Due to a source error, the incorrect dates were initially listed in this article. The article has been updated to reflect the correct dates. 

NILES —  The first phase of the Brandywine Athletic Hall of Fame will debut this football season, commending Bobcats whose sports legacies left an impact on the district.

During homecoming weekend at Brandywine High School, the inaugural class and coaches will be inducted during the football game, at 7 p.m. Oct. 5. The athletes’ names will be read aloud during halftime. The celebration will continue at 6 p.m. Oct. 6, when a reception for the athletes will be hosted at Fifty5. There will be food and a cocktail hour. The public can attend but must purchase tickets. Ticket details can be obtained by contacting CatsHOF@brandywinebobcats.org.

The Brandywine Athletic Hall of Fame project was sparked by the Brandywine Community Schools Development Board, a board formed under the auspices of the nonprofit, the Brandywine Community Schools Foundation.

Development Board President Rod Runyan said inducting the athletes’ names into the hall is one of the first phases. Eventually, Runyan said the board hopes to have a physical space where the names can be displayed.

The inaugural class will include athletes who played between the 1960s and ‘80s.

Runyan said he is proud to have the opportunity to recognize all athletes from this time, especially women athletes in the mid-1970s, because at the time there were no all-conference honors and state playoffs for female athletes.

Runyan was among the board members who sought to contact the alumni to share the news about the hall of fame and invite them to the event. He said the overwhelming reaction was honor at the chance to be recognized.

“I think it’s going to mean a lot to these folks that their high school is recognizing them for their contributions, whether it was 20 years ago or 50 years ago,” Runyan said.

Runyan is expecting about a dozen of the alumni to be able to attend the festivities. He said the board is still trying to reach four alumni to share the news, including Albert Miller, Class of 1968; Scott Adams, Class of 1977; Stacey Liewer, Class of 1982 and Rhonda Roundy, Class of 1985. Those who have contacts for these Bobcats are encouraged to share it with the board by contacting CatsHOF@brandywinebobcats.org.

The production of a Brandywine Athletic Hall of Fame was first announced last year and is part of a larger goal to keep alumni connected with their high school. Since that announcement, Runyan said board volunteers have been hard at work tracking down Bobcats and organizing the event.

“It’s been one of those things where you just keep plugging away at it,” Runyan said. “I think people are going to be very happy when they see the initial class and the quality of the folks that are in there.”

The plan is to continue to induct athletes and coaches each year at homecoming.

“We will go through the whole process of nominations, deadlines, voting and announcements for the names,” Runyan said.

Runyan encouraged those seeking more information, including tickets to email the HOF committee at CatsHOF@brandywinebobcats.org.

Here is the inaugural Hall of Fame Class will include:

• Rex Thwaits, Class of 1965

• Albert Miller, Class of 1968

• David Stark, Class of 1972

• Ronald Woods, Class of 1973

• David Furst, Class of 1974

• Warren Watson, Class of 1974

• Daryl Walls, Class of 1976

• Mitchell Jeffries, Class of 1977

• Scott Adams, Class of 1977

• Ann Kole Short, Class of 1974

• Dianne Delf Burns, Class of 1975

• Peggy Leach Eslick, Class of 1977

• Theresa Duncan, Class of 1978

• Stacey Leiler, Class of 1982

• Rhonda Roundy, Class of 1985

• Dondi Myers Wise, Class of 1987

• Andrea Alexander, Class of 1990

Coaches:

• Don Arend

• Don Knox

• Carol Thurston

• Charles Hurdle