Archive: Sports

Between the Lansing Bobcat's varsity and junior varsity games against Dryden Saturday, the Lansing Athletic Hall of Fame will induct four new members.  Hall of Fame Chairman Marty Christopher says that Amy Childers (swimming, basketball, track) and Dennis Eade (football, track & field, wrestling), both of the class of 1993, will be inducted along with class of 1996 graduate Kevin Kessler (football, track & field).  The 1976-77 Boys Basketball Team will join those athletes in being honored.

The Hall of Fame is located behind the Lansing High School gymnasium.  Plaques mounted on the wall commemorate Lansing's great past athletes with pictures taken at the time they played and a synopsis of their achievements.  This year Geoff Wright will be back as Master of Ceremonies to host the event.



Kevin Kessler, Graduated 1996
During a 4-year varsity football career, and as an All-State running back in his junior & senior years, Kevin became the most prolific yardage producer in Lansing football history. He accumulated 3,784 yards during his career, averaging 6.8 yards per carry. He had blazing speed with an ability to elude tacklers, making him nearly impossible to bring down. He amassed 55 career touchdowns, of which 27 came during an amazing junior campaign, when he lead the 9 & 1 Bobcats to a Divisional Title. As a sophomore the team compiled another 9-win season with a tie, with the only loss coming in the NY State Semi-Finals. Kevin was also outstanding on defense, accumulating over 200 tackles from his outside linebacker position, 84 coming during his terrific junior season. He lead the Bobcats to 25 wins during his 3 years as starting tailback, with only 4 losses and a tie. His phenomenal speed made him a natural in the track and field arena, where he earned varsity letters for 4 years. Not only did Kevin dominate all of the individual and multi-school meets in the 200 & 400 meter runs and hurdle events, but joined teammates to bring home titles in numerous relays. His brilliant performances not only brought him All-IAC accolades, they earned him All New York State honors three times, as well.


Dennis “Bubby” Eade, Graduated 1993
An outstanding 3 sport athlete, Dennis collected 10 varsity letters during his high school career. He earned 3 letters in football, playing wide receiver as a sophomore, and tailback as a junior & senior, when those teams combined for a 16 & 3 record.  He rushed for over 1,800 yards those two seasons as an integral part of teams ranked high in the state. He played offense, defense, special teams, and was team captain as a senior. He also participated in the “Ernie Davis Exceptional Senior Game”. As a 3-year varsity wrestler he was dominant, finishing among the top 3 in Class D Sectional Championships each year. He was captain as a junior & senior, leading the senior squad to a 10 & 1 record. His greatest achievements however may very well have been in the track & field arena, where he accumulated 4 varsity letters, being named Most Valuable Runner 3 times. He set school records for the 400m, 4 x 400m, and 4 x 100m at the time, going undefeated in 1993 while receiving the “Officials Association Outstanding Performance Award” and the “Coaches & Officials Most Valuable Runner Award”. A high light to his career was becoming the first Lansing track athlete to medal at the NYS Federation Track & Field Meet in 1993, and his selection as the Outstanding Senior Male Athlete for 1993. 

Amy Childers, Graduated 1993
Amy was a spectacular 3 sport letter winner, earning 12 Varsity letters, of which 5 were in swimming as a member of the record setting girls team from 1988 thru 1992. The team won the IAC & Section IV Class C Championships from each year, finishing undefeated in 1991, and ranked in the nation. Amy was a 4 year IAC All-Star and team Co-Captain as a junior & senior.  While in the 9th grade she was a member of the Sectional Championship 400 freestyle relay team. As a junior Amy was named Academic All-American (NISCA), and she was twice named a member of the NYSPHSAA Scholar/Athlete Team. In her senior year she was a member of the 1st place Section IV 200 medley relay & free style relay teams. Amy was also a 3-year basketball standout. As a sophomore she played a major role during the Lady Cats 1st Sectional Title. As a junior & senior she was a key part of teams that won both IAC Division & Small School Championships, and was named both years IAC All-Star. Her athletic prowess continued in the spring where she earned 4 varsity track letters and MVP honors 3 times. She was the school record holder for the 400 & 100-meter hurdles and the 400 meter & 800 meter relays. Amy was the first female track star from Lansing to attend state competition, representing the Bobcats for 3 consecutive years. Amy will be remembered not only for her outstanding athletic achievements, but also as an outstanding scholar, graduating Salutatorian of her class.

Lansing High School 1976-1977 Men's Basketball Team
In 1976-77, a basketball team coached by Hall of Fame Coach Fred Caliel, began the season as a group of young players, that became in every sense of the word, a “Team”. Losing one early season game by 2 pts to Marathon, who they later beat three times, the Bobcats roared to a 23 - 1 final record. They won Championships in the Northeast IAC Division, the IAC, Section IV, and Regional Playoffs. A strong scoring and rebounding squad that averaged 74 points per game, outscoring opponents by nearly 24 points per game. They were led in scoring by Hall of Fame member Tim Kick, who averaged 22.6 points per game, the highest average in school history through 2006, and in rebounding by Larry Moore, who averaged nearly 13 rebounds per game. Kick and Moore, both seniors, were named IAC Northeast All-Stars, and Kick was selected 2nd Team All-State as well. The all senior starting five of Moore, Kick, Dick Wagner, Mike Caliel and Bob Hoaglin, was complimented by fiery 6th man, sophomore Mike Rosetti, and juniors Rick Angerer, Wayne French, JJ Solomon, Jeff Colt, as well as senior Jeff “Stoney” Erickson. As Coach Caliel summed it up, when asked what made this group of young men so special, he said, “They're a bunch of winners, in every sense of the word. They set their goals, and lived up to them.”