The Federal Way School District has produced thousands of sports team lineups at Federal Way, Thomas Jefferson, Decatur and Todd Beamer high schools throughout the years.

There have also been thousands of coaches and administrators in Federal Way during that time, and some have been better than others.

But none have been better than the 15 who will be enshrined in the first-ever class of the Federal Way Public Schools’ Athletic Hall of Fame in the fall.

“We had 35 to 40 nominations submitted from the public and teachers,” said district athletic liaison Greg Flynn. “It was tough to narrow it down to 15.”

The district established the Hall of Fame to honor past employees who have made a major impact on the district’s athletic programs. Nominees to the Hall of Fame were evaluated based on the following criteria: Serving the district for a minimum of 10 years, being retired for at least five years or deceased, and having made a significant impact on the district’s or a school’s athletic program.

The inaugural class includes Joe Anderson, Gary Brines, Merlin Epp, Chuck Gearhart, Duane Hammil, Bill Harris, Kathy Harris, Bud Hatley, Al Hoppenrath, Jim Judson, Jan Kirk, Turner Kuhn, Sam Mitchell, Ron Nilson and John Sparks.

The 15 nominees will be inducted into the Federal Way Public Schools’ Athletic Hall of Fame during halftime of a football game between Federal Way and Emerald Ridge high schools on Sept. 13.

Prior to the Hall of Fame game, a reception will be held at 5:30 p.m. in the Federal Way High School cafeteria.

The new $50,000 Del Taco scoreboard will also be dedicated just prior to the game at 6:45 p.m., and the game kick-off is set for 7 p.m. KOMO TV news anchor and Federal Way resident Keith Eldridge will serve as master of ceremonies for the evening’s events.

Each Hall of Fame member will receive a certificate and have his or her name inscribed on a special banner placed at Federal Way Memorial Stadium.

Sports editor Casey Olson: 925-5565,

sports@fedwaymirror.com