Three vintage teams elected to Grundy Sports Hall of Fame

The Grundy Center Sports Hall of Fame announced the election of three vintage teams to be inducted during Felix Grundy Days festivities this summer. The teams selected are the 1943 and 1944 undefeated football teams and the 1962-63 boy basketball team.  More elections of teams and individuals will be announced shortly.

The 1943 and 1944 Spartan football teams are linked by a common coach, back-to-back undefeated seasons, and dominating defense.  

The 1943 team, coached by Hall of Famer Melvin Fritzel and led by Hall of Famers John “Bud” Peterson and Leon Bockes outscored opponents 242-13 with Peterson accounting for 161 while going 7-0.                   

The 1944 Spartans also went undefeated and were unscored upon under Coach Fritzel, although they had a 0-0 tie in their first game of the season.  After that, they outscored opponents 186-0.

The 1962-63 Spartan basketball teams were the cream of the crop of excellent basketball teams in the early 1960s.  They took a 17-1 record to Marshalltown for the District finals, upset Marshalltown, and went on to sub-state where they lost to East Waterloo before they had classes by school size.

All three teams and others yet-to-be-announced additional honorees will be officially recognized during the Hall of Fame’s annual public ceremony at Noon on Saturday, July 8th during Felix Grundy Festival activities.  

A wall plaque commemorating each team will also be added at the high school “Wall of Fame” alongside individual inductees and teams previously elected.  

The Grundy Center Sports Hall of Fame was organized in 2004 by local athletic boosters.  Its purpose is to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of athletes, coaches, administrators and contributors who have been involved in or supported the athletic programs of the community.  Nominations for the Hall of Fame are welcome from the public and can be made through members of the committee.