in Football
  • 1962 – Football All American Honorable Mention
  • 1961 and 1962 – All Conference in track
  • 1962 and 1963 – All Conference in basketball
  • 1963 – Entered the University of Michigan on a full football scholarship
  • 1964 – Member of the Big Ten Championship Michigan football team
  • 1965 – was a starting defensive back on the U of M’s Rose Bowl winning team
  • 1967 – Graduated from the U. of M with a degree in Education specializing in Psychology
  • 1967 – Drafted in the 12 Round, # 314 overall, by the Green Bay Packers, but was sold to the Detroit Lions before the season started
  • 1967 – Played with the Lions, spent 1968 on their taxi squad, had speaking part in movie “Paper Lion”
  • 1969 – Signed by the Washington Redskins and Coach Vince Lombardi as a free agent defensive back
  • 1969 – 1975 – Played cornerback for 7 seasons and 104 consecutive games for the Redskins
  • 1972 – Redskins defeated the Cowboys and Roger Staubach  to get into Super Bowl VII. Mike Bass was one of the cornerbacks credited with holding Staubach and the Cowboys to 3 points, no touchdowns and only 9 completions
  • 1973 – Redskins lost to the undefeated Dolphins 14-7. The only touchdown scored by Mike Bass on a broken field goal attempt when kicker Garo Yepremian picked up the fumbled snap and tried to throw a pass. Bass caught it and sprinted almost 50 yards for the touchdown. Only Super Bowl game where an offense never scored a point.
  • 1974 – 1st Team All NFC by the AP, UPI, and Sporting News and 2nd Team All Pro selection
  • 1976 – Retired from pro football after 8 years
  • Statistics – played in 100 consecutive regular season games – 30 interceptions – recovered 6 fumbles – scored 4 touchdowns – returned kickoffs and punts – gave up only 8 career touchdown passes, average of 1 a year
  • TOP 80 – Voted one of the top 80 players in Washington Redskin history
  • 2002 – Founded KimLou Global LLC – Real Estate Consulting Firm in Florida
  • Currently lives in Florida with wife Rosita (YHS-1962) and two daughters

GEORGE BEAUDETTE – YHS 1958 – FOOTBALL – BASKETBALL – BASEBALL – TEACHER – COACH – ADMINISTRATOR

  • An Ypsilantian through and through -  a man bigger than life
  • School participation -Varsity Club, interclass sports, homeroom officer, class officer
  • 10 Varsity Letters out of a possible 12
  • 1956 and 1957 – Football earned quarterback All Conference and All State Honorable Mention
  • 1957 and 1958 – Basketball co-captain both years
  • 1958 – Accepted football scholarship to the University of Wyoming
  • 1958 -Played one year as Wyoming’s quarterback
  • 1959 -Mr. Beaudette transferred back to Ypsilanti and Eastern Michigan University
  • 1960 – 62 – Played Quarterback at EMU for 3 years
  • 1963 – Captained EMU’s golf team
  • 1963 – Graduated from EMU with a degree in Education
  • 1963 – Became a full-time teacher at Ypsilanti’s St. John’s High School and was head coach for their football, basketball, baseball, and golf teams and was their Athletic Director
  • 1967 – Became assistant director of recreation for the city of Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Public Schools
  • 1971 – Was a teacher and counselor at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School
  • 1974 – Returned to Ypsilanti at YHS Class Principal
  • 1977 – Named principal of Ypsilanti’s Erickson Elementary
  • 1978 – Assigned principal of Ypsilanti’s West Junior High School
  • 1981-90 – Proud named principal of his beloved alma mater Ypsilanti High School
  • 1990 – 96- Held the position of Director of Alumni Relations of Eastern Michigan University
  • 1996 – decided to retire, but was called upon to be principal of the Academy for Business and Technology, a charter school in Dearborn for 7 more years –
  • 1996-2004 – Served on the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees
  • Avid golfer his entire life;  1972 – 78  served as President of the Washtenaw Country Club
  • 2007 – Mr. Beaudette passed away

MR. RONALD ISBELL –  1949-1974 - YPSILANTI PUBLIC SCHOOLS – TEACHER – COACH – ADMINISTRATOR

  • 1949-1974 -25 Year educational career with Ypsilanti Schools
  • 1940-1974 – 34 Year career in education
  • 1949-1959 – YHS football coach
  • 1930’s -Coach Isbell caddied for Hall of Fame University of Michigan coach Fielding Yost whom he “called inspirational” and one reason he went into coaching
  • Graduated from U of M “Summa cum laude”
  • 1940 – Began is 62 year marriage to Grace
  • Coaching stops include Sunfield, MI, Stockbridge, Milan, Bay City Central, and Ypsilanti
  • Coached Milan to a basketball State Championship
  • YHS – Coached football and basketball
  • 33 consecutive football victories and 3 consecutive State championships,  Assistant Coach – Mr. Isbell was a strong force behind the YHS football winning streak in the late 40’s
  • 120 – 61 – Career football coaching record
  • 8 Conference football championships
  • 1949 – State Football Champions crowned by the Detroit Free Press - was on the coaching staff
  • Coached U of M All American, 2004 YHS Hall of Famer, Pittsburgh Steeler Lowell Perry
  • Became assistant principal of Erickson Elementary in Ypsilanti
  • 1974 – Retired -his final position, Ypsilanti Public Schools central administration
  • 1990 – Inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches’ Hall of Fame
  • 1996 – Inducted into the Milan Hall of Fame
  • 2002 – Mr. Isbell passed away

GEORGE KIELWASSER – YHS 1964-1996 – TEACHER – COACH

  • 33 years – Distinguished teacher and coach
  • Demonstrated involvement and commitment to YHS students and the Ypsilanti community
  • 1957 -Earned both his bachelor and masters from Michigan State University
  • Began his teaching career at Lake Fenton and Niles, Illinois
  • 1964 – Began his 32-year career at YHS
  • 20 years – Coached JV basketball with a career record of 264 – 111
  • 10 years – Head tennis coach
  • 20 years – Head golf coach,  coaching an individual state champion
  • Several years served as an assistant football and baseball coach
  • 18 years – Announced varsity football games
  • 1982 – 1996 – Chairperson of the Science Department
  • 1994 – Mr. Kielwasser was included in the Who’s Who of American Teachers
  • 1994 – Was named NEA Master Teacher
  • Served in the military
  • Active in the American Legion, AARP, MSU Alumni Association, St Ann Seton Catholic Church in Palm Coast, Florida
  • An avid reader and enjoyed playing tennis, golf, traveling, and keeping in touch with friends
  • 58 years married to Karen
  • They raised 5 children all active in Ypsilanti Schools, and enjoy 11 grandchildren
  • 2014 – Mr. Kielwasser passed away

RITA PASSAGE – YHS 1968 – 1992 – TEACHER – COACH

  • 1968-1992 – 24 Year career as a teacher and coach
  • 1962 – Graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree
  • 1968 – Completed her master’s degree
  • 1968 – after stops in two other districts came to Ypsilanti Public Schools
  • Coached basketball and cheerleading at West junior High School
  • While at West, Ms. Passage reached beyond the school programs and planned field trips for students that included skiing and canoeing
  • After moving to YHS, she taught individual and team sports, weight training, gymnastics, and adapted P.E.
  • Ms. Passage laid the foundations for many Lady Brave sports and athletes
  • She molded the minds and bodies of many young YHS athletes
  • She began her YHS coaching career becoming the first Lady Braves tennis coach for several years
  • Her first love, gymnastics, she coached for 13 years
  • Her knowledge and expertise in gymnastics were sought out by the Michigan Athletic Association Gymnastics Boards where she served for many years
  • Ms. Passage enjoyed her retirement years traveling and volunteering in the community.
    “Coaching, although it encompassed many hours after a day of teaching, was a wonderful and rewarding job.” Rita Passage

DR. DELBERT PEARSON – 1965 – 1986  YHS ATHLETIC TEAM DOCTOR

  • Innovator and force behind sports medicine and team doctors for high schools – possibly one of the first to promote “Sports Medicine” in this area
  • 1953 – Served as team physician for the Ann Arbor Public Schools
  • Early 1960’s began following the YHS wrestling team and was an “unofficial” team doctor for them
  • 1965 -1986 – Official team doctor for Ypsilanti Public Schools
  • 1986-1998 – Team physician for Eastern Michigan University
  • Gave hundreds of free “individual” sport’s physicals and did not believe in “assembly line” physicals
  • Active and sought after to present at national seminars on sports injuries and treatments
  • Very influential in promoting nutritional aspects of athletes
  • Was a “friendly ear” counseling students through problems
  • Dr. Pearson has an impressive professional resume’ outside of his YHS work
  • 1955 – Completed his residency in pediatrics and communicable diseases
  • 1955-60 – Chief Resident at the University of Michigan Hospital
  • 1960 – Established his Ypsilanti medical practice
  • 1960-2000 – on the staff at Beyer Hospital in Ypsilanti
  • 1981-1985 – Pediatrics Department Chairperson for Beyer hospital
  • 1994 – 1998 – Dr. Pearson was a supervisor/fellow in sports medicine for the U of M Department of Family Practice
  • 1980 – YHS honored Dr. Pearson with his picture and a full page in their 1980 yearbook.
  • The following words accompanied the full page showing the gratitude the students had for Dr. Pearson…”We would like to thank Dr. Pearson for all he has given to Ypsilanti High School sports over the last twenty-five years. We are truly grateful for the time and generosity he has given to our athletic programs. We all hope he will be around for many more years to come.”
  • 2000 -Dr. Pearson passed away

JIM PHILIPPOU – YHS 1978 – ATHLETICS, SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTER

  • The Philippou family was active in community and YHS sports with their  six children
  • The family restaurant, "Charlies’ Country Squire" was the focal point for many community and school district “meetings” – formal and casual
  • His parents taught the family the value of caring for the community where they work
  • Mr. Philippou earned varsity letters in wrestling and baseball
  • Took part in several YHS drama productions
  • Earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in Construction Technology
  • Jimmy Philippou took over "Charlie's Country Squire" when his parents needed family help
  • "Charlie's Country Squire" was a destination restaurant for over 40 years
  • Many YHS coaches and school staff frequented the restaurant.
  • Mr. Philippou sponsored numerous  school activities and the athletic programs
  • He volunteered for many jobs including selling 50-50 raffle tickets at YHS football games
  • Ypsilanti Little League and EMU programs benefitted from his generosity and support
  • He is a proud Ypsilantian through and through.
  • The Philippou family now lives in the Las Vegas, Nevada area

EDWIN SHADFORD – YHS 1941-1959 – TEACHER – COACH

  • Legendary Hall of Fame coach and mentor to many
  • 1912 -After graduating from Ann Arbor High School, he served in the Army during World War I
  • 1922 – Graduated from Michigan State Normal College (Eastern Michigan University)
  • At MSNC (EMU) - lettered Football, Basketball, and baseball – was captain of the 1916 basketball team
  • Earned a master’s degree from the University of Michigan
  • Began his teaching /coaching career at Adrian High School
  • 1927-1941 -Taught and coached at Negaunee Public Schools
  • 1930 - Coached the Negaunee basketball team to a State Championship
  • 1941 – Began his18 year career at YHS
  • He was particularly interested  athletic and academic excellence
  • Mr. Shadford’s YHS football teams won 6 conference titles
  • 1946,1947, 1948 - Mr. Shadford’s YHS football teams, won 3 consecutive State Championships – “ YHS Glory Years”
  • 1963 – Inducted into the Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame
  • 1964 – Ypsilanti Public Schools named their football facility after him Shadford Field
  • 1976 – Inducted into the Eastern Michigan E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame
  • 1980 – Inducted into the Upper Peninsula Hall of Fame
  • Inducted into the Michigan Football Coaches Hall of Fame
  • The Shadford family created two endowed scholarships, recently endowed scholarships, in his name to be awarded to two deserving Ypsilanti Public School graduating senior athletes
  • Those who were in school when Mr. Shadford was a P.E. teacher, ever protective of his gym floor, will never forget his, gruff, bellowing, menacing voice echoing across the YHS Gymnasium, scaring the young students,  “Don’t walk on the gym floor,” then turning away from with a wry smile and a chuckle , watching those scared youngsters jump off the floor and walk meekly into the locker room.
  • Coach Edwin Shadford’s name is synonymous with Ypsilanti High School and for those of us in the Ypsilanti community who are forever thankful to Edwin and his family.
  • 1988 – Mr. Shadford passed away

ERNIE SLATER – YHS 1963 – CROSS COUNTRY – BASKETBALL – COMMUNITY SERVICE

  • School Service – Member of the NHS, Latin Club, and  Varsity Club
  • Vice President of the Student Council
  • 1963 – Received a West Point Military Academy nominee
  • 1963 - Ford Foundation Scholarship recipient
  • 1962 – Co-Captain of the Cross Country team
  • 1962 –Individual Regional Cross Country Champion
  • 1962 – Earned All State Cross Country honors placing 4th in the State finals
  • 1963 – Captain of the Basketball team
  • 1963 – Earned All State Honorable in basketball
  • After college became involved in the community
  • Worked tirelessly for the youth of Ypsilanti and the Washtenaw County
  • Board member of the Ypsilanti Public School Education Foundation
  • Was the State Lieutenant Governor of the Ypsilanti Optimist Club
  • For many years was Executive Director of the Huron Valley Boys and Girls Club
  • Salvation Army board member
  • Washtenaw County board member for the SOS Crisis Center
  • Mr. Slater was a well-rounded, caring man who gave much to YHS, the community and the county

RUTH ANN WALLACE – YHS 1965-1998 – TEACHER– COACH – ADMINISTRATOR

  • 1965 – Graduated from Eastern Michigan University and began her innovative 33 year career with the Ypsilanti Public Schools as a high school physical education teacher
  • 1966 – Became advisor to the Girls’ Athletic Association (GAA) – This was an intraschool girls’ athletic program that led to Girls’ Interscholastic Sports
  • Ms. Wallace, through the GAA program, reached out to compete against other schools in girls’ volleyball, basketball, and softball
  • This program grew and caught on until the Michigan High School Athletic Association recognized Lady’s sports in the late 1970’s.
  • Ms. Wallace continued to coach volleyball, basketball, and softball for 15 more years
  • She was also the cheerleading advisor and Pep Club advisor for several years
  • 1973 – became the first YHS Assistant Athletic Director  under Athletic Director Robert Moffett and held that position for 8 years
  • 10 Years – she was the Physical Education Department head
  • 1989 – after 24 years in the high school, Ms. Wallace moved to West Middle School and taught social studies for 9 more years
  • 1998 – After 33 years, Ms. Wallace retired from Ypsilanti Public Schools.
  •  She was a major force and influence in the establishment of lady’s sports at the high school level.  Countless lady Brave  Athletes and lady athletes throughout the state of Michigan can thank Ruth Ann Wallace for her perseverance and initiative to grow and develop high school sports for ladies in Michigan.

CLAUDE WILBANKS – YHS 1952 - WRESTLING – TENNIS – 36 YEAR YHS TEACHING AND COACHING CAREER

  • 1952 – Wrestling team captain – one of the first years of YHS wrestling
  • 1952 – Tennis, member of the Regional Championship tennis team
  • YHS was a member of the Varsity Club
  • At 18 years old, Mr. Wilbanks was a registered wrestling official and was called out of the stands to referee a meet when the referee did not show up. He was the only registered official in the gymnasium
  • 1953-56 – Played 4 years of tennis at Michigan State Normal College (Eastern Michigan University)
  • 1956 – Captain of EMU’s tennis team that won the conference championship and qualified for the NCAA Championship
  • 1956 – Graduated from EMU with a teaching degree
  • 1956- 66 – Taught in Milan, Taylor, and Plymouth
  • 1958-61 – Established a wrestling program at Willow Run High School
  • 1960 – His Willow Run wrestling team earned a #1 State Ranking in Class B
  • 1966 – Returned to YHS as a teacher/ coach where he remained for 26 years
  • Mr. Wilbanks coached both boys’ tennis (1966- 83) and girls’ tennis (1978-90)
  • 1974-78 – YHS boys tennis team was 50 – 1 for those three years
  • 4 – Time Boys Regional Tennis Champions
  • 1975 and 1976 – Boys tennis team was undefeated
  • 1975 – YHS Boys Tennis Team were the undefeated Division #! State Champions
  • 1975 – Coach Wilbanks was honored as the Michigan High School Tennis Coach of the Year
  • Named YHS Co-op Coordinator
  • 1953-1983 – was a registered wrestling official in the state of Michigan
  • As an outstanding wrestling official Mr. Wilbanks officiated 25 State High School tournaments and for 20 years served as an official for the Mid-American Conference, the Big Ten Conference,  and an official for the NCAA National tournament
  • 1992 – Retired and still lives in Ypsilanti supporting the community and… still plays a tough game of tennis