Former SJO three-sport athlete Brandi Burnett inducted into Hall of Fame

ST. JOSEPH -- St. Joseph-Ogden High School will introduce four new inductees to the St. Joseph-Ogden Hall of Fame during the Spartan football team's Homecoming game against Nokomis. The distinquished group includes 1960 graduate Dee Evans, former three-sport athlete Brandi Carmien Burnett, veteran teacher Kermit Esarey, and The Gary Olson Family

Below is a short biography and highlights about Brandi Burnett provided by the high school.

Brandi Carmien Burnett

Brandi is a 1993 graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden High School. She was a three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and softball. She earned 11 total varsity letters during her high school career. In volleyball, her awards included ICC All Conference for two years and All-Area 2nd team for one year. In softball, her awards included ICC All-Conference for three years and All-Area 1st team for two years. Her basketball awards included ICC All-Conference MVP two years, All-Area 1st Team two years, IBCA All-State 3rd Team one year, All-State Special mention one year and Prairie State Games three years where two years she was MVP. She ended her high school career with 1456 points scored and 786 rebounds.

Brandi went on to play basketball at Kankakee Community College for two years. She was a dental assistant and office assistant for two dentists for seven years. She was a pharmacy technician for 12 years. Brandi is currently employed at Gifford State Bank in Gifford in the Risk Management department.

Brandi served on the SJO Fan Club for 8 years while her kids were in high school. She has been married to her husband, Chad for 23 years. Their three children, Abigail, Crayton and Kennedi are all SJO grads. Brandi is blessed to live on her grandparents' farm north of St. Joseph.

Congratulations once again to Brandi Burnett and her family for the induction into the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Hall of Fame.

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St. Joseph native Dee Evans inducted into school Hall of Fame

ST. JOSEPH -- St. Joseph-Ogden High School will introduce four new inductees to the St. Joseph-Ogden Hall of Fame during the Spartan football team's Homecoming game against Nokomis. The distinquished group includes 1960 graduate Dee Evans, former three-sport athlete Brandi Carmien Burnett, veteran teacher Kermit Esarey, and The Gary Olson Family

Below is a short biography and highlights about Dee Evans provided by the high school.

Dee Evans

Dee Evans is a 1960 graduate of St. Joseph High School. That was before it was consolidated with Ogden. He was a three sport athlete in football, basketball and track, earning a varsity letter for three years in each sport.

In 1959 he was awarded the Little All-State Award for Football. His stats for Football included 22 solo tackles in a game against Young America School. His other academic honors include receiving the American Legion Award, Medallion and Ribbon in 1960. That award was voted on by the staff for honor and service.

Dee was offered a football scholarship at three different colleges. He chose Eastern Illinois University and played for one year. But because of financial concerns, he chose not to continue school and began working as a concrete finisher, which he made a career of. He was a Military Police and served in Vietnam in 1966. Dee is a member of the St. Joseph American Legion Post 634. His community service includes establishing the All Veterans Movement at Woodard Park. He and other fellow veterans designed and built the memorial.

Dee has also donated his time and concrete work to many projects in the community.

Dee has been married to his wife Wilma for 55 years. Wilma is a 1963 graduate of St. Joseph High School. They have three children, Neal, Helene and Sara. They are all SJO graduates. They have 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Congratulations once again to Dee Evans and his family for the induction into the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Hall of Fame.

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Recognized for his contributions and dedication, Kermit Esarey is inducted into the 2022 SJO Hall of Fame

ST. JOSEPH -- St. Joseph-Ogden High School will introduce four new inductees to the St. Joseph-Ogden Hall of Fame during the Spartan football team's Homecoming game against Nokomis. The distinquished group includes 1960 graduate Dee Evans, former three-sport athlete Brandi Carmien Burnett, veteran teacher Kermit Esarey, and The Gary Olson Family.

Below is a short biography and highlights about Kermit Esarey provided by the high school.

Kermit Esarey

Kermit was born and raised in southern Illinois. He graduated from Mt. Carmel High School in 1940.

He attended the University of Illinois, College of Agriculture, majoring in Agricultural Education. He was drafted into the Army after his junior year as a 2nd Lieutenant. He returned to the U of I after his release from the military and received his Bachelor’s degree.

He began his teaching career at Scotland High School where he taught for one year. He then taught at Cisne High School for four years. He moved to St. Joseph and started teaching at St. Joseph High School in 1952. He completed his Master’s degree that same year from the U of I and continued his teaching career at what is now St. Joseph-Ogden High School until his retirement in 1982. He was also the FFA advisor while teaching at SJO.

Kermit was married to his wife, LaDema for 73 years. She preceded him in death in 2017. They had one daughter, Gail, who lives in Arlington, Texas with her family. After Kermit’s retirement, he and LaDema moved to Texas to be closer to their family. While they resided in St. Joseph, Kermit and LaDema were active members of the St. Joseph Methodist Church. Kermit was also a member of the local Lion’s Club and the IAVAT.

Kermit was awarded the Honorary State FFA Degree in 1979 as well as an honorary membership in the Alpha Tau Alpha fraternity. Kermit supervised more than 20 student teachers during his career at SJO. He would often say that some of his greatest satisfactions in life were to visit with former students and encourage them to become successful in ag related fields.

In 2020, his daughter Gail established a scholarship at the U of I in his name to be awarded to a student majoring in the agricultural field. Kermit passed away in 2019 at the age of 97. Kermit was the oldest of four brothers. We are honored to have several members of his family here with us tonight to receive this award in his name.

Thank you to Kermit Esarey for your dedication to the SJO school! Congratulations once again to Kermit Esarey and his family for the induction into the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Hall of Fame.

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The Gary Olson family inducted into Hall of Fame

ST. JOSEPH -- St. Joseph-Ogden High School will introduce four new inductees to the St. Joseph-Ogden Hall of Fame during the Spartan football team's Homecoming game against Nokomis. The distinquished group includes 1960 graduate Dee Evans, former three-sport athlete Brandi Carmien Burnett, veteran teacher Kermit Esarey, and The Gary Olson Family

Below is a short biography and highlights about the Gary Olson Family provided by the high school.

The Olsons

Gary and Nancy Olson and their three children, Ory, Isaiah and Bria are all SJO grads.

Gary graduated in 1980. He played basketball and was a member of FFA, serving as President his senior year. Nancy graduated in 1983 and was a cheerleader all four years.

Ory graduated in 2005. He played basketball all four years, football and track each one year. He was also involved in FFA, serving as President his senior year.

Isaiah graduated in 2007. He was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball. His Senior year he was Captain of basketball and football, which was the 2006 Runner-Up state team.

Bria graduated in 2010. She was a three-sport athlete in volleyball, basketball and track. She was captain of both the volleyball and basketball teams her senior year. She still currently holds the school record in high jump.

Nancy and Ory both graduated from Parkland College. Isaiah and Bria both graduated from the U of I.

Nancy was an SJO Cheer coach for several years and helped start the student cheering section, Maroon Platoon. Gary, Isaiah and Bria all coached basketball at the St. Joseph Grade and Middle Schools for several years. In addition Gary and Isaiah coached freshmen basketball at SJO for a few years. They have previously received the SJO Friend of Education award for their countless hours of volunteer service they have given to SJO. They are always willing to provide equipment and give of their time to help the school.

Gary and Nancy have been married for 37 years. Their children are Ory and his wife Nicki, Isaiah and his wife Kathryn and Bria and her husband Michael. They have nine grandchildren. They all operate the family farm together and reside north of St. Joseph.

Congratulations once again to the Gary Olson family for your induction into the St. Joseph-Ogden High School Hall of Fame.

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Spartans induct Kelly Duitsman Hunt into Hall of Fame

Kelly Duitsman Hunt receives her Hall of Fame plaque from St. Joseph-Ogden superintendent Brian Brooks during halftime during the Spartans' home football game against Central Catholic. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Kelly Duitsman Hunt was one of four individuals inducted into the St. Joseph-Ogden Athletic Hall of Fame at Friday's Homecoming game Bloomington Central Catholic. She was joined by Dick Duval, Stan Harper, and Keith Sjuts as members of the Class of 2021 inductees.

Duitsman Hunt was a two-sport athlete for the Spartans who earned state-wide recognition for her success on the softball field. In addition to her own record-breaking accomplishments, she was intrumental in the SJO softball program winning its first regional title.

Learn more about her success as an athlete and after high school in her bio below.


Biography

Kelly Duitsman Hunt is a 1996 graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden High School.

Kelly was Salutatorian of her class, an Illinois State Scholar, Junior Class Vice President, a member of Student Council, National Honor Society, and a part of the Principal’s Advisory Committee. She was also awarded the Parkland College Presidential Board of Trustees Scholarship.

Kelly was also a two-sport athlete. In volleyball, she was selected to the All Conference team 3 years, the All Area team 2 years and was on the team that won the school’s first ever Regional title and first Sectional Championship appearance.

In softball, Kelly was selected to the All Conference and All Area teams all four years of high school. Her senior year, Kelly was player of the year, and selected to the All State Team and the Chicago Tribune Super 60 Classic All Star Team. In 1995, her team made it to the Sweet 16 at the State tournament. Not only did Kelly’s teams succeed, but she also personally broke multiple school records of her time, with 19 season doubles and 47 career doubles (which were both a new state of IL record), 200 career hits, 62 season hits, 154 career RBIs, 50 season RBIs, 9 season home runs, a .473 career batting average, a .590 season batting average, 153 career runs, and 42 season runs.

After high school, Kelly earned an Associates in Business Administration from Parkland and a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois. She earned her CPA designation in 2000 and began working at Martin Hood Friese and Associates until 2016.

In 2016, she became the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Farm Credit Illinois and is still currently working in that capacity.

Kelly is a former Champaign-Urbana Schools Foundation Board Member and Treasurer. Currently, she is a Board Member and the Treasurer of the Parkland College Foundation. She is also a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Illinois CPA Society, and the Executive Club of Champaign County. In 2013, she was a part of the Central Illinois Business Magazine 40 under 40, and in 2018 she became a Parkland College Distinguished Alumna.

Kelly lives in Champaign and is married to Greg Hunt. She has two daughters, Avery and Annie Loschen.



* Biography provided courtesy of St. Joseph-Ogden High School
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SJO Hall of Fame welcomes Stan Harper

Stan Harper inducted into SJO Hall of Fame
Stan Harper receives his Hall of Fame plaque from St. Joseph-Ogden superintendent Brian Brooks during halftime during the Spartans' home football game against Central Catholic. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

Stan Harper was one of four individuals inducted into the St. Joseph-Ogden Athletic Hall of Fame at Friday's Homecoming game Bloomington Central Catholic. He is joined by Dick Duval, Kelly Duitsman Hunt, and Keith Sjuts in the Class of 2021 inductees.

Harper earned nine varsity letters as a student at St. Joseph-Ogden High School. After graduating from the University of Illinois, he went on to serve his community as president of the Ogden-Royal Fire Protection District and president of the Prairieview-Ogden school board.

Learn more about Harper's contributions and accomplishments in his bio below.


Biography

Stan Harper is a 1973 graduate of St. Joseph-Ogden High School. In high school, Stan was a member of the National Honor Society. He also earned 9 varsity letters; 3 in basketball, 3 in football, and 3 in track.

After high school, Stan graduated from the University of Illinois in 1977 with a major in Agriculture Industry. He has been farming the Harper family farm since 1977.

For 22 years, he was a Trustee of the Ogden-Royal Fire Protection District and was President of that district for 17 years. He was also a member and the President of the PVO School Board for 22 years. For 9 years, he was a member and the President of the Illinois Shorthorn Association. He was an SJO Golf Outing chairman for 10 years, and he ran the clock/scoreboard for SJO boys basketball for 16 years.

Currently, he is serving his 9th year on the Champaign County Board.

Stan has been married to his wife Sandy for 41 years. Their son Michael and daughter Laura are both SJO graduates. Michael, his wife Samantha and their son Max live in Royal. Laura, her husband Mitch and their children, Shane and Jillian live near Flatville.



* Biography provided courtesy of St. Joseph-Ogden High School
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Dick Duval inducted into SJO Hall of Fame

SJO football coach Dick Duval
Dick Duval was one four individuals inducted into the St. Joseph-Ogden Athletic Hall of Fame at Friday's Homecoming game Bloominton Central Catholic. He is joined by Stan Harper, Kelly Duitsman Hunt and Keith Sjuts in the Class of 2021 inductees.

A well-deserved honor, Duval built a football dynasty that saw five IHSA football state championship games, six semi-finals playoff games, and the IHSA football quarter-finals 16 times. In addition to coaching and teaching math, Duval was also served as athletic director before his retirement.


Biography

Dick Duval attended Herscher High School. In high school, Dick was a member of National Honor Society. He was a three-sport athlete in basketball, baseball, and football. He was the Captain of both the baseball team and football team. He was also President of the Letterman Club.

Coach Duval graduated from Illinois State University in 1978 where he majored in Mathematics, with a minor in Physical Education. After college, he taught for three years at Herscher Grade School and coached grade school basketball and high school football. He then taught for seven years in the Kankakee School District, where he coached three sports at the high school level: football, basketball, and baseball. During this time, he was also the defensive backs coach at Olivet Nazarene University.

In 1988, Coach Duval took a position at St. Joseph-Ogden High School as a math teacher and was both the head football and baseball coach. Coach Duval coached baseball at SJO for 16 years, winning more than 200 games during a time when schools played a lot fewer regular season games. At SJO, Coach Duval was the head football coach for 28 years from 1988-2015 and in that time, never had a losing season. In 1989, his second year as head football coach, he took the Spartans to his first state championship game.


Dick Duval and players talk to the media after the Spartans' 2013 state title game against Stillman Valley. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks


Before his career was over, SJO went to the playoffs 25 consecutive years, and made it to the IHSA football state championship game five times, the IHSA football semi-finals six times, and the IHSA football quarter-finals 16 times. His final record was 251 wins and 75 losses. During his career at SJO, Coach Duval earned a position as an assistant coach in the 1990 and 1998 Illinois football All-Star games. He was awarded the Chicago Bears High School Coach of the Week on October 9th, 2000. On April 5th, 2008, Coach Duval was inducted into the Illinois High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame where he was recognized for his ability to inspire his athletes to the highest in discipline and spirit.

Sara Ulbrich Greenstein, a member of the SJO Hall of Fame class of 2014 recently cited Dick Duval as one of her five influences that helped her become a CEO of a multi-billion dollar company.

After retiring from teaching and coaching, Dick Duval was the main scorekeeper for the SJO boys basketball team. He also was scorekeeper and announcer for many of the basketball tournaments hosted by SJO.

Surrounded by family members Lynda Duval holds a plaque with a photo of her late husband Dick who was inducted into the St. Joseph-Ogden Hall of Fame. Standing with Lynda are her daughter Bobbi and husband Cory Busboom and son, Kiel and his wife Katie, and three grandchildren. Photo: PhotoNews Media/Clark Brooks

On August 20, 2021, the SJO football field was dedicated to Coach Duval and is now the Dick Duval Field.

Coach Duval fought a courageous battle against pancreatic cancer, but passed away on August 26, 2021.

Dick is survived by his wife, Lynda, daughters Bobbi and Toni, son Kiel, their spouses and his four grandchildren.



* Biography provided courtesy of St. Joseph-Ogden High School
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