2008 Circleville Athletic Hall of Fame inductees were honored during a January, 2009 basketball game. The alumni association held a reception in the library for the honorees, families, friends and well-wishers.

Here are their stories:

Ty Ankrom (1967-1970)

Ty Ankrom was a standout athlete for the Tigers in the late 1960’s, earning seven varsity letters.

In baseball, Ty was named all-SCOL second team in 1969 and first team in 1970. Ty was also MVP of the 1969 squad and captain of the 1970 team that captured the SCOL title. In addition to his three varsity letters in baseball, Ty also earned three in basketball and one in cross country. Ty also was named a scholar-athlete in 1970 and also served as president of student council.

After high school, Ty went on to earn a bachelor’s degree at Capital and a master’s degree at The Ohio State University. During his career as a long-time educator, Ty served as a teacher and coach for Circleville City Schools from 1974-1979. In 1983, Ty became a principal in the Circleville district and steadily moved up the ranks until being named superintendent of schools in 1997. Ty retired from that post in 2005 and now serves as the superintendent of the Pickaway County Educational Service Center. Ty and his wife, Dacia, have three kids, Ryan, Sara and Colin, as well as one grandson, Jacob.

Adrienne (Shue) Stanley (1995-1999)

Adrienne Shue was a standout distance runner for the Tigers in the late 1990’s, earning eight varsity letters in the two sports.

In cross country, Adrienne led the girls cross country team to its first ever state meet appearance in 1995. The team went on to place in the top 10 in the state three times, as well as capture four MSL titles, two district titles, and one regional title during her career. Individually, Adrienne earned first-team all-MSL and all-district honors each of her four years in high school. She qualified for the state meet three times, earning all-state honors in 1997 and 1998. Adrienne also was named academic all-Ohio three times and was the school’s record holder at the time of her graduation.

In track, Adrienne was a three-time MSL champion and a seven-time district champion. She qualified for the regional meet ten times and for the state meet six times, finishing third in the state in the 3200-meter run as a senior. Adrienne led her teams to two MSL titles and one district title, and was named MVP of the 1999 Tiger track team.

A CHS valedictorian, Adrienne went on to Denison University, where she was a four-year letter winner in both cross country and track. She was named all-conference three times in cross country and once in track, and was named NCAA Division III Academic All-American in 1999. Adrienne also qualified for the NCAA Division III cross country championships in 1999, and broke Denison’s school records in the 3000- and 5000-meter runs.

After graduating from Denison, Adrienne earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Toledo. She currently serves as a resident physician at Mountain Area Health Education Center in North Carolina. She and her husband, Ben, are expecting their first child in April.

Abbey Reeser (1998-2002)

Abbey Reeser, a school record holder in cross country and track, is perhaps the most accomplished distance runner in CHS history.

In cross country, Abbey helped lead her teams to four MSL titles, three district titles, two regional titles, four state meet appearances, and three top-10 state meet finishes. Individually, Abbey was a four-time MSL champion, three-time district champion, and two-time regional champion. She earned all-state honors all four years, placing in the top 3 three times. As a junior, Abbey achieved the highest honor for a cross country runner, taking home the individual state title. Abbey also still holds the CHS cross country school record.

In track, Abbey was a six-time MSL champion, seven-time district champion, and four-time regional champion. She qualified for the regional meet on 10 separate occasions and for the state meet seven times. At the state meet, Abbey placed in the top three in the 3200-meter run three years in a row. Abbey also led her team to four straight MSL titles and one district title. Abbey was named the MVP of the 2002 Tiger track team and still holds the school record in the 3200-meter run.

After high school, Abbey attended Miami University of Ohio on a track and cross country scholarship, where she competed as a varsity runner all four years. Today, Abbey works as an insurance counselor for Carroll Enterprises in Columbus.

Dan Campbell (1975-present), Coach

Dan Campbell, a longtime educator in the Circleville City Schools, has left his mark as the first tennis coach in school history and has combined to coach the boys and girls tennis teams for a total of 54 seasons.

After graduating from Mansfield Senior High School in 1964, Dan attended The Ohio State University, where he graduated in 1969 and later earned his master’s degree. After serving in the U.S. Army following college, Dan came to Circleville in 1972, where he taught English, health and P.E. for 33 years. During the 1975-76 school year, Dan started the tennis program at the high school and since then has been the only coach for both the boys and girls tennis teams. During that time, he has coached the teams to one SCOL title and three MSL titles; he also was named the MSL Boys Coach of the Year in 2006 and the MSL Girls Coach of the Year in 2003 and 2007. In addition to his coaching duties, Dan also advised the Circleville High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes and recently received the 30-year service award from the National FCA.

Today, in addition to still coaching both Tiger tennis teams, Dan is participating in the USTA Seniors Southern Division tennis championships; in 2006, he was runner-up at the USTA National Eastern Division Mixed Doubles Championships. Dan and his wife of 38 years, Cheryl, have two kids, Carrie and Jennifer, and two grandchildren, Bria and Cody.

Ralph Ankrom, Benefactor

Recognized tonight as a friend of Circleville athletics, Ralph Ankrom is a 1943 graduate of Circleville High School and a life-long resident of Circleville. After graduation, Ralph served in the United States Navy during World War II in the South Pacific, then returned to his hometown and joined the family business, Ankrom Lumber. He has been a Circleville businessman for 50 years.

For the past 45 years, Ralph’s occupation as a carpenter has been a major asset to Circleville City Schools, especially Circleville athletics. He has designed and constructed numerous projects, including the booster club booth, baseball and softball dugouts and batting cages, hallway showcases and trophy cases, and the visitors’ side football coaches booth. His handyman skills have revitalized many projects around CHS, and he currently serves as advisor to head maintenance chief, Rick Sims. An original contributor of the major stadium and track project, Ralph and his wife of almost sixth years, Rosemary, sponsored their eleven grandchildren—all of whom will be CHS graduates—on the brick wall by the football field to jumpstart the renovation project. Ralph has been a tireless worked on numerous school levy campaigns. When asked, Ralph has been willing to help with any school project, large or small. He also enjoys watching the athletes of Circleville compete. He is a charter member of the Circleville High School Alumni Association.

Ralph lives in Circleville and is the father of four children—all CHS graduates—Joyce Lutz, Patty Truex, John Ankrom, and Betsy Richards. When asked the importance of his contributions, Ralph said, “My theory is to return services to the school system to help others to achieve their goals. The education of my own four children and eleven grandchildren by Circleville Schools outweighs any work or Help I have done.”

Circleville thanks Ralph for the contributions he has unselfishly given to his alma mater.