
INDUCTEES The 2023 Montpelier Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees stand for a picture on the Montpelier football field The program took place at 615 pm on Friday August 25th before the schools football game with Woodmore
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
New members were inducted into the Montpelier Athletic Hall of Fame on the evening of Friday, August 25th.
The new inductees were James Rockey, Daniel Bohner, Kelby Brown, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, Joyce Miller, and the 1973 Football – Class A State Runner-Ups.
The program began at 6:15 p.m. on the football field before the start of the school football game. Each inductee had a piece read for them which will be shared here.
James Rockey – “A 1957 graduate, Jim has been involved in the community of Montpelier in multiple ways for more than 7 decades.”
“Jim began working as barber in 1964 and currently still owns Rockey’s Barbershop which is located in downtown Montpelier.”
“Through the years, Jim has been a volunteer youth baseball coach, a city councilman for 12 years, and a volunteer firefighter for 31 years.”
“Jim also has been a huge supporter of the Montpelier Exempted Village School District and the Montpelier Locomotive athletic teams.”
“He has been an athletic booster member, yearbook sponsor, ran the scoreboard at football games and worked on the chain gang for many years.”
“Jim is a member of the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Montpelier and member of the Montpelier Moose and Fraternal Order of Eagles Jim enjoyed playing basketball in the mornings before work for many years.”
“He also loves watching his favorite teams- Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Guardians, Ohio State Buckeyes and the Montpelier Locomotives.”
“Jim resides in Montpelier with his wife Kay (of 66 years). They have three daughters Tammy, Pam and Debbie.”
“They also have 8 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. We would like to congratulate Jim on his induction into the Montpelier Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023.”
Daniel Bohner – “Athlete Dan Bohner, a 1965 graduate. While at Montpelier, Dan participated in football, wrestling and track & field, he was also the 1965 49er Award recipient which is given to a senior boy who excels in athletics and academics.”
“As a football player, Dan earned 2 varsity letters and was an all-NWOAL selection during the 1964 season.”
“As a wrestler, Dan earned four varsity letters and was an NWOAL champion three straight years in the heavyweight division (1962-63, 1963-64 and 1964-65). Dan also qualified to the district wrestling meet during the 1964-65 season.”
“Dan threw shot and discus in the spring, earning 4 varsity letters for the Locomotives. During the 1964 track season, Dan was the NWOAL champion in shot and discus.”
“He finished 2nd at the district meet in the shot put and discus earning him a trip to the state meet. Dan finished 5th at the state meet in the shot put but did not place in the discus. During the 1965 season, Dan repeated as the NWOAL champion in the shot and discus.”
“He was the district champion for shot put and the district runner-up in the discus qualifying for the state meet for the second straight year.”
“At the state meet, Dan placed 3rd in the shot put but did not place in the discus. Dan was a school record holder in the shot put from 1964-1969 with a throw of 53’5”.”
“Dan resides in Bradenton, FL during the winter months and Montpelier the rest of the year with his wife Brenda.”
“Dan has two children Brian and Beth, two grandchildren (Caitlin Helms and Bree Bohner) as well as two great-grandchildren (Leighton and Leon Helms).”
“Dan enjoys gardening and watching Ohio State football. Congratulations to Dan on his induction into the Montpelier Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023”
Kelby Brown – “Athlete Kelby Brown- a 1978 graduate. While in high school, Kelby was a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and participated in three sports football (earning 3 varsity letters), basketball (earning 2 varsity letters) and track & field (earning 3 varsity letters).”
“During his football career at Montpelier, Kelby played offensive tackle and received many local and state accolades.”
“During the 1977 season, Kelby received 1st team ALL NBL, 2nd team ALL NWOAL and was selected 1st team ALL OHIO for his play.”
“In the winter, Kelby played basketball and was a member of two consecutive district qualifying teams 1976-77 and 1977-78.”
“As a player, Kelby was voted by his teammates the most improved player during 1975-76 season. Kelby also earned 2nd team ALL NBL and Honorable Mention ALL NWOAL during the 1977-78 season.”
“After high school, Kelby attended Northwestern University where he earned 3 varsity football letters as an offensive guard.”
“While at Northwestern, Kelby was a member of the 450 lbs. Bench Press Club and won the 1981 Iron Cat Award for being the best-conditioned player.”
“After college, Kelby signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos to start the 1982 season. Kelby resides in Hillsborough, NC, and is the son of Terry and the late Larry Brown. He has one sister Becky.”
“Kelby is married to his wife Connie and they have 3 children (Kelby Jr, Kyler, and the late Courtney).”
“During his free time, Kelby enjoys white water rafting, downhill skiing, hiking, and scuba diving.”
“Congratulations to Kelby Brown on his induction into the Montpelier Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023.”
Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted – “Athlete Jon Husted, a 1985 graduate. During his time at Montpelier High School, Jon participated in four sports (football (earning 3 varsity letters), basketball (earning 3 varsity letters), baseball (earning 2 varsity letters) and track & field (earned 1 varsity letter).”
“As a football player, Jon was a member of the 1983 NWOAL championship team. He earned many awards for his play on the gridiron.”
“Jon was an all-NWOAL Honorable Mention selection in 1983, In 1984, he was a 2nd Team All NWOAL selection at RB and LB, 1st ALL Northwest District and player of the year, as well as Honorable Mention Class A All Ohio.”
“Jon also finished second in scoring in the NWOAL during the 1984 season and won the KAK Brown Award which is given to a Montpelier senior football player for their outstanding play on the field and scholastic endeavors in the classroom.”
“During the Delta game in 1984, Jon scored 5 TD’s, kicked 4 extra points, and had a 97-yard interception return for a TD. He still holds the school record for longest interception return for a TD.”
“As a basketball player, Jon is 19th all-time in points scored in a career with 532 pts. During the 1984-85 season, Jon was voted team MVP, he finished 2nd in scoring in the NWOAL, was selected 2nd team ALL NWOAL and was a member of the District 7 All-Star team.
As a track and field participant, Jon was selected Most Valuable Sprinter by his team and qualified to the regional meet in the 100 M dash and 400 M relay.”
“After high school, Jon attended the University of Dayton where he earned four varsity football letters. He was a member of the 1987 team that finished National Runner-Ups and the 1989 National Champion team.
Jon was a 3rd team All-American at Dayton for his play as a defensive back and participated in the 1988 and 1989 Shriner Games.”
“Jon currently is the Lt Gov of Ohio. He is married to his wife Tina, has 3 children Alex, Katie, Kylie, and one daughter-in-law Kathleen.”
“In his free time, Jon enjoys hunting, fishing, working out, and reading. Congratulations to Jon Husted on his induction to the Montpelier Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023.”
Joyce Miller – “Coach Joyce Miller- Joyce was a teacher in the Montpelier School District from 1972- 2002.”
‘During Joyce’s tenure in Montpelier, she was an assistant coach in volleyball, basketball, And track as well as the head volleyball coach from 1984-86, 1995, and 1999-2000.”
“Joyce accumulated a career record of 114 wins & 28 losses as the Lady Locos volleyball mentor. As a head coach, she has the most wins in school history and second overall in win % (winning 80% of the games).”
“As a head coach, Joyce’s team won two NWOAL championships (1999 & 2000), 5 Sectional Championships (1984-86 and 1999 & 2000), and one district championship in 2000.”
“As an assistant coach under Pat Peter, Joyce helped coach the NWOAL championships teams of 1975, 1978 and 1979. She has also coached 49 ALL-NWOAL players and 6 ALL-OHIO players while at Montpelier.”
Coaching honors Joyce has received include:
- District 7 Crescent News coach of the year in 1984
- Defiance College Coach of the Year Award 1986
- District 7 Division III All-Star Coach in 1995
- District 7 D III Coach of the Year 2000
- District 7 Division III All-Star Coach in 2000
- OHSAA Volleyball Coach Achievement Award in 2000
- Coached a State All-Star team in 2000
- Defiance College Coach of the Year in 2000
“Joyce graduated from Hilltop High School and went on to attend Defiance College where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree.”
“Joyce received her master’s degree in early Childhood Education from the University of Toledo. Congratulations to Joyce Miller on her induction into the Montpelier Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2023.”
1973 Football – Class A State Runners-Up – “The 1973 season is considered to be one of the greatest seasons by any athletic team in Montpelier history.
The head coach of the 1973 team was 2015 Hall of Fame inductee Hobe Krouse. Hobe was in his 10th season as the Locomotives mentor.”
“His assistant coaches were Don Hicks, Charles Palmer, Rick Herge and 2021 Hall of Fame inductee Hip Klotz. There were 40 players on the 73’ team (17 seniors, 13 juniors and 10 sophomores).”
“This team was led by a great defense and a strong rushing attack led by Lynn Oberlin, Tom Harrington, and Lee Richmond.”
“The season started out against Napoleon, a perennial power in the NWOAL. The Locomotives lost 14-13 as the 2-pt. conversation failed in the last minute of the game.”
“The team bounced back quickly with wins over Evergreen (21-6) and Patrick Henry 39-8 and found themselves in 1st place of the NBL and the District ratings.”
“Over the next several weeks, The Locomotives chalked up wins vs. Wauseon (41-12), Swanton (39-0), Delta (27-0), Bryan (16-0), and Archbold (27-8).”
“The Archbold win clinched the NBL championship for the Locomotives who finished 6-0 in league play.”
“In the regular season finale, the Locomotives defeated Liberty Center (35-20) to finish 8-1. The Locomotives finished 1st in District 10 and qualified for the state playoffs for the first time in our school history.”
“The Class A semi-final game was held in Mansfield against the Newark Catholic Green Wave. The Locomotives were not to be denied a victory as the defense held Newark Catholic to nine total yards of offense on their way to a 19-8 victory sending them to the Class A State Championship game.”
“On Friday, November 23, 1973, the Locomotives played Middletown Fenwick for a state championship. The Locos were plagued by turnovers and poor field position. The Locos lost 27-7 to finish 2nd in the state but their presence representing Northwest Ohio was felt not only in our community but district and state-wide as well.”
“This team ended up receiving 20 ALL-NBL and NWOAL honors as well as one all-state player (Lynn Oberlin).”
“Tonight, we induct the 1973 football team into the Montpelier Athletic Hall of Fame, and this is the 50th Anniversary of their run to the Class A state championship game.”
Jacob can be reached at jacob@thevillagereporter.com