Close to 200 people were on hand at the AmericInn on Saturday night when nine individuals — seven former players and two coaches — were honored as the first inductees into an athletic hall of fame formed at International Falls High School.
The Bronco Athletic Hall of Fame’s first inductees include: former football players Bronislau “Bronko” Nagurski, Bronko K. Nagurski, Frank Youso and Jim Crotty; former hockey players Tim Sheehy and Dick Dougherty; former track hurdler Tony Lynch; former hockey coach Larry Ross; and former football coach Stuart Nordquist.
All six surviving inductees were present to accept their plaques, while family members of the three decreased inductees spoke on their behalf.
Another set of plaques honoring the inductees will be displayed on the wall area near the Falls High School gymnasium entrance, said Bronco sports booster and FHS math teacher Timm Ringhofer, who served as a master of ceremonies for the induction banquet along with Tim Wegner.
Jan Carlson, who is the daughter of the late Bronislau “Bronko” Nagurski, said in her acceptance speech that his experiences in the Falls “laid the foundation for his later success,” which included playing college football at the University of Minnesota and then professionally for the Chicago Bears.
“Some of you may have known my father...a quiet man who would stand in front of the Post Office, or down on Main Street, and talk to you about hunting or fishing, or Bronco sports,” she said. “But he would never talk about his own accomplishments.
“He was the same at home. I had to read magazine or newspaper articles, or sometimes the back of the Wheaties box, in order to learn about his athletic career.”
Despite the numerous opportunities for her father to go into business elsewhere, Carlson said, “International Falls was always his home.”
“He could not bring himself to leave this area and the rich life that he had here,” she said. “I know he would be thrilled with what you’re doing here tonight.”
Bev Nagurski, the wife of the late Bronko K. Nagurski, who was part of Falls’ 1954 state championship football team and later played college football at Notre Dame and then for Hamilton in the CFL, accepted the plaque on his behalf. She talked about when her husband was first diagnosed with cancer in 1996.
“He always referred to football,” she said. “Football was a big part of him getting well. ...He used the analogy of football all time.”
After he was diagnosed in 2010 with an incurable form of cancer and then his health deteriorated, she said, “He knew then he wasn’t going to make the goal line.”
“March 7, (2011) was the end of Bronko’s football game and the end of his football journey and the end of his life’s journey,” she said. “I can really say that I was so glad we were here in International Falls, his hometown...where everyone was so helpful and so supportive.”
While International Falls is known as “the cold spot in the nation,” she said “the people here are the most caring, and they have the warmest hearts.”
Steve Ross, the son of the late Larry Ross, accepted the plaque for his father, who coached the Bronco boys hockey team for 31 seasons, which included six state championships and 14 state tournament appearances from 1954-1985.
Steve Ross said his father was able to be a successful hockey coach because “he really loved all of his players and he treated them all with respect.”
“He was the most positive coach,” he said. “He never, like, hollered or screamed. He never swore, ever, anywhere on the team. He always led by example, and he would teach the game.
“His players responded because everybody just loved him so much. They just played their hearts out for him.”
Silent auction, future inductees
Falls Athletic Director Don Rolando was in charge of a silent auction held just prior to the induction ceremony. Ringhofer announced the auction raised more than $1,500 for the Bronco Athletic Hall of Fame.
While nine individuals are among the first inductees, the group involved in setting up the hall of fame has planned to vote on up to four nominees per year for possible induction in subsequent years.
In addition to those previously nominated but not inducted this year remaining in consideration for future years, Bronco sports fans will be able to submit additional nominations of a player, coach/director/advisor, at-large member or team to the hall of fame in care of Rolando.
The nomination form was available at Saturday’s induction banquet and is also posted on Falls’ school website.
