Sports Hall of Fame – 2008

	BRETT HIGGINS BRETT HIGGINS graduated from Dubuque Senior in 1979. Remembered as one of the all time great “leapers” in Dubuque basketball history, this outstanding 6’6” center led his 1978-1979 Ram team on a terrific tournament run which ended in a State Tournament appearance. After averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds his senior season, Brett was selected TH All City, First Team All MVC and fourth Team IDPA All State. Mr. Higgins was further honored by representing Dubuque Senior in the annual Iowa High School All Star Basketball Series and as a member of the Iowa All Star Team that played an Illinois All Star Team that featured future NBA star Isiah Thomas. Brett also was selected to represent Iowa as an All Star who competed against the visiting Yugoslavian Junior Olympic Team. Mr. Higgins later starred at Kirkwood College, where he led his team to the Regional XI title and later at Winona State College.
	DON LAWSON DON LAWSON taught physical education and coached men’s track at Dubuque Senior from 1974 – 2006. Mr. Lawson was an assistant track coach from 1974 – 1981 before becoming the head men’s track coach in 1982. Don continued as the head coach until his retirement in 2006. Coach Lawson’s outstanding leadership made the Senior High men’s track program a highly respected and very competitive program at the state level. During Coach Lawson’s 24 years as head coach, he was three times Iowa State Regional Coach of the Year, five times the MVC Track Coach of the Year and, in 2000, Don was the Drake Relays High School Referee. Coach Lawson’s team’s won 19 City Championships, five MVC championships, and had five top ten finishes at the State Meet, including the team state runner-up finish in 1996. Coach Lawson also was selected twice to coach the Junior Olympic Track Team, taking those teams to Spain and China to compete.
	ROBIN (FUNK) SANFORD ROBIN (FUNK) SANFORD played number one for the Dubuque Senior women’s golf team for three seasons, while also earning three major “D’s”. During her three seasons as a Ram, Robin won both Sectional (twice) and District Medalist (once) titles. In 1969, Robin led the Ram’s to a fourth place finish at the State High School Tournament. She also qualified for the State Meet as an individual for the Rams in 1971. Robin participated in the Iowa State High School Co-Ed Golf Tournament for Dubuque Senior twice, her team finishing fourth in 1971 and ninth in 1972. In 1970, Robin finished second in the Iowa State Junior Girls’ Golf Tournament, which qualified her for the National USGA Girls’ Golf Tournament held in Rye, New York, at the Apawamis Golf Club. Robin (Funk) Sanford culminated her career at Dubuque Senior by being selected as the Ram Booster Club Female Athlete of the Year in 1971.
	STEPHANIE (KREMER) VALENTINE STEPHANIE (KREMER) VALENTINE was the starting varsity pitcher for the Ram’s softball team all four of her high school seasons. Before graduating in 1991, Stephanie was named First Team All Northeast Iowa twice and First Team All MVC in 1991. That season she led the Ram’s to an MVC runner-up finish. She was named All State at the end of all four seasons, culminating with a third Team All Sate selection in 1991. Stephanie was the second Ram pitcher to win at least 100 games and finished her career with 106 victories, an ERA of 1.28, and 491 strike outs. She was inducted into the IGHSAU Hall of Fame in 1992.
	JOHN A. WEITZ JOHN A. WEITZ was a 1938 graduate of Dubuque Senior High School. He is remembered as an outstanding offensive guard who, at 145 pounds, relied on his strength, quickness, and aggressive play to succeed on the football field. John was especially known for his athleticism as a pulling guard and in leading the Ram’s sweeps. Mr. Weitz was named an All State offensive guard in 1937 and was instrumental in leading Coach Wilbur Dalzell’s Rams to a 9 – 0 season and the 1937 MVC championship. He was also selected by Coach Dalzell to his Ram all-time team. After graduation, Mr. Weitz served in the Army as a medic. He returned home and attended Loras College (Class of ’50), and he became a registered nurse, rare for men at the time. He spent his entire health care career serving in the Veterans Administration medical system. Mr. Weitz had a special affection for the elderly and was instrumental in implementing innovative programs for elderly VA patients.
	CHRIS YORK CHRIS YORK attended Dubuque Senior High School for two years, graduating in 1987. During both years, Chris was an outstanding track athlete, earning a varsity “D” each season. In his two years, Mr. York also won MVC Championships in both the 100 high hurdles and the 400 low hurdles. He also qualified for three events at the Drake Relays both seasons, finishing 3 rd in the 400 low hurdles and 2 nd in the 110 high hurdles. Each season Chris also qualified for three events at the Iowa State Track Meet, finishing fifth as a member of the 1600 Medley relay team, third in the 110 high hurdles, and winning the State Championship in the 400 low hurdles, all in his senior season. Mr.York was selected all state in both the 110 high hurdles and 400 low hurdles. By the time he graduated, he had the school records in the 110 high hurdles, 400 low hurdles, and as a member of the 4 by 800 relay team.