Rockford District 205 inducts four new members into its athletics hall of fame

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/WQRF) — The Rockford Public School District 205 Athletics Hall of Fame has grown by four new members. Four individuals were inducted on Sunday at the pavilion at the Aldeen Golf Club.

It was a packed house and a festive atmosphere for this Fab Four.
One inductee was Horace Box the beloved former Auburn basketball and track and field coach.
Box coached 30 conference champions in track and field. He was also a beloved teacher at Auburn.

The late Clarence Miller was also inducted. Family members represented him at the ceremony. Miller was an amazing all-around athlete at Rockford West excelling in three sports. Basketball was his favorite, but it was football that got him a full-ride to Illinois State, and then a stint in the NFL with the Jets.

Laurie Miller became the first softball player to be inducted into the RPS 205 Hall of Fame. She was a fireballer for the Jefferson J-Hawks leading them to conference championships in 1979 and 1981. Miller went on to become the K-Queen at Northern Illinois University where she pitched 24 shutouts, three no-hitters, and one perfect game.

The fourth inductee was Rick Schmitz under the service category. Schmitz has spent 40-plus years coaching in District 205 at all four high schools. He was the head football coach at Auburn and Jefferson, and he was also a head wrestling coach.

Congratulations to all four inductees.

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