Order of Inductees: Eddie Kriwiel- Coach Kriwiel came to Wichita in 1947 to attend the University of Wichita (now WSU) where he started at quarterback for three years and led the Shockers to two bowl game appearances. At one point, Kriwiel held 9 offensive records for the Shockers and was third in the nation in 1949 for total yards. He was the first football coach at Wichita West, arriving when the school opened in 1953 and remained a Pioneer for 14 years. With Coach Kriwiel guiding them, the Pioneers won 6 conference titles, had 4 unbeaten seasons (1959, 64, 65, and 66), and had an overall record of 93 wins-7 losses and 7 ties. The Pioneers were on a 33 game winning streak when Coach Kriwiel left to coach at Wichita State. Mike Blue- Mike Blue is a 1959 graduate. He lettered one year in basketball, two years in football, and three years in baseball. Blue was selected to All-City in football one year and three years in baseball. After graduation, Blue played professional baseball for five years in the Washington Senators and San Francisco Giants organizations. After his playing days were over, Blue began his teaching career, returning to Wichita West in 1976 and staying here for 24 years until he retired in 2001. In addition to his teaching, Blue coached baseball and football and was our athletic director for five years. Along with being a member of our hall of fame, Mike Blue is also in the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame.
Kenny Coleman- Kenny Coleman is a 1960 graduate. While attending Wichita West, Coleman was a three sport letterman, lettering in football, basketball, and baseball. Following his Senior year in football, was as selected to the first team All-City and All- State teams. After graduation, Coleman earned a full athletic scholarship for football to the University of Kansas where he played for 3 years. John Mosier- John Mosier is a 1966 graduate. Pioneer football went 18-0 during his two years as a starter with Mosier earning All- City, All-State, and Wichita Eagle Top 11 his Senior year. On the basketball court, Mosier was named first team All-City and helped the Pioneers to a 19-2 record and a City League Title. After graduation, Mosier went to the University of Kansas and was named the Big Eight Conference s Newcomer of the Year playing tight end. He was named All- Conference following the 1968 season which saw the 9-2 KU Jayhawks playing the Orange Bowl. Mosier went on to play three seasons in the National Football League playing for Denver, Baltimore, and New England. John Mosier was named the eighth ranked athlete in the history of the City League by the Wichita Eagle.
Karl Papke- Karl Papke was a 1980 graduate. He was a two time All-City and All-State selection in 1979 and 1980. After his senior year, he was named an All-American by Parade magazine. After graduation, Papke attend Wichita State on a basketball scholarship. Along with being a member of our hall of fame, Karl Papke is also in the Biddy Basketball Hall of Fame. Kent Hill- Kent Hill is a 1983 graduate. While at Wichita West, Hill was a three time letterman in basketball. He was selected first team All-City and All-State in his Junior and Senior years. His play his Senior year earned him Wichita Eagle player of the year and All-American honors, as well. Hill played a key role in the Pioneers winning the City League title during both his Junior and Senior years and the Class 6A State Championship his Junior year in addition to a third place finish at State his Senior year. After graduation, Hill attend the University of Iowa on a basketball scholarship and was a three year letter winner. Upon graduating from the University of Iowa, Hill played professionally for 15 seasons in the CBA and France.
Jay Holmes- Jay Holmes is a 1985 graduate. He was a four time All-City soccer selection (when Wichita High Schools were only three year schools). During his junior year, he helped lead the Pioneers to their first City League Soccer Championship. On the 50 anniversary of the City League, Jay was selected as one of the Top 11 soccer players in City League history and is widely considered to be the best male soccer player the league has produced. After graduation, Jay attend Newman University, receiving All-District 10 first team honors all four years and has gone on to be a successful high school coach. Jennifer Hopkins Moore- Jennifer Hopkins Moore is a 1985 graduate. During her Junior and Senior years at Wichita West, she earned six letters in four different sports: volleyball, basketball, softball, and swimming. During her Junior year, she helped lead the basketball team to a City League title and was a First Team All-City selection. Her Senior year, Hopkins Moore was again selected First Team All-City. In addition, she was MVP at the Great Bend Midseason Invitational, earned All-State honors, was selected to two All-Star games, and was name Wichita West s female athlete of the year. After graduation, she attended Barton County Community College and Friends University, earning all-conference honors as a Senior.
Jerry Corner- Jerry Corner is a 1994 graduate. On the football field, Jerry was a two time All-City first team selection (1992 and 1993) and was an All-State selection his senior year. He played a big role in leading the football team to its first league title in 25 years and was selected as a 1994 Shrine Bowl player. On the wrestling mat, Jerry was a two time state champion (1993 and 1994) at heavy weight, going undefeated his senior year. After graduation, he attended Garden City Community College and University Nebraska-Omaha and was a wrestling All-American. Tristan Deshazer- Tristan Deshazer is a 2006 graduate. During his senior year, he became Wichita West s first (and currently only) and the State of Kansas twentieth four time wrestling state champion, finishing his career with a 147-3 record. His state titles were at 103 lbs his Freshman year, 112 lbs his Sophomore year, 119 lbs his Junior year, and 130 lbs his Senior year. After his senior year, he was named a High School All-American and earned the honor of Asics Greco All-American. After graduation, Tristan attended Northern Illinois University where he is the career pin record holder and a National qualifier.
Charlie Alderson- Charlie Alderson came to Wichita West 1968 and became a fixture here until retiring in 1994 with a football season dedicated to their athletic director which resulted in a City League Championship. The impact Coach Alderson made at West is immeasurable. In addition to teaching physical education and drivers education, Coach Alderson served as head wrestling coach, head football coach, assistant coach in track and field, and athletic director. Charlie is known for many things: being a great storyteller and a tireless worker, for running a tight ship with the lunch time concession stand, but he is most known for his love of kids and coaches. As athletic director, Coach Alderson felt that a coach s connection with the kids was much more important than a win-loss record. Under his leadership, the coaches at West High were more connected to each other than any other coaching staff around. They were truly a tight group who enjoyed working together for the kids at West. He also inspired young coaches and those desiring to get into the profession. He once told a young guy hoping to get into teaching and coaching that what s important is kicking their butts and loving them up and that the great coaches know when to do which. It was clear that Charlie s greatest love was the kids. He was old school, but the kids knew he loved them and craved his attention. There was nothing better than to get thumped by coach or as one young guy found out, getting pulled by his letter jacket through the concession stand window for saying Thanks, Charlie after getting a hotdog at lunchtime. Charlie Alderson s coaching and leadership of the West High athletic program positively affected the lives of countless kids and coaches. He loved them, challenged them, and inspired them. We are proud to induct Coach Charles Alderson into the first class of the Wichita West High School Athletic Hall of Fame. 1981-82 Basketball Team- Coached by Head Coach Mike Bonczyk and Ron Allen, the 1981-82 basketball team went 21-3 and won the Class 6A State Championship, the first (and currently only) State title in basketball. On the way to the title, the team won our school its first City League title in 16 years going 13-3 in City League play. The Pioneers also won the Coffeyville Classic midseason tournament. The team was led by All-City selections seniors Ted Barney, Eric Griffith, Eddie Lyday, and junior Kent Hill. These four also earned All-State Honors: First Team-Ted Barney and Kent Hill and Third Team-Eric Griffith and
Eddie Lyday. When asked about this team, Coach Bonczyk shared, You don t win the way we did without having character. Great character with selfless play, by all players, made the State title possible. The team members here tonight are: Srs Jrs Soph Mgr Ted Barney Dwayne Edleman Myron Holliday Chris Hull Eric Griffith Gary Garner Eddie Lyday Kent Hill Todd Wessell Anthony Johnson Paul Lamb James Smith Anthony Weaver 1966 Football Team- The 1966 Football Team finished the season at 9-0. They won the City League title and were also State Champions. The Seniors on this team never experienced a loss at the varsity level as they were undefeated all three years at Wichita West. Coach Kriwiel shared with the Wichita Beacon, This team did something I didn t believe it could do. That was to beat Southeast, North, and East in a row. Based on this and the records they broke, I would have to say this is the best team we have ever had. Some of the records Coach Kriwiel referred to are: Most points in a game-66 vs Bishop Carroll Team Defense-fewest rushing yards allowed Team Offense-most rushing yards gained Single game total offense-492 yards Single game rushing-378 yards High School Attendance record-12,000 in attendance at WSU s Veterans Field to watch West defeat North: 20 to 15 The 1966 City and State Championship team was the last Pioneer Football team coached by Coach Eddie Kriwiel.