Joe Betustak Jr.
Bishop Noll Class of 1988
Deceased
Betustak was a versatile football player as an offensive lineman, linebacker and punter. He earned all-region and all-conference recognition as a center. In college, he was a three-time letter winner as a defensive tackle at St. Joseph’s College, which established the Joe Betustak Award for courage in his honor. Also at Noll, he was a three-time letter winner in baseball as a catcher and first baseman.
Sigmund Golonka
Clark Class of 1941
Deceased
A championship wrestler, he won a state title for Clark in 1941 and also competed on the Pioneers’ state championship team in 1937-38 as a freshman.
He went on to compete at Indiana University, earning three varsity letters in ’42-43, ’45-46 and ’46-47. For IU’s undefeated ’45-46 squad, he also earned All-America honors placing 3rd at 175 pounds in the NCAA Tournament.
Jim Nolting
Hammond High Class of 1963
Frankfort, Ill.
This multi-sport standout played on five state championship teams during high school. Nolting started at center for the Wildcats’ 1960 and ’62 mythical state title football teams. He also started at defensive end and served as co-captain of the ’62 team. He was a 165-pound state wresting finalist on the Wildcats’ ’63 state championship squad and played on a Connie Mack state title baseball team.
He went on to earn varsity letters in both sports at Bowling Green State University.
Barry “Bear” Quigg
Morton Class of 1958
Highland
This three-sport athlete excelled particularly on the baseball field, starring as a third baseman and pitcher.
He went on to play at Missouri Valley College. Before graduating there in ’68, he helped lead his team to the College World Series by recording the 5th leading batting average in the nation. Following his playing career, he continued his athletics career as a high school coach at Hammond Tech and Bloom Trail.
Artie J. Rogers
Morton Class of 1988
Merrillville
Rogers was an all-state linebacker in 1987. He went on to play briefly at St. Joseph’s College. The seven-time high school letterman in two sports also was a sectional and two-time all-conference wrestler. After graduating from Purdue University Calumet in 1995, he continued his athletics career as a successful high school coach.
Peter "Pete" Smith
Hammond Tech Class of 1967
East Chicago
An accomplished, three-sport high school athlete in track, basketball and cross country, Smith was an Indiana high school track & field state finalist in 1966 (5th) and ’67 (4th). He continued to achieve as a high jumper and hurdler at Rust (Mich.) College (’67-70), earning recognition as a conference record-setting high jumper.
Also as a high jumper, he qualified for the 1968 Olympics.
Shayne P. Snider
Gavit class of 1991
Valparaiso
Snider competed in four sports but excelled especially in football, playing wide receiver, quarterback and safety. He was a two-time Bloomington Herald-Telephone all-state selection in 1989 and '90, also earning all-region and all-conference honors. As a free safety at Valparaiso University, he recorded 19 interceptions and earned All-America and all-conference honors in ’93 and ’94.
Rayfield Stringer III
Bishop Noll class of 1998
Hammond
Stringer excelled in basketball as a versatile guard at Bishop Noll and Purdue Calumet. After graduating from Noll in 1998 as his team’s MVP (14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals per game), he became a four-year starter at PUC. Before graduating in ’03 he averaged 20.8 points and was 3rd in career assists. As a senior he was NAIA Academic All-America and All-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. He also received his conference’s award for athletic and academic leadership.
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