This was the final year for the Magic Hall of Fame ceremony, after the consolidation of athletics throughout STLCC campuses will become official this summer. The final four inductees gave the hall a total of 46 hall of famers.
Spencer Gleason
– Sports Editor –
Since 1997, the Magic Hall of Fame induction ceremony has been a joyous occasion. It was a time to stop and reflect on the celebratory careers and achievements of STLCC-Meramec student athletes, coaches and contributors alike.
On April 11, taking center stage at the 2011 Magic Hall of Fame induction ceremony were the three newest members:
Jeffrey Jenkins, who was at one point ranked 13th in the world in the 60-yard dash and 60-yard hurdles, was a track and field star for Meramec from 1976 to 1978. Jenkins was sent to a junior college by Arizona State to keep him “under wraps” before making the jump in the classroom to a Division I school.
Kim Winterer-Reiniger was a walk-on soccer standout and helped lead her team to back-to-back national championships in 1991 and 1992.
Bob Frischman has been the sports information director at Meramec for the past ten years and has kept Meramec in the limelight, reporting on numerous stories throughout his tenure.
However, since the announcement of STLCC athletics combining and the loss of the name Magic, this year’s ceremony became more meaningful. Giving those in attendance an opportunity to say “thank you” to the one who fought to save athletics at Meramec—Bob Bottger.
After naming the coaches and athletic trainer for Meramec Darren Jones, Shelly Ethridge, the Lady Magic basketball coach said, “This is our team, this is our family and in charge of our family is Bob Bottger… His words of wisdom have been wonderful.”
Even those who were unable to take part made sure their voices were still heard and their gratitude was still felt.
“I’m sure that this is a bittersweet occasion for you,” Stephen Petersen, Ed.D., former vice president of student affairs at Meramec, wrote in a letter to Bottger. “On the one hand, you can look forward to retirement and to spending more time on the golf course… On the other hand, I know that it is disappointing to see the incredibly successful athletic program that you helped build be reconfigured because of the college’s financial challenge… I feel privileged to have worked with you… Although we had some interesting challenges, I am proud of the fact that we stayed the course and fought to maintain the integrity of the athletic program.”
Bottger, who started the Magic Hall of Fame in 1997 to honor those who had had distinguished careers in intercollegiate athletics, has spent the past 21 years as the manager of physical education and athletics at Meramec. Once the change in athletics takes place on July 1, Bottger will be forced into retirement.
As a show of appreciation, the athletic department inducted Bob Bottger as the fourth member of the 2011 inductees. The special tribute gave Bottger a moment to soak up the emotions while receiving a standing ovation.
“I was a little embarrassed taking time away from [Jeffrey Jenkins, Kim Winterer-Reiniger and Bob Frischman] because it was about them,” Bottger said after the ceremony. “We have so many individuals that have done so much…It revitalizes you. It gives you a shot in the arm and you go to work the next day and your smile is back, so it’s kind of cool.”
Indeed, the evening was dedicated to the inductees. Favorite quotes and moments were relived and the stories of each individual’s journey which led them to Meramec were shared.
For the first time ever, the 15th Annual, and final, Magic Hall of Fame induction ceremony included four names, raising the total from 42 inductees to 46.
The 46 names that hang on the Magic Hall of Fame wall will forever be a part of Meramec’s history, a history that includes a time when athletics meant bragging rights between STLCC campuses. Winning games and tournaments against rival sister campuses gave the athletes a sense of being number one throughout the district. With change evident, Bottger hopes those same student athletes, coaches and contributors will continue to be honored.
“The good thing about the hall of fame is that it’s made us stop each year and take a little time to smell the roses. It’s been a great thing,” Bottger said. “I’ve tried to talk Florissant Valley and Forest Park into having one themselves for years and they never did. So now in a conversion when we go to a district, I really hope they seriously consider it because there are so many that deserve recognition and new ones yet to come that will deserve it.”
