Five inducted to Hall of Fame
The High Schools of DeLand Sports Hall of Fame will open its doors to five new inductees Friday, Oct. 26, during the DeLand - Mandarin football game in Spec Martin Stadium.
Those selected were Johnnie Daniels, Jim Dreggors, Dave Hiss, Sara McLarty and Leslie Valerie.
Mr. Daniels, Class of '77, placed football, basketball and track at DHS earning honors in all sports. He went on to play football at the University of Miami and upon graduation was rated as one of the top eight outside linebackers in the country. He went on to play pro football for several years.
Mr. Dreggors, Class of '51, played football and baseball at DeLand High when they still wore purple. He played college football at Stetson University. He also spent numerous years as a baseball coach in the Babe Ruth Program and American Legion.
Mr. Hiss did not graduate from DeLand High, but is in the Hall of Fame at Miami Columbus High School. He came to DeLand has a football coach where he served as a head coach at both DeLand and Pierson Taylor where he is also in the Hall of Fame.
Ms. McLarty, DHS Class of 2000, was an honored athlete in swimming, track and cross-country. She claimed an FHSAA swim title before moving onto the University of Florida where she earned 15 NCAA All-American titles. She is currently a professional triathlete.
Coach Valerie, as all knew him, was greatly respected as a coach and leader at Southwestern High School. He came to DeLand High School during the time the two schools combined and he and Coach Martin made a dynamic team bringing the two schools together. Mr. Valerie coached football and basketball while serving as the athletic director.
Game time is 7 p.m. The induction will take place at halftime.
Softball league starting
DeLand Parks & Recreation will be offering a Fall Recreational Adult Softball League at DeLand's Sperling Sports Complex from November through December.
Church, coed and men's division's will be offered with church playing Monday nights, coed playing Wednesday nights and men's playing Tuesday and Thursday nights. The League is open to anyone 18 years of age or older. Church and coed will play an eight game schedule and men's will play a 12 game schedule.
For more information including pricing, visit deland.org or call (386) 740-5800.