Rockhurst Football Program Set to be Inducted into State Hall of Fame
The program will be the first Missouri Class 6 team to receive the honor when inducted on April 23.
Junior offensive lineman Andrew Sprague lifts junior running back Aidan Ryan in celebration after Ryan scored a touchdown during Rockhurst’s game against Blue Springs on Oct. 7, 2022. Ryan scored two touchdowns and gained 120 yards on 21 carries.
April 10, 2023
When you think about a hall of fame, you might often think of great individuals. However, the whole Rockhurst football program will be inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame later this month. The Hawklets program will join 20 other honorees–including former Kansas City Royals Center Fielder Lorenzo Cain–as new inductees this year.
The Rockhurst football program has a long and storied history, dating back to the early 1900s. Since then, the program has become one of the most successful in Missouri high school football history, producing countless talented players and winning numerous state championships.
“We’re talking about decades and decades of a lot of teams that have had a lot of success and many head coaches that have had a profound impact on the school, so that’s what this is really about,” current head coach Kelly Donohoe said.
The program will join former Rockhurst head coach Tony Severino (1983-2019) and Donohoe in the Hall of Fame. Severino, who won a school record 345 games and coached the team to nine state championships during his 36 years at the helm , was inducted in 2018. Donohoe was inducted a year later.
Rockhurst will be the eleventh high school football program to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but the first Class 6 team.
The reason for Rockhurst’s induction is its rich winning history. Rockhurst’s nine state championships are fourth most in the state. The school’s 16 championship game appearances since 1969 ranks first. Five Hawklet teams have won a championship with a perfect record, and Rockhurst has been nationally ranked multiple times.
“If you were able to line up and beat Rockhurst, then you would be able to compete for a state championship,” Donohoe said.
Rockhurst hasn’t just produced winning teams, but also many notable players throughout its history. The Thomas A. Simone Memorial Award is given to the most outstanding football player in the Kansas City Area. Twelve players from Rockhurst have won this award.
“Rockhurst has been fortunate for decades to have great kids to walk these halls and some really good football players,” Donohoe said.
The induction of the Rockhurst football program into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame marks just the latest achievement for a storied program that began in 1916.
“It’s always great to have your accomplishments recognized,” athletic director Michael Dierks said, “but to be in a hall of fame, especially the state hall of fame, is really special.”
The formal induction ceremony will take place on Sunday, April 23 at Municipal Auditorium (301 W 13th St, Kansas City, MO 64105). Former players, coaches and managers can attend. You’re asked to Kari Norris (kari@mosportshalloffame.com or 417-893-1593) of the MSHOF if you want to go.
