Community Corner

Loch Raven High Plans Athletic Hall of Fame

Athletic director wants to honor former Raiders.

As he made his way up to the top of a narrow stairway,Loch Raven High School athletic director Mike McEwan entered the activity room to see several teenage boys in Loch Raven's purple and gold gym uniforms, settling into place, preparing for the day’s gym lesson.

His students stretched while chatting with the teacher, telling him of different stories about some “awesome” basketball plays they had seen their peers make, including a third-quarter shot by gym classmate Mark Magtanong, when the varsity basketball team played against Sparrows Point.

“So, we get to be a part of the Hall of Fame, right?” one student asked.

Loch Raven High School has had its share of athletic glory in Maryland since it opened in 1972, shown off with several glass cases of trophies and plaques in the first floor's hallway. Boards in the lobby and banners in the school's gymnasium recognize records and championships.

But, McEwan said, there are many past students, dating back to the 1980s, who should have their place in the school as great athletes as well. McEwan wants to recognized coaches as well— he said coaches who have been retired from Loch Raven High School for at least five years are eligible to be entered in the Hall of Fame.

“I think it will be great to recognize selected past student athletes and coaches who have contributed to the school’s athletic success by creating an Athletic Hall of Fame,” he said.

Even though McEwan seemed eager to get the whole process on a roll, “the hardest part is getting the nominations to come in,” he said.

So far, he has received a few nominations from teachers, including gym teacher Wendy Galinn. Galinn has been a teacher at Loch Raven for 21 years and has been coaching since 1986.

“By having a Hall of Fame, we will honor and perpetuate the memory of former student athletes and coaches who have brought pride and distinction to the school and themselves,” she said. “The Hall of Fame will instill and continue the tradition of excellence that has been characteristic of Loch Raven athletes.”

Galinn said there are many former students that stand out in her mind for the Hall of Fame, including former NFL punter Sean Landeta, who graduated from Loch Raven in 1978 and Towson University in 1982.

According to Galinn, other former athletes include Sandy Lanahan, who played on a full lacrosse scholarship at University of Maryland, then played U.S. lacrosse and represented the United States at the World Cup; Christy Dial, Michelle DeJuliius and Anne Heine, who all played two to three sports at Loch Raven—DeJuliius received a lacrosse scholarship to Penn State and made the U.S. Lacrosse Team as a freshman.

According to McEwan, anyone can nominate former athletes and coaches. “Any alumni, parents, siblings, family or friends can nominate someone,” he said.

“Potential nominees aren’t just in the Towson area, though,” McEwan said, “So, we need to get the word out.”

McEwan hopes the first group of athletes chosen will be recognized at the spring sports ceremony in May.

“It will link the past and current generations of student athletes and encourage current student athletes to embrace the many opportunities available to them through team work, determination and dedication,” Galinn said.

Perhaps those students in McEwan’s gym class will be nominated into the Hall of Fame, someday.

Contact McEwan at 410-887-3543 or e-mail atmmcewan@bcps.org for nomination forms. Nomination forms must be postmarked before April 1.