FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 28, 2013
Contact: Matt Bechard, 785-243-1435 ext. 291

Cloud County Community College Inducts 2013 Athletic Hall of Fame Class

(Concordia, Kan) -- Cloud County Community College inducted three CCCC alumni into the CCCC Athletic Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony was held Saturday, January 26, 2013, at 1 pm in the college cafeteria on the Concordia campus. The inductees were also honored during halftime of the CCCC men’s basketball game against Hutchinson Community College. 
 
Those inducted as the 2013 class into the CCCC Athletic Hall of Fame were: Denis Grahem, Garla (Chaffee) Pierson and Gary Ritter.
 
All nominees were considered on the basis of outstanding and significant contribution to Cloud County Community College and its athletic programs.

left to right: Denis Grahem, Garla (Chaffee) Pierson, and Gary Ritter.
 
Denis Grahem – Originally from Meriden, Kan., Denis was a three-time NJCAA All American in track & field. He finished as shot put NJCAA national runner-up in both the indoor and outdoor championships in 1978. Denis still holds the CCCC school record throw of 53’7” in the outdoor shot put.
 
Garla (Chaffee) Pierson – From Clay Center, Kan., Garla became the first CCCC track athlete to win an individual NJCAA National Championship when she claimed the 800M run in a national record time of 2:18.2 at the 1981 NJCAA Indoor meet. She also anchored the NJCAA national champion 4 X 800M relay team in 1982.
 
Gary Ritter – Originally from Norcatur, Kan, and now residing in Manhattan, Kan., Gary starred in men’s basketball from 1968-70. He is one of only three players in CCCC history to score 1000 points and grab at least 600 rebounds in a career. He helped lead the T-Birds to their first Prairie Junior College Conference championship in 1970.
-END-
Photo cutline: