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Mike Hajek provided an update on the Staples Motley Hall of Fame at the September 9th Staples Rotary meeting. He noted how their intent is to improve the program each year and commented about the positive value the murals and trophy displays of athletic success bring to the school and how it enhances community pride. He explained that candidates must be nominated to be eligible for the Hall of Fame and that a committee of 15-18 people make the final decision. There are nine inductees each year.

Mike mentioned that the first state trophy was in 1971, that the first state title was in 1978, and that Staples Motley HS has a total of 94 state trophies. In Class A, SM has the most first place trophies with a total of 33; while Perham is second with 17. SM has a total of 78 individual state championships while Brainerd, as an example, has 9.

He made special note of the success of the wrestling program, commenting on the story he has written about the “Band of Brothers” that built that success. Of the many families of brothers in the program over the years, he noted the seven Jennison brothers and the story of what brought them to town. This year’s Induction Celebration will be held on October 10^th at the Centennial Auditorium in Staples.