Most of you know by now that I was a graduate of Totino-Grace High School in 1980. The school is turning 50 this year and they decided it was well past time to start their sports hall of fame. Fox Sports North announcer and Totino-Grace grad Anthony LaPanta was the emcee.

I attended the induction ceremony because I had a strong connection to most of them. One of the inductees, former dean of students and varsity football coach David Nigon, has family members in the Faribault area. I often wondered when I read the names of various Nigon family members on the birthday club if they were relatives. Nigon was a coach for more than 30 years. He got a great football winning tradition going and, more importantly, helped positively shape the lives of many young men. Congratulations to Dave and the entire family for this honor.

Totino grace photo
Totino grace photo
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Here is a picture of him in his teaching days with another favorite teacher of mine, Bud Paape.

Other inductees were the 1972 state basketball team coached by well-known longtime basketball coach, athletic director and hall inductee himself, Lou Mitteco; former wrestling coach Tom Emond; and athletes Tony McDonald from the class of '79 and Venisa Dinius from class of '83. I was Dinius' assistant softball coach and I was very proud to see her get into the hall.

Totino Grace photo
Totino Grace photo
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