Niagara Wheatfield CSD inducts 6 into Hall of Fame

By Lisa Bielmeier

Orleans/Niagara BOCES Public Relations Director

Niagara Wheatfield Central School District has selected six new members into its Falcon Athletic Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame has been established to honor the athletic accomplishments of the alumni and staff of Niagara Wheatfield.

“Inductees are ambassadors of the spirit that is the hallmark of Niagara Wheatfield,” says Falcon Hall of Fame Committee Chairperson Al Pogel.

Niagara Wheatfield’s Hall of Fame honors alumni who have stood out or made an impact on the school’s community.

“As Niagara Wheatfield eclipsed 50 years of existence, it was time to pause and reflect back on individuals who helped make the District a special place,” Mr. Pogel says. “The Athletic Hall of Fame is designed and intended to recognize and respect our history. To pay tribute to our past, we look to individuals, who by their efforts, bring honor to our district.”

The inductees for the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022 are Richard Placek (Class of 1979) for track and field, who is a pole vault school record-holder; Michael Zarrillo (Class of 1992) for football and basketball; Helene Cowell (Class of 1990) for soccer, basketball and softball; Karen Heimgartner (Class of 1996) for soccer and softball; Chrissy Milleville (Class of 1998) for soccer, basketball, softball and track; and Brandon Schrader (Class of 2013) for soccer and hockey.

The ceremony will be held at the high school at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 5, and is open to the public. Doors will open at 9:30 a.m. at the site, located at 2292 Saunders Settlement Road in Sanborn. There are no more tickets available for the luncheon directly after the ceremony.

“The displays for the Wall of Fame include grand archive cases with important historical materials from our past,” Mr. Pogel says. “The plaque presentation is unique and unparalleled in our area. The honored inductees are pictured on glass plaques, suspended on wire, overlooking our high school courtyard. The courtyard is the site of the school’s first graduation. It is an impressive way to honor our heritage, as well as continue to look to our future.”

Nominations for the 2023 Athletic Hall of Fame are now open. Please go to the district’s website at www.nwcsd.org under “Community Resources” to find the form.