Waukesha West initiates Wall of Fame

Published on: 10/2/2013

Waukesha West High School, now 20 years old, will get into the business of commemorating its past with the announcement of a new Wall of Fame. The wall will provide recognition 'for former West students who have demonstrated excellence in various ways,' according to athletics director Kyle LeMieux.

The nomination process is now open, with an inaugural deadline of Nov. 1, 2013 for athletes who graduated in 2003 or earlier. Community members can find the link at waukeshawestathletics.com to find a nomination form.

LeMieux can be reached at (262) 970-3911 or at klemieux@waukesha.k12.wi.us.

South inducts three new members

Waukesha South recently added three new members to its Hall of Fame with the induction of Charlie Betker (Class of 1963), Rick Congdon (1967) and Leslie Vertz (1967).

Betker lettered in football, wrestling and track before his tenure as the longest-continuous serving Alderman in the history of Waukesha Common Council (founded in 1896). He stayed for 38 years before retiring in 2008, serving 15 terms. He worked with 17 commissions, standing committees and boards.

Congdon was involved in debate, drama and band before serving as a Circuit Court Judge for two years and volunteering in a number of capacities.

Vertz, who was involved in wrestling, was a Waueksha County Sheriff for 20 years and worked with a number of police and fire departments. He established the D.A.R.E. program for the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department.

Carroll adds names

Carroll University will add four new members to its Athletics Hall of Fame at a ceremony Oct. 13.

Brian Bliese, who coached from 1985-2000 at the school, was the men's and women's track and field coach and served the cross-country and football programs. He was part of nine conference championships and coached more than 50 all-conference honorees.

Brad Guettel (2001) played football and ran track, earning two All-American nods in football and three national-qualifiers in track. He was a nationally-ranked return specialist in football.

Stacey Sobilo Zurek (1979) was a four-year starter in volleyball and basketball, and her hoops team took third in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women regional tournament. She went on to a successful coaching career.

William Lueder (1956) played football as a two-way lineman for four years, earning team MVP honors. He also was a member of the basketball team.