Monroe High School plans to induct three former athletes and coach Alan Dickson into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame during halftime of an upcoming girls basketball game.
Chelsey Zimmerman and Sarah Morton, two former girls basketball players, will be joined by their former coach, Dickson, in being recognized. Kelsey Brennan, who went to state in volleyball and track, will also be inducted during the ceremony on Jan. 9 at Monroe H.S. A reception will follow the game.
Dickson, who is battling cancer and was honored during an alumni game this past summer, took Monroe to the state tournament seven times during his tenure from 1994-2007. During his time he coached both Zimmerman and Morton, who both earned scholarships and went on to play Division-1 college basketball.
Here is a press release on the event and the inductees:
Local sports icons to be inducted into Monroe High Hall of Fame
MONROE — Monroe High School will revive its Hall of Fame with the recognition of 4 local sports heroes. Alan Dickson, Kelsey Brennan, Chelsey Zimmerman, and Sarah Morton will be inducted into the Hall of Fame during half time at the January 9th girls’ basketball game in the Monroe High gym. A reception will follow the game.
Alan Dickson, longtime basketball coach, is remembered for 7 state appearances during his tenure as MHS girls’ coach 1994-2007. “Monroe had never had a girls’ team that went to state before,” he recalls. “It really brought the community together.” 32 girls from his team received basketball scholarships over the years he coached. He was selected as the Wesco Coach of the Year in 1995 and received the King 5 “Coach Who Cares” award in 2005.
Chelsey Zimmerman, class of 2004, played basketball for Dickson, and went on to play basketball at New Mexico State for one year, and Southern Oregon University for 3 years. She was 2-time National Athletic Interscholastic Association (NAIA) Academic All-American, ESPN the Magazine’s Academic All-American 2nd team in 2007, Cascade Conference 1st team 2007 and 2008, and Cascade Conference Player of the Year in 2008. She was also named AAUW Outstanding Graduate in 2008 and graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Sarah Morton, class of 2007, played for Dickson before playing 4 years of girls’ basketball at the University of Washington. She received Pac 10 All Academic Honorable Mention 2009, 2010, and 2011, and made the Dean’s List 2009 and 2010. She was selected for the 101 Club Scholar Athlete Award and the UW Lyon’s Club Assist Award in 2011. She currently plays professional basketball for the Wolfenbuttel Wildcats in Germany.
Kelsey Brennan, class of 2008, was a multi-sport athlete at Monroe, lettering in 3 sports as a freshman. Volleyball was her first love, and her team went to state 3 years in a row. She also threw the javelin, went to state all 4 years, and was state champ her senior year. Brennan played for New Mexico State and was named All Western Athletic Conference (WAC) 1st team for volleyball all 4 years and for track 3 years. “It’s exciting to be part of the Hall of Fame,” she says. “There have been a lot of really great athletes that have come from Monroe.”
“We want all potential candidates to be nominated and ask people to step forward if they know of others who fit the criteria,” says Brett Wille, former Monroe athletic director and now assistant principal at Hidden River Middle School. To be considered, a student athlete must have graduated from Monroe High and a 4-year college or university, participate in at least one sport while attending, and receive prestigious individual awards for that sport, or compete in the Olympics, or become a professional athlete.
“We already have people in mind for next year,” says Joe Delp, the district’s athletic director. “We’ve had many athletes who have been successful beyond Monroe High School. This is the beginning of our journey into getting them recognition for their contributions.”
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