[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 35 (Thursday, March 15, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E381]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE HAMMOND SPORTS HALL OF FAME

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 15, 2001

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct pleasure to announce 
that the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame's 15th Annual Induction Banquet 
will be held tonight, March 15, 2001, at the Hammond Civic Center, in 
Hammond, Indiana. Eleven individuals, all of whom attended high school 
in Hammond, Indiana, will be inducted into the Hammond Sports Hall of 
Fame. The new members of the Hall of Fame include: Mike Bradburn, Bob 
Bradtke, Allison Buell, Donald Clark, Ray Cross, Rudy T. Folta, Terry 
Irk, Hal Morris, Kurt Nondorf, Frank P. Staucet, and Bob Wilson, Sr.
  Mike Bradburn, a current resident of Chester, California, graduated 
from Hammond Morton High School in 1963. While at Morton, Bradburn was 
an outstanding athlete, participating in football, wrestling, and track 
and field. In football, what this speedy, hard-driving fullback lacked 
in size, he made up for in grit and determination. He played on the 
Governors' 1961 state championship squad and earned all-state honors 
the following season. He continued his football career at Northwestern 
University, from where he graduated in 1957.
  An outstanding basketball and baseball player at Bishop Noll, Bob 
Bradtke graduated in 1956. Prior to moving to Lansing, Illinois, where 
he currently resides, Bradtke coached at Bishop Noll, Whiting and 
Gavit. As a basketball player at Bishop Noll, he was an all-state guard 
that teamed up with Oscar Robertson and fellow Hammond Sports Hall of 
Famer Frank Radovich on the Indiana all-star squad that played the 
Kentucky all-stars. On the baseball diamond, Bradtke played virtually 
all positions. He continued his career in college as a basketball 
player at Notre Dame, where he was a two-year letter winner before 
graduating in 1960.
  Current resident of Hammond, Indiana, Allison Buell, became the first 
female athlete from a Hammond high school to qualify for the state 
finals in a field event. Buell was an outstanding high jumper and long 
jumper at Clark High School, where she graduated in 1988. While in 
college, Buell competed in the high jump at Cornell University, before 
transferring to Columbia College, from where she graduated with honors 
in 1996. As a junior, this Clark valedictorian placed third in the high 
jump at the state meet, then returned home to help the Lady Pioneers 
softball team win a sectional title the next day.
  The late Donald L. Clark had an outstanding wrestling and football 
career. After graduating from Clark High School in 1952, Clark attended 
Purdue University and joined the wrestling team. In 1957, Clark 
graduated from Purdue with academic honors he then embarked on an 
outstanding career in education and coaching. As wrestling coach at 
Hammond High, he directed the Wildcats to back-to-back state 
championships in 1962 and 1963.
  Longtime Hammond, Indiana, resident Ray Cross, will also be inducted 
into the Hammond Sports Hall of Fame. While at Hammond High, Cross 
played running back and defensive back on their 1960 state football 
championship team, earning Chicagoland All-Star Team honors, as well as 
a scholarship to West New Mexico University. Cross was a versatile 
player and signed as a free agent with the Atlanta Falcons of the 
National Football League, but his career was cut short by a knee 
injury. He then returned home, where he embarked on a teaching and 
coaching career, leading Eggers Middle School football, basketball and 
track teams to numerous city championships.
  Rudy Folta, a current resident of Chicago, Illinois, won eight 
varsity letters as a football quarterback, basketball guard, and 
baseball shortstop for the Hammond Tech Tigers before graduating in 
1957. After graduation, Folta continued his football career at Wabash 
College, where he captained the Little Giants in 1960.
  Current Griffith, Indiana resident Hal Morris enjoyed a school record 
setting and state championship career as a high school sprinter at 
Clark High School. After placing fifth in the state track and field 
finals his sophomore and junior years, he won the 220-yard dash in the 
state finals in 1946. He also placed second in the state that year in 
the 100-yard dash.
  Terry Irk, currently of Bainbridge, Indiana, was a 1971 Gavit 
graduate. While at Gavit, he was active in football, basketball and 
golf. As a versatile football player, Irk played quarterback and safety 
and his play earned him all-conference and all-area honors, as well as 
a scholarship to the University of Evansville.
  Kurt Nondorf of Houston, Texas, was a standout in football and track 
at Hammond High School. After graduating from Hammond High, he 
continued competing in both sports as an Ivy Leaguer at Yale.
  Frank Staucet of Slingerlands, New York, graduated from Catholic 
Central, now Bishop Noll, in 1941. After a season of college baseball 
at St. Joseph's College and three years representing his nation in the 
armed forces, he embarked in 1946 on a 10-year professional baseball 
career. Playing primarily shortstop for Albany, New York of the Eastern 
League, he compiled a career minor league batting average of .261, 
including a .300 mark his final season. He was a league all-star in 
1948, 1949 and 1950.
  While attending Clark High School, current Highland, Indiana resident 
Bob Wilson, Sr., was an exceptional football, basketball, and baseball 
player. He went on to achieve prominence in the sport of bowling. 
Wilson has won numerous titles in various bowling competitions, 
including the ABC's National Team Championship in 1979.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in congratulating Mike Bradburn, Bob Bradtke, Allison Buell, Donald 
Clark, Ray Cross, Rudy T. Folta, Terry Irk, Hal Morris, Kurt Nondorf, 
Frank P. Staucet, and Bob Wilson, Sr. for being inducted into the 
Hammond Sports Hall of Fame. Their service, dedication, and success 
have left an indelible mark on Hammond, Indiana and Indiana's First 
Congressional District.

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