AUBURN, Ala. – A conversation with Pat Dye steered Steve Wallace to the Plains in the winter of 1982, the beginning of a career that included an SEC championship, three Super Bowls and induction Saturday into the Tiger Trail of Auburn. “Coach Dye told me about tradition, standards and making our people believe that we can […]
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AUBURN, Ala. – A conversation with Pat Dye steered Steve Wallace to the Plains in the winter of 1982, the beginning of a career that included an SEC championship, three Super Bowls and induction Saturday into the Tiger Trail of Auburn.
“Coach Dye told me about tradition, standards and making our people believe that we can win,” Wallace recalled Saturday in the Rane Room of the Auburn Athletics Complex. “When he told me that, I said I’m coming to Auburn.”
Part of a star-studded 1982 freshman class that included Bo Jackson, Wallace helped clear the way for “Bo Over the Top,” Jackson’s winning touchdown in the 1982 Iron Bowl. Part of Auburn’s 1983 SEC championship team, Wallace earned all-SEC honors in 1985, crediting Dye for helping instill in him a work ethic that carried Steve through 12 NFL seasons.
“Coach Dye told me to simply grind,” Wallace said. “Grind and grind again. That’s what we do in life. When we have obstacles in our way, we just grind. That’s what Coach Dye taught me: if you continue to grind, great things will happen. This is what the hard work and determination brings you in the end.”
Drafted by San Francisco in the fourth round in 1986, Wallace played 11 seasons with the 49ers, winning three Super Bowls and earning All-Pro honors.
“I played the game with a teamwork concept,” he said. “If you’re in a corporation, everybody can’t be the president or the vice president, but you can be a great teammate and that’s what I was. I enjoyed every second of the game of football and I never scored a touchdown.”
Another former Auburn offensive lineman, 2014 Rimington Trophy winner Reese Dismukes, joined Wallace in the Tiger Trail Class of 2025, along with former Auburn soccer coach Karen Hoppa and Jack Stewart, Auburn basketball’s first All-American.
“There are so many people who have come through this university who deserve this honor,” said Dismukes, a four-year starter at center from 2011-14. “I was very fortunate to have a lot of great people around me, great teammates and great coaches. You become a bond like no other. This is for all of us.”
A consensus first team All-American in 2014 and two-time first team all-SEC center, Dismukes helped Auburn win the 2013 SEC championship and compete for the national championship.
“The Auburn family, the fanbase, this family is special,” Dismukes said. “It’s with me every day. Being recognized is a true honor. I’m very grateful and look forward to bringing my family and show it to them one day.”
After coaching the Tigers for 26 seasons, Hoppa retired following the 2024 season, stepping down with 293 of her 357 wins coming at Auburn, along with 18 NCAA tournament appearances, an SEC regular season championship and an SEC tournament title.
“The greatest honor of my career,” Hoppa said of her Tiger Trail induction. “I’m truly grateful. If you love Auburn, it will love you back. There’s no doubt about it. I am living proof of that.
“I quickly realized coaching soccer was an opportunity to make a difference in young people’s lives. That’s why I stayed in coaching and the part I enjoyed the best. I coached so many great Auburn women. That’s all I wanted to do, to make a difference.”
A three-sport Auburn standout from 1930-32, the 6-foot-5 Stewart played basketball and football alongside Ralph “Shug” Jordan, while also setting the conference high jump record.
“Basketball was still finding its footing, and it was pioneers like my dad who helped build the foundation,” said Jack’s son, Jim Stewart, accepting on behalf of his deceased father. “He didn’t just play in the program. He elevated it. He helped put Auburn on the map.
“He played with heart, grit and unstoppable determination. That All-America honor was not just a personal achievement, it was a historic moment for Auburn basketball, a glimpse into the greatness that was coming.”
Founded in 1995 by the Auburn Chamber of Commerce, the Tiger Trail recognizes legendary Auburn student-athletes, coaches and administrators with plaques bearing their names on downtown sidewalks.
The inaugural class included Jackson, Jordan, Chuck Person, Vickie Orr, Jeff Beard, Jimmy Hitchcock, Harvey Glance, Rowdy Gaines, John Mengelt, Travis Tidwell, Pat Sullivan, Zeke Smith and Tucker Frederickson.
The four inductees in the Class of 2025 brings the total number of honorees to 140.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on X: @jeff_shearer
Mounds View is the Suburban East Conference champion in the first year of boys volleyball as an MSHSL sport. The Mustangs, coached by Kressen Anderson, were 9-0 in the conference, and are 13-11 overall heading into sectionals. They closed the regular season last Wednesday beating Centennial 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 26-28, 15-9. Junior middle hitter Tate […]
Mounds View is the Suburban East Conference champion in the first year of boys volleyball as an MSHSL sport. The Mustangs, coached by Kressen Anderson, were 9-0 in the conference, and are 13-11 overall heading into sectionals.
They closed the regular season last Wednesday beating Centennial 25-17, 25-18, 22-25, 26-28, 15-9.
Story Links BALTIMORE, MD – The Johns Hopkins men’s track and field team will send three student-athletes to the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, as released by the association. Connor Oiler, Oluwademilade Adeniran and Emmanuel Leblond will make the trip to Geneva to compete across three events […]
BALTIMORE, MD – The Johns Hopkins men’s track and field team will send three student-athletes to the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, as released by the association.
Connor Oiler, Oluwademilade Adeniran and Emmanuel Leblond will make the trip to Geneva to compete across three events beginning Thursday, May 22 and running through Saturday, May 24.
The action is set to begin on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. with Oiler in the 3000-meter Steeplechase, where the junior will look to win his first title in the event. The top 12 finishers in the steeplechase will move on to Friday’s final.
Saturday’s festivities are set to being at 11:00 a.m. with Adeniran in the triple jump, where the reigning Centennial Conference champion, and school record holder looks to compete for a podium spot. The championship will conclude Saturday night when Leblond, the Centennial Conference Champion, returns to the track in the 5000, where he holds the Johns Hopkins record and the 10th-fastest time in the country this season.
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Two local high schools are celebrating CIF-Central Section boys volleyball championships. Santa Ynez outlasted Sanger West in five sets to win the CIF-CS Division 2 championship (Photo courtesy CIF-CS). Nipomo sweeps Roosevelt to win the CIF-CS Division 3 championship. (photo courtesy CIF-CS). (Video courtesy of Nipomo Facebook and CIF-CS). BE PART […]
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Two local high schools are celebrating CIF-Central Section boys volleyball championships.
Santa Ynez outlasted Sanger West in five sets to win the CIF-CS Division 2 championship (Photo courtesy CIF-CS).
Nipomo sweeps Roosevelt to win the CIF-CS Division 3 championship. (photo courtesy CIF-CS).
(Video courtesy of Nipomo Facebook and CIF-CS).
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Story Links BALTIMORE, MD – The Johns Hopkins women’s track and field team will send 12 student-athletes to the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, as released by the association. Lorna Arcese, Sara Bartlett, Carter Brotherton, Cooper Brotherton, Adriana Catalano, Erika Ezumba, Annie Huang, Mirra Klimov, Emma Kothari, […]
BALTIMORE, MD – The Johns Hopkins women’s track and field team will send 12 student-athletes to the NCAA Division III Outdoor Track & Field Championships, as released by the association.
Lorna Arcese, Sara Bartlett, Carter Brotherton, Cooper Brotherton, Adriana Catalano, Erika Ezumba, Annie Huang, Mirra Klimov, Emma Kothari, Lauren Phillips, Lianne Saussy and Harrinee Senthilkumar will make the trip to Geneva to compete across nine events beginning Thursday, May 22 and running through Saturday, May 24.
The action is set to begin on Thursday at 5:50 p.m. with a trio of Blue Jays in the 1500-meter, where Huang, the reigning Centennial Conference Champion will look to win gold, alongside teammate’s Kothari, the conference runner-up, and Senthilkumar. The top 12 in the event will advance to Saturday’s final to compete for a podium spot.
The Blue Jays will be busy on the track Thursday and Friday, with Co. Brotherton (3000S), Phillips (400), Klimov (100), Huang (800) and the 4×400 relay squad (Phillips, Huang, Arcese, Saussy) all competing in their respective preliminary races beginning at approximately 7:35 p.m. on Thursday and 3:15 p.m. on Friday. The top eight finishers in the 100, 400, 800 and 4×400 will advance to the finals, while the top 12 from the steeplechase will move on to Friday’s final.
Saturday’s festivities are set to begin at 11:00 a.m. with Ezumba in the hammer throw, where the reigning Centennial Conference champion and Field Athlete of the Year looks poised to compete for a podium spot. The final day will conclude when Ca. Brotherton and Catalano make a run at the 5000-meter podium.
VIDEO: Meet Joshua Scholl Joshua Scholl Photo Gallery Why I Chose FAU:‘FAU is a great up-and-coming university. Our campus is located in beautiful Boca Raton, close to the beach and Miami. FAU’s dedicated faculty and great facilities provide me with the opportunity for an excellent education in sunny Florida. In addition, I enjoy the unique […]
VIDEO: Meet Joshua Scholl
Joshua Scholl Photo Gallery Why I Chose FAU:‘FAU is a great up-and-coming university. Our campus is located in beautiful Boca Raton, close to the beach and Miami. FAU’s dedicated faculty and great facilities provide me with the opportunity for an excellent education in sunny Florida. In addition, I enjoy the unique opportunity to participate in and represent one of America’s top tennis programs: FAU Men’s Tennis! Go Owls!’
As a Junior (’09-’10): Finished the season posting winning records in singles and doubles action…Tied for team-high honors with 26 total victories…Went 13-8 in singles but saw his most effectiveness in doubles where he posted a 5-1 mark with Ervin Garibovic and 7-4 record with Derek Madon…Scholl clinched the match point in FAU’s victory over New Orleans in the Sun Belt Conference Championships after playing a vital role in clinching the doubles point…He finished the year winning six of his final nine matches.
As a Sophomore (’08-’09): Compiled a 12-9 record at the number four singles position…One of six Owls to record double digit wins last season…Tied for team-high honors with 15 doubles’ victories teaming with Daniel Vardag. As a
Freshman (’07-’08): Saw action in six matches, all duals…was 3-2 at no. six…was 4-3 in double play, all at no. 3, but with three different partners…only two singles losses on the year was to members of nationally ranked teams.
High School: Home Schooled.
Tennis: Won National Doubles Title in New York in the 18s Division…held an ITF ranking in the top 800.
Personal: Biological science major…son of Udo and Karin Scholl…born June 27, 1988 in Engelskirchen, Germany…speaks three languages: German, Spanish and English.
| FAU Career Singles | ||||||
| Year | Dual | Overall | ||||
| 2007-08 | 4-2 | 4-2 | ||||
| 2008-09 | 13-9 | 14-10 | ||||
| 2009-10 | 12-8 | 13-8 | ||||
| Total | 29-19 | 31-20 | ||||
| FAU Career Doubles | ||||||
| Year | Dual | Overall | ||||
| 2007-08 | 4-3 | 4-3 | ||||
| 2008-09 | 16-8 |
16-12
|
||||
| 2009-10 | 13-7 |
13-7
|
||||
| Total | 33-18 | 33-22 | ||||
By Joe Harris | Special to the Post-Dispatch ST. PETERS — Francis Howell Central senior Chase Williams couldn’t wait to take the court on Friday. The Spartans setter had plenty of motivation as he and his teammates took on district rival Francis Howell North in the boys volleyball Class 1 District 6 championship match at Fort […]
ST. PETERS — Francis Howell Central senior Chase Williams couldn’t wait to take the court on Friday.
The Spartans setter had plenty of motivation as he and his teammates took on district rival Francis Howell North in the boys volleyball Class 1 District 6 championship match at Fort Zumwalt East.
“This is probably the most anticipated I’ve ever been for a volleyball game,” Williams said. “I was thinking about it all day. I went into it thinking, you know, if it’s 1-v-6, if it’s me versus them, I’m coming out on top. I’m not losing district finals my senior year.”
Williams was true to his word, running the Howell Central offense to near perfection in a 25-22, 25-12, 25-16 win.
Howell Central (30-3-2), the state runner-up last season, will play Pattonville (11-13-1) in sectionals.
Jason Campbell ripped 16 kills and Gavin Schlatter and Ethyn Durham each had seven for the Spartans. Williams finished with 30 assists, while Braden Harton led a lock-down back row defensive effort.
“We’ve been preparing all week,” Howell Central coach Steve Le said. “We had a good game plan coming in, and they executed pretty well.”
Samuel Fitzsimmons and Joshua Windsor each had nine kills and Luke Hollinger had 23 assists for Howell North (18-8).
“I think mentally clawing our way back so close (in the first set) and then losing it hurts mentally,” Howell North coach Robin Yuede said. “They’re a seasoned team. They’re a great team. If I got to lose to someone, it might as well be them.”
Howell Central won both regular season matches but needed a dramatic reverse sweep to pull out the second meeting. The Spartans saved the drama this time.
After taking the first two sets, Howell Central’s block set the tone early in the third set as the Spartans jumped out to a 5-0 lead. Campbell, Levi Brimm and Durham each had stuffs in the frame.
“I like getting blocks because I don’t get a whole lot of them,” Campbell said. “So, whenever I do, it really turns me up.”
Campbell’s sixth kill of the set brought up championship point and a Knights’ hitting error ended the 68-minute match.
“Our passing was on point today,” Williams said. “Just running the middle just slightly off the net, giving them space to swing away, working in our right side from time to time, and then really working in those back row options … really went well tonight on offense.”
Yuede said the future is bright for the Knights with a strong group returning.
“These guys just love the game, and so they work hard,” Yuede said. “You know, we’re not the tallest, we’re not the strongest, we don’t have, you know, an entire team that plays club ball, but these guys work hard every day.”
Kills by Durham and Campbell helped give the Spartans a 21-17 lead in a tightly-played first set. A Williams ace brought up set point and a Schlatter laser clinched the opener for Howell Central.
Campbell and Schlatter each had five kills and Josh Hadden put down three aces for the Spartans in the first set.
“We thought it would be a good game,” Campbell said. “They definitely showed out. But, I mean, we turned up, we played how we play.”
Howell Central took control of the second set with an 11-0 run sparked by Trent Adkerson’s aggressive serves. When he wasn’t putting down his two aces, Adkerson flustered Howell North’s serve receive leading to several hitting errors as the Spartans jumped out to a 15-3 lead.
“He’s got a great deep float serve,” Le said of Adkerson. “He serves way back, so there’s that extra time and the extra movement that you get.”
Campbell put down five kills and a Harton ace helped Howell Central take a 2-0 lead.
Howell Central will travel to Pattonville in sectionals on Tuesday, May 20. The Pirates, who were the No. 3 seed in District 5, upset top-seeded Ladue in the championship match on Thursday.
The Spartans swept the Pirates on March 29.
“If the kids do what they did today, we should be OK,” Le said. “I mean, they played with great energy, they had great serving, great blocking. I always tell the kids that with blocking, passing and serving, if you win two out of the three, usually you win the game.”
Francis Howell Central def. Francis Howell North 25-22, 25-12, 25-16
Francis Howell Central players celebrate as the ball fall to give them a three set seep and the victory during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans junior opposite hitter Trent Adkerson (5) looks up as he visualizes where he is going to toss the ball before starting his jump serve during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central players celebrate with the championship plaque during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central players celebrate with the championship plaque during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell North Knights junior setter Luke Hollinger (6) and Francis Howell Central Spartans junior outside hitter Gavin Schlatter (10) battle at the net over the ball during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central players celebrate as the ball fall to give them a three set seep and the victory during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans senior setter Chase Williams (13) sets the ball for a teammate during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central players celebrate a point off the attack hit by Francis Howell Central Spartans senior middle blocker Ethyn Durham (19) during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans junior outside hitter Jason Campbell (6) hits against the blocking of Francis Howell North Knights sophomore middle hitter Noah Rowland (7) and Francis Howell North Knights senior right side hitter Weston Peck (11) during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell North Knights junior middle hitter Boston Party Winchester (16) tips the ball over the block attempt of Francis Howell Central Spartans senior middle blocker Ethyn Durham (19) during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans junior opposite hitter Connor Steinbruegge (21) hits the ball off the blocking of Francis Howell North Knights senior outside hitter Joshua Windsor (24) and out of bounds for a point during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans freshman setter Josh Hadden (17), Francis Howell Central Spartans junior libero Braden Harton (4) and Francis Howell Central Spartans junior opposite hitter Trent Adkerson (5) watch the ball fall out of bounds off a serve for a point for their team during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell North Knights junior setter Luke Hollinger (6) sets the ball for a teammate during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans senior setter Chase Williams (13) sets the ball for Francis Howell Central Spartans junior middle blocker Levi Brimm (7) during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans junior opposite hitter Trent Adkerson (5) gets low to receive the ball and make a bump pass during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans senior setter Chase Williams (13) brings the set back away from the net due to the blocking by Francis Howell North players at the net during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans junior opposite hitter Connor Steinbruegge (21) and Francis Howell Central Spartans junior middle blocker Levi Brimm (7) put up a defense at the net during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell North Knights junior setter Luke Hollinger (6) starts a back set during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans freshman setter Josh Hadden (17) starts his serve during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell North Knights sophomore defensive specialist Danny Shi (12) dives and gets his hand under the ball to keep it alive during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans junior outside hitter Gavin Schlatter (10) hits through the blocking of Francis Howell North Knights junior middle hitter Boston Party Winchester (16) and Francis Howell North Knights junior setter Luke Hollinger (6) during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans senior setter Chase Williams (13) and Francis Howell Central Spartans senior middle blocker Ethyn Durham (19) block the attack hit during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell North Knights junior setter Luke Hollinger (6) tries to block the attack hit of Francis Howell Central Spartans junior outside hitter Gavin Schlatter (10) during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans junior outside hitter Gavin Schlatter (10) hits off the blocking of Francis Howell North Knights junior setter Luke Hollinger (6) and Francis Howell North Knights sophomore middle hitter Noah Rowland (7) during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell North Knights senior outside hitter Joshua Windsor (24) tries to tip the ball over the blocking of Francis Howell Central Spartans junior opposite hitter Connor Steinbruegge (21) during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell North Knights junior setter Luke Hollinger (6) and Francis Howell North Knights sophomore middle hitter Noah Rowland (7) try to block the attack hit during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans junior outside hitter Jason Campbell (6) hits past the blocking of Francis Howell North Knights senior right side hitter Weston Peck (11) during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
Francis Howell Central Spartans junior outside hitter Jason Campbell (6) has his attack hit blocked by Francis Howell North Knights junior middle hitter Boston Party Winchester (16) and Francis Howell North Knights senior right side hitter Weston Peck (11) during the District 6 Championship match held on Friday May 16, 2025 at Fort Zumwalt East High School in St. Peters.
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