The Triad Local School District announced its Third Annual Athletic Hall of Fame Class on Monday. The inductees of the Class of 2025 include:
- The Cardinal baseball team of 1973
The 1973 Triad High School baseball team was the first team in school history to win a regional championship and qualify for the state final four. The team completed a 19-5 regular season record and cruised through the sectional tournament by beating Riverside 14-2; Mechanicsburg 11-2; and Southeastern 9-2. They beat Sidney Lehman in the District Championship 6-5. In the regional bracket they defeated Parkway 5-2 and New Miami 5-3. They finished the season with an overall record of 25-6 after falling to Adena Buckeye West in the state semifinal. - The Cardinal Football team of 2013
The 2013 Triad Football team was the first football team in school history to complete the regular season with a perfect record of 10-0. The team finished the regular season as the #1 seed in Division VI, Region 22 and defeated Cedarville 28-7 in round 1 and Sidney Lehman in round 2 of the OHSAA state playoffs. They finished the season with a record of 12-1 after falling to Marion Local in the regional final. - Tony Hook, 1992-1995
Tony Hook was a three-sport standout athlete at Triad as he participated in football, basketball, and track & field. Tony was 2nd Team All-State in football in 1994 and was also named Honorable Mention All-State in basketball after the 1994-1995 season. He was an all-league athlete in all three sports as he was named to First Team WCOC in Track & Field in 1993; First Team WCOC in Football in 1994; and First Team WCOC in basketball in 1995.
Tony was starting quarterback and free safety on Triad’s first WCOC championship football team in 1992, a team that finished the season 9-1. In 1995, Tony was named Triad’s Outstanding Male Athlete.
After graduating from Triad, Tony attended Ohio Northern University and studied international business management. He was a three year letter winner on the Ohio Northern Football team playing quarterback, punter and kick returner. He also lettered in two seasons in both indoor and outdoor for the Polar Bears. After leaving Ohio Northern he lived in Helsinki, Finland and played quarterback for the Helsinki Wolverines in the American Maple Football League.
Beyond this, Tony has worked as an insurance fraud investigator for over 20 years. He’s traveled the world as a photographer taking pictures and videos of famous landmarks and national parks within the United States. He currently lives in the Columbus area and also works occasionally at Muirfield Village Golf Club and has been a member of the support staff during the PGA Tour’s Memorial Tournament for over 27 years.
Tony’s favorite memories as a Triad athlete include winning the WCOC Football championship over Ben Logan in 1992. In addition, one of his favorite memories was senior night and final home game of his Triad football career when the team drove the field with approximately 2:00 minutes to play and scored the go-ahead field goal to defeat the undefeated Ben Logan Raiders once again. He also enjoyed coming back to Triad 10 years later and watching his younger brother, Ryan Hunt (Dr. Ryan Hunt) compete as a Triad student athlete in both football and basketball.
In recognition of being honored by the Triad Athletic Hall of Fame, Tony states: “I’m extremely humbled and appreciative of the nomination for Triad’s Hall of Fame. This induction is a testament to all of the great players and teammates that I played with. The blocking that my offensive line always provided, the never quit attitude of our other team leaders, the support of the coaching staff, the school spirit at Triad and forever friends, family, and an amazing, close knit community that we have all been blessed with in our corner of Champaign County. They say it takes a community to raise a child… I am therefore a product, and a reflection, of the community who helped me to grow into the man you see before you today. My deepest appreciation goes out to you all. - Laurie Henry, 1995-1998
Laurie Henry, a standout multi-sport athlete from Triad High School, is being recognized for her exceptional achievements in both girls’ basketball and softball during her high school career from 1995 – 1998. Henry made a lasting impact on Triad athletics, earning numerous accolades and breaking records across both sports. On the basketball court, she was named Special Mention All-State in 1997 and Second Team All-State in 1998. She was also a First Team All-Southwest District selection both years and played a key role in leading the Triad girls basketball team to back-to-back WCOC Championships in 1997 and 1998.
Her leadership and talent earned her recognition as First Team WCOC and Champaign County Player of the Year in 1997 and 1998. She remains in the record books with the most points scored in a single game (43) and holds the third-highest all-time career scoring total at Triad with 1,240 points. Henry’s excellence extended to the softball field, where she was selected Second Team All-State in both 1997 and 1998 and named a Southwest District All-Star those same years. She again earned First Team WCOC and Champaign County Player of the Year in softball for 1997 and 1998.
Laurie described her path since high school: “After high school, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from Wright State University, where I also played collegiate softball. I later pursued a Master’s in Human Resources at University College Dublin in Ireland—an unforgettable experience that allowed me to live abroad for several years. My professional journey began in social services and healthcare leadership, but along the way, I discovered a new and deeply fulfilling passion: photography.
Today, I live in sunny Florida with my husband and our two daughters. I run Laurie Pilia Photography, specializing in family and high school senior portraits, and I’m also a published author—my memoir Kisses from Sardinia reflects on travel, heritage, and finding your place in the world. Our family loves adventuring together and exploring faraway places whenever we get the chance. I’m so grateful for the foundation that Triad gave me—both in sports and in life—and it’s such a full-circle moment to be recognized in this way. Thank you!”
In regards to her favorite Triad memories, Laurie states “It’s hard to choose just one, because my favorite Triad sports memories are woven through years of incredible moments, starting all the way back in 6th grade. That’s when I first became a ball girl for the 8th grade basketball team under Coach Joyce Case. Watching those older girls compete lit a fire in me—and I knew I wanted to be part of something that special. From there, sports became the heartbeat of my high school experience. I started as a ball girl in softball too, so stepping onto the field years later as a player and helping lead our team to Regionals felt like a full-circle moment. The chants in the dugout, the laughter on the bus rides, and the unshakable bond with my teammates made every game feel like a gift. Basketball brought unforgettable highs—like winning back-to-back WCOC championships and making a run to Regionals. I’ll never forget the packed gyms, the roar of the crowd, and the caravans of fans, led by police escorts, following our team bus to tournament games. That kind of community support was electric. But beyond the trophies and titles, it was the everyday grind—the open gyms, scrimmages against the boys (where we held our own!), and late-night practices—that shaped me. Our coaches challenged us, believed in us, and taught us to lead with heart. We didn’t just become better athletes—we became better people. Triad sports gave me lifelong friendships, powerful life lessons, and a deep appreciation for what it means to be part of a team. I’m forever grateful for every moment, every teammate, and every coach who helped me grow on and off the court.”
In appreciation of being recognized as a member of the Triad Athletic Hall of Fame, Laurie would like to say “I just want to say thank you for this incredible honor and for selecting me to be part of the Triad High School Sports Hall of Fame. It means so much to me to share this moment with my family and friends. I’m deeply grateful for the support of my coaches, teammates, and the entire Triad community. None of this would have been possible without their belief in me, their encouragement, and the memories we created together. This recognition brings back so many special moments, and I’ll carry this with pride for years to come.” - Josh Hollar, 1996-1999
Josh Hollar was a multi-sport Triad athlete who participated in football and basketball during his high school athletic career. He was named First Team All-State in boys basketball in 1999. He was voted First Team WCOC in boys basketball in 1998 and 1999 and led the Triad boys basketball team to the 1999 WCOC Championship (first basketball league title in school history). Josh’s career high for points in a basketball game is 45 and he’s 2nd all time on the Triad career scoring list with 1,473 points. He was also named to First Team WCOC in football during the 1998 season. - Matt Bailey, 2001-2004
Matt Bailey was another multi-sport athlete who participated in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field during his athletic career at Triad High School. Matt is the only athlete in Triad history to be recognized as an All-State athlete in three different sports. He was voted 2nd Team All-State in baseball in 2003; he earned 1st Team All-State in Track & Field in 2003; and was also elected 1st Team All-State in football in 2003. In 2003, he was part of a Triad football team who won its first ever OHC Championship. The 2003 team averaged 38 points per game and earned Triad’s first ever football playoff appearance.
He holds multiple school records including most points scored by one player in a football game with 30, and is the record holder in the 100M dash in track and field at 11.08 seconds. He earned Triad’s Outstanding Male Athlete in 2003 and 2004 Matt was also a member of the 2004 Division IV state runner up Triad baseball team.
Matt describes his journey since high school: “After high school, I attended Ohio Dominican University where I played football my freshman year. After ending my athletic career, I transferred to Urbana University and then Bowling Green State University. I moved to Indiana in 2008 to start my career where I also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Indiana University. I currently reside in Indianapolis, Indiana and work as a Production Manager for a food manufacturing company. I regularly travel back to Ohio to visit with my family, where I enjoy watching my nieces and nephews participate in their sports and activities.”
In regards to his favorite Triad memory, Matt says “It’s hard to choose a single memory. But when I think back to my senior year as a whole, I got to be a part of some great teams that made great achievements. During my senior year, I was a part of the football team that earned the first playoff berth in school history. This football season was very memorable. I got to be around great coaches and great teammates; the community support was also unmatched.
When visiting Springfield Catholic Central, I can remember running out of the tunnel that stretched the whole length of the football field with fans that came to support us. Playing for the baseball state championship at the old Columbus Clippers stadium was also a great memory. This team comprised a lot of the same teammates from the football team, and it was great to be able to share additional memories with those teammates. My younger brother Jason was also a part of the state runner up team; it was great to be able to play in the game with my brother. Also, for my track career, I got to run with teammates that had relentless dedication to being successful. At the time, Triad did not have an all-weather track. We would have to train on our baton handoffs in the hallways of the high school when the weather was not cooperating. We would also travel to WLS after baseball practice to use their track facilities so we could fully train for a race. It was great to run alongside athletes that were willing to do whatever it took to get better and be the best that we could be.”
In appreciation of being selected to the Triad Athletic Hall of Fame, Matt says: “I would like to thank the Triad Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee for choosing me to be a part of the 2025 Triad Hall of Fame Class. It’s a great honor to be a part of this year’s class. I would also like to thank my family, coaches, teammates, and the Triad community for all that they had done for me during my time at Triad and my athletic career. Being inducted into the hall of fame is truly a team accomplishment, I would not have been as successful in my athletic career if it wasn’t for playing with great teammates and coaches and receiving overwhelming support from my family and the Triad community. It was great to be around people that truly cared for each other and did not just care about their own success but cared about the success of the team and school.” - Kelsey Funderburgh, 2009-2012
Kelsey Funderburgh was a three-sport standout athlete at Triad High School as she lettered in volleyball, basketball, and softball all four years of her high school career. Her accolades include being selected to 2nd Team All-State in girls basketball in 2012 and 2nd Team All-State in softball in 2012. She was voted Honorable Mention All-State in softball in 2011. During the 2012 basketball season, Kelsey led the state of Ohio in scoring with 28.8 points per game. In that same season she also averaged over 8 rebounds and 4 steals per game. She was selected First Team Ohio Heritage Conference in girls basketball each year of her high school career (2009-2012). Kelsey was named OHC Girls basketball Player of the Year in 2012. Kelsey led her Triad team to three straight OHC Championships in 2010, 2011, and 2012. She is the all-time leading scorer in Triad basketball history, boys and girls, with 1,631 career points.
After high school Kelsey went on to play basketball at Moorehead State University in Kentucky for a season and then transferred to Walsh University in Canton, Ohio to finish her collegiate basketball career. Kelsey scored over 1,000 points while playing for the Walsh Cavaliers. A year after graduating from Walsh, Kelsey was hired as the director of basketball operations at Mount St. Mary’s University. After three years in that role, she was promoted to assistant coach at Mount St. Mary’s. She will be going into her 8th season as an assistant basketball coach for the Mount St. Mary’s womens basketball team.
In regards to her favorite Triad memories Kelsey stated: “My favorite sports memory would have to be winning the OHC championships and just getting to play at home in front of the amazing fans.” - Shari Dixon
Shari Dixon, a 1988 graduate of Triad, played softball for the Cardinals as an outfielder. She started her softball coaching career in 1990, as an assistant coach under Bob Davidson. In 1992, she helped propel the Cardinals to a State title 3-2 victory over Jeromesville Hillsdale. In 1999, the Cardinals headed back to the Final Four. Coach Dixon took over the program as her own, as head coach in 2000. She would lead four more teams to the State championship games in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2015. Her overall career record as head softball coach was 385-177.
In addition to coaching varsity softball, Shari coached junior high and high school girls basketball from 1989 to 2005 and also coached junior high and high school volleyball from 1990-2003. In 2000, the Triad volleyball team earned its first OHC championship.
Shari is married to Shane Dixon and they have three adult children, Addie, Austin and Ali and 6 grandchildren. Coach Dixon has worked at Triad elementary since 1995. Formerly as a 2nd grade teacher and now as a Title I Reading specialist.
In regards to her favorite Triad memories, Coach Dixon states “My favorite memories always included seeing the support during tournament time. As our teams advanced in the tournaments, the community always showed up for our kids. All coaching accomplishments wouldn’t have been possible without the great coaching staff I had the chance to work alongside and great players.” She went on to say: “Through all of my years of coaching I enjoyed getting to coach my girls in high school and alongside them. All three of them have carried on with their own coaching endeavors.” - Rick Wilkins
Rick Wilkins is a lifelong resident of the Triad community. He graduated from Triad High School in 1966 and then served in the United States Army. He has several family members who attended Triad including his wife Melodi, six siblings, two step-children (Morgan and Kacie), two grandchildren (Jacob and Hannah Watkins).
Rick has been the Maintenance Supervisor at Triad since 2015 and was an assistant softball coach for 23 years. He was on the softball coaching staff when they made Final Four appearances in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2015. He’s devoted his life to the betterment of Triad Athletics and the Triad community.
Rick has spent countless hours outside of the work day helping prepare the softball and baseball fields as well as the football and track facility. He’s been a positive presence around the school district for several years and is a person who is well respected by the Triad staff, students, athletes and community members. - Jack Stout
Jack Stout taught at Triad from 1989 to 2018. He was a high school social studies teacher who taught American History, Government, Economics and Sociology.
He started the Triad High School wrestling program in 1991 and he coached football at Triad for numerous years. Coach Stout created a wrestling program that has positively impacted hundreds of young men and women: the Triad Youth program, Triad Jr. High, Triad High School Girls, and Triad High School Boys programs are all a direct result of his pioneering start of the wrestling program. This is not to mention all the youth that he’s positively impacted on the football team and in the classroom. A coach with the vision to start a program, borrowing a mat, and raise money for singlets all alone. Long term this wrestling program has produced multiple state qualifiers.
Jack served as defensive coordinator for the Triad football program for a number of years in addition to serving as head wrestling coach. He’s also a member of the Mechanicsburg Athletic Hall of Fame and Miami Valley Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
Jack states that his favorite memory while working at Triad was “being able to start the high school wrestling program” and went on to say that he has “many fond memories of working with the students, athletes and staff at Triad.”
The 2025 Triad Athletic Hall of Fame class will be recognized and inducted on Saturday June 14, 2025 at 12:00 Noon during the “Red, White, and Cards” Celebration at the Triad Athletic Complex.
