L.C. Bird seeks first Hall of Fame inductees
By Marcy Horwitz CONTRIBUTING WRITER

L.C. Bird High School tackle Allen Spurlock passes to quarterback Chris Moore during practice.

"We want our alumni to always remember their roots," says Ron F. Paquette, athletic director at L.C. Bird High School. Paquette is the driving force behind L.C. Bird's new Hall of Fame.

"The Hall of Fame is something I have wanted to do since I took over as AD," says Paquette, who joined the L.C. Bird faculty in 1982. "We have had some outstanding athletes who have gone on to distinguished college and professional careers."

Others, not necessarily athletes themselves, have played important roles in supporting L.C. Bird's sports programs. The Hall of Fame, Paquette continues, "is a way to recognize people who in one way or another have made a contribution to our athletic program."

The Hall of Fame is currently seeking its first inductees. Paquette invites nominations from the community in three categories: athletes, coaches and athletic administrators, and benefactors. There are eligibility requirements for each category. Nominations will be accepted until Mar. 1.

Lynne Bennett (1981) began attending L.C. Bird while workmen were putting the finishing touches on the building. She was a track star back then; today, she's supervisor of physical education for Chesterfield County Public Schools, and a member of the committee that will help Paquette evaluate nominations.

With increasing frequency, current events show that good athletic ability and good citizenship do not necessarily go hand in hand. By focusing on both ability and character, Bennett says the awards are sending an important message to today's young people.

Jim Copp, L.C. Bird's retired wrestling coach and assistant principal, heads the Hall of Fame selection committee that includes Bennett and some of Bird's better-known sports and education figures. Chuck Tester is Bird's head coach for boys despite his "retirement." Before his retirement, Jim Watters taught physical education and coached football there. Walt Gilliam, also retired, coached football and was a guidance teacher. Mike Chaney (1982) coached basketball at his alma mater. Thomas Ferrell is L.C. Bird's assistant principal.

The group will choose 10 people to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the fall of 2008, when their names will be enshrined on the wall outside the the school's gym.

It shouldn't be hard to find inductees. "Once they leave, they still come back for events," says Paquette of L.C. Bird's former players.

Bennett agrees. "So many people who graduate from Chesterfield schools settle here."

It's not unusual for former players to have children of their own at the school now.

Paquette says, "It will be special for them to see their parent's name on a wall. And, maybe, someday theirs."

For nomination forms and additional information about selection criteria, contact Ron Paquette at 768-6110.