Hammond Hall of Fame

Hammond Hall of Fame announces eight-person class

February 02, 2011 10:00 pm • By Times Staff

2011 Hammond Hall of Fame inductees

BILL ATKINS -- The former Hammond High basketball standout and 1960 graduate impressed and excelled to the final cuts as a prospective member of the Chicago Bulls in 1966. Previously, he was team captain and MVP at Hammond High and named to the Lake County All-Star team. Atkins was also a captain and MVP at Parsons College (Class of '65), he earned status in the 1,000 Point Club and set school scoring records for a season (556 points) and game (46). He is a retired sales manager.

TOM BURNS - The outstanding Gavit distance runner and 2000 graduate earned all-state honors in track and cross country. As a senior, he placed fourth in the 1,600 meters at the 2000 state finals. In cross country, he was a four-time state qualifier and a member of the Gladiators' seventh-place state finalist team in 1996. Burns went on to compete at Indiana University, where he was a four-year letterman, three-time academic award winner and the Hoosiers' MVP Track Athlete in 2005. That year, he was the Big Ten steeplechase champion and placed 11th in the USATF nationals. In all, he was a three-time national qualifier in the event. He is employed as a claims manager for GEICO.

FRANK CARROLL -- Arguably the "father" of youth soccer in Hammond, this former Hammond High football player and shot putter (Class of 1955) helped establish the soccer program at Columbia University in 1958. After returning to Hammond, he introduced and developed the boys' soccer program at Hammond High, coaching the Wildcats from 1969-94. He also coached Purdue Calumet men's teams from 1969-82 to an 81-73-8 record, leading the 1982 squad to a 14-2 record and NAIA District 21 runner-up honors. He promoted youth soccer as president of Northwest Indiana Youth Soccer, overseeing participation grow from 300 to 3,600 youngsters, He also developed a referee training program as a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) referee instructor. He is retired.

CARLA ESKRIDGE ROGERS -- She put Gavit High School on the diving map, so to speak, as a two-time, girls high school state meet finalist. She also was an Indiana Junior Olympics and White River State Park Games champion. The 1986 Gavit alumna competed in track and cross country, as well. She is employed as a medical assistant supervisor.

MARTY JAKUBOWSKI -- This 1987 Clark graduate enjoyed a brilliant boxing career. As an amateur, beginning at age 9, he was a two-time Chicago Golden Gloves Open Division runner-up and compiled a 125-35 record. At age 17, he turned professional and went on to record a 114-7 record, including 39 consecutive victories. He won the USBA title in 1994 and also fought in WBC World Lightweight, WBO World Lightweight and WBA Junior Welterweight title bouts during the 1990s. He earned Top 10 rankings in all three major boxing sanctioning bodies: WBA, WBC and IBF. After a career in which he competed worldwide, he is now the superintendent of Whiting Parks & Recreation.

THOMAS McDERMOTT -- During his administration as Mayor of the City of Hammond, he furthered a vision for a Hammond Sports Hall of Fame that came to fruition with the first induction class in 1987. His behind-the-scenes support helped enable the Hall of Fame to become a source of pride for current and former Hammond residents.

DAVID M. WILHELM -- At Hammond High, the multi-sport, 1964 graduate was a two-way all-state and all-conference tackle, playing on the Wildcats' 1962 mythical state championship squad and state fourth-ranked 1963 squad. He also was a standout heavyweight wrestler and shot putter. He continued his football career in college, earning three varsity letters and outstanding player awards at Ball State before graduating in 1969. He went on to become a highly-respected and honored coach at Southwood High School for more than 30 years, directing wrestling and football teams. He is retired.

JEFF YELTON -- After a standout, three-sport career in football, wrestling and track at Hammond Tech, the 1967 alum eventually embarked on a successful 35-year coaching career, primarily in football. He served as head coach for 11 years at Hammond Clark and Merrillville High Schools, directing his squads to an 80-42 combined overall record. Always priding himself in being "a teacher who happens to coach," he received various outstanding teaching and coaching honors. Two of his players earned high school All-America recognition, with 56 going on to play college football. Five of his Merrillville squads finished the regular season ranked among the state's Top 5.

The Hammond Sports Hall of Fame will welcome eight inductees during its 25th annual introduction dinner on March 8 at the Hammond Civic Center.

The class includes Hammond High School basketball standout Bill Atkins from the 1950s-60s; Hammond High and Ball State football player David M. Wilhelm, and football coach and Hammond Tech graduate Jeff Yelton from the 1960s; Gavit diver Carla Eskridge Rogers, Clark boxer Marty Jakubowski and former Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott from the 1980s; and Gavit and IU runner Tom Burns, Hammond and Purdue University Calumet soccer coach Frank Carroll from the 1990s and 2000s.

The event begins with a social at 5 p.m., dinner will be at 6:30 p.m., followed by the induction program at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets will be available Feb. 5. Single tickets are available for $20 each and tables of eight are available for $160 at the Hammond Civic Center, Rich's Barber Shop, House of Pizza, Cheers in Munster, Purdue University Calumet athletic office, Calumet College of St. Joseph, Cavalier Inn, Coaches Corner, Jean Shepherd Community Center, Whiting Community Center and all Hammond high school athletic departments.