ALLIANCE, OHIO – (January 18, 2024) – The Alliance High School Athletic Hall of Fame will welcome six new members during a ceremony set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 7 pm in the AHS Auditorium.
The Class of 2024 is the first to be inducted since 2019. The inductees will include Samantha Bluhm ‘08, Mark Black ‘93, Vince Kehres ‘94, Coach John Hampu ‘69, Coach Al Eibel and Dennis Clunk ‘75.
“Arriving at these six deserving participants was not an easy task,” said Tim Goodman, Alliance City Schools Athletic Director.
The Alliance Athletic Hall of Fame committee, which is made up of former Alliance High School coaches and athletes, current AHS administration and other Athletic Hall of Fame members, set several times to evaluate the nearly 50 applications. After much deliberation, the field was narrowed down to Bluhm, Black, Kehres, Hampu, Eibel and Clunk.
“This year’s inductees represent a diverse array of athletes, coaches and contributors. Each member has their own unique story of perseverance and triumph,” Goodman said. “These stories have added to the rich history and tradition of Alliance Aviator Athletics.”
Samantha Bluhm ‘08 is a Four-Time State Qualifier and Two-Time State Placer for Swimming. She holds the AHS records in the 200 Yard Freestyle, 50 Yard Freestyle, 100 Yard Butterfly, 100 Yard Freestyle, 500 Yard Freestyle and 100 Yard Backstroke.
Vince Kehres ‘94 participated in Football, Baseball and Swimming. His accomplishments include 1993 All Stark County, All Federal League in Football and being a 2022 Art Broyles Award Nominee. He is a 12-Time National Champion as a player, assistant coach and head coach at Mount Union.
John Hampu ‘69 coached for the State Street Blue Devils, Stanton Buckeyes and Alliance Aviators from 1972-1985. He coached the Stanton Buckeyes Track and Field Teams to 10 undefeated seasons with over 150 wins. He also coached 23 members of the AHS Athletic Hall of Fame and is a Karl Werthwein Award Winner.
Dennis Clunk ‘75 championed the construction of numerous athletic facilities including Early Hill Park, AHS Baseball and Softball stadiums and the Rockhill Soccer Complex. He also founded Project 2000, which managed the construction of Marc Anderson Indoor Athletic Facility.
Al Eibel was selected as the 2000 and 2002 Stark County Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year and the Federal League Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year in 2000. He is 2016 inductee of the Canton Rugby Hall of Fame.
Mark Black ‘93 played Football and Baseball earning him Honorable Mention All Ohio, All Northeast Ohio Inland District, All Stark County, All Federal League, All Canton Repository and All Alliance Review in Football. He is the 1997 Lee Tressel Award Winner, Three-Time All OAC and Two-Time National Champion at Mount Union.
The induction ceremony on Feb. 17 is free to attend and open to the public. The inductees will also be recognized during halftime at the Varsity Boys Basketball game on Friday, Feb. 16. Tickets will need to be purchased to attend the game.
For more information about the Alliance City Schools, visit www.alliancecityschools.org.