The Activities Hall of Fame is organized as a way of maintaining the rich heritage and tradition of the successful activity programs at Alliance High School. The Hall of Fame will serve as a means of recognizing, preserving, and honoring the athletes, performers, coaches, sponsors, directors, contributors and alumni who made significant contributions to activity programs. The Activities Hall of Fame will help maintain the spirit, pride, and sense of community, as well as serving as a historical account of the great activity traditions of Alliance High School.
The selection committee meets once a year to vote on new members. In order for nominee to be inducted, the nominee must receive at least a 75% majority vote from the selection committee members in attendance.
On July 29th the selection committee met and reviewed 41 outstanding applications. The list currently contains 21 state champions or 1st team all-state athletes. 29 different nominations received at least one vote from committee members. The new nominations this year made the process extremely difficult for the committee. Finally, seven athletes, one performer and two coaches were settled on to represent the Class of 23 and Class of 24.
Class of 2023
Rocky Almond (Coach)- Rocky served Alliance 26 years as a coach and activities director. He coached in five state tournaments including the 2001 Boy’s State Championship basketball team. He was the Omaha World Herald boy’s coach of the year. Rocky coached 4 different all-star teams in his tenure. He was also the District V AD of the year in 2015. Rocky has also been named the Alliance Times Herald Person of the Year during his time in Alliance.
Don Coupens Class of 1949 (Athlete)- In the 1948 State Track Meet, Don won three medals as the team won the first track state title in school history. He was second in the long jump and pole vault and was fifth in the high jump. In 1949, Don would win the gold medal in Class A pole vault with a school record and meet record jump of 12 feet 8 ½ inches.
Amy Harris Class of 2010 (Performer)- Amy was an vital part of the 2009 State Champion Team. Amy was named the Outstanding Performer.
John “Tony” Magdeleno Class of 1982 (Athlete)- John was a three sport athlete in high school. He was a starter and letterman in football and a basketball letterman. He was a standout in track and field. John was an individual state champion in the mile as well as an overall gold medalist as part of the 3200-meter relay team.
Shirley Schlenker (Coach)- Shirley served in the Alliance school district for 34 years. Shirley spent 26 years coaching volleyball at the 8th and 9th grade levels. She served 11 years as a track coach including a stint in the head position. She served 16 years as the head girl’s tennis coach and 1 year as the head boy’s tennis coach. Shirley was Alliance’s first head softball coach for 4 years and then continued 3 more years as the assistant.
Class of 2024
Bruce Brost Class of 1955 (Athlete)- Bruce was part of the 1955 State Champion track squad. He won the gold medal in the Class A mile with a time of 4:38.1.
Martie Burke Class of 2007 (Athlete)- Martie was an exceptional athlete at Alliance High School. She graduated with a total of three Class B State Championships, numerous All Conference awards, six academic all-state awards, and eleven varsity letters. She was a starting guard on the 2007 Class B State Champion girls’ basketball team. Martie wa the 2004 and 2006 Class B State Doubles Tennis champions with different partners.
Melanie Caroselli Class of 2001 (Athlete)- Melanie was a multi-sport athlete. She holds the school record in the triple jump and has the distinction of being the only girl to have started every varsity game in her 4-year career.
Justin Dietrich Class of 1999 (Athlete)- Justin was a three year starter in football at running back, defensive back and punter. He was an all-state football athlete at defensive back for Alliance. He played in the 1999 Shrine Bowl. He was also a multi-year starter in basketball. He was a premier triple jumper, placing 3rd in the state meet jumping over 46 feet. Justin excelled in baseball for the American Legion program.
Bob Miller Class of 1955 (Athlete)- Bob was part of the 1955 track state championship team. He was the school record holder in the low hurdles placing 2nd at the state meet with first place going to a teammate. He was also part of the gold medal 880 relay team at the state meet. Bob served as co-captain of this outstanding team.
Inductees will be honored during Homecoming week. The induction ceremony is scheduled for October 26th.