Years
Attended

Lynn St. John

Although there were no organized sports in school, St. John made his mark on athletics in the state after graduation. He was hired as the first athletic director of Ohio State University in 1913 and held that position until 1947 when he retired.

He coached baseball at OSU from 1913-18 and basketball from 1913 - 20. He was instrumental in forming the Big 10 Conference and helped spearhead the drive to build Ohio Football Stadium. The first NCAA basketball tournament in 1939 was the direct result of his work. St. John's Arena at Ohio State University was named in his honor.

ALEX FULTZ (January 17, 1940 - October 18, 1960)

He was a state Cross Country runner-up in 1956 and state cross country champion in 1957. He held the state mile record for one year. He set the school record of 4:20.5 for the mile, a record which still stands. He was at Ohio State University at the time of his death.

WILFRED THEIS

He coached basketball, football and track from 1934 to 1944. He returned in 1947 and was at Monroe until 1954.

He took the basketball team to state in 1939 with a 22-4 record. In 1940 the team record was 14-4 followed in 1941 by a 17-1 record.

TONY SCHULTHEISS (July 14, 1918 - October 14, 1964)

He ran the low hurdles and the 880 relay and was an end on the football team. He was on the first team All Butler County in 1937 and 1938. He was also a member of the All Tournament Team

RALPH PICKELSIMER

He was a football tackle and ran track but basketball was his outstanding sport. He led the team in scoring both his junior and senior year. He was a member of the all league team.

LEONARD POWELL (July 13, 1946 - June 6, 1981)

He had a total of 1200 career basketball points. He was all league, all district and state honorable mention.

STEVE STRINKO

A standout student athlete Steve excelled in Football at Monroe High and was drafted into the National Football League in 1975.

He earned 2 Year Varsity honors in Basketball and 3Year Varsity honors in Football and Track.

Junior year Football honors earned First Team All MML Player.

Senior year Football honors earned Team MVP, First Team All MML Player, First Team Ohio All State Player, First Team All Ohio Offensive Tackle, Ohio North South All Star Game Player, Ohio North South All Star Game Defensive Most Valuable Player, Greater Cincinnati “Dinner of Champions” Hosted by Ara Parseghian Awarded Most Outstanding Male Amateur Athlete of Greater Cincinnati.

Steve was a tackle on the two consecutive Undefeated Football Seasons in Monroe History 1969 and 1970. He had a record setting 96 unassisted tackles his senior year. He was sought by Division I College Football programs from around the country and eventually accepted a full athletic scholarship from Bo Schembechler to play for the University of Michigan.

At Michigan he earned the “Bo Schembechler Award as Team MVP”, 1st Team All-Big Ten Player, UPI 2nd Team All-American Honors, Player in the East-West Shrine Game and the Hula Bowl All-Star Game. He recorded an amazing 136 tackles in 1974. His Football Teams from High School through College had an impressive Accumulative Record of 56-2-1.

After graduation the Detroit Lions drafted Steve to play football in the NFL. He is the only Hornet Football Player to ever play in the National Football League.

In 1982, Monroe High School retired his Football Jersey. His accolades are embedded in the History of Monroe Athletics and are an inspiration to all future athletes.

DALE RIDENOUR

He was a teacher, coach from 1948 - 1957. In 1951 he took the baseball team to state. Ridenour was named Athletic Director in 1950. He helped form the Mid-Miami League in 1968. In 1948 there were four sports activities with four teams. In 1982 there were 16 activities with 40 teams.

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BASKETBALL TEAM 1941 - 42

The 1942 Boys Basketball Team Members –

Carl Lubberger, Bob Murphy, Gene Heller, Jim Heller, Harold McFeeters, Bill Lindsey, Ralph Pickelsimer, Bob Clear, Harold Back, Bill McGohan, Coach Wilfred Theis

The 1942 Basketball Team is the only “UNDEFEATED” team during regular season in the history of Monroe Basketball. This remarkable team achieved a record of 16-0 in league play in 1942 winning games against Hamilton Catholic, Roger Bacon and Dayton Stivers to name a few. The rivalry between Monroe and Middletown began with this team and continues today. The proud memories they left behind at Monroe High will undeniably remain in our hearts.

SCOTT MILTENBERGER

Varsity lettered in Track, Basketball and Football.

Scott excelled on the football field and his senior year he earned honors as Team Captain, 2 time Frisch’s Player of Week, Hornet Back of the Year, Armco Back of the Year, All Golden Triangle Team Player, All MML Player, Second Team SW Ohio District 15 Player.

Scott continued his football career at Michigan State University. In 2001, Scott earned honors as Ohio District 4 Division 1 Football Coach of the Year, Cincinnati Bengal’s High School Football Coach of the Week. In 2003, Scott Miltenberger was inducted into the Butler County Hall of Fame.

Jane Murphy

Varsity lettered in Volleyball, Basketball and Softball.

Jane excelled on the basketball court and her senior year she earned honors as Co-Captain, Team MVP, MML Player of the Year, Golden Triangle Player of the Year, Cincinnati Post Player of the Year, SW Ohio District 15 Player of the Year, AP Associated Press All State First Team Player, UPI United Press International All State First Team Player.

In 1979, Monroe High School retired her Basketball Jersey. She was named Hornet of the Year. Jane broke and set numerous basketball records in assists, steals, field goal percent, free throw percent. Many of these records were held for over twenty years. She scored an amazing 1045 points over her three years. To this date she maintains the record of scoring 52 points in a single game.

In 1999, Jane Murphy was inducted into the Butler County Hall of Fame.

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Steve Miltenberger

Sophomore year he earned Varsity letters in Football and Baseball.

Junior year he earned Varsity letter in Basketball and was Team Assist Leader, Averaged 13.6 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.
Varsity Football honors earned Team Most Outstanding Hornet Player Award and First Team All MML.
Earned Varsity letter in Golf.

Senior year he earned the Golf Scholastic Award.
Varsity Basketball honors earned Team Co-Captain, Team Assist Leader, Second Team All MML and he averaged 14.9 points and 10 rebounds per game.
Varsity Football honors earned Team Co-Captain, Most Outstanding Hornet Player Award and First Team All MML. He broke and set the Quarterback Completion % record that he held for many years.

He was a team member of the first Undefeated Football Season in Monroe History at 10-0 while maintaining a 13 game winning streak and they claimed the MML Championship. During his two years as Varsity Quarterback he threw for touchdowns in 19 of 20 games that he started and the team went 19-1.

Steve continued his Athletic career at Michigan State University where he played four years of Football and one year of Basketball.

Debbie Colliver

Sophomore year she earned Varsity letters in Volleyball, Basketball and Softball.

Junior year she earned Co-Captain and Co-MVP honors in Varsity Volleyball and Softball.
Varsity Basketball honors earned Co-Captain, Team Rebound Leader and Most Rebounds in a single game with 21.

Senior year she earned MVP honors in Varsity Volleyball and Varsity Softball.
Varsity Basketball honors earned Most Rebounds in a Single Season, Team Co-Captain, Team MVP, Team Rebound Leader, Team Free Throw %, First Team MML Player, First Team SW Ohio District 15 Player, Golden Triangle Player of the Year, AP Associated Press All State Second Team Player, UPI United Press International All State Second Team Player.

In 1980, Monroe High School retired her Basketball Jersey. She was named Hornet of the Year. Debbie broke and set basketball records for free throw % and rebounds that were held over 20 years. To date her Single Season Rebound record still stands at 347 rebounds. She scored 803 points and an amazing 801 rebounds over her three years.

Debbie continued her Athletic career playing Basketball and Softball at the University of Toledo.

Stacey Williams

An all-around athlete, Stacey Williams participated in soccer, basketball, track, softball, and cross country.
Stacey’s soccer awards include Offensive Player of the Year Award, Most Valuable Player, First Team MML, Miami Valley Scholastic Soccer Coaches’ Association South First Team, Miami Valley Scholastic Soccer Coaches’ Association All-Area Team, and Third Team All-State. As a freshman, she broke the Single-Season Scoring Record with 28 goals. As a senior, and Team Captain, Stacey ended her soccer career with a total of 94 goals.

A 4-year Varsity basketball player, Stacey received the Most Improved Player Award as a sophomore. During her junior year, she earned Honorable Mention All-League and received the Golden Scholar Certificate from the Ohio Basketball Coaches’ Association. She was also awarded the Team Co-Defensive Player. As a senior, and Team Captain, Stacey was the team’s leading scorer, leading in FG% and steals. Stacey received Most Valuable Player, First Team MML and was recognized in District 15, Dayton Area, and Butler County. She was honored as an Associated Press All-Southwestern Player.

Stacey ended her track career with four school records in the 100 meter dash, 200 meter dash, 100 meter hurdles, and 300 meter hurdles. As a senior, her record of 15.7 seconds in the 100 meter hurdles was an MML Meet record. Stacey was also three time District and Regional qualifier.

Stacey received the Alex Fultz Award, the United States Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award, the Joe Nuxhall Foundation Award, and Hornet of the Year.

Stacey’s athletic career continued at Wilmington College. There, she participated in soccer, basketball, and track. A soccer standout, she was a three time First-Team NSCAA All-American. She ended her soccer career with a record setting 98 goals. Named the Ohio NCAA Woman of the Year, she was later nationally recognized as a Top Ten Finalist NCAA Woman of the Year.

In 2007, Stacey was inducted into the Wilmington College Athletic Hall of Fame.

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Jeff Epperson

A standout student athlete Jeff excelled in Wrestling and Football at Monroe High.

Sophomore year he earned Varsity letters in Football and Wrestling.
Wrestling honors he earned Most Valuable Player, Most Pins Award, Fastest Pin18.5 seconds.

Junior year Wrestling honors he earned Most Valuable Player, Most Take Downs 40, Most Pins Award 20, Fastest Pin 40 seconds, Runner-up at District

Varsity Football honors he earned Most Improved Player, 2 yr pin.

Senior year Wrestling honors earned Most Valuable Player, Most Take Downs, Most Pins

Varsity Football honors he earned 3 yr pin.

Jeff was a tackle on two consecutive Undefeated Football Seasons in Monroe History 1969 and 1970. He was sought by Division I College Football programs from around the country and eventually accepted a scholarship from Woody Hayes to play for The Ohio State University. After his freshman year at OSU, he made the decision to transfer to Miami University where he could participate in both football and wrestling. At Miami he was a member of the team that won the Tangerine Bowl Game.

Wrestling was his passion and he pursued his wrestling career in A.A.U Freestyle Competition while at Miami winning numerous NCAA heavyweight tournaments ranking second in the nation. During his wrestling career Jeff earned over a 100 medals and trophies. In 1978 he was the second opponent out of 15,000 wrestlers to beat a brown bear named Victor in a match.

Jeff was a member of the New York Athletic Club and was the second alternate to the 1976 Olympic Wrestling Team. He was in hopes of earning a spot on the 1980 United States Olympic Wrestling Team but a severe knee injury ended his career.

Don “Chick” Garver

A natural athlete, Don Garver participated in football, basketball, baseball and track.

His teammates and coaches were captivated by his speed, vertical jump and natural athleticism!

Eugene “Gene” Rice
Varsity Football Coach

Coach Rice is the most successful gridiron mentor in Monroe Football History. He built a football program that dominated the Mid-Miami League during his tenure at Monroe. He coached the hornets to their first MML League Championship in 1967.

Coach Rice instilled a winning attitude in all of his players and the Hornets went on to have two consecutive Undefeated Seasons going 10-0 in 1969 and 1970. The Hornets were ranked #14 in Ohio Big School Division in 1970. Coach Rice and the Hornets recorded a winning streak of 23 straight games during late 1968 to 1970 seasons and had 29 wins and only 1 loss over three seasons.

Coach Rice and the Hornets captured 5 MML Championships. He was honored as MML Coach of the Year 5 times and voted Outstanding Coach in Butler County in 1969 and 1970. The Monroe Chamber of Commerce named him Outstanding Citizen in 1970.

During his 15 years at Monroe he had a combined record of 98 wins, 47 losses, and four ties.

The caliber of his coaching skills resulted in many Hornet players receiving scholarships to play football at The Ohio State, Michigan, Miami Oh and Michigan State.

In 1988 the College Football Hall of Fame, Kings Island, Ohio placed a brick in Coach Rice’s honor in the Walk of Champions which honors outstanding High School Teams and Coaches throughout the United States.

Gene Rice received honors as a player during his high school years in football, basketball and baseball in Gloucester, Ohio. He was a graduate of the University of Dayton.

Joe Urso
Varsity Baseball Coach

As Monroe Baseball Coach he had an astounding 301 victories the most by any coach in Monroe Baseball History. Joe was voted Coach of the Year when winning the league championships. He coached his teams to 6 MML championships in 1982, ’83, ’84, ’85, ’86 and’87.

1974-1977

Dave Marshall

Earned Varsity letters in Football, Wrestling and Track & Field.
Dave excelled in Football and his senior year he earned Co-Captain, Armco Most Outstanding Football Player of the Year, Hornets Most Unassisted Tackles with 68, Hornets Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman of Year, McDonalds Most Outstanding Player of Year, Hornet of the Year Runner Up, MML All Star Team at Middle Linebacker, First Team MML Player at Offensive Tackle, First Team Dayton Journal Herald All Star Player at Offensive Tackle, First Team Golden Triangle Player at Offensive Tackle, First Team Southwestern Ohio District 15 Player, High School All American.

Standing at 6’5”, David was a force to be reckoned with on the football field. He was a starter on both sides of the ball at Offensive Tackle and Defensive Tackle dominating the opponents. David was recruited by numerous NCAA Division I programs throughout the country. He accepted a Full Football Athletic Scholarship and continued his football career at Southern Methodist University. He was a 4-year starter for SMU receiving numerous honors; and as a senior, he received the coveted Mike Kelsey Award that is presented to the athlete who displays the attitude, hustle and desire exemplary of the late Mike Kelsey.

1975-1978

Peggy Miller

Earned Varsity letters in Volleyball, Basketball and Softball.
Peggy excelled in all three sports and her senior year she earned Co-Captain, MVP in Volleyball. Softball honors she earned Co-Captain, Co-MVP, Most RBI, Most Homeruns and Butler County All Star Team Player. Basketball honors she earned Co-Captain, Co- MVP, First Team MML Player, Cincinnati Post Second Team Player and Golden Triangle Honorable Mention Player.

In 1978 Peggy was named Hornet of the Year. Her overhead attack serve technique in Volleyball stunned her opponents. She helped lead the 1978 Softball and Basketball teams to MML Championships. She had an amazing .529 batting average in softball and set a new school record in points scored in a single basketball game with 37. Over her three-year career she scored 563 points in basketball. Her natural athleticism allowed her to break and set numerous records in all three sports. Peggy continued her Athletic career playing Basketball and Softball at Wilmington College.

Kurt Sarringhaus

Earned Varsity letters in Football, Basketball, Baseball and Track.
Kurt excelled in Basketball, Track and Football and as a standout running back he helped lead the 1967 Football team to MML Championship.

His senior year in Track he was a MML Champion in the long jump and set a school record of 21’11 ¾”.

Basketball honors he earned Co-Captain, Leading Scorer, Assist Leader, Most Outstanding Player, First Team MML Player, First Team All District Player and Third Team Southwest Ohio Player.
Football honors he earned Co-Captain, Hornet Outstanding Offensive Back, Hornet Most Valuable All Around Player, Butler County Leading Scorer, First Team MML Running Back/Defensive Back, First Team All District Running Back/Defensive Back, First Team Southwest Ohio Player, AP Associated Press All State Ohio Third Team Player.

In 1969 Kurt was named Hornet of the Year. His speed and stamina on the turf made him the object of intense recruiting by Ohio State, Michigan, Ohio University, Penn State; and he accepted a full athletic scholarship to play football at Ohio University. His athletic career came to an abrupt end his freshman year due to a severe knee injury.

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1951-1955

Varsity lettered in Track & Field and Swimming.

A standout student athlete Pat excelled in Track & Field at Monroe High. She was the first female athlete at Monroe to compete in State competition.

Her senior year she earned honors as League Champion in Shot Put, League Champion in Discus, League Champion in the 100 Yard Dash, League Champion High Jump and League Champion on the 400 Yard Relay Team. In State competition she placed Third in Shot Put and Seventh in Discus. She was named Hornet of the Year.

During her athletic career at Monroe, Pat set numerous records in Discus which she held for over twenty years. In Shot Put, she still maintains the record at a distance of 37’11.5”.

Dan excelled in Football at Monroe High as an Offensive Guard with a blocking efficiency graded at 83%. He earned honors as team Co-Captain, Offensive Lineman of the Year, MML First Team, Golden Triangle First Team, Dayton Area All Stars First Team, Southwest Ohio First Team, AP Associated Press All State Second Team, UPI United Press International All State Second Team, Armco Athletic Award, National Varsity Club Most Improved Award and All State Football Team Class AAA honors.

Dan was named Hornet of the Year and was invited to play in the All Ohio All Star North-South Game. He was recruited by numerous NCAA Division I programs throughout the country and accepted a full athletic scholarship to play football at Marshall University.

During his career at Marshall, Dan was the University’s first full four year starter having played every offensive snap for 44 straight ball games. His senior year he was awarded the Teams MVP. This was a testament of his overall toughness and durability. He also was All Conference in Track & Field at Marshall earning two letters throwing the Shot Put and Discus.

In 2011 Dan was inducted into the Marshall University Athletic Hall of Fame.