Beginning in 2005, the Excelsior Springs High School has been recognizing former athletes who went above and beyond in their sports activities, many accomplishing high achievements in multiple sporting areas. The Class of 2023 was inducted among their family and friends at the Performing Arts Center on August 26, 2023 in a Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Those being recognized included Paul Hay, the 1975 Men’s Golf Team, Nile Brown, Hannah Cooper Sedgwick, and Jake Simmons.
The program began with a welcome introduction from ESHS Activities Director Eric Marshall, recognizing those who had been previously inducted and thanking the Hall of Fame committee.
Golden Era Award - Paul Hay
First to be recognized was a Golden Era Award to Paul Hay. The family of Paul were in attendance, gathering together as a group in recognition of his accomplishments. This award recognizes early athletes who left an impact that resonated with the community. Hay was a multi-sport athlete.
Coach Nile Brown
Having passed in July 2019, Coach Nile Brown’s award into the Hall of Fame was accepted by his son and daughter, Aaron and Amy Brown McCubbin. His wife Gail and brother Sam were also in attendance, including many other family members.
Beloved coach for many years, Brown was in the ESHS Class of 1961. He was a three sport athlete of football, basketball, and track. He also played American Legion Baseball. He was All-Conference and All-District in Football. He returned to Excelsior Springs as a coach and teacher at ESHS in 1967 and taught until 1981. Then he returned to ESHS from 1992-2003 as the assistant coach for football, wrestling, track and field, softball, and head coach for women’s basketball.
One extraordinary record mentioned was that in his senior year he scored 5 touchdowns against the Slater Wildcats, a record that he would hold for over 50 years. Coach Brown’s son Aaron told a heartwarming story about the day that record was broken.
Coach Brown also served as an assistant football coach for the 1994 and 1996 State Football Championships and was Assistant Baseball Coach for Final Four Seasons of 1995, 1996, and 1999.
1975 Men's Golf Team
The 1975 Men’s Golf Team was an exception when it came to achievements. Together, they were made up one of the best golf teams that the school has ever seen.
Their accomplishments included being undefeated in dual competitions. They broke the school record twice in dual meets. They were both Conference and District Champions and took 3rd Place in a State Tournament that at the time wasn’t broken into any kind of divisions, meaning they were 3rd in state of all competing teams.
Team members included Bob Delano, Jr., Tim Jarman, Mark McNelly, Andy Seay, Anthony Smith, and Luke Woods. Head Coach was Jim Landsford. Speaking on behalf of the 1975 Men’s Golf Team was Assistant Coach Ron Cogdill.
In attendance at the ceremony was Mark McNelly, Tim Jarman, Bob Delano, Anthony Smith, and Coach Cogdill.
Hannah Cooper Sedgwick
From the ESHS Class of 2008, Hannah Cooper Sedgwick was a 4 Time All State Pole Vaulter and currently holds the record from 2007 for ESHS Pole Vault. In addition to this, she was also a four time 1st Team All-Conference Pole Vaulter, a 4 Time 1st Team All District Pole Valuter, and a 3 Time 1st Team All Metro Pole Vaulter. At one point, she ranked 4th in the nation.
In addition to her extraordinary pole vaulting, she also ranked high playing Softball. There she was a 3 Time 2nd Team All Conference Pitcher, 1 Time 1st Team All Conference Pitcher, 2nd Team All District Pitcher and 2nd Team All District Outfielder.
In college, she was a Letter Winner in Pole Vault at the University of Missouri 2008-2010, a 2 Time Conference placer in Pole Vaulting from William Jewell College in 2010-2013, and at Friends University from 2013-2015.
Jake Simmons
2004 Graduate of ESHS, Jake Simmons was recognized into the Hall of Fame for many pole vaulting achievements. He was a 3 Time District Champion, 3 Time Sectional Champion, 3 State Medals in pole vault, and a 2003 and 2004 State Champion.
After the ceremony those who were in attendance and in the Hall of Fame were asked to join the new inductees in a photo in the commons, which has become tradition. A member of the Reed Portrait Group was on hand to take everyone’s photo for the memory books.
Thanks were shared by Roger Siegel to Susan Hall, the Performing Arts Center, and the committee, which consists of Jonah Albertson, Sherri Branson Hurt, Joe Greim, Terri Irons, Andrea Kramer, Darren Marriott, Eric Marshall, Les O’Dell, Roger Siegel, and Sam Shouse (President).
Do you know someone who deserves to be in the Tiger Hall of Fame? Submit the name and supporting evidence to any Tiger Hall of Fame committee member or send it to Roger Siegel. You can follow the progress of the committee on their Facebook Page at ESHS Athletic Hall of Fame.
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