NAC launches district-wide Athletic Hall of Fame

ELLENBURG | After more than a year of planning and with hearty district support, Northern Adirondack Central School (NAC) is launching an Athletic Hall of Fame. Mathematics teacher Chad Duprey has created a ground force to commemorate athletic achievement. "We have had some outstanding coaches and athletes," Duprey said in a recent conversation with the Sun. "And this will include athletic accomplishment going back to the era before the district was centralized in 1970 and include schools in Altona, Ellenburg and Lyon Mountain." The district has a storied sports history, some of which hearkens back to fierce baseball competition in the mining days. "Doing my research and talking to community members about baseball, there were numerous gentlemen from the area who had Major League Baseball contracts in the 1950s and 1960s." At least six alumni athletes were approached by MLB, one from Altona, one from Ellenburg and four from Lyon Mountain. Duprey said the plan coalesced as he prepared background for his father Ricky Duprey's induction into the Peru Central School Athletic Hall of Fame. He realized student athletes ought to be celebrated here, too. "It had been talked about in the past but never gained any legs," Duprey said. The legwork involved forming an Athletic Hall of Fame Committee that includes the district's Athletic Director Zachary Pierson. The committee and their idea gained traction with approval from the School Board and district Superintendent James Knight. They began looking for space in the school to designate as a "hall of fame. It's been over a year in planning, Duprey said. "Behind the scenes, we've been fundraising, organizing and creating a nomination form. We'll begin accepting nominations on Nov. 10." To start the process, members of the committee were asked to nominate one person. Selections are based on a point scale to measure accolades and achievements. "We are hoping to nominate 10 people to start," Duprey said. Superintendent Knight said the district had discussed founding an Athletic Hall of Fame multiple times. "But we didn't have someone like Chad to get the ball rolling," he said. "We believe it will be a great community showcase. This is a great opportunity to bring people in and create a sense of pride in our district. Having historical nominations and NAC alumni nominations is important. "This is a great opportunity for the district." NAC's Athletic Hall of Fame will feature official plaques and digital displays that use Q-codes to provide online context for success that has endured through generations here. The Q-code will lead to online background information and history about each athlete and a list of their accomplishments, whether they were celebrated 70 years ago or in recent years. "This will help people learn more about the history of sports at the schools and student athletes in the North Country," Duprey said. AN OFFICIAL LAUNCH An official announcement went out Nov. 10, calling for nominations. "This new initiative underscores NAC's commitment to preserving and honoring its rich athletic history while inspiring future generations of student athletes," the call for nominees says. "We are proud to honor athletic achievements made before the creation of what we know today as Northern Adirondack Central School. Graduates and past coaches from Altona, Lyon Mountain and Ellenburg schools are welcome to be nominated, as they are just as much a part of that rich history of community and athletics." Nominations for the 2025-26 school year are due by May 15, 2026. And information about the Athletic Hall of Fame, along with the for,m can be found on the Athletics page of the school's website www.nacs1.org Paper copies of the nomination form are available in the NAC Middle/High School office. When completed, the forms can be dropped off at the Middle/High School office or mailed to the NAC Athletic Director: NAC Athletics, P.O. Box 164. Ellenburg Depot, NY 12935 The school is located at 5586 Route 11 in Ellenburg. The inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame class will be selected in June 2026 with a celebration ceremony at the wall next fall. Duprey showed the long hallway that awaits a legacy of honor for NAC alumni, athletes and coaches who have led the way. It's a long, unadorned stretch that runs the length of the gym. "By the time we get to the end of the wall," he smiled, "I'll be retired. "We're just really proud to be able to celebrate the long legacy of sports achievement in our district."

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NAC launches district-wide Athletic Hall of Fame

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