2005 - YHS Induction Class

Hall of Fame - 2005

Hall of Fame induction Class of 2005

C. Robert Arvin
Monica Ball-Honore'
Michael Bass
George Beaudette
Ronald D. Isbell
George Kielwasser
Rita Passage
Dr. Delbert Pearson
Jim Philippou
Edwin Shadford
Ernie Slater
Ruth Ann Wallace
Claude Wilbanks

C. ROBERT ARVIN – YHS 1961 – FOOTBALL – WRESTLING – TRACK – AMERICAN HERO

School participation – Debate Club – Latin Club – All School Play – Boy’s State – County Government Day – Model United Nations – Thespian’s Club – Interclass sports – Forensics – dramatic Reading Club – Jets Club – the Sem Staff (School newspaper) – Yearbook Staff - National Honor Society – Varsity Club
School government and leadership – Eagle Boy Scout - home room officer – Class President, one year – Student Council and Student Council President
Valedictorian- one of three for the Class of 1961
4 years of football – quarterback
4 years of wrestling – Co-captain of the 1961 State championship wrestling team
1960 – All State wrestler - runner-up at 145 pounds
1961 – 154 pound undefeated State Champion
4 years of track and field – member of an All State relay team
1961 – Entered West Point Military Academy graduating in 1965
He continued to distinguish himself and honor Ypsilanti and YHS at West Point
He wrestled for 4 years, was voted captain of the West Point team and was a qualifier to the NCAA Wrestling Tournament
In military competitions, Bob won the triathlon and “Recondo” which is hand to hand combat being the last cadet standing in his class of 700
1965 – By his senior year he was honored as First Captain and Brigade Commander.
1965 – Graduated 44th in his class of 596 and earned the Varian Award for Highest Military Efficiency
2nd Lieutenant, Bob completed Ranger and Airborne jumpmaster School and was attached to the 505 Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division
On October 8, 1967, after being wounded and returning to action, he was killed in action by the Viet Cong in the Thua Tien Province.
Captain Arvin was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart, silver star, and a second silver star with Oak Leaf cluster
Captain Arvin is buried at West Point and left behind his wife of 14 months, Merry Lynne (YHS 1960)
Captain Arvin’s story did not stop there
Ypsilanti High School wrestling coach, Roy Wilbanks, instituted the YHS Arvin Wrestling Award awarded many years to the YHS wrestler that best exemplified the qualities of leadership, scholarship, and service
West Point - The Arvin Wrestling Award is now given annually to “The graduating member of the West Point wrestling team who best exemplifies the qualities of C. Robert Arvin in the area of leadership, scholarship, and commitment to Army wrestling”.
1989 – The nearly 500,000 square foot gymnasium complex at West Point was renamed in his honor – The Captain C. Robert Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center, supported by his 1965 West Point classmates
2002 – The Ypsilanti Veterans’ of Foreign Wars renamed post 2408 in honor of C. Robert Arvin.
2004 – The Captain C. Robert Arvin Foundation established – For 12 years, Ypsilantians and West Point classmates raised funds to award top high school seniors in the Ypsilanti area. 115 senior recipients shared in over $110,000 in the Awards for Excellence program.
Captain Arvin has personal displays in three locations – The Ypsilanti Historical Museum, The Michigan Military Museum in Frankenmuth, Michigan, and in the Alcove at the entrance to the Captain Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center at West Point.
2017 -Ypsilanti native and Emmy nominated documentary producer Brian Kruger, released a video on Bob’s life, “Where the Brave Dare to Tread”, that is being distributed to every library and high school in the state of Michigan.
2020 – Bobarvin.org website established
1967 - 24 years - The incredible life of Captain C. Robert Arvin

MONICA BALL–HONORE’ – YHS 1986 – CROSS COUNTRY – VOLLEYBALL – TRACK

1986 – Co-captain of all three sports- cross country – volleyball – track
1983 – Member of the regional championship YHS Track and Field team
1984 and 1985 – Member of the 2nd in State 1600 meter relay team
1985 – member of the All State 800 meter relay team
1986 – Member of the 2nd in State 400 meter relay team
1986 – 2nd in State in the 400 meter run
Monica broke many YHS track records that stood for over 15 years
Member of the YHS volleyball team that brought home trophies from many tournaments
1986 – Member of the YHS Co-Conference Volleyball Championship
1986 -School service – NHS ( Honor student) and listed in Who’s Who Among High School Students
1986 – Accepted full scholarship to Purdue University for volleyball
1986-1990 – Earned several volleyball honors including Most Improved Purdue Player, Big Ten Honorable Mention, Big Ten Player of the Week, and All Tournament Team Awards
1990 – Graduated from Purdue with a B.A. in Communications
Ms. Ball continued volleyball for many years as a player, coach, official, and game announcer
Member of the San Diego Volleyball Team that won the National Grass Volleyball League Championship
2006 – Trained for her first triathlon
Married to Clovis Honore’ and they have a son and 4 step-childre

MICHAEL BASS – YHS 1963 – FOOTBALL – BASKETBALL – TRACK

1963 – Class president and class officer all 4 years of high school
School service – NHS, Ypsi Sem (School newspaper), Debate, Boy’s State, Forensics, Inter-class sports, and homeroom officer
Ypsilanti youth baseball leagues he was one of the best baseball players
4 years each of YHS football, basketball, and track
1961 and 1962 – All Conference in Football
1962 – Football All American Honorable Mention
1961 and 1962 – All Conference in track
1962 and 1963 – All Conference in basketball
1963 – Entered the University of Michigan on a full football scholarship
1964 – Member of the Big Ten Championship Michigan football team
1965 – was a starting defensive back on the U of M’s Rose Bowl winning team
1967 – Graduated from the U. of M with a degree in Education specializing in Psychology
1967 – Drafted in the 12 Round, # 314 overall, by the Green Bay Packers, but was sold to the Detroit Lions before the season started
1967 – Played with the Lions, spent 1968 on their taxi squad, had speaking part in movie “Paper Lion”
1969 – Signed by the Washington Redskins and Coach Vince Lombardi as a free agent defensive back
1969 – 1975 – Played cornerback for 7 seasons and 104 consecutive games for the Redskins
1972 – Redskins defeated the Cowboys and Roger Staubach to get into Super Bowl VII. Mike Bass was one of the cornerbacks credited with holding Staubach and the Cowboys to 3 points, no touchdowns and only 9 completions
1973 – Redskins lost to the undefeated Dolphins 14-7. The only touchdown scored by Mike Bass on a broken field goal attempt when kicker Garo Yepremian picked up the fumbled snap and tried to throw a pass. Bass caught it and sprinted almost 50 yards for the touchdown. Only Super Bowl game where an offense never scored a point.
1974 – 1st Team All NFC by the AP, UPI, and Sporting News and 2nd Team All Pro selection
1976 – Retired from pro football after 8 years
Statistics – played in 100 consecutive regular season games – 30 interceptions – recovered 6 fumbles – scored 4 touchdowns – returned kickoffs and punts – gave up only 8 career touchdown passes, average of 1 a year
TOP 80 – Voted one of the top 80 players in Washington Redskin history
2002 – Founded KimLou Global LLC – Real Estate Consulting Firm in Florida
Currently lives in Florida with wife Rosita (YHS-1962) and two daughters

GEORGE BEAUDETTE – YHS 1958 – FOOTBALL – BASKETBALL – BASEBALL – TEACHER – COACH – ADMINISTRATOR

An Ypsilantian through and through - a man bigger than life

School participation -Varsity Club, interclass sports, homeroom officer, class officer
10 Varsity Letters out of a possible 12
1956 and 1957 – Football earned quarterback All Conference and All State Honorable Mention
1957 and 1958 – Basketball co-captain both years
1958 – Accepted football scholarship to the University of Wyoming
1958 -Played one year as Wyoming’s quarterback
1959 -Mr. Beaudette transferred back to Ypsilanti and Eastern Michigan University
1960 – 62 – Played Quarterback at EMU for 3 years
1963 – Captained EMU’s golf team
1963 – Graduated from EMU with a degree in Education
1963 – Became a full-time teacher at Ypsilanti’s St. John’s High School and was head coach for their football, basketball, baseball, and golf teams and was their Athletic Director
1967 – Became assistant director of recreation for the city of Ann Arbor and Ann Arbor Public Schools
1971 – Was a teacher and counselor at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School
1974 – Returned to Ypsilanti at YHS Class Principal
1977 – Named principal of Ypsilanti’s Erickson Elementary
1978 – Assigned principal of Ypsilanti’s West Junior High School
1981-90 – Proud named principal of his beloved alma mater Ypsilanti High School
1990 – 96- Held the position of Director of Alumni Relations of Eastern Michigan University
1996 – decided to retire, but was called upon to be principal of the Academy for Business and Technology, a charter school in Dearborn for 7 more years –
1996-2004 – Served on the Ypsilanti Township Board of Trustees
Avid golfer his entire life; 1972 – 78 served as President of the Washtenaw Country Club
2007 – Mr. Beaudette passed away

MR. RONALD ISBELL – 1949-1974 - YPSILANTI PUBLIC SCHOOLS – TEACHER – COACH – ADMINISTRATOR

1949-1974 -25 Year educational career with Ypsilanti Schools
1940-1974 – 34 Year career in education

1949-1959 – YHS football coach

1930’s -Coach Isbell caddied for Hall of Fame University of Michigan coach Fielding Yost whom he “called inspirational” and one reason he went into coaching
Graduated from U of M “Summa cum laude”
1940 – Began is 62 year marriage to Grace
Coaching stops include Sunfield, MI, Stockbridge, Milan, Bay City Central, and Ypsilanti
Coached Milan to a basketball State Championship
YHS – Coached football and basketball
33 consecutive football victories and 3 consecutive State championships, Assistant Coach – Mr. Isbell was a strong force behind the YHS football winning streak in the late 40’s
120 – 61 – Career football coaching record
8 Conference football championships
1949 – State Football Champions crowned by the Detroit Free Press - was on the coaching staff
Coached U of M All American, 2004 YHS Hall of Famer, Pittsburgh Steeler Lowell Perry
Became assistant principal of Erickson Elementary in Ypsilanti
1974 – Retired -his final position, Ypsilanti Public Schools central administration
1990 – Inducted into the Michigan High School Coaches’ Hall of Fame
1996 – Inducted into the Milan Hall of Fame
2002 – Mr. Isbell passed away

GEORGE KIELWASSER – YHS 1964-1996 – TEACHER – COACH

33 years – Distinguished teacher and coach
Demonstrated involvement and commitment to YHS students and the Ypsilanti community
1957 -Earned both his bachelor and masters from Michigan State University
Began his teaching career at Lake Fenton and Niles, Illinois
1964 – Began his 32-year career at YHS
20 years – Coached JV basketball with a career record of 264 – 111
10 years – Head tennis coach
20 years – Head golf coach, coaching an individual state champion
Several years served as an assistant football and baseball coach
18 years – Announced varsity football games
1982 – 1996 – Chairperson of the Science Department
1994 – Mr. Kielwasser was included in the Who’s Who of American Teachers
1994 – Was named NEA Master Teacher
Served in the military
Active in the American Legion, AARP, MSU Alumni Association, St Ann Seton Catholic Church in Palm Coast, Florida
An avid reader and enjoyed playing tennis, golf, traveling, and keeping in touch with friends
58 years married to Karen
They raised 5 children all active in Ypsilanti Schools, and enjoy 11 grandchildren
2014 – Mr. Kielwasser passed away

RITA PASSAGE – YHS 1968 – 1992 – TEACHER – COACH

1968-1992 – 24 Year career as a teacher and coach

1962 – Graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Science degree
1968 – Completed her master’s degree
1968 – after stops in two other districts came to Ypsilanti Public Schools
Coached basketball and cheerleading at West junior High School
While at West, Ms. Passage reached beyond the school programs and planned field trips for students that included skiing and canoeing
After moving to YHS, she taught individual and team sports, weight training, gymnastics, and adapted P.E.
Ms. Passage laid the foundations for many Lady Brave sports and athletes
She molded the minds and bodies of many young YHS athletes
She began her YHS coaching career becoming the first Lady Braves tennis coach for several years
Her first love, gymnastics, she coached for 13 years
Her knowledge and expertise in gymnastics were sought out by the Michigan Athletic Association Gymnastics Boards where she served for many years
Ms. Passage enjoyed her retirement years traveling and volunteering in the community.
“Coaching, although it encompassed many hours after a day of teaching, was a wonderful and rewarding job.” Rita Passage

DR. DELBERT PEARSON – 1965 – 1986 YHS ATHLETIC TEAM DOCTOR

Innovator and force behind sports medicine and team doctors for high schools – possibly one of the first to promote “Sports Medicine” in this area
1953 – Served as team physician for the Ann Arbor Public Schools
Early 1960’s began following the YHS wrestling team and was an “unofficial” team doctor for them
1965 -1986 – Official team doctor for Ypsilanti Public Schools
1986-1998 – Team physician for Eastern Michigan University
Gave hundreds of free “individual” sport’s physicals and did not believe in “assembly line” physicals
Active and sought after to present at national seminars on sports injuries and treatments
Very influential in promoting nutritional aspects of athletes
Was a “friendly ear” counseling students through problems
Dr. Pearson has an impressive professional resume’ outside of his YHS work
1955 – Completed his residency in pediatrics and communicable diseases
1955-60 – Chief Resident at the University of Michigan Hospital
1960 – Established his Ypsilanti medical practice
1960-2000 – on the staff at Beyer Hospital in Ypsilanti
1981-1985 – Pediatrics Department Chairperson for Beyer hospital
1994 – 1998 – Dr. Pearson was a supervisor/fellow in sports medicine for the U of M Department of Family Practice
1980 – YHS honored Dr. Pearson with his picture and a full page in their 1980 yearbook.
The following words accompanied the full page showing the gratitude the students had for Dr. Pearson…”We would like to thank Dr. Pearson for all he has given to Ypsilanti High School sports over the last twenty-five years. We are truly grateful for the time and generosity he has given to our athletic programs. We all hope he will be around for many more years to come.”
2000 -Dr. Pearson passed away

JIM PHILIPPOU – YHS 1978 – ATHLETICS, SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTER

The Philippou family was active in community and YHS sports with their six children
The family restaurant, "Charlies’ Country Squire" was the focal point for many community and school district “meetings” – formal and casual
His parents taught the family the value of caring for the community where they work

Mr. Philippou earned varsity letters in wrestling and baseball
Took part in several YHS drama productions
Earned a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in Construction Technology
Jimmy Philippou took over "Charlie's Country Squire" when his parents needed family help
"Charlie's Country Squire" was a destination restaurant for over 40 years
Many YHS coaches and school staff frequented the restaurant.
Mr. Philippou sponsored numerous school activities and the athletic programs
He volunteered for many jobs including selling 50-50 raffle tickets at YHS football games
Ypsilanti Little League and EMU programs benefitted from his generosity and support
He is a proud Ypsilantian through and through.
The Philippou family now lives in the Las Vegas, Nevada area

EDWIN SHADFORD – YHS 1941-1959 – TEACHER – COACH

Legendary Hall of Fame coach and mentor to many
1912 -After graduating from Ann Arbor High School, he served in the Army during World War I
1922 – Graduated from Michigan State Normal College (Eastern Michigan University)
At MSNC (EMU) - lettered Football, Basketball, and baseball – was captain of the 1916 basketball team
Earned a master’s degree from the University of Michigan
Began his teaching /coaching career at Adrian High School
1927-1941 -Taught and coached at Negaunee Public Schools
1930 - Coached the Negaunee basketball team to a State Championship
1941 – Began his18 year career at YHS
He was particularly interested athletic and academic excellence
Mr. Shadford’s YHS football teams won 6 conference titles
1946,1947, 1948 - Mr. Shadford’s YHS football teams, won 3 consecutive State Championships – “ YHS Glory Years”
1963 – Inducted into the Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame
1964 – Ypsilanti Public Schools named their football facility after him Shadford Field
1976 – Inducted into the Eastern Michigan E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame
1980 – Inducted into the Upper Peninsula Hall of Fame
Inducted into the Michigan Football Coaches Hall of Fame
The Shadford family created two endowed scholarships, recently endowed scholarships, in his name to be awarded to two deserving Ypsilanti Public School graduating senior athletes
Those who were in school when Mr. Shadford was a P.E. teacher, ever protective of his gym floor, will never forget his, gruff, bellowing, menacing voice echoing across the YHS Gymnasium, scaring the young students, “Don’t walk on the gym floor,” then turning away from with a wry smile and a chuckle , watching those scared youngsters jump off the floor and walk meekly into the locker room.
Coach Edwin Shadford’s name is synonymous with Ypsilanti High School and for those of us in the Ypsilanti community who are forever thankful to Edwin and his family.
1988 – Mr. Shadford passed away

ERNIE SLATER – YHS 1963 – CROSS COUNTRY – BASKETBALL – COMMUNITY SERVICE

School Service – Member of the NHS, Latin Club, and Varsity Club
Vice President of the Student Council
1963 – Received a West Point Military Academy nominee
1963 - Ford Foundation Scholarship recipient
1962 – Co-Captain of the Cross Country team
1962 –Individual Regional Cross Country Champion
1962 – Earned All State Cross Country honors placing 4th in the State finals
1963 – Captain of the Basketball team
1963 – Earned All State Honorable in basketball
After college became involved in the community
Worked tirelessly for the youth of Ypsilanti and the Washtenaw County
Board member of the Ypsilanti Public School Education Foundation
Was the State Lieutenant Governor of the Ypsilanti Optimist Club
For many years was Executive Director of the Huron Valley Boys and Girls Club
Salvation Army board member
Washtenaw County board member for the SOS Crisis Center
Mr. Slater was a well-rounded, caring man who gave much to YHS, the community and the county

RUTH ANN WALLACE – YHS 1965-1998 – TEACHER– COACH – ADMINISTRATOR

1965 – Graduated from Eastern Michigan University and began her innovative 33 year career with the Ypsilanti Public Schools as a high school physical education teacher
1966 – Became advisor to the Girls’ Athletic Association (GAA) – This was an intraschool girls’ athletic program that led to Girls’ Interscholastic Sports
Ms. Wallace, through the GAA program, reached out to compete against other schools in girls’ volleyball, basketball, and softball
This program grew and caught on until the Michigan High School Athletic Association recognized Lady’s sports in the late 1970’s.
Ms. Wallace continued to coach volleyball, basketball, and softball for 15 more years
She was also the cheerleading advisor and Pep Club advisor for several years
1973 – became the first YHS Assistant Athletic Director under Athletic Director Robert Moffett and held that position for 8 years
10 Years – she was the Physical Education Department head
1989 – after 24 years in the high school, Ms. Wallace moved to West Middle School and taught social studies for 9 more years
1998 – After 33 years, Ms. Wallace retired from Ypsilanti Public Schools.
She was a major force and influence in the establishment of lady’s sports at the high school level. Countless lady Brave Athletes and lady athletes throughout the state of Michigan can thank Ruth Ann Wallace for her perseverance and initiative to grow and develop high school sports for ladies in Michigan.

CLAUDE WILBANKS – YHS 1952 - WRESTLING – TENNIS – 36 YEAR YHS TEACHING AND COACHING CAREER

1952 – Wrestling team captain – one of the first years of YHS wrestling
1952 – Tennis, member of the Regional Championship tennis team
YHS was a member of the Varsity Club
At 18 years old, Mr. Wilbanks was a registered wrestling official and was called out of the stands to referee a meet when the referee did not show up. He was the only registered official in the gymnasium
1953-56 – Played 4 years of tennis at Michigan State Normal College (Eastern Michigan University)
1956 – Captain of EMU’s tennis team that won the conference championship and qualified for the NCAA Championship
1956 – Graduated from EMU with a teaching degree
1956- 66 – Taught in Milan, Taylor, and Plymouth
1958-61 – Established a wrestling program at Willow Run High School
1960 – His Willow Run wrestling team earned a #1 State Ranking in Class B
1966 – Returned to YHS as a teacher/ coach where he remained for 26 years
Mr. Wilbanks coached both boys’ tennis (1966- 83) and girls’ tennis (1978-90)
1974-78 – YHS boys tennis team was 50 – 1 for those three years
4 – Time Boys Regional Tennis Champions
1975 and 1976 – Boys tennis team was undefeated
1975 – YHS Boys Tennis Team were the undefeated Division #! State Champions
1975 – Coach Wilbanks was honored as the Michigan High School Tennis Coach of the Year
Named YHS Co-op Coordinator
1953-1983 – was a registered wrestling official in the state of Michigan
As an outstanding wrestling official Mr. Wilbanks officiated 25 State High School tournaments and for 20 years served as an official for the Mid-American Conference, the Big Ten Conference, and an official for the NCAA National tournament
1992 – Retired and still lives in Ypsilanti supporting the community and… still plays a tough game of tennis

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