EHS Athletes Named fo the Heart Athletic Hall of Fame

Several Effingham High School athletes were named to the Flaming Heart Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was established in 1946 to honor those athletes who contributed to the success of the Flaming Hearts.

Originally it took four letters in one sport, six letters in two sports, seven letters in three sports or eight letters total to qualify.

At that time, athletes could compete in two sports at one time. Beginning in the early 70's, the qualifications changed to earning seven letters in a career to qualify. Then in 1994, the qualifications were again changed to the current standard which is the athlete must earn nine letters in their career or be nominated by a head coach to be placed on the ballot. Then the athlete must gain 57 percent of the committee vote to be inducted. The members of the committee include each high school head coach (one vote per sport), the athletic director and the principal.

The original Hall of Fame plaque was started in 1946. At some point in time it was abandoned and was not rediscovered until the spring of 1986, 40 years later. At that time the industrial arts classes of Jim Zumbahlen restored the original plaque.

The Hall of Fame continues to represent what is best in American youth, a desire to excel, a commitmenet to hard work and a sense of fair play and sportsmanship. Athletes who wear the Flaming Heart carry a long tradition of sucess when they enter any athletic competition.

2017 Inductees include:

GRANT WOLFE (6 Letters -2 letters in football, 4 in basketball)

Basketball

Grant scored 1,669 points for his career and is third on the boys score list for most points in a career. He earned 3rd Team IHSA 3A All-State his senior year and 4th Team IHSA 3A All-State his junior year. He was also on the All-Apollo Conference Team for three years and helped lead the Hearts to 65 wins and three conference championships during the time he was a varsity starter. Grant continued his education and basketball career at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Football

Grant had 73 total tackles and five total interceptions for his career. He was 2nd team all Apollo conference as a junior
He was 1st team all Apollo conference as a senior and was a team captain.

CALLAWAY SMITH (4 letters in golf)

Golf

Callaway is possibly the most accomplished golfer in EHS history

As a junior he had an incredible season averaging 74.9 and followed that up in his senior year averaging 75.5, which is unheard of.

He won the most tournaments of any golfer at EHS, He won the Apollo Conference He finished 3rd in regional, 511 in sectional and 21st at state as a senior

His scores counted in every high school match he played in (50 +) Career team record of 45-9 He represented EHS with the highest character

He was also a Valedictorian in his class.

Callaway is continuing his education and golf career at Maryville University.

REED SCHAFER (8 letters, 4 golf, 2 basketball, 2 baseball)

Golf

Reed was a three sport athlete and played all at a very high level and was a very coachable player.

He was an All-Apollo conference member in Golf

Played on 4 IHSA sectional teams for Golf

The four golf teams won 51-7, Most Golf wins in a 4 year stretch and highest winning percentage over a year stretch for Golf,

The team he led won two regionals and I conference championship

Played on two basketball teams won 20 games and  conference championships Played on 2 baseball teams won 20 games

Basketball

Reed was a three sport athlete during his time at EHS. He played a big role in two twenty win seasons and two conference championships during his junior and senior year. His senior year, he led the team in taking charges and often drew the toughest defensive assignments. He was second on the team in assists and shot over 70% from the line. His overall play, leadership, character, and hustle helped his team to a very successful two year run winning 20 games in each of his junior and senior seasons.

Baseball
Two year starter and team captain. Leader on and off the field, great attitude, great work ethic, great team player. He was the Rookie of the Year in 2015 and won the Hustle award last year.

Reed was also a valedictorian of his 2016 class.

JACOB DONALDSON 11 Letters (4 letters in Cross Country, 3 in basketball and 4 in track)

Cross Country

Jacob is a four year letter winner in Cross Country. He was the EHS team Top Newcomer as a freshman and the Most Valuable Runner as a sophomore, junior and senior. He was the number one runner on the team for three years. Jacob was an IHSA sectional qualifier in his senior year.

Basketball

Jacob was an Apollo All-Conference performer and made the All-tournament Team at the St. Anthony Thanksgiving tournament and the Effingham-Teutopolis Christmas Tournament All-Tournament team. He averaged 13 points per game and led the team in blocked shots as a senior. Off the court, he is a fine young man, good student, and is highly thought of by his peers. He He continued on to further his education and basketball career at McKendree University.

Track

Jacob was a talented middle distance runner for EHS. He mainly ran the 800M and 1600M runs, but was always willing to do other events-to help the team including the 4x400 relay. He was a team leader. Jacob is the F/S record holder for the 1600 meter run with a time of 4:36.64