Howard County Sports Hall of Fame selects 2022 class
The Howard County Sports Hall of Fame has selected its 19th class with six inductees. Inductees include a former Major League Baseball pitcher, a legendary high school football coach, outstanding basketball players, and a long-time contributor to local sports.
“This Class of 2022 represents the best in Howard County sports,” said Steve Geiselman, president of the Howard County Sports Hall of Fame board. “It is a solid mix of tremendous athletes, coaches and contributors. We are looking forward to a great induction ceremony this Fall.”
The induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Creative Financial Centre. The induction ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. and will be preceded by a social hour, beginning at 5:30 p.m., featuring light refreshments. Tickets are $15 and are available by calling Ron Barsh at 765-453-4739.
The inductees for 2022:
Coach Brett Colby elevated the Kokomo High School football program, coaching 11 seasons at the school while amassing a 90-31 record. Colby-led teams won seven North Central Conference titles, which included 39 consecutive NCC wins. In 2017, he coached the Kats to the only state finals appearance by a KHS football team.
The only boys Indiana All-Star in Western High School history, Brett Etherington averaged 14.3 points per game for the Panthers as a three-year starter. He played four seasons at Butler University, where he played in 103 games for the Bulldogs, scoring 627 points and collecting 339 rebounds.
Kokomo High School basketball player the late Chet Gabriel was the second Wildkat to be named an Indiana basketball All-Star when he earned the nod as a senior in 1940. He played collegiately at Seton Hall and then Lawrence Tech, after returning home from World War II. He was inducted into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1996.
Kokomo High School basketball standout the late Tim McFarland started every game of his career, playing in 97 games -- the most ever by a Wildkat. From 1972 to 1976, McFarland-led teams went 66-31, winning four sectionals. He finished his KHS career with 1,270 points, No. 4 on the all-time scoring list at the school.
Coca-Cola of Kokomo’s Craig Severns has continued the family tradition of supporting athletics in Kokomo and Howard County. Severns is an active contributor financially, whether it’s a scoreboard, uniform, concession stand, and overall operations. He also commits his time as a fan and advocate for local sports teams and leagues.
A Kokomo High School graduate, Joe Thatcher played at Major League Baseball’s highest level with four teams -- the San Diego Padres, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels and Arizona Diamondbacks. Thatcher retired in 2016, having played in 405 games in the big leagues over the course of nine years.