The Central Lee Community School District has inducted three new members to its Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2023.
This year, the Hall of Fame honors a former coach and two former student-athletes whose impressive legacies have left an enduring mark on the Central Lee community.
“We take immense pride in acknowledging the exceptional achievements of these outstanding student-athletes and coaches whose remarkable contributions continue to inspire our athletic community,” said Dr. Andy Crozier, Central Lee Superintendent. "This year, we celebrate two versatile, multisport athletes and an exemplary six-sport coach. We look forward to reuniting with these distinguished individuals and honoring their accomplishments together."
Inductee Don Ford dedicated over three decades to coaching at Central Lee. Throughout his career, he coached student-athletes in an impressive six sports. Among his notable achievements, he founded the volleyball program at Central Lee and served as the head coach for 31 years. Ford's guidance led the volleyball team to capture nine conference titles in just a decade, earning him multiple conference coach of the year awards.
Ford's influence extended to numerous sports, with 11 years as head basketball coach, another 10 years as an assistant, as well as 10 years as head coach of girls' track and softball. Additionally, he served as an assistant football coach for one year and volunteered as the head girls golf coach for three years.
Beyond his dedication to sports, Ford has demonstrated unwavering support for Central Lee's extracurricular activities, including school plays, show choir, band, and more. His mentorship has empowered countless young individuals to develop their skills and self-confidence, both on and off the field.
Also inducted this year is Jeff Brisby, one of the most distinguished student-athletes in Central Lee's history. His exceptional talents transcended multiple sports, earning him first-team all-conference honors in football, basketball, and baseball. Brisby was a standout on the All-Hawkeye Land team in both baseball and basketball and received honorable mention all-state recognition in all three sports.
In basketball, Brisby’s senior year saw him achieve a remarkable average of 22 points and nine rebounds per game. On the football field, he excelled as a quarterback, passing for 1,100 yards and leading the conference in tackles. In baseball, Brisby maintained a .380 batting average and was a dominant pitcher, with a 10-1 record and an ERA under 1.00.
Christy Schrader (Holtkamp) is a Central Lee graduate and accomplished three-sport athlete. Her basketball achievements include scoring 1,311 points and grabbing 733 rebounds. Her defensive talent is evidenced by an astounding 273 blocked shots, placing her among the top 50 high school girl basketball players in state history.
In 1993, Schrader's incredible performance included scoring 550 points in a single season, along with 303 rebounds, ranking her in the top 30 in state history. During her senior year, she averaged 5.27 blocks per game, also ranking in the top 30 in state history.
In addition to her contributions to basketball, Schader showcased her talents in volleyball and golf. Off the fields and courts, Schrader demonstrated leadership by serving as president of the student council.
The Athletic Hall of Fame was established as a platform to honor, preserve, and celebrate Central Lee’s rich history and its tradition of excellence in athletics. It highlights the significance of high-achieving graduates and former staff members who left a lasting impact on the school community during their time at Central Lee.
Community members, families, staff, and alumni are encouraged to nominate individuals for Hall of Fame recognition. To be eligible for nomination, individuals must have graduated from Central Lee schools or have been a staff member and should be at least five years removed from their association with the district. A committee reviews all nominations and determines each year's inductees. Central Lee also has Academic and Fine Arts Halls of Fame.
The Central Lee Community School District's Hall of Fame ceremony to honor the 2022 and 2023 inductees will take place on Saturday, April 6, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at Central Lee High School.