The Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame will induct eight new members on Jan. 17 at the Gardens of Park Hills, beginning at 1 p.m.
The new honorees are:
JESS HERBST – SOCCER-TRACK AND FIELD COACH
DAYTON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1990
Jesse Herbst returned to Dayton High School as the football coach in 2019 to rebuild a struggling program.
Herbst is a 1990 Dayton graduate who played football and ran track. There he began his career as a teaching coach after graduating from college. He went to Simon Kenton High School in 2004 and spent 15 years as an assistant football coach for the Pioneers before returning to his alma mater. Dayton teams have compiled a 25-31 overall record and a 3-5 record in Class 1A playoff games over the past five seasons.
Jesse Herbst (photo provided)
He left a highly successful Simon Kenton program to take over a Dayton team that hadn't had a winning season from 2008-2018. Before he arrived, the Greendevils finished the 2018 season with an 0-9 record and lost three of their last five games because there weren't enough players with sufficient varsity experience to fill out a lineup.
“My whole career has been designed for me and it's been great,” Herbst said of taking the Dayton job. “Now, toward the end of my career, I have the opportunity to bring what I've learned and all my experience to a school that needs help.”
Jesse played and lettered 4 years of football at Dayton. Named All-Conference and NKY All Star in 1989. Jesse also ran track for 6 years. He was named the NKAC Runner of the Year in both 1989 and 1990. After high school Jesse went on to play at Campbellsville College where he was part of the first Mid-South Conference champions in 1992. After college he returned to Dayton as an assistant coach for 18 years. In 1996 and 1998 Dayton finished as regional runner-up to eventual state champion Beechwood High School. He received his teaching degree from NKU and began teaching and coaching at Simon Kenton in 2004. During his 15 years as defensive coordinator, the program developed into an NKY power house that won the Regional in 2008 and 2015, and the second position in 2008. coaching the girls track team in 2005 and the track and field team in 2006. His success continued as the boys were district runners-up in 2010 and district champions in 2014. He then returned to Dayton as the football coach, the head track coach and the dean of students.
TOM FERGUSON – FOOTBALL
DAYTON CLASS OF 1965
Tom was the starting halfback at Dayton in 1963 and 1964. Tom was also the starting defensive tackle at 145 pounds. A combination unheard of nowadays. In 1963 Tom was the second leading scorer in the NKAC behind his brother Skip who was the leading scorer. Both years, Tom was named to the NKAC All-Star team and the Courier-Journal All-State Class A teams. During those years, Dayton had a 14-3-1 record, losing to Highlands and two years, which resulted in a 1963 runner-up finish and 1964 champions. The 1964 Dayton team was the only undefeated team in Class A in Kentucky, but was denied a playoff berth due to the old Dickenson rating system. Elkhorn City emerged as the district winner with a loss and a tie to become the eventual state champions. Because of this discrepancy, Kentucky Commonwealth changed their playoff system in 1965. The first team to benefit from these changes were Lloyd in 1965 and Dayton in 1966. Tom attended Georgetown College after high school, but dropped out early for a tour in Vietnam. Tom has served his country, community and schools in a remarkable way.
MEGAN “VIOX' DESOLA – TRACK-C C
CONNER CLASS OF 1990
Megan ran track and cross country all 4 years at Conner. As a freshman Megan was part of the 4×200 relay team that finished 6th at the State meet in AAA. During her junior year, Megan won regionals in the 100m and was 2nd in the 200m. He also ran anchor on the 4×100 and 4×200 relay team. Megan was named All-Region and awarded a plaque as the fastest girl in NKY. In her senior year she again won the 100 and 200 meters at Regionals. He also anchored the first-place 4×200-meter relay team and then finished 4th in the high jump. He did this to try and score more points for the team. Failing to land in the top two in the high jump, he did not qualify for the sectional. He returned to anchor the 4×100 relay team to win Sectionals and qualify for state. At the State meet Megan placed 5th in the 100m, 4th in the 200m, 4th in the 4×200 and 4th in the 4×100. Again, he earned All-Region honors and again recorded the fastest 200m time that year. Her coach said it was really amazing to watch her performance.
ANGELA TULLIS HUMMELDORF – SOFTBALL-VOLLEY-COACH-REFEREE
NEWPORT CENTRAL CATHOLIC CLASS OF 2000
Angela was part of 3 State Championship softball teams while at NCC. During that time, she was named to several all-tournament teams and MVP awards. Following the 2000 season, she was named the Kentucky Softball Player of the Year. Angela also played volleyball earning multiple All-Tourney teams and MVP awards. Angela is currently the volleyball coach at Walton-Verona High School. He also referees volleyball at the NCAA, USAV, JVA, AAU and NAIA levels.
MIKE BRAMLAGE – FOOTBALL
BOONE COUNTY CLASS OF 1994
Mike was a 3 year starter in football and basketball. He was a member of the runner-up team in 1992 and the state semifinal team in 1993. He led NKY in 1993 with 10 interceptions and was named to the Coaches Association All-Stars. Named NKY top 24 and was a That's My Boy finalist in 1994. He then attended Thomas More where he was named AD Honor Roll 4 times, Dean's List all 8 semesters, Letterman 4 times, Team Captain 2 times and Outstanding Male Student-Athlete 2 times. 2-time GTE Academic All-American, 2-time National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete, 1997 William V. Campbell Award Finalist, won by Peyton Manning, 1998 NCAA post-graduate winner, one of 18 nationally honored, Burger King Corporation Scholar- Athlete of the Year 1997, (Thomas More received a $10,000.00 check) Gagliadi Trophy Finalist (Heisman Award III Division), Hewlitt-Packard Division III All-American and Football USA Today All-American.
HALLIE HUNDERMER BOOTH – SWIMMING-VOLLEY-TENNIS-COACH
BELLEVUE CLASS OF 1988
Hallie was offered a full ride to Florida State for swimming after her senior year. Was All-Conference 7 times in High School, All-Region 5 times. All-state 5 times, All-American Honorable reference once and All-American once. He still holds 11 school records. Qualified for the 1988 Olympic Trials. Still holds the record for the 25m butterfly at the YMCA National Championships. He was a member of the Cincinnati Marlins National Team for 4 years. In tennis he was All-Region 3 times and All-Conference 3 times. She received a full ride to play tennis at NKU where she was a 2-time Conference runner-up in doubles. She began coaching swimming at Dixie High School and was named the 1998-1999 District 9 Coach of the Year. She coached tennis and volleyball at Bellevue for 5 years. He has coached and volunteered for many years in Greater Cincinnati and NKY. Hallie started “First Serve” dedicated to bringing tennis to underprivileged kids, to teach life skills using sports, for guidance, for the past 8 years. He was elected to the Bellevue High School Hall of Fame in 2007.
STEVE CRITTENDON – SOCCER-BASKETBALL-SOFTBALL
BELLEVUE CLASS OF 1983
Steve was a 3 year starter in both football and basketball. He earned All-Conference and honorable mention All-State honors in both sports. In football Steve led his team to 2 state runner-up finishes as the starting quarterback. He was named to the first East/West All-Star game and won the MVP award. In basketball Steve scored 1009 career points and was part of a team that beat 5th ranked Newport Catholic 81-76 in the District finals. Steve then attended Defiance College from 1984-1987. He was a starter for 4 years at great safety. Named team MVP in 1985. Nominated for All-American in 1985. Led conference in interceptions with 6 in 1985. Named to first team All-Conference. After graduation he went to work at the White House for the Secret Service from 1987-1989. He has worked for the Airport Police, retiring as Asst. Chief. He is currently working as a subcontractor for MLB as an Authenticator for the past 15 years
AMY MICHELLE CARPENTER – TRACK-CC
CONNER CLASS OF 1988
1984: Amy began running as an 8th grader and was part of a team that finished 3rd at regionals in the 4×200. He also ran on the 4×100 team that finished 3rd at both regionals and sectionals. 1985: Amy finished 2nd in the Regional 4×100, 1st in the 4×200, Amy won 1st in the Conference relays in the 4×100, 4×200 and Distance Medley, as well as a 3rd place in the Mixed sprint. 1986: was 3rd at Regionals 4×100 and 4×200 1987: Amy won 1st place at Regionals in 4×100 and 4×200. Placed 2nd in the 4×100 and 4×200 divisions, and finished 6th at State. During the summer he ran in the Junior Olympics earning a trip to Nationals in the 4×800, 400 hurdles and long jump. 1988: Amy won the 4×100 Regional, placed 2nd in the long jump. Finished 5th at State in the long jump. She again qualified for Nationals in the Junior Olympics 4×800 and the long jump. Attended Marshall University and was a member of the school record 4×800 team and was named All-Conference
