GC Sports Hall of Fame
Announces New Inductees for Class of 2016

The Grundy Center Sports Hall of Fame announced the election of five new members to be inducted during Felix Grundy Days festivities this summer.

Elected to the Class of 2016 are four athletes and one coach. They are athletes Dave Ralston, Kurt Helmick, Jeff Crisman, Adrianne Alexia, and Coach Phil Lebo. This is the 13th class chosen since the inception of the Hall of Fame in 2004.

The honorees will be inducted during the Hall of Fame’s annual public ceremony on Saturday, July 9th during Felix Grundy Festival activities. A wall plaque commemorating each inductee’s sports career will also be added at the high school “Wall of Fame” alongside 76 previous inductees going back to 2004.

Dave Ralston (Class of 1974) was a versatile athlete earning 11 letters competing at a first team all-conference level in football and basketball, as well as being a 3-time state qualifier in tennis. He twice made it to the State tennis semi-finals under Coach John Doak. Dave went on to letter in tennis 4 years at Truman State University, formerly Northeast Missouri State.

Kurt Helmick (Class of 1977), was another all-around athlete who earned 11 letters football, wrestling and track. He was a three time all-conference running back in football, a two-time State place winner in wrestling, and part of the Spartans state qualifying relay teams in track. He was chosen a team Captain for both football and wrestling and set the Spartans record for rushing yardage in a season. He also went on to wrestle at the University of Northern Iowa.

Jeff Crisman (Class of 1978) joins his two brothers, Terry and Joel, in the Hall of Fame. He earned 10 letters in high school in football, basketball, track and baseball. Jeff was first team all-conference in both football and basketball and a team co-captain for football. He was a two-sport athlete at Luther College where he earned 2 letters in baseball and 4 in football. He was a first team all-conference defensive end in 1981 for the Norsemen and a team co-captain.

Adrianne Alexia (Class of 2010) becomes the youngest member of the Hall of Fame. She earned 11 letters in high school for track, cross country, and basketball before going on to an outstanding track career at the University of Iowa. Adrianne was a 3-time state champion in track relay events and helped set two State record times in the process. She was an 8-times Conference champion while setting numerous Spartan records and twice selected the conference Most Outstanding Woman Athlete. While earning 4 track letters at Iowa, she ran the 4th best 800 meter time in school history.

Phil Lebo (coach from 1980-2006) joins the coaching ranks of the Hall of Fame with his Spartan career over two decades. Lebo was the head coach in baseball, boys track, and football at both junior high and high school levels and basketball for junior high. He was elected to the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and served as the association president. He served on the initial Grundy Center complex board, and coached baseball for 21 years. As track coach, he sent 53 athletes to the State track meet during a 15 year career.

The Grundy Center Sports Hall of Fame was organized in 2004 by local athletic boosters. Its purpose is to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of athletes, coaches, administrators and contributors who have been involved in or supported the athletic programs of the community. Nominations for the Hall of Fame are welcome from the public and can be made through members of the committee.