BHS Hall of Fame

Inducted 2019

Dennis Alf, a 1967 graduate, wrestled varsity four years, winning two conference championships, two regional championships, and two sectional titles. He twice was the Reedsburg Tournament champion and twice qualified for the WIAA State Tournament, winning the championship as a senior at 165 lbs. Dennis was also captain of the 1964-65 wrestling team. Dennis won the John Boettge award and was Prom King his junior year. As a senior, he was elected Mr. Berlin and was ranked by the Amateur Wrestling News as 44th in the nation. Dennis received a full wrestling scholarship to the University of Wyoming. He was a three-year letterman, two time Western Athletic Conference finalist, and WAC champion at 190 lbs. His senior year he was team captain and qualified for Division 1 NCAA finals in 1970 and 1971 and a quarter finalist in his senior year. He defeated the Junior World Champion three times during his career. Dennis was a member of the USA vs. Japan in 1972, emerging as the heavyweight champion. Dennis was an assistant coach at the University of Wyoming, head wrestling coach at McFarland, WI and served on the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board in Stillwater, Oklahoma. He was Senior National Champion in 1983, won an Olympic Regional U.S. Trials Bronze Medal in 1983, and was the AAU National Open Runner-Up. Dennis wrestled until the age of 38 with an overall record of 206-21-1. Dennis was a Field Manager and Assistant Zone Manager for Pontiac Motor Division for 12 years, and served as Southwest Toyota District Manager before purchasing St. Charles Toyota and Alfco Properties in 1994.

Inducted 2017

Berlin High School’s most storied athlete, Bill Butler, went on to have an eight-year career in the National Football League. At BHS, he earned 11 athletic letters, playing running back and defensive back in football, shortstop in baseball, guard in basketball, and sprinter, high jumper, and long jumper in track. He was a member of the undefeated football teams of the 50’s when Berlin led the Little 10 conference in 1953 and 1954. He led the conference in scoring both years, served as football captain in 1954 and was given the John Boettge Aware for Outstanding Junior Athlete in 1953. He went to Tennessee-Chattanooga College where he played football and basketball. He started every football game for four years and was voted twice to the College Football All-American Team. Butler received the Templeton Award for Outstanding College Athlete and was named to the Tennessee Football Hall of Fame. He also played in the 1958 Copper Bowl in Arizona. He was drafted 19th by the Green Bay Packers’ Vince Lombardi in 1959 and spent eight years in the NFL. He later played for the Cowboys, Steelers, and Vikings. In Green Bay, he led the NFL in punt and kickoff return yardage. After his NFL Career, he spent three seasons at Winnipeg, the Canadian Football League. In his later years, he became a successful high school coach for 12 years, accumulating two undefeated state championships in football and a state championship in track. He was recognized by the WIAA as Assistant Coach of the Year.

Inducted 2019

A 1967 graduate, Dave Briski qualified for the WIAA State Tournament twice, winning a state title one of those years in addition to a conference championship, two regional titles, and a sectional championship. At Carroll College, Dave was a selected Most Valuable Wrestler three times and team captain twice. He was a conference champion in 1969 and 1971, finishing his senior year undefeated at 142 lbs. With a 23-0 season. He had also won the conference title as a sophomore, finished second as a freshman and third as a junior. Dave was named Outstanding Wrestler at the 1970 Lawrence Invitational. His overall college record was 73-8 and his total career wrestling record was 118-17-3. He was the first non-football player to be named Carroll College’s Senior Athlete of the Year. In addition to wrestling, Dave mastered Aikido, a “way of the mind” ancient Asian art of self-defense. He made history by becoming the first to receive a green belt, or 7th que, in less than six months. After college, Dave enlisted in the Air Force where he flew the C130 Cargo and Rescue plane, serving as instructor and pilot. In addition to rescue missions, he flew in support of NASA on Apollo space missions and provided air support for two presidents. While in service, Dave coached a winning youth wrestling team. He retired as Lieutenant Colonel. As a racquetball player, a versatile athlete won eight national titles and singles and doubles championships in his age group.

Inducted 2017

A four-sport track star at Berlin High School, James Crawford was state champion in the 220 yard dash in 1930, in the 100 yard dash in 1931, and the 220 yard dash in 1931. His 100 in 1931 in the B class was 10.2, which tied him with the winner of the A class. His fastest time in the 220 was 22.1 seconds. Both were boys’ track records in the conference, holding up for many years. Crawford went undefeated in 1931 until the national meet in Chicago where he was hampered by a muscle pull and finished fifth. The Berlin Evening Journal noted that he “was leading the field until within 30 feet of the tape. A muscle pull which had been bothering him with chronic charley horse trouble went back on the Berlinite. He crossed the tape and examination showed his leg to be in bad shape.” Crawford was a member of the State Champion 1931 track team and was awarded the American Legion Medal. Active in many school activities, he served as Class President and President of the Athletic Council.

Inducted 2018

A successful teacher, coach and principal, George Doll served the Berlin Area School District for 36 years, from 1944 to 1980. Growing up in Omro, he graduated from Ripon College where he majored in biology and physical education. He graduated in 1944 and began teaching in Berlin the same year. He coached basketball for eight years, track for 26 years and football for 19 years. His first basketball team went to State in 1945 and his track team became Class B State Champions in 1961. The ‘45 basketball team struggled through the Conference season with a 3-7 record, but caught fire in the tournaments, eventually defeating Horicon, the class of the Sectional, enroute to a State appearance. The track teams guided by Coach Doll won four Conference titles in 1945, 1961, 1962, and 1964, and Sectional championships in 1956 and 1964. His teams went to State three times. Mr. Doll also found time to serve as the city’s recreation director. After 20 years of teaching, he became assistant principal of Berlin High School in 1961 and succeeded Clyde Shaw as principal in 1966, earning the respect of students and teachers alike. He was at his desk every morning at 7:00 and enthusiastically attended almost every concert and athletic event. He enthusiastically supported all aspects of school life, encouraging students to excel in every field. After receiving a kidney transplant from his sister, Janet, in 1978, he retired a few years later because of his health.

Inducted 2021

Starting to run seriously at the age of 10, Scott Drum went on to establish some of the most impressive track records ever recorded at Berlin High School. The 1989 graduate took the individual cross-country championship in 1987 and two individual two-mile State Championship track races in ‘88 and ‘89. He still holds the BHS record in the 3200 set in 1988 with a time of 9:19:13. In 1985, Drum was a point contributor to the BHS overall State Track Championship team. He qualified for State all four years in cross-country and track and, along the way, won nine conference, seven regional and eight sectional title championships. Heavily recruited by major Division I colleges, Scott accepted a scholarship from the University of Kentucky where he ran D-I for several years before transferring to UW-La Crosse, he earned a B.S. degree in Sports & Exercise at Wake Forest University. His Ph.D. came from the University of Northern Colorado in Sports & Exercise Science. Professor Drum became a Full Professor at Northern Michigan University where his research agendas were aimed at clinical and sport populations. He continued running seriously though the age of 45, competing regularly in trail and mountain running races when living in Colorado.

Inducted 2018

One of Berlin's most accomplished all-around athletes, Richard “Dick” Fortnum won a total of 11 athletic letters - three in football, track and golf, and two in basketball. A 1956 graduate, he played fullback on the undefeated 1953 football team and the undefeated 1954 football team. Fortnum was a member of the “Four Horsemen” backfield, and was the fourth leading rusher in the Little Ten Conference, scoring 36 points. He served as captain of the 1955 team, leading that squad, scoring 50 points. He received a football scholarship offer from the University of Chattanooga. In basketball, the team set a  Little Ten Conference scoring record twice in two weeks. In track, Dick ran the 180 yard low and 110 yard high hurdles, the 100-yard dash and 220-yard dash. He won the 1955 Little Ten Championship in the high and low hurdles, placing third at State in the low hurdles. In 1956, he again won the Conference title, this time in the 100-yard and 220-yard dashes. As a golfer, Dick was the team’s low scorer and runner-up for the Conference title by one stroke. Playing at Mascoutin Country Club, Dick shot a 32 on the front nine for the course record and a four-under-par 68 score. He is a member of the MacGregor Hole-in-One club for scoring an ace on the 143-yard 16th hole on July 13th, 1960. He received Berlin High School’s John Boettge Award and American Legion Award. For 51 years, he owned and operated the Johnson-Fortnum automobile business in Berlin, receiving many awards including recognition from the Department of Transportation with the Right Way Award. He served on the 1st National Bank board for 21 years, was a member of the Brown-Wilcox board and was a licensed stock and bond broker.

Inducted 2021

His 1937 Berlin High School yearbook describes Delwin “Del” Heft as “one of Berlin’s all-time track immortals,” and for good reason. It was a well-deserved description. He participated in track, football and basketball all four years, serving as captain in each of those sports his senior year. Adding to that list of accomplishments were his performances at the WIAA Track and Field championships where he was Berlin’s only representative his junior year, taking first in the broad jump and placing fifth in the discus in Class B. During his senior year (1937), he led his team in the Little 10 meet with two firsts and a second. Del needed only one jump in the broad jump and only one trial in the high jump to take his two firsts. He captured second place in the 220 dash. At the Sectionals, Del led the meet with 15 points. He also starred on the relay team, set a broad jump record with 21’2 1/2", easily won the high jump and ran the 220 in a record time of 23.7 seconds. Then at the State meet that year, Del captured nine points, placing first in the high jump at 5’ 10 1/2", the same height as the winning jump in Class A. He also tied for second place in the broad jump with a leap of 22’ 6 1/2". At Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, he played basketball and football for two years before enlisting in the Army where he served as a lieutenant in an anti-aircraft organization during World War II.

Inducted 2021

Prior to graduating from Berlin High School in 1990, Matt Hess had record-setting accomplishments in football, basketball and track & field over four years prior to also starring in football at Ripon College. In high school football, Matt was a two-time All Conference unanimous choice at wide receiver with six records that still stand. His accrued numbers include 113 career receptions, 63 receptions in one season, 12 receptions in a game, 2,454 career reception yards, 1,326 reception yards in one season, 233 reception yards in one game, 23 reception touchdowns in a career, and 16 reception touchdowns in one season. Matt was co-offensive Player of the Year in the ECC conference, was named to the All District Team for the Northeastern Region, the AP All State team and the Channel 5 All State team. He was also selected for the All State team chosen by the Wisconsin High School Coaches Association. In basketball, Matt was named All Conference three times and the first BHS player to score 1,000 points (1,028). In track and field, he was a two-time State Champion in the high jump and hurdles. His team won seven conference titles, seven regional titles and four sectional titles. He was the first in conference history to win four conference titles in one year-the high jump, high hurdles, triple jump and long jump. Matt’s other accolades include the John Boettge award, captain of the football team, Mr. Berlin, prom king and National Honor Society. At Ripon College he earned All Conference honors as a wide receiver, named Offensive Player of the Year in the Northern Division of the Midwest Conference, and was awarded All American status. He holds the Midwest Conference single season regional record with 71 receptions and 1,208 receiving yards. He graduated from Michigan Technological University with an MS in Mineral Processing Engineering and served as Engineer Leader at Badger Mining Corporation.

Inducted 2021

Jessie Hoinacki took an impressive high school resume to UW-Oshkosh where she was an All Conference basketball player. She also excelled in the academic area, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology, a Master of Science in Physical Therapy and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. As a member of the Class of 1990 at Berlin High School, Jessie starred in three sports. In basketball, she was a unanimous All Conference choice three times, an MVP in the ECC Conference, named to the All Area team and the All State basketball team. She set seven school career records including 853 points and 698 rebounds. In volleyball, Jessie was named All Conference three times (twice unanimously), was MVP as a senior and played on the Mizuno Wisconsin All Star Senior Team. Jessie was also named Miss Berlin, given the senior award for athletics, was a member of the National Honor Society and a representative on the Student Council. She continues to enjoy her career working as a Physical Therapist specializing in neurological disorders. 

Inducted 2022

One of the most talented high school athletes in the state was Larry Hollmaier, who earned nine varsity letters in three sports - football, basketball, and track. He was a 1971 graduate. Larry was an All-Conference running back for three straight years and a key player of the undefeated 1970 football team. Surrounded by an outstanding collection of teammates and coaches, he gained 1,313 yards on 179 runs for a 7.3 yards per carry average his senior year. Voted MVP by his 1970 teammates, he was selected first team All East Central Conference and was named to the Wisconsin High School AP All-State team as a running back. Larry also played varsity basketball three years, and in 1970 was selected as a second team All Little Ten Conference player. In 1971, he was a first team All East Central Conference player. As a four year member of the track team, he accomplished wins in the sprints, long jump and relay events. He and his teammates took first place in conference and regional meets in the 880-yard relay. At Ripon College, Larry again starred on the football field, earning All Midwest Conference accolades his senior year. He was also lettered in track and was named winner at the John Storzer Graduate Scholarship Award for athletic accomplishment and academic achievement. Following his BA degree in chemistry from Ripon College in 1975, Larry received his MS degree from the Institute of Paper Chemistry (Lawrence University) in 1977.

Inducted 2017

Tom Klein played in four sports as a freshman at Berlin High School. On Oct. 5th, 1950, during a football game as a sophomore, Tom was severely injured while tackling a West Bend player. The injury damaged his spinal cord causing lost movement in 90 percent of his body. He was tutored while in the hospital the next two years and finished his schooling at home via a home intercom. His love of sports never waned and he overcame numerous medical complications to have a 52-year career as a sportswriter for Berlin and Oshkosh newspapers. His writing career began quite by accident. While coaching from his wheelchair he would write up the results and take them to the paper. He was approached to write for the Oshkosh Northwestern despite no formal journalism training. Leaning on his father, Merrill, for support, he attended games in all kinds of weather with a tape recorder strapped to his wrist while navigating a wheelchair. After his father passed, Klein was assisted by a group of friends. When he acquired an electric wheelchair, he traveled down to the football field or to the gymnasium to cover events and obtain interviews using a tape recorder. Back home, he would use a pencil, eraser side down, tied to his hand was a rubber band to peck at the typewriter keys. As his condition worsened and he was hospitalized, he continued to write his stories from a hospital bed and call them in. His career ended as a sportswriter for his hometown paper, the Berlin Journal. He lived longer than any quadriplegic had before passing at the age of 67 in 2002. Before passing, he wrote a book, “Defying the Odds,” with the forward written by Detroit Lions Mike Utley who was paralyzed in a 1991 game. The book traced Tom’s earlier years in Berlin, the events leading to his injury and the travails he endured through the ensuing years.

Inducted 2022

When the BHS athletic Hall of Fame committee members began a search for an at-large selection (a community person who contributes to the recognition of Berlin athletes), they had to look no further than their own membership. Without Tom Kolpin’s diligent efforts, there would have been no recognition of former BHS athletes excellence for which future youth could strive. A 1966 graduate, Tom was the quintessential “gym rat.” He played basketball, baseball, and football, often missing the late bus to spend more time in the gym. After graduating from UW-Oshkosh with a B.S. degree in education, he joined his dad’s auto repair business while substitute teaching under the middle school principal, Larry Zarnott. He noticed years earlier that Larry had created a city league with the city’s elementary schools teaching them basic basketball fundamentals and procuring the services of volunteer high school players to help in practice sessions. When Tom later began following his grandsons in basketball in other schools, he noticed plaques honoring athletes in the halls of some of the schools. Tom sought out and invited other community members to help and the Berlin High School Athletic Hall of Fame was born. Whenever the public library was open, Tom could be found digging through old newspapers, searching for stories of former athletes who excelled in their respective sports. Today, many of those athletes have a special place on Berlin High School’s Athletic Hall of Fame wall. 

Inducted 2018

Dan Krause not only excelled in three sports in high school, but received a rare BHS scholarship in track at Marquette University. At Berlin High School, he participated all four years (1954-57) in football as a wide receiver and a defensive back, in basketball as a forward, and in track (half-mile, high and low hurdles and long jump). He lettered in all three sports and was captain of the ‘57 track team. He was a member of the Little Ten Conference co-champion football team in 1956. In basketball, Dan was among Conference scoring leaders and poured in 28 points in a Regional semi-final contest. Urged to concentrate on just one spring sport, he chose track because he could compete in four events, after having made the golf and baseball team. He placed first in all four events at several meets and tied for most points (11) in the 1956 Little Ten Conference meet where he placed first in the half mile, second in the low hurdles and fourth in the broad jump. He excelled in Regional and Sectional track meets, earning WIAA State honors with Sectional first place wins in the half-mile run and running broad jump. He was the recipient of the American Legion and Charles Lewin Athlete/Scholar awards. At Marquette, Dan competed in the 110-yard high, 220-yard low and 440-yard intermediate hurdles. He is an active member of the Marquette University M Club. Dan has a BS degree in Industrial Management from Marquette and an MBA in Finance from the University of Detroit. Also successful in the business world, he worked his way through the ranks at The Budd Company, a major tier one supplier to the automotive industry in Detroit and retired from the ThyssenKrupp Budd Company in 2001 as Corporate Vice-President, Procurement and Supply.

Inducted 2021

Groundbreaking. That, in one word, summarizes the teaching career of Sandra Krynik at Berlin High School where she became the first and only girls’ coach in the early ‘70s. Although she never considered herself a coach, there is no question that she blazed a path for young women in the same year, ironically, that Title IX came into effect. She was first hired at BHS as physical education teacher in 1966 at the time when women were never referred to as coaches. But after Title IX, a group of physical education instructors got together and decided to form teams that would eventually play the same schedule as the boys. It was a steep hill to climb in those early years with little or no money budgeted for women’s sports. They had to play in a smaller gym and the locker rooms were not accommodating. It was difficult to obtain referees and timers, so Sandra recruited girls from her physical education classes. Sandra first coached basketball and volleyball, with track and softball added later. Sand-Knit, a local company, produced the teams’ first uniforms. The girls eventually merged with the B Club and a letter system was instituted. By 1974, more women’s coaches were added to the staff. A graduate of Racine High School, Sandra attended LaCrosse State College in 1963, then worked at Southern Colony before being hired by the Berlin District. She was an active duty reservist for 10 years before attending Wartburg Theological Seminary, becoming a minister in 1994.

Inducted 2017

Richard Malson participated in track, football, basketball, and baseball at Berlin High School from 1949 to 1953, serving as captain of the basketball and baseball teams. He was also a recipient of the John Boettge Award. At UW-Platteville he played baseball, basketball and football. As captain of the football team, he set records as running back and also played quarterback. He was inducted into the UW-Platteville Athletic Hall of Fame. After graduation, Richard signed a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. His participation in athletics continued at Milledgeville, Illinois where he coached at the high school level for three decades.

Inducted 2021

The 1959 Berlin High School yearbook inscription for Richard Marks reads, “Every inch an athlete and he’s measured in millimeters.” Undoubtedly, no athlete in the history of BHS sports provided more inspiration than Richard Marks who participated and excelled in four sports all four years despite having only one arm. A graduate of BHS in 1959, Dick never thought of himself as handicapped, however. Neither did his opponents, for that matter, since he played with such intensity. He had lost his arm at a young age when he fell off his bike while riding on a railroad track and broke his left arm which later became infected and had to be amputated below the elbow. Ironically, years later at the age of 24, he nearly drowned when he dove fully clothed into the Fox River to save a child. For that effort, he was awarded the National Carnegie Medal for Heroism in Pittsburgh and received the Wisconsin VFW heroism award. As an exceptional athlete, he participated in football, basketball, baseball and track, was named Mr. Berlin for the 1959 Homecoming, and received the John Boettge award. In a basketball win over Waupun his senior year, he scored 27 points. He was named to the ‘59 Little Ten conference second team and was among the team’s top scorers that year. He also starred at Washington Elementary School, performing as a “one-man gang” at a conference track meet, winning four events and setting a high jump record. 

Inducted 2019

A 1964 graduate, Rick Polakowski participated in wrestling and track and was a member of the B Club all four years. He was Berlin High School’s first WIAA State Champion in wrestling. He won three regional and two sectional championships, winning the state championship at 112 lbs. Rick won 30 consecutive dual meets, finishing his junior and senior years with a 40-2 record. After high school, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force. For most of his life he was an electrician and served his community as a volunteer wrestling coach with the Berlin Youth Wrestling Club. He later worked for the State of Arkansas at Hobbs State Park and was the Fire Chief of the Piney Point Fire Department.

Inducted 2022

No other coach in the annals of Berlin High School sports accumulated as many coaching years as Chet Polka. He taught social studies for 41 years, coached for 40 years and served as the school’s athletic director for four years. The versatile mentor coached golf for 32 years, basketball for 11 years, baseball for eight, cross-country for two and football for one. His 1958 cross-country team finished second in the WIAA state tournament. In addition, he was a WIAA official for 15 years. He also served as the BHS audio-visual director, providing all the game films as well as Berlin Historical Society events. He starred in basketball at Mosinee High School before advancing to an excellent athletic career at UW-Stevens Point where is a member of that school’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He earned 10 varsity letters in four different sports — track & field, basketball, cross-country, and tennis. At Point, he was named to two all-conference basketball teams, was selected honorary captain and most valuable player and led the team in scoring over two seasons. He scored a total of 926 points and could shoot equally well with either hand. At Berlin, he taught golf etiquette as well as the proper golf swing, and as a serious player, won the state Knights of Columbus golf tournament in 1976. In the year 2000, he was presented with the Community Health Network Human Service Award.

Inducted 2022

Lance Schultz held all of Berlin High School’s passing records as a quarterback in football at the time of his induction. He is also among the top ten all-time scorers for Berlin basketball including a single game high. The selection of this versatile athlete to the 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame was an easy choice. Lance’s football talents were on display at a young age when as an 11-year old and 12 year old he won back-to-back state championships in the Punt, Pass and Kick Competition at Lambeau Field. Lance, a 1990 graduate of BHS, was recognized as an All Conference quarterback, punter and kicker. He was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year in the ECC and honorable mention on the All State Team as a quarterback. Lance’s All Conference honors in football included: second team as a kicker in 1989, first team as a punter in 1988 and 1989, second team as a quarterback in 1988 and first team (unanimous choice) as quarterback in 1989. There may never be another BHS quarterback to attain the level of success Lance Schultz enjoyed. In football, Lance’s passing records include: career attempts (404), season attempts (191), game attempts (36), career completions (207), season completions (103), game completions (19), career yards (4,010), season yards (1,850), game yards (305), career touchdowns (35), season touchdowns (21), and game touchdowns (4). In basketball, Lance held the single game scoring record of 36 points at the time of his induction. He also continues to be among the top ten all-time scorers. 

Inducted 2021

Steven “Stelly” Stellmacher starred in athletics at Ripon High School but earned his coaching accolades at Berlin High School where he coached three different sports, winning titles in football, boys’ track and girls’ track. He coached at BHS from 1977 to 2010. He also served as Athletic Director from 1978 to 2011. His football teams accumulated the most wins (150) of any BHS coach, won five conference championships and went to WIAA playoff games ten times. Stelly was named District Coach of the Year four times. His best year was in 1989 when his team went 11 and 1, making it to the State Semi-finals. His boys’ track record from 1982 to 2010 is just as impressive, taking 11 conference championships, 13 regional championships, one state champion in 1986 and state runner-up in 1989. His teams had six individual state champions and one 440-relay team championship which set a state record in 1986. He also coached girls’ track from 1996 to 2010, his teams taking three conference and two regional championships. In high school, Stelly earned eight varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball and was elected to the All Conference team in each sport. He also received special mention in All State football and basketball. At Ripon College, he earned a degree in physical education after lettering in football, basketball and baseball. As a freshman, Stelly was the first Ripon College athlete in modern day history to earn a letter in all three sports. He earned All Midwest Conference first team honors in football as a defensive back in 1975 and was inducted into the Ripon College Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2005, Stelly was inducted into the Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Inducted 2019

A 1966 BHS graduate, Jack Stone collected four conference championships, four regional championships, two sectional championships and four Reedsburg Tournament championships. During his four years, he competed at 95 lbs., 103 lbs. And 112 lbs. He qualified for the WIAA State Championships four times, collecting two state championships and a second place finish. He served as captain of the 1966 wrestling team and finished his high school with a 94-3-1 record. Jack was also selected to the Wisconsin High School All-Decade team for the 1960s. Jack was appointed to the Air Force Academy and later transferred to the University of Wyoming where an injury forced him to retire from wrestling. He received his degree in Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 1972, an accident left Jack a paraplegic. He overcame this challenge and became a service officer for the Paralyzed Veterans and also served on the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Chapter.

Inducted 2019

Taking over a struggling wrestling program, Ray Stone arrived at Berlin High School in 1959 and built a highly-respected powerhouse over the next seven years. His teams were represented by 15 individuals at the WIAA State wrestling Tournament with five of those winning state titles. Ray’s record at BHS was 65-9-2. He was a standout wrestler himself, winning the Iowa State Championship at 97 lbs. In college, he wrestled for Iowa State, was captain of the 1940-41 team and won three conference championships. He was ranked number one in the nation his senior year. Ray placed second in the 1941 AAU National Championship at 134 lbs. He was head wrestling coach at Iowa State in 1940-41 when his team won the Big 6 (now the Big 8) Conference Championship. He placed 4th in the NCAA Championships. Ray coached at Colby, Kansas; Eagle Grove, Iowa; New Berlin, WI, and Spring Green, WI with an overall record of 243-57-4. In that time he had 13 state champions, five undefeated seasons, two state titles, two second place finishes and two third place finishes. His wrestlers included an Olympic champion and two NCAA champions. His son, Jack, won two Wisconsin State Championships. Ray was a charter member of the Wisconsin George Martin Hall of Fame, the Iowa Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Wrestling Association. He was also past president of the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association. As a fighter pilot, he served under Gen. C. L. Chennault’s Flying Tigers and received the Purple Heart.

Inducted 2018

One of the most storied athletes to ever come out of Berlin High School, Mark Thomsen not only lettered in three sports and won a state track title, but went to set State of Nebraska football records while at Dana College. From 1946 to 1948 he lettered in football, basketball and track at BHS, serving as track captain in ‘48. As a sophomore, he took second place at the WIAA Sectional meet in the 100-yard dash. He sent to State as a junior, taking fourth place, and in 1949, as a senior, he won the Little Ten title, took first in Sectionals and then first place at the WIAA in Class B, running the 100-yard dash in 10.5 seconds, just a tenth of a second under the Class A winning time. He attended Badger Boys State and received the Bausch and Lomb Science Award. In the fall of ‘49 he enrolled in Dana College, Nebraska where he lettered in three sports, excelling in football. Despite playing for a college of just a few hundred students, he was a multiple-threat athlete as a runner, passer, place-kicker and punter. Playing against much larger schools, he was named All-Conference as a freshman, an award that encompassed the entire state. In his sophomore year, he rushed for 1,033 yards and scored 93 points, the highest in Nebraska that year and tenth highest in the nation. He was also given honorable mention in the Little All America balloting. He lettered in football, basketball and track, running the 100m in less than 10 seconds. What would have been a nationally recognized career was cut short when Mark suffered a broken leg his junior year and a broken collar bone his senior year. He received his Bachelor of Arts at Dana in 1953, a Bachelor of Divinity at Trinity Seminary and Wartburg Seminary in 1956, and a Masters of Divinity at Princeton Theological Seminary in 1957. A theological teacher and mission director, his travels took him to over 40 countries. He was named to the Dana College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1978 and was presented the Dana College Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1988. In 2010, he ran in the Wisconsin Senior Olympics and qualified for the Nationals.

Inducted 2018

A four-sport athlete Donald “Don” Trampf earned his credentials for the Berlin High School Athletic Hall of Fame with a WIAA State Championship in the shot put. His school record in that event lasted for approximately 28 years. Don lettered in track and football at Berlin High in which he participated all four years, played basketball two years and baseball one year. In football, he was a running back, defensive end and kicking specialist. A 1960 BHS graduate, he served as co-captain of the football team his senior year when he was also named Homecoming’s “Mr. Berlin”. In addition, he served as a uniform model for Sand-Knit, a local manufacturer of football uniforms. Enroute to his state track meet appearance, Don won Regional and Sectional titles. His heave of 50 feet, 1 inch in Class B competition at State helped his team to second place honors. Don’s shot put throw of 50’ 4” at a Ripon meet was the threshold in that event for nearly three decades. In 1965, he joined the Berlin Fire Department and rose in the rank to become Fire Chief in 1973, a post he held until June 30, 1987. During his reign as chief, he presided over major downtown fires including Ludwig’s Bakery in 1975, Bending’s Sport Shop in 1980, and Montgomery Wards in 1981.

Inducted 2021

One of the most athletically and professionally accomplished Berlin High School graduates is Ralph Treder, Jr. He excelled as a runner, winning two state championships and then later in life running full marathons. As a career scientist he was the sole inventor on one patent and a co-inventor on six others. As captain of the cross-country team, the 1963 BHS graduate had state titles in both cross-country and track and field his junior year. He placed third at State Cross Country as a sophomore and second as a senior. In the mile run, he won the state title as a junior and placed fourth as a senior. Beyond BHS athletics, Ralph was named prom king and Mr. Berlin. Graduating from Marquette University, he received a BS degree in Physics at UW-Milwaukee. He taught at Saginaw Valley State College in Michigan and then joined the AT&T Engineering Research Center/Bell Labs in Princeton, New Jersey. At AT&T he applied his academic work in experimental ultrasonics to studies of practical problems in NDT and automation. He later broadened his interests in sensor studies and hybrid systems for interrogating matter, which eventually extended to machine vision. His 23 years of science and engineering work lead to his aforementioned seven patents. He now serves as a NASA Solar System Ambassador, providing lectures about astronomy and related subjects at the Astronomy Club of Palm Coast, libraries, and local schools. Ralph has a pilot license and has conducted several Young Eagles flights. He also kept up his love for running by participating in the Boston Marathon twice plus six other marathons.

Inducted 2017

As a track star in the early 1930s, Frank Turner was a state champion in the 120 Yd. Hurdles in 1931 and in 1932 was a state champion in the 120 Yd. Hurdles, the 220 Yd. Hurdles, and the broad jump. His times both years in the 120 Yd. hurdles were 16.6 and 16.2 respectively. In the 220 Yd. Hurdles, he was timed in 26 seconds. In the broad jump, he reached 21 ft. 6 1/2 inches. He also threw the discus 112’0” in 1930. In 1931, Turner was a major contributor to help Berlin win its first state Championship with a total of 23 points to the nearest rival’s 16 points. Turner also participated in basketball for four years as one of the conference’s most accomplished rebounders and defensive players. In football, he was a feared runner for his wide end runs. He was in numerous class activities and served as Athletic Association President. He was accorded the American Legion Medal of Honor as the best all-around athlete in the graduating class. 

Inducted 2017

K.G. “Doc” Weiske played basketball and football at BHS from 1942 to 1946. He played center and forward on a co-championship basketball team that went to state when there was only one WIAA class, and was named to the All Tournament Team. He played tackle on the 1945 BHS football team that won the Little Ten Conference Championship. He was All-Conference in basketball his junior and senior years and won the Little Ten scoring title as a junior. He played basketball and football at Ripon College from 1947 to 1950, receiving All-Conference Honors his last three years. He played basketball on the All-Army team in 1953 and was drafted by the Baltimore Bullets. He coached a state-ranked Fort Atkinson High School team that lost the championship game in the ‘57-’58 season. He then coached basketball at Ripon College, winning conference titles from 1962 to 1965 with a record of 203-148. Doc also coached golf at Ripon College and played to a three handicap. He served on the Wisconsin State Golf Association board and was its president from 1979-80. He is a member of the Ripon College Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches’ Association Hall of Fame. He served on the Board of Trustees at Ripon College and the main gymnasium at Ripon College bears his name. 

Inducted 2022

A multi-sport athlete, Gary Williams competed four years in cross-country and track as well as basketball. He was an outstanding track athlete, winning three state titles in the hurdles (two in 1970 and one in 1971), setting many school, conference, regional and sectional records in the hurdles. The Oshkosh Northwestern, covering the WIAA State Track Meet in June of 1970 noted that “Berlin’s Gary Williams turned in a glittering performance in Class B action, sweeping the high and low hurdles in 14.8 and 20.4 seconds, respectively.” In addition to his three state championships, he won conference, regional and sectional events in both the low and high hurdles. At the 1971 East Central Conference meet, Gary won the 180-yard low hurdles, 120-yard high hurdles and the 220-yard dash. He also took first in two events at the Kohler Class B Regional track meet, winning the 120-yard high hurdles and the 180-yard low hurdles. At the Class B Regional track meet, winning the 120-yard high hurdles and the 180-yard low hurdles. At the Class B sectional meet he won first place in both the high and low hurdles, then at the WIAA State Track Meet, Gary won the low hurdles and set a state record of 19.5 seconds. Gary was offered and accepted a walk on track scholarship at the University of Wisconsin. During his freshman year, he earned a spot and lettered on the UW varsity track team and received the Most Improved Track athlete. He was awarded a full-time 4-year scholarship based on his performance and competed in both indoor and outdoor events for UW from 1971-75. Gary graduated in 1975 with a BA degree with double majors in Business Administration and Personnel Management. After graduation, Gary worked in the retail grocery business for several years, then as a Financial Specialist in the UW Memorial Library.

Inducted 2022

As a freshman at Berlin High School, the only reason Margie Yankowski didn’t start with the varsity volleyball team was because freshmen were not allowed to play on the varsity team. She did practice with the varsity, however, and was named MVP of the junior varsity team. She then went on to start and earn 11 varsity athletic letters in volleyball, basketball and softball. In her senior year, Margie was a unanimous all-conference choice in volleyball, was selected as a team captain and was named senior athlete for the class of 1982. Her athletic career didn’t end there. At the University of Wisconsin, missing out on making the volleyball team, she decided to try out for rowing without knowing anything about the sport. Of the 150 women at the orientation meeting, only 30 survived the grueling training sessions. Margie was one of them and went on to become part of a national powerhouse that finished in the “final four” every year she was in college. In her second year, her boat finished fourth in the national championships and in her third year, her boat again finished second at the National Championship Regatta. More was yet to come. Her senior crew season was unlike any other. The UW crews won every race for every boat they entered, including two wins over Washington, the perennial favorite. The UW crew broke three course records and was totally undefeated for every boat at the regatta they entered. Margie remained with the UW athletic department in various capacities for 32 years and continued to be active, focusing on kayaking and pickleball. 

Inducted 2017

From 1953 to 1957, Fred Zamzow played football, track, and excelled in basketball at BHS. He was a member of the 1953 and 1954 undefeated football teams and served as basketball captain. He was also a winner of the John Boettge Award. At UW-Platteville, letter all four years in basketball, played on two Wisconsin State College champion teams and in two National N.A.I.A. tournament titles. For over 30 years, he successfully taught and coached in Waukesha. 

Inducted 2017

Earl Zamzow was a member of Berlin High School’s undefeated Little Ten Championship football team, the co-champion basketball team, and the Little Ten Championship track team. As a junior, during the ‘45 track season, he placed first and third, respectively, in the pole vault and the high jump at sectionals and fifth in both events at state. As a senior in the ‘46 season he placed first at the Little Ten pole vault and high jump and second in the broad jump. That same year at sectionals, he placed first in all three events and at state placed second in pole vault and third in high jump and broad jump while setting BHS records in all three events. At Ripon College, Earl was a two-time All Midwest Conference and All American lineman in football and was one of the first Ripon College athletes to compete in track at the national level, placing ninth at the 1950 AAU National Decathlon Championships. His 350 career points in track established a seemingly unbeatable record. Earl was inducted into the Ripon College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1981, the Wisconsin Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1995, and the Whitefish Bay Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016. Upon graduation in 1950, Earl began his 37 year career as a high school biology teacher and Coach (football and track) at Ripon, West Allis Central and Whitefish Bay. He also served in the US Army Reserve for 30 years, retiring as a Colonel. 

Inducted 2018

All his life Larry Zarnott maintained a dedicated balance between education and athletics and will be remembered as a friend and advocate to Berlin Middle School students. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, he made his mark in Berlin as a teacher, coach, recreation director and principal. Larry arrived in Berlin in 1957 and taught English and Social Studies at Washington School where he also coached football, basketball and track. He opened the gymnasium for parochial athletes and was instrumental in forming the city’s first inter-city basketball tournament and league. He served as assistant and then varsity track coach where his freshman and sophomore teams garnered 10 straight Little Ten Conference titles, and a varsity team which finished second at the 1969 State meet. Larry served a Berlin’s Recreation Director for 15 years and helped establish one of the community’s most successful programs ever. He was instrumental in forming men’s and women’s softball leagues, establishing the north diamond, and providing lighted softball diamonds and community tennis courts. His recreation and athletic programs became models for area communities. In 1971 Larry became principal at Clay Lamberton School and during his tenure the number of athletic offerings substantially increased, including those in support of Title IX. He was instrumental in creating what would become the East Central Middle School Conference where Berlin was a prominent leader in both interscholastic and extra-curricular activities. He served on the WIAA Junior High School Advisory Council and was also a WIAA cross-country and track official for over 25 years. Larry proudly served the Berlin Area School District for 35 years and the west wing at Clay Lamberton School deservedly bears his name.