Are you a potential Hall of Famer? Do you know a Hall of Famer? Applications for the Chaska High Hall of Fame Class of 2025 are now being accepted.
Started in 2008, the Chaska Hall of Fame seeks to recognize those who have made significant athletic/activities contributions to Chaska High, past or present, in support of the three pillars of CHS: Tradition, Excellence, Community. The Hall of Fame not only offers inductees the recognition of their efforts but also establishes a threshold as a role model for future inductees to achieve.
The Hall has 118 members from the classes of 1906 to 2010. Members of the Hall include current coaches: Kris Rydland and Sue Murphy; former politicians: State Senator Eric Paulson and former Chaska Mayor Bob Roepke; pro athletes and broadcasters: Brad Hand, Tim Mattran, and Spencer Tollackson; and current district 112 teachers: Sam Sather and Chris Lenius.
Nominations are accepted in the following categories:
- Athlete (male/female) – Those who had a defining career as a CHS athlete.
- Arts and Activities – Those who were (or are) involved with the artistic and activity group(s) at CHS.
- Coach/Advisor – A past or current coach or adviser to an athletic team or arts/activities group.
- Contributor/Alumni – Anyone who has made a resolute and selfless contribution of time and talents to athletics or arts and activities.
- Distinguished Alumni – An alumnus of CHS who has a record of service and/or continuation to the community (or greater).
Applications are reviewed by the Hall of Fame committee (a cross representation of athletics and activities office directors, administrators, past and present coaches and advisers) with an induction dinner ceremony held in the fall. Selected inductees will be honored on the Hall of Fame wall at the high school with a photo plaque listing their accomplishments and contributions to CHS.
2024 inductee Julie Rydeen shared, “It’s such an honor to have been selected. There are so many other deserving people. I’m so amazed to be a part of the others on the wall. Really, it’s just insane.” Rydeen was selected in the contributor category through her selfless and dedicated effort in a variety of booster activities, most notably leading the efforts to start the Hawk Shop. All of the Hawk Shop’s profits go to support Chaska athletes and there are no administrative fees. As the mother of seven past CHS graduates, Rydeen wanted to be involved with her kids’ activities and give her time/efforts to the school. She was involved with school shops at Chaska Elementary and Middle School East before starting the first Hawk Shop in the Green House in the mid-2000s before soliciting assistance from many local businesses to furnish and decorate the shop in its present location.
“I’m just so tickled when I see someone wearing an item they got from the shop and even more excited when I know I helped with the item’s selection,” she said.
A list of past inductees and more information can be found on the Chaska Hall of Fame website.
Anyone can submit a nomination application. Once nominated, an individual’s application will be kept on file in the CHS Activities office and he/she will remain eligible for induction for up to 10 years.
