Athletic Hall of Fame

A pitcher on the 1989 State Champion Baseball Team, Fred Rath '91 had a 90.9% winning percentage. He tallied 213 strikeouts and 20 career wins in his three seasons pitching with the Chargers, placing him in the top 5. Fred was Drafted by the NY Yankees in round #29 out of high school and was signed by the Minnesota Twins in 1995 after his USF baseball career. The only Shorecrest player to reach the Majors Leagues, Fred played with the Colorado Rockies.

Mike has been honored for his accomplishments while on the Shorecrest baseball team.

Words from Mike

"I can honestly say that there are not many places that compare to Shorecrest at any level. I was fortunate enough to play on the current baseball field when it was brand new in 2001, and had the same turfgrass installed as Raymond James Stadium. Hitting the first ever home run on that field and beating the 19th Nationally ranked Miami Brito team 100 by hitting the game-winning home run in that game, were just a few of the many highlights I will always remember... Also, dog piling at home plate after beating St. Stephens in the state playoffs in 2000, hitting two home runs in the same inning against Keswick Christian and making the state playoffs in soccer my sophomore and junior years are a few other of my memorable moments being a student-athlete at Shorecrest.

My athletic career at Shorecrest not only prepared me for baseball at the collegiate level, but also for life after college as a businessman. I will never forget the great memories I had participating in athletics at Shorecrest, and it is an honor to be included in the Athletic Hall of Fame."

I did my best to remember many of the awards I was blessed to receive over my years playing sports, but honestly Coach Hayford instilled in us that team accomplishments trump individual accomplishments, so I never really paid attention to those things. I will simply say Shorecrest is a very special school with amazing administrators, teachers, and staff and they have all impacted my life. Shorecrest has been my extended family with many lasting memories. My Coaches were significant in my life and I will forever be appreciative of the time they invested into my life."

 

"The details of my personal and team records are a bit fuzzy, but what sticks in my mind are the relationships formed through being part of a team. As I reflect on my performance in a seemingly individual sport, all that comes to mind 
are the people who supported me, the people whom I supported back, the laughs, the tears, the effort, the heart and pulse of what it means to grow up in such a supportive environment.

At the very heart of my experience is not how I did individually. As I moved on from Shorecrest, my circle of support only expanded. My 
coaching became more specialized and highly focused. My relationship with my teammates deepened and kept me coming back to train, and for them I am indescribably grateful."

As Shorecrest Upper School was just establishing itself in Pinellas County, and in turn, establishing a varsity athletic program, this team rose to the occasion—winning nearly every game they played in the fall of 1975. They went from being a brand new team in 1970 all the way to the state championship in 1975, finishing their season as runner-up to the state title.

Team Roster:
Coach Bruce Cox
Coach Jack Pribyl

Steve Kelly ‘76 - Captain
Jimmy Rowe ‘76 - Captain

Steve Beatty ‘76
Bud Bush ‘76
David Crowe ‘76
Wally Mann ‘76
Steve Miller ‘76
Clayton Phillips ‘76
Morgan Scarritt ‘76
Bert Smith ‘76
Parker Buhrman ‘77
Robert Crisp ‘77
Bill Embree ‘77
John Ervien ‘7
John Hendry ‘77
Byron Kennedy ‘77
Joe Kohler ‘77
Ted Machler ‘77
Robert Willis ‘77
Chris Allen ‘78
Robert Daniels ‘78
Robert Duncan ‘78
Carl Lyle ‘78
Lee Rudolph ‘78
Gardiner Evertz ‘79
Page Harris ‘79
Jeff Kaelber ‘79

 

"Shorecrest Athletics were a profound and formative experience for me from the time I stepped onto the outdoor volleyball court in 7th grade. Sports were the activity I looked forward to every day. I formed bonds with my coaches, and I appreciate the values they taught me on the courts, fields, and beyond that I have carried into my adult life. I strive to pass on the values and provide these types of experiences to others."

 

Coach Field was the head track coach from 1992-1995, the assistant varsity football Coach from 1980-2011: as well as the defensive coordinator, offensive line coach, linebacker coach and special teams coach. He also served as the 2002-2009 soccer announcer.

"My favorite memories of being a Shorecrest Coach have been to coach my son for 4 years, to participate in Coach Hayford’s 100th victory celebration, and to watch athletes I have coached grow and mature through the years.”

“My favorite memories of Shorecrest revolve around the team camaraderie of blending together a variety of students, all supporting each other through athletic competition and the events of our daily lives. Through Notre Dame, medical school and currently as a pediatric resident at the University of Chicago, the lessons learned at Shorecrest in the class and on the courts have allowed me to develop into the person I am today. The memory of the District final my senior year, having my entire class as well as most of my teachers and administrators supporting me, embodies what Shorecrest means to me. I am very thankful for my years at Shorecrest as the school prepared me for my life beyond."

Ben has been recognized for his role as Director of Transportation and Maintenance at Shorecrest from 1972-2004.

Words from Ben
"My past with Shorecrest has involved so many different varied things. The fact that I could, as part of my job, have an input on the facilities and show that Shorecrest is a force in athletics, was pretty special. I have fond memories of my interactions with the coaches and Shorecrest Athletic Department staff, who always treated me and my employees with respect, making us feel that we were part of athletic events."

Words about Coach Bruggeman
“He had a way of seeing the positive in all children in any situation. Because of his

upbeat attitude he was able to encourage students who otherwise might learn to dislike physical activity. The time I spent with him made me a better teacher and a happier person.” -Sandy Hayford

“Harold was the kind of person who could always make you smile. He loved life and he loved his job.” -Karen McClellan

“Harold was a gentleman, devoted to the betterment of those he had contact with. Always ready and able to help anyone in need, adding a calming outlook when a problem arose.” -Ben Bartlett

“Whether it was playing hoops with my Dad or getting his team ready for a big game, Coach Bruggeman was always striving to be at his best, and expected the same of those around him.” -Bill Moore ‘84

“No matter what the activity, he always tried to make it fun. We would be in the middle of a drill and all of a sudden he would blow his whistle. He loved to blow that whistle. We would stop [the drill] and look at him; and he would just smile and say, ‘Oh nothing, carry on.’ I just remember him doing funny things like that.” -Meghan Morean ’00

“He was such a great man. When you played on a team he coached he really made you feel like you were an excellent athlete, no matter if you were or weren’t. I have never seen a man who could make kids feel so good about themselves.” -Adia Bradley ’99

Harold Bruggeman passed away on September 9, 1998.

Alex has been honored for his career on the Shorecrest football, basketball, and baseball teams.

Words from Alex

 

"When I left Shorecrest for college, I never played a team sport again. Shorecrest had been my team for seven years and I just couldn't seem to put my shoulder behind any other team. Thanks to a remarkable community of coaches, teachers and friends, I still feel that way."

John Arcaro '89 – Captain

Jim Vigue '89 – Captain

Denis Burns '89

Brett Hayford '89

Alexander Plomaritis '89

Andrew Snell '89

Curtis Burns '90

Clay Hall '90

Todd Turner '90

Mariah Dehaven '91

Dean Harkey '91

Daniel Lynn '91

Fred Rath '91

Shane Spears '91

David Stringer '91

Matt Strome '91

Anthony Goff '92

Eric Klug '92

Jim Bochis '92