Mason-Dixon Games Hall of Fame Inductees

Mason-Dixon Games
Jonathan Grooms

     The Mason-Dixon Athletic Club will host its 49th Annual Mason-Dixon Games on March 6-7, 2009, at Broadbent Arena at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Approximately 3,000 athletes from middle and high schools within Kentucky and approximately 70 Masters and Open athletes will converge on Louisville for the annual indoor championship meet.

     In conjunction with the 49th Annual Mason-Dixon Games, the Mason-Dixon Athletic Club will be inducting nine individuals into the Mason-Dixon Games Hall of Fame. A banquet will be held in their honor on Thursday, March 5, 2009 at the Wildwood Country Club, 5000 Bardstown Rd in Fern Creek. The banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $35.00 per person. Reservations and money can be sent to William F. Nault, 203 Brown Ave., St. Matthews, KY 40205, 502-548-4096. The deadline for reservations is Sunday, March 1, 2009.

 

The following inductees are:

Ron Althoff…Ohio official that for many years organized the field officials and was field event referee for the Mason-Dixon Games.

David L. Armstrong…former Mason-Dixon AC member and track official for the Mason-Dixon Games. A long time supporter to the Games in his former elective office positions of Jefferson County Judge Executive and Mayor of the City of Louisville.

Robert “Bobby” Brown…holds the longest standing high school record in the long jump. A 1966 grad of Male High School, NAIA track and field All-American at Univ. of Arkansas Pine Bluff and was a member of the US National Track & Field team.

Susie Brutscher…a Louisville product and pioneer in track and field. She set a world record at the Mason-Dixon Games in 1976 in the pole vault.

Tommy Haynes…former Middle Tennessee State University triple jumper and long jumper and participant in the Mason-Dixon Games. 3 time All-American, 1976 U.S. Olympian, former US and NCAA triple jump record holder and presently serves as a Mason-Dixon Games long jump and triple jump official.

David A. Jones…a significant supporter of the Mason-Dixon AC and Games in time of need. Co-founder and former chairman of the board and CEO of Humana, Inc.

Donald G. “Donnie” Ray…dedicated track and field official at the Mason-Dixon Games for over 40 years. A Louisville Male grad and avid runner.

Tommie Smith…set an indoor WR in 1967 at the Mason-Dixon Games in the 440 yard dash. 1968 Olympic gold medalist at 200m in a WR 19.83. Namesake of the Tommie Smith Track & Field Meet held in Berkley CA and Louisville, KY.

Jack Thompson…served as finish judge at the inaugural 1961 Mason-Dixon Games and for the next 37 years was records clerk for the 57 World indoor records set on the Mason-Dixon track. Jack died in 1999 at the age of 92.

 

        Friday evening, the middle school athletes compete along side the Masters and Open athletes. Masters and Open events begin at 4:30 PM with the middle school events beginning at 5:15 PM. Approximately 800 athletes from over 40 schools will compete for the middle school indoor championship.

     Saturday events start at 8:00 AM with the Class A division where 600 athletes from over 30 schools will compete.   

     Class AA events begin at 1:00 PM with over 600 athletes representing over 30 schools.

     At 5:00 PM, the Class AAA events will start with approximately 1,000 athletes from over 40 schools will be competing.

     All classes will be competing for the high school indoor championship.

     Admission to the Games is $5.00 each day.

     As a community service project, the Mason-Dixon Games will again be collecting canned goods and non-perishable items for the Dare to Care Food Bank. The MDAC and Games Committee initiated this project during the 47th Mason-Dixon Games and over 2,300 pounds of canned goods and non-perishable items were collected. The request was included as part of the entry information to the middle and high schools, Masters and Open athletes and officials. The goal for this year is to double or exceed the previous collection.