Muskegon High School's Ronald Johnson (23) runs in the open ahead of East Kentwood defenders during a Sept. 1, 2005 game.
MUSKEGON, MI – The 2024 Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame induction class will make history this spring as the Board of Directors voted in the first soccer player in the organization’s long-standing history.
The honorary class will also include icons from the world of hockey and football, as well as a legendary state championship squad from the 1970s.
The 37th annual Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at the VanDyk Mortgage Convention Center in Muskegon. The event will begin with a social hour at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the ceremony slated to begin around 6:45 p.m.
Tickets to the event will be $50 per person with 8-person tables available for $500. Tickets will be available online beginning on Monday, April 29.
“Our board is very proud to present another fine class of sports legends to our storied hall of fame,” said Dan Beckeman, President of the Muskegon Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors. “For the first time, the Hall of Fame will add a soccer player to our list of legends. Our induction ceremony will be an exciting event to attend. We hope many sports enthusiasts will come to the Van Dyk Convention Center to join us in celebrating the achievements of the 2024 class of sports legends.”
Below is a deeper look at the 2024 Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame induction class.
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Muskegon County Commissioner John Snider. (MLive file photo)Contributed
John Snider
Few people have contributed to the history of hockey in Muskegon like John Snider. The longtime North Muskegon resident and Muskegon County Commissioner was a co-owner of both the Muskegon Mohawks and the Muskegon Lumberjacks – and helped keep professional hockey in the area for more than 50 consecutive years.
Snider’s impact went well beyond just being an administrator, however, as he also served as a coach, referee and director of the Muskegon Junior Hockey program from 1962 to 1985, as well as the director of the Lumberjacks Charitable Foundation for nine years.
His hockey knowledge and passion were recognized by the International Hockey League, where he served as the organization’s board chairman from 1981 to 1992. Snider was so well-respected in the IHL that it annually presented the John Snider Trophy to a player who demonstrated exceptional community service.
Snider’s passion for both the sport of hockey and the local community has helped build Muskegon into one of America’s great “hockey towns” and created a rich history of excellence on the ice.
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Oregon State University Beavers vs. University of Southern California at Reser Stadium USC wide receiver Ronald Johnson leans over the goal line for a touchdown in the third quarter. (Photo by Tom Boyd/The Oregonian)LC- The Oregonian
Ronald Johnson
The man referred to as “RoJo” by many in the Muskegon-area sports community evolved into an electrifying receiver and defensive back at Muskegon High School from 2004-06 and became one of the most heavily-recruited players in area history.
Johnson used his blazing speed, elite agility and uncanny football instincts to guide the Big Reds to undefeated state championship seasons in 2004 and 2006 under the leadership of legendary head coach Tony Annese and helped re-establish Muskegon High as a state powerhouse.
The 5-foot-10 athlete did a little bit of everything for the Big Reds, registering 1,600 all-purpose yards as a receiver, runner and kick returner during his senior season. He was considered the No. 8 overall recruit nationally in 2008 and was named a McDonald’s All-American. Johnson eventually chose USC, where he became known as a kickoff returner, ranking fifth in Trojans’ history with 1,263 kickoff return yards.
He also had 12 touchdown receptions and averaged better than 25 yards per reception for his four-year career. Johnson was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011 NFL Draft, but his history of injuries curtailed his NFL career. He later played in the Canadian Football League and one season for the West Michigan Ironmen indoor team.
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Muskegon's Todd Robinson smacks a pass towards a teammate during the Fury's playoff victory against the Port Huron Flags on Saturday. (MLive file photo/Ben Fredman)Ben Fredman
Todd Robinson
Regarded by many as the greatest playmaker in the history of Muskegon hockey, Todd Robinson, amassed an astonishing 1,546 points in 15 professional seasons on the ice.
He played center for nine years as a member of the Muskegon Fury from 2000-10 and formed a dynamic duo with linemate Robin Bouchard during their decade of dominance that resulted in Colonial Cup championship runs in 2002, 2004 and 2005.
Robinson, a native of Trail, British Columbia, first established himself as a point-scoring machine during six years with Portland of the Western Hockey League, piling up 470 points to get inducted into the team’s hall of fame. “T-Rob” then made his way east to Muskegon, where he didn’t miss a beat, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Robinson capped his second season with the Fury by scoring perhaps the most memorable goal in Muskegon hockey history, an overtime, game-winning and Cup-clinching breakaway goal.
He retired after the 2014 season, but still gives back to the community as a coach and by working youth hockey events and charitable functions.
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Muskegon Riser Matt Schmitt (34) on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018 at LC Walker Arena in Muskegon, Michigan. The Risers beat the Waza Flo 11-7. (Mike Krebs | MLive.com)Mike Krebs | MLive.com
Matt Schmitt
No one was more deserving as the first Muskegon Sports Hall of Fame inductee from the world of soccer than Matt Schmitt.
On the pitch, Schmitt put together a stellar career beginning with a four-year run as a varsity playmaker at Reeths-Puffer High School, followed by a collegiate career at the University of Michigan, where he moved into the starting lineup as a redshirt freshman in 2007.
As a senior in 2010, Schmitt scored three goals and added 11 assists as he helped the Wolverines to an appearance in Division I soccer’s “Final Four” for the first time in 11 years. He finished his career at Michigan with 11 goals and 31 assists.
Schmitt was instrumental in bringing the Muskegon Risers professional indoor/outdoor soccer team to Muskegon in 2015, serving as a front office executive and coach. He later filled in as a forward on the team during the 2015 season after the club found itself short-handed. He currently serves as the team’s director of operations.
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The 1971 Muskegon Big Reds Football Team. (MLive file photo)Muskegon Chronicle
1971 Muskegon High School Football Team
The Muskegon High School football program is one of the most tradition-rich in America and one of its most compelling seasons came in 1971.
The Big Reds brought in a brand-new coach in Larry Harp, who was joined by assistant coaches Dave Taylor and Warren Ormiston, but the team didn’t miss a beat, as they rolled to a 9-0 undefeated season and a mythical state championship – the 12th in school history and the first since 1951, ending a 20-year title drought.
Muskegon jumped out to a 6-0 record during the 1971 season with wins over Grand Rapids Catholic Central (21-0), Benton Harbor (28-6), Muskegon Heights (29-0), Grand Haven (37-14), Warren Mott (43-6) and Midland (46-15).
The Big Reds squared off with top-ranked Traverse City at Hackley Stadium in Week 7 and found themselves down 18-6 at halftime. A strong defensive effort in the second half, along with a key punt return by Larry Sohasky and a stellar performance from quarterback Bob Lindgren helped the Big Reds rally for a 20-18 win.
Two weeks later, Muskegon’s defense did it again against Muskegon Catholic and former head coach Roger Chiaverini in a 6-0 win, securing the undefeated season and a state championship.
The Big Reds were led by senior co-captains Jay Achterhoff at linebacker and Eric Van Camp at running back. The duo were both selected first team All-State for their incredible senior seasons.
Also earning Lake Michigan Athletic Conference honors were Steve Wilson, Rick Smith, Sohasky, Jim Olsen, Steve Schiller, Achterhoff and Rick George on defense and Randy Wissner, Mark Randall, Brad Young, Van Camp, Olsen and Schiller on offense.
The 1971 Muskegon Big Reds football team finished the season outscoring its nine opponents 281-78.
For more information on the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame, go to the organization’s new-and-improved website at www.mashf.com.
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