Nominees being accepted for Postville Pirate Hall Of Fame

The Postville High School Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its first members in 2005 and inducted new honorees nearly every year between 2005 and 2020. Although induction ceremonies have been suspended since the onset of Covid 19, the committee is currently looking for nominees as they hope to hold a banquet and induction ceremony in 2026. Nominations are being sought no later than February1, 2026 to be considered for this year’s class.

Nominations are accepted from community members and all Pirate supporters. Membership may be considered in three categories including: athlete, coach, and special contributor. Once nominated, nominees are considered for induction each year. There are no limits to the number of inductions per year. 

When considering nominating a possible inductee, the following eligibility requirements should be considered:

• Nominated athletes must have graduated from PHS at least five years ago.

• Coaches, who are nominated, can no longer be coaching in the school district.

• Nominated Teams: It must be at least ten years since the event for which the team is being considered.

• Special contributors do not have to be graduates of Postville High School. They can be non-athletes, school personnel, community supporters, officials.

Selection committee members consist of one representative from the Postville Booster Club, two current or former coaches at PHS, three Postville Community School District members who graduated from PHS and one current or former administrator, athletic director or faculty member.

When selecting inductees, the selection committee will give particular attention to the following accomplishments: all-state teams, all-conference/ all-district, record holders, state champions, conference, sectional, district champions. When considering special contributors, attention will be paid to the nominees specific support of Postville athletics.

All Hall of Fame inductees must receive a super majority approval of the selection committee prior to being chosen for induction.

Original members of the Hall of Fame committee were Jim Bossom, former coach; Cheryl Waters, community member; Lee Marsh, community member; Jim Foster, former athletic director; Kent Schultz, booster club member; Don Drahn, former coach; Dennis White, former principal; Sandy Marsh and Denise Strudthoff, assistants to the committee.

The first inductees into the Hall of Fame included the 1948 football team which was unscored upon and unbeaten (less than ten football teams in Iowa athletic history have earned this achievement); Brett Szabo, athlete; Dr. Milton and Pauline Kiesau, special contributors; and Joni Waters, athlete.

As noted in the Postville Herald-Leader, “The 2005 inductees have a special place in the Hall of Fame as the charter members of the Hall of Fame. Not only have you blazed trails as athletes, as charter members of the Pirate Athlete Hall of Fame, you will inspire all Pirate athletes for years to come.”

Current members of the Hall Of Fame and their years of induction are as follows:

20 years ago: Jack Schultz, athlete; Brittany Heins, athlete; Craig Friederich, athlete, Jody Dean McKowen, athlete, Rhonda Rosberg, athlete; 1992 baseball team; Shannon Bucknell, athlete.

19 years ago: James Foster, former coach/athletic director; 1942 football team; Brent Meyers, athlete; 1992 football team; Jennifer Dean Acton, athlete; Ken Timmerman, special contributor.

18 years ago: Darwin Fritz, special contributor; 1991-92 girls basketball team; Ron Marlow, athlete; Scott Fritz, athlete; Sherry Swenson Deffley, athlete.

17 years ago: Don Drahn, coach; 85-86 boys basketball team; Anne Straate, athlete; Brad Snitker, athlete; Erin Sheeley, athlete; Greg Helgerson, athlete; Paul Jungblut, coach; Robert Deering, special contributor.

16 years ago: Carson Landsgard, athlete; Leonard Benson, special contributor; Wendy Waters, athlete.

15 years ago: 1984-85 wrestling team; Mark Mueller, athlete; Dean Ohloff, special contributor; Don Koenig, athlete; Lisa Deering, athlete.

14 years ago:Cliff Marlow, athlete; Jeff Huinker, athlete; Stuart Fritz, athlete; 1990-91 girls basketball team; Hall Roberts, special contributor; Lori Huinker, athlete.

13 years ago: Audrey Blumhagen Tschirgi, athlete; Carrie Seeley, athlete; Daryll Stenberg, coach; Byron Schultz, athlete; Mark Zieman, special contributor; Mike Bossom, athlete.

12 years ago: 1953-54 boys basketball team; Craig Harberts, athlete; Rhonda Rathje, athlete.

11 years ago: Bill Harris, special contributor; Brad Bucknell, coach; 1989-90 boys basketball team; 1990-91 boys basketball team; Leah Lechtenberg, athlete.

9 years ago: Doug Smith, athlete; Joel Hanson, athlete; 1970 football team; Lisa Landt, athlete; Jenny White Schutte, athlete.

7 years ago: 2001-02 girls basketball team; 2002-03 girls basketball team; Mitchell Schultz, athlete; Cloy Schultz, Jr., athlete; 1967-68 football team; Lynn O’Hara, athlete.

Anyone who would like to nominate an alumni of the Postville Community School to be considered to be inducted in the Postville Athletic Hall of Fame, may nominate them until February 1, 2026. You may submit nominees by using the online form or download, print and mail form option at www.postvilleschools.com/nomhalloffame25. The form may also be found printed in next week’s Herald.

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