Masters, Watt part of inaugural class of Section VI Hall of Fame

Grand Island Vikings athlete Stacey Schroeder-Watt and coach Gene Masters have been selected as part of the inaugural class of the Section VI Athletic Hall of Fame.

Their induction ceremony will take place at The Van Miller Club at Ralph Wilson Stadium Nov. 7 at 7:30 p.m. during the high school football playoffs.

The two will join Ed Leibinger, Drake Francescone, Jacqueline Brummer, Robert Barrows, Daryl Johnston, Sally Kus and Ron Black.

The late Gene Masters was the first football coach at Grand Island High School and coached the Vikings to 248 wins. He won more than 400 games coaching the Vikings baseball teams as well.

Watt is an associate professor of anesthesiology at the University at Buffalo. She set a state record in the discus while competing for Grand Island High School and is a former state champion for both discus and shot put, setting records that still stand today.

She was inducted into the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.

In 1992, her success in the discus circle earned her the No. 1 ranking in the United States for high school athletes in discus. In addition, she was two-time USA indoor scholastic throwing champion and Gatorade Circle of Champions State Winner/Player of the Year.

After receiving a full athletic scholarship to the University of Florida, Watt was named a two time NCAA All-American in discus and placed in the U.S. Olympic festival and Pan-American Games.