By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
The Buckeye Central Athletic Hall of Fame gained three new members Saturday as Melissa Hoffbauer, Richard Kempf, and John Wechter were inducted as its 16th class.
Prior to the induction taking place Buckeye Central High Schoool, Principal Dr. Mike Martin welcomed everyone who attended the event. Before the first inductee Wechter took the podium, Martin read a letter from both Wechter and Kempf’s track coach Chris Somerlot.
Wechter, who graduated in 1973, earned 11 varsity letters in golf, basketball, football and track and field. Prior to accepting his honor, Wechter was introduced into the Hall of Fame by his brother Joe.
“I knew he was a good athlete, but I didn’t realize he was that good,” Joe Wechter said. “He was a five-time state qualifier in track and field, he was part of the 1972 track team which was the first team to earn a sectional win, and when he graduated he held or tied six records in track. He went on to Ohio Northern where he still holds the record in the 200, and is in the school’s Hall of Fame.”
John Wechter shared his thoughts on entering the Buckeye Central Sports Hall of Fame.
“It feels great it is an honor to be here, especially with the other athletes that I went in with this evening. It was a special honor to go in with Dick who was a teammate of mine on the track team,” Wechter said. “It was a special moment for me, very humbling and very honoring. “
Wechter noted that it was the people he remembers most from his playing days.
“The people I encountered through my athletic career here at Buckeye Central. The conferences, we had great conferences at the time, and it is amazing how this has carried on throughout my life,” Wechter explained.
Inducting his brother Michael into the Hall of Fame last year, Richard Kempf’s role was reversed this year as his brother Michael inducted him into the Hall of Fame.
“I made him get even with me, so obviously he was chosen. He was very influential in my life so that was a no brainer,” Richard Kempf said.
Introducing his brother, Michael spoke about the instructions that he had been given.
“Rich gave me instructions to keep it short and don’t bring attention to him,” Michael said. “Big Brothers don’t do that. They lead the way and keep them humble.”
Rich, who graduated in 1974, earned eight letters in cross country and track.
“It is a very extreme honor coming back to the hometown here at the school and seeing a lot of my friends and family it is very much appreciated it is a great honor,” Rich said.
Richard reflected on his sports days noting that it wasn’t about the individuality, but the team.
“I think being under Coach Chris Somerlot we had some really good track team. It is much better to be part of a successful team than anything you can do individually being on a team with your teammates is really special,” Richard explained.
After each of their inductions Somerlot had prepared letters congratulating both Wechter and Kempf.
Melissa Hoffbauer, who graduated in 2010, is the first athlete to have graduated from the current Buckeye Central School to be inducted. Hoffbauer was introduced by her father Doug.
“There is a lot that can be said about her years as an athlete,” Doug began his introduction. “I don’t think everyone knows the countless extra hours she put in because she loved sports. It comes down to determination and motivation, and Melissa had a desire to be the best that she could be for her and her teammates.”
During her acceptance speech, Melissa spoke about where she is at in life and attributed that to her time at Buckeye Central.
“Currently I am at Notre Dame working towards my Ph.D. In chemistry,” Melissa said. “I am proud of where I am at, and believe that the crucial years were formed here at BC.”
Afterwards Melissa spoke about how it felt entering BC’s hallowed halls.
“Honestly it is one of the greatest honors in my life. I am extremely happy and proud,” Melissa said.
During her speech Melissa spoke about the two ways sports had impacted her most. The first being passion, and the second being the most important and that is the people she met along the way.
“My favorite moments are the time I spent with my teammates and my friends. I mean the memories and the stats are great, but what sticks with me the most are most definitely the relationships I formed here,” Melissa said.
Following the induction ceremony a dinner was held in the inductees’ honor at Buckeye Central. All three were then honored again during the Buckeye Central-Galion boys basketball game.