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Du Quoin Hall of Fame Selects Class of 2008

Posted August 22, 2008 11:00 pm

Jeff Profitt

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The Du Quoin Community Unit School District by vote of its Galen Davis

Davis District #300 Hall of Fame Committee- is proud to announce its second

class of inductees into the hall of honor.

Formed in alliance with the District #300 Foundation in 2006, the

athletic portion of the hall of fame will recognize six individuals and one

legendary Du Quoin team.

Induction ceremonies are planned during a special banquet Oct. 18 in the

commons area of Du Quoin Middle School.

The evening prior, Hall of Fame Weekend kicks off before the Indians

vs. Sparta football game at Van Metre Field.

Two-sport All-American and former major league pitcher Don Stanhouse

headlines the Class of 2008, which also includes early 20th century track

and football standout "Big" Tom Kelley; the late Kris Stacey‹regarded as Du

Quoin¹s top female athlete‹and the Class A State Champion Discus throwing

and football standout tandem of brothers David and Jack Rodley.

Emery Martin was elected in the coaching category.

"The committee had little trouble voting the members into this years

class," Hall of Fame chairman and Du Quoin (Middle School) administrator

Jeremy Cornett said. "The committee looked at the numerous accomplishments

of all the nominees and each individual inductee and team had a significant

impact on their era at Du Quoin High School. The committee again has set the

bar very high for induction."

From 1933-1941, Martin posted sparkling records as football and

basketball coach at old Du Quoin Township High School while also leading

DTHS tennis and track programs.

The undefeated 1968 football team (10-0), quarterbacked by Stanhouse and

guided by first-year coach Bob Karnes, becomes the school¹s first gridiron

squad selected.

Kelley (1902-1905) played football at the University of Chicago for

famed coach Amos Alonzo Stagg and was the blocking back for legendary

running back Walter Eckersall. He later coached at the collegiate level and

was Athletics Director at the University of Nebraska. Kelley won the

Illinois state Shot Put title in 1905.

Stacey, who lost a valiant two-year struggle with cancer last September,

excelled in four sports for the Lady Indians while earning a softball

scholarship to Eastern Illinois University. She last coached and taught in

the Elverado school system.

Jack Rodley won the 1981 Class A Discus title with a school-record toss

of 166¹7.

A few years later, younger brother and US Olympic hopeful David

shattered the mark.

David¹s DHS career best of 188¹5 remains one of the Top 15 all-time

discus throws in Illinois prep history.

A five-time state medalist, he went on to star at Arkansas State. Both

Rodley¹s were all-state football players for DHS.

Stanhouse¹s legendary exploits included All-American honors in football

(QB-S) and baseball (P-SS) as a senior. He also still ranks among the

school¹s top 10 all-time scorers in basketball and was a first round draft

choice of the Oakland A¹s in May of 1969.

Stanhouse¹s 14-year professional baseball career included stints with

Texas (1972-74), Montreal (1975-77), Baltimore (1978-79, 1982) and Los

Angeles (1980-81). He recorded 45 saves during a two-year stint with the

Orioles, making the American League All-Star team in 1979.

Baltimore won the 1979 AL pennant and lost a tough seven-game World

Series against Pittsburgh. Stanhouse saved two games and had a 1-2 pitching

record during the post season.

Martin¹s teams at DTHS won eight district and/or regional titles in nine

basketball seasons while winning 20 or more games six times.

Going 170-58, the Indians were also six-time conference champions under

Martin.

In football, his 46-31-7 record included three league titles.

Martin left Du Quoin for Gillespie halfway through the 1942 season and later

became Superintendent of the high school district there for many years.

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