For an athlete, the rumble of the crowds or the taste of victory is always rewarding in the moment. But as time passes and a person’s sporting days fade, the ultimate achievement comes with leaving a legacy recognized by the community.
On February 14, 2025, the fourth annual Hall of Fame class was inducted into Northview history. The ceremony occurred in the auditorium, followed by a dinner and a recognition of inductees at the varsity boys’ basketball game. The new members of The Hall of Fame. included Northview alumnus Dave Bockheim, Curtis Perkins, Shane Sieracki, Andy Korytkowski, Ed Barnes, the 1989 State champion track team, and coaches Al Korytkowski and Chip Aymer.
The first part of creating the Hall of Fame inductee night is determining who will be welcomed to the club. Athletic Director Pat Marsman spearheads the process.
“We have a committee of five people, then we do a job interview,” Marsman said. “We look at all the nominations and the committee nominates people they think are worthy of the hall of fame, then we review them and select different amounts each year.”
The class is unique for Marsman, as a Northview alum himself, many of these inductees were athletes while he was a student.
“In this year’s class, I know quite a few of them. I graduated in 1988, so I know the inductees from that era,” Marsman said.
Shane Sieracki was one of the inductees. Sieracki was part of the 1989 state champion track team. He ran the 800 M relay and 1600 M relay and was a state champion in both. Sieracki is the 800 Relay and 1600 relay school record holder and a varsity letter winner in track in 1992 and 1993 in the 400M hurdles and 1600M Relay, both indoor and outdoor. He also has many recognitions in basketball, including 1989 conference champions, team captain in 1988 and 1989, All-Conference 1989, and All-Area 1989. Sieracki was not only a track and basketball star, he was a football one too. He was an All-Conference QB and punter 1989, GR Press HM All-Area 1988, All-State punter 1989, selected to play in the East/West All-Star game at MSU as DB and punter, CMU football scholarship, Varsity letter winner football at WR 1990-1993, Conference champions in 1990, and a CMU academic award in 1992 and 1993. Despite his accomplishments, Sieracki was shocked when he first heard the news of his induction.
“I didn’t know when the number came across my phone. I picked it up and Pat said, ‘Hey Shane, this is Mars.’ I said, ‘Mars?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, Mars.’ He goes, ‘Well, I just wanted you to know, welcome to the Hall of Fame.’ At first, I just kind of sat there for about 10 seconds quietly shocked,” Sieracki said.
Sieracki wants today’s athletes to use hard work to achieve their dreams.
“You still need to have competitive sports, you have to have a competitive drive and you need to want to stand out. You always have to work,” Sieracki said.
The Hall of Fame brings a significant meaning to athletics at Northview.
“It symbolizes honor and cherishes the great things that people have done at Northview throughout the years,” Marsman said. “I just hope when athletes are out in the commons area, they feel inspired to work hard. Hopefully, they’re role models for people like yourself and other Wildcats.”
1993 graduate Ed Barnes was also inducted into the Hall of Fame. Barnes was a 1993 track state champion in the 100 M dash and the 300 low hurdles. Barnes was the state record holder for the 300M long hurdles for six years. He holds the track school records for the 110M, 300 long hurdles, 100M, and 3200M relay. Barnes was also a 6x All-State athlete in the 100M dash, 300 long hurdles, and the long jump. A 4x All-conference in 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993. Barnes was a World Sports Exchange Athlete. He competed in Germany and Switzerland. Not only was he a track athlete, but he played basketball too. His accomplishments include holding the school record for the most block shots (110), Conference champion in 1992, and All-Conference in 1993.
Athletes don’t reach their goals without support. Barnes had a lot of family and friends supporting him from behind the sidelines during his career.
“In track, it was Chip Aymer,” Barnes said. “He taught me so much. And then my peers. We pushed each other, we enjoyed winning together. We got on each other, not in a bad way, more of a constructive way.”
As Barnes reflects on his time at the high school and his aspirations for the future, he shares his hopes for leaving a lasting legacy within the school community.
“I want to be remembered as someone who came through and made a difference. I’m not done with Northview yet, so I hope to return and maybe someday I could be like Al Korytkowski up there,” Barnes said. “I want the student body to see me as important, someone to strive to.”
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