After witnessing over 25 years worth of notable athletes, the halls of Niwot High ran out of room to recognize the All-Conference and better achievements of its students.  Two years’ discussion and a new administration produced a solution that seems to satisfy everyone. 

The entrance to the east gym at the school has been home to a display of 8” x 10” photographs of Cougar athletes who have achieved All-Conference or All-State recognition. Included among them are NFL punter Aron Langley and professional baseball player Virgil Chevalier as well as many other exceptional athletes. 

Shortly after a group of NHS Booster Club members finished rematting the photos two years ago, they realized there was room for only one more photo on the south wall above the trophy cases.  A search for current college ballplayers Danielle Olsen, Candice Morris, Mike Moat Pat Perry, Matt Brown and Matt Barker would be in vain, not to mention many members of state champion gymnastics teams. 

A long and sometimes controversial discussion took place as to what to do next.  There was no more room on the south wall, and the north wall was filled with plaques honoring team achievements in athletics. 

Some wanted to remove the photos entirely and focus on recognition of student academic achievement.  Others wanted to continue the photo gallery down the hallways of the school.  A committee tried to reach a consensus but became deadlocked with out resolution.

This fall, NHS Booster Club president Patrice Cable and NHS principal Don Haddad worked together to find a solution.  Cable has long been a supporter of recognizing students’ athletic accomplishments, and not just because her daughter Kendra’s photo was on the wall.  She has long campaigned for a solution that preserves the earliest photos of students from the 1970’s and was unwilling to sacrifice them to the need for more space for recent students. 

When Haddad took the reigns at Niwot this fall, he made it clear that he supported as much recognition as possible for both athletic and academic excellence.  Fans following a sports or music program at the school can’t help but notice his presence.

Together, Cable and Haddad were able to forge a solution with help from other booster club supporters, coaches and administrators. 

The plan is to continue the Wall of Fame on the north wall of the east entrance, which should provide enough room for another 10 years’ worth of photos.  The plaques that currently hang there will be relocated.  New trophy cases will be installed to hold the trophies that continue to accumulate.  Students who achieved academic honors will also be recognized at the school.

Athletes who have not been recognized in the past are urged to furnish an 8” x 10” photo and a copy of their All-Conference certificate.  Beginning with athletes from the fall 2001 sports season, the Booster Club plans to take photos of everyone selected for All-Conference to place on the wall.  Players who make All-Conference in more than one sport will have more than one photo on the wall. 

Cable hopes this will solve the problem of the omission of some athletes in the past who simply did not supply a photograph.  “We hope to get this done well before graduation this spring,” Cable said. 
She was most appreciative of Principal Haddad’s commitment to recognition of all students.  “We will be able to recognize valedictorians, Boettcher Scholars, National Merit Scholars, Band, Choir and Forensics students as well,” she continued. 

Once capacity is reached on the north wall, some of the older photos may come down.  Plans are not finalized as to how to preserve them.  Suggestions include a photo book permanently attached to the wall in the same manner posters are often displayed in stores. 

Another improvement planned for next July is a Cougar mural in the east gym.  “We plan to put it on the north wall of the east gym above the double doors which open outside the gym,” she said.  “We’ll have to move about six banners to make room.”  One thing is certain—-no one’s photo is coming off the wall for several years to come.

Anyone wishing to recognize an athlete from 1998, 1999 or 2000 should furnish an 8”x 10” photo of  the athlete,  your name and address, a list of sport or sports to be recognized, and a photocopy of the All-Conference certificate to Niwot High School Booster Club, 8989 E. Niwot Road, Niwot, CO 80503 by Jan. 15.  Contact Patrice Cable (303-776-4069), Cherie Fassbinder (303-652-2833) Lori DeMersseman (303-651-2858) or Judy Tumblin (303-678-1181) for more information. 

Photo by Bruce Warren