Leader Staff
Shawano Community High School’s athletic hall of fame will have three new members once the class is inducted on Oct. 1.
The Class of 2016, which will be honored in a ceremony prior to the homecoming football game, includes King Miller, Lee Otto and Dennis Blunk.
Miller, a 1952 graduate of Shawano High School, competed in all 12 athletic seasons of his high school career in football, basketball and track.
Miller displayed his prowess on the football field as the team’s fullback. He was also a member of the 1952 conference championship basketball team and was described as an outstanding defensive player. In the spring, Miller earned recognition as the high-hurdle conference champion.
Otto received four varsity letters, two in basketball and two in baseball from 1960-1961. Otto was a dominant all-around player leading his team in scoring, rebounding and free-throw percentage.
During Otto’s senior season in 1961, the Shawano Indians varsity basketball team earned a berth in the state tournament. There were no divisions in the early 1960s, so each school, no matter its size, had an opportunity to win the single-elimination tourney. Shawano (17-6) drew Waukesha (23-0), the No. 1 team in the state. The matchup was at the time thought to be one of the greatest games ever played in the state finals. The Indians lost 88-86 on a shot made with 4 seconds left in the game.
Otto’s efforts were recognized at the state level with second team all-state honors. He also represented the Indians as a second team all-conference player. Otto’s teammates and coach Rudy Ellis named him the 1961 team captain and most valuable player.
Otto continued his athletic success in the spring on the baseball diamond, where he led the Indians in hits, runs, RBIs and a .422 batting average.
At 6-foot-11, Blunk was a dominant force on the basketball court. He earned two varsity letters.
During the 1972-73 season, Blunk helped Shawano to a conference championship in his senior year by leading the team in scoring and rebounding. Blunk was named a unanimous selection to the All-Wisconsin Valley team after leading the conference in scoring with 298 points.
During his final season as a Shawano Indian, Blunk scored 520 points, averaging 22.6 points per game. Blunk was unstoppable, scoring 41 and 46 points in back-to-back games. Blunk set three school records by scoring most points in a game (46), gym record in a single game (41) and earning the highest field goal percentage at nearly 60 percent. He was named to the all-state second team.
The inductees will also be recognized during the homecoming parade at 6 p.m. Sept. 30 as part of the Shawano Community High School Booster Club float.
SCHS will hold the annual induction ceremony at 12:15 p.m. Oct. 1 in the high school commons. The homecoming football game against Waupaca will start at 1 p.m. The inductees will be introduced again on the field prior to the game.