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Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024

The Kirkwood School District celebrated the work of athletes, coaches, and community members on and off the playing field, pool, mats, and court on September 6 and 7 during a full weekend of events to celebrate the KHS Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

On Friday night, the inductees were honored at a recognition ceremony held during halftime of the KHS Varsity football game. Each inductee, or a representative on their behalf, was acknowledged during the event.

On Saturday, the group reconvened in the David Holley Assembly Hall for the unveiling of the Hall of Fame plaques and a tour of campus. The group then attended a pre-event reception before entering the Keating Theatre for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Doug Vaughn (KHS ‘74) emceed the ceremony. Each inductee was introduced, had the opportunity for an acceptance speech, and was presented with a “Crystal K’ award.

Over 600 people attended Saturday’s event, where 12 athletes, five teams, three coaches, and two community members were inducted.

The Athletic Hall of Fame aims to honor athletes, coaches, and community members who have made significant contributions to Kirkwood High School athletics or have achieved recognition at the collegiate or professional level. Additionally, the inductees serve as role models for our student-athletes, inspiring them to strive toward their full potential.

The honorees inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024 include:

Athletic Hall of Fame 2024

 

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James Johnson, Class of 1938
James E. Johnson, Class of 1938

James Johnson received multiple varsity letters in football, wrestling, and track and field while attending KHS. He was co-captain of the football and track teams during his senior year. He was the Missouri State AAU high school high hurdle champion his senior year. He received a full athletic scholarship to the University of Missouri.

Read Bio about James E. Johnson, Class of 1938

September 6, 2024 Hall of Fame Tailgate Party and Halftime Recognition

A group of five young people standing in front of a large sign that reads %22KIRKWOOD%22 and a table with a %22Hall of Fame 2024 inductee check-in%22 sign.
A group of people in red shirts stand in front of a large %22Kirkwood%22 sign, with a table displaying information about the 2024 Hall of Fame induction.
The image shows a group of people with a table displaying various items and a man in a red shirt interacting with a woman.
The image shows three people in red shirts engaged in conversation
An man stands in front of two large posters displaying a boys' cross country team, wearing a denim jacket and smiling
The image shows three people, two women and one man, standing in front of a red and white %22Hall of Fame%22 backdrop, with the man holding a trophy.
Two men in casual clothing are shaking hands in front of a cross-country team sign.
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A group of people, including adults and children, posing in front of a red and white %22Hall of Fame%22 backdrop.
A group of young people, some seated and some standing, posing in front of large posters featuring portraits of individuals, in what appears to be a gymnasium or indoor sports facility with red walls.
Four older men wearing casual clothing and badges are standing together in front of a red backdrop.
Three women in red shirts stand in front of a large portrait of a man on an easel against a bright red background.
A group of people, including several young people, standing together in front of a red and white backdrop with the text %22Hall of Fame%22 prominently displayed.
The image shows a smiling older wearing a white shirt with %22Kirkwood%22 written on it, standing next to a woman wearing a gray shirt with %22Kirkwood%22 written on it, both standing on a running track with spectators in the background.
Four individuals standing on a sports field at night, wearing casual clothing and event badges.
A group of people standing on a well-lit field, with the number %2230%22 prominently displayed on the turf.
A person in a white jacket and pants is standing on a football field, waving to the crowd in the background.
A smiling woman in casual clothing stands on a sports field, waving to the crowd,
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A group of people, including adults and children, are standing on a sports field at night, with a stadium and lights visible in the background.
Two people wearing red shirts and name tags are standing on a football field at night
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The image shows two people, a man and a woman, standing on a football field at night. The man is wearing a red shirt and the woman is also wearing a red shirt. They appear to be celebrating or cheering for something.

Saturday, September 7 Induction Ceremony

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Hall of Fame inductees seated on red stadium-style seats against a red background
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A group of people posing in front of a large %22Kirkwood%22 sign on a brick wall.
A group of people, both seated and standing, posing for a photograph in front of a large %22Kirkwood%22 sign on a brick wall.
A group of people, both men and women, are standing together in a room with shelves displaying various items.
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Three young women in red and gray shirts stand in front of a brick wall, one holding a program for Hall of Fame.
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A group of people gathered around a table filled with various food items, including a cake, in what appears to be a celebration or event setting.
The image shows a man standing in front of a display featuring a portrait of Matt Krapfl
The image shows a woman standing next to a poster displaying a boys' cross country team
A woman in a black dress is standing next to a poster titled %22Coach Louis Diaz%22.
The image shows a group of five women posing in front of a red and white backdrop with the text %22Hall of Fame%22 prominently displayed.
The image shows a group of people gathered in a formal setting, with several individuals seated at a table in the foreground, surrounded by a larger crowd in the background.
The image shows three individuals standing in a hallway with a sign for %22Kirkwood High School Alumni%22 visible in the background. The individuals are holding a bouquet of flowers and appear to be celebrating or honoring someone.
A group of adults, some seated, gathered together in what appears to be a community or social event
A large group of people seated on a stage in front of a red backdrop with the text %22Hall of Fame%22 displayed prominently.
A group of people, some seated and some standing, are gathered on a stage in a theater-like setting, with a dark background and stage lighting.
A man in a suit and tie stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone, with a large %22Hall of Fame%22 sign visible in the background.
A man in a suit stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone against a bright red background.
A woman with dark hair stands on a stage in front of a large red backdrop with the text %22HALL OF FAME%22 displayed prominently.
A woman in a striped dress stands on a stage in front of a %22Hall of Fame%22 backdrop, surrounded by an audience seated in chairs.
A man in a suit stands on a stage in front of a large %22Hall of Fame%22 sign, holding a plaque
A man in a suit stands on a stage in front of a large %22Hall of Fame%22 backdrop holding a plaque
A man in a suit stands on a stage in front of a large %22Hall of Fame%22 sign, holding a plaque
A man in a gray shirt stands on a stage against a bright red background, with a group of people seated in the background.
A woman in a vibrant red and white patterned dress stands on a stage in front of a large %22Hall of Fame%22 sign.
A person wearing a yellow jumpsuit and a wide-brimmed hat stands on a stage with a large %22Hall of Fame%22 sign in the background, surrounded by an audience.
A man in a suit and tie stands on a stage in front of a large red backdrop with the text %22HALL OF FAME%22 displayed prominently.
A smiling woman wearing a black hat and patterned top stands on a stage with a large red backdrop.
A woman stands on a stage in front of a large %22Hall of Fame%22 sign, wearing a white top and a bright red skirt.
Three men standing on a stage in front of a large red backdrop, with a crowd of people visible in the background.
A man stands at a podium, speaking into a microphone, with a dark background behind him.
A group of people sitting in an auditorium applauding and clapping enthusiastically against a bright red backdrop.
The image shows a man in a suit standing at a podium on a stage, The background is a large red wall with the text %22Hall of Fame%22 displayed prominently.
A stage with a large %22Hall of Fame%22 sign in the background, a podium in the foreground, and several people standing on the stage.
A group of four people, two men and two women, standing in front of a large red backdrop with the text %22HALL OF FAME%22 prominently displayed.
A group of people standing on a stage in front of a red backdrop, with a wooden podium and potted plants visible.
A man in a red shirt is speaking on stage, with two women standing beside him on a red-colored stage.
A group of people, both men and women, standing on a stage in front of a large %22Hall of Fame%22 sign against a bright red background.
A group of people standing on a stage against a bright red background.
A man standing at a podium, speaking into a microphone against a bright red background.
A group of people standing on a stage in front of a large %22Hall of Fame%22 sign, with an audience visible in the background.
A man in a red tie and khaki pants stands on a stage in front of a large %22Hall of Fame%22 backdrop, surrounded by an audience seated in chairs.
A smiling woman in a red blouse stands on a stage in front of a large red backdrop
The image shows a man and a woman standing on a stage, with the woman holding a plaque or award. They are both wearing red shirts and there is a large %22Hall of Fame%22 sign visible in the background.
A group of people standing on a stage in front of a large %22Hall of Fame%22 backdrop, with some individuals in the foreground and others in the background.