Moving anecdotes. Personal stories. Awe-inducing accomplishments. Barbie references. All could be found at the second Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Sept. 8 in the Huss Auditorium. Out of 350 total nominations, 12 alumni and one long-time coach were honored with an induction.
Cross Country captain Taylor Barkwell volunteered at the ceremony, handing out programs and speaking to guests.
“I didn’t realize how many crazy good athletes we have had come from SPA,” Barkwell said.
The ceremony began with a few words from Head of School Dr. Luis Ottley, who introduced emcees Jim McVeety and Kris Flom.

David Goins ‘64

Football, Wrestling, Track and Field

Goins made the monumental impact of being the first African-American student at St. Paul Academy, along with his brother who accepted the award on his behalf. He spoke about the novelty of having African-Americans at school when he and his brother were students, and how the lessons Goins learned at SPA helped him navigate complicated journeys throughout life.

William Langford ‘53

Football, Basketball, Baseball

Langford was a two year captain of Basketball and received all honors in Football. He ended his speech by emphasizing gratitude in the present.

Hilary Raudenbush Magnuson ‘59

Tennis, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball

Magnuson’s love of sports carried her through college, where she competed on multiple varsity teams pre-Title IX. She eventually returned to SPA as a teacher in 1983, where her involvement in athletic activities significantly impacted the community. Magnuson retired in 2004.

Penelope Stout Shanks ‘58

Tennis, Field Hockey, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball

Penelope Stout Shanks (‘58), who competed in sports throughout her high school and college careers, later becoming a teacher and coach. Her brother accepted the award on her behalf.

Keren Gudeman ‘94

Soccer, Basketball, Track and Field

Keren Gudeman went on to make the lacrosse team at Harvard University despite never having played. Gudeman eventually returned to SPA as a teacher and coach. In between Barbie references and jokes, Gudeman shared how Flom and Magnuson were mentors for her during her time at SPA.

William Larson ‘79

Football, Wrestling, Track and Field

William Larson was involved in athletics at SPA and later at Harvard University, eventually playing one year of baseball in the Netherlands. The first SPA baseball player to have his jersey retired, Larson thanked his family, friends and teachers.

Elizabeth O’Brian ‘73

Tennis, Basketball

A member of one of the first graduating classes that merged St. Paul Academy and Summit School, O’Brien competed on the girls’ and boys’ varsity tennis teams, detailing in her speech what it was like to be a female athlete before Title IX.

Cathy Paper ‘85

Basketball, Tennis, Track and Field, Softball

While at SPA, Paper collected 14 varsity letters and captain honors five times, and helped bring her tennis team to three state championships. Paper reminisced on senior speeches, including the common use of acronyms, and used one to describe her time at SPA, crediting the people who helped her along the way.

Anthony Sanneh ‘90

Soccer, Basketball, Tennis

Playing on a soccer team that held a 63-game winning streak over two and a half seasons in the late eighties, Sanneh recognized the contributions of fellow inductee Manuel (“Buzz”) Lagos to his success.
“A lot of us wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Buzz,” Sanneh said.
Sanneh went on to play soccer at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and professionally on the United States Men’s National Soccer Team.

J. Peter Sawkins ‘81

Hockey, Soccer, Baseball

Going on the excel at hockey at the collegiate level while at Yale University. Sawkins received the Mallory Award in 1985, recognizing Yale’s most outstanding senior male athlete, and went on to play hockey professionally for the Los Angeles Kings. Sawkins eventually returned to serve as SPA’s Athletics Director for four years starting in 2011.

Kira Gregersen Steiner ‘89

Tennis

The crowd was audibly impressed with Steiner’s accomplishments in tennis, including a record four years claiming the Class “A” State Singles Championship. Steiner’s tennis career continued into college at the University of Wisconsin, and eventually to a coaching position at the University of Illinois Chicago. Steiner’s brother accepted the award on her behalf.

Tom Vanelli ‘73

Football, Baseball, Hockey

A three-sport athlete who shined in hockey. The only hockey player to have his jersey retired by the SPA program, Vanelli served as captain of the top-ranked team in the state, setting the school record for most points, goals and assists.
He went on to play hockey for the University of Minnesota, winning two NCAA championships including one where he was named MVP of the tournament. Vanelli spoke of trying to make the best of his early days at SPA, back when the hockey arena had “chicken wire instead of plexiglass.” Vanelli credited his coach Mike Foley as his “major mentor and the one that convinced my parents that [SPA] would be a good place for me.” he said.

Manuel “Buzz” Lagos

Soccer, Coach, Teacher

The final inductee, Manuel “Buzz” Lagos was welcomed with a standing ovation. Known as the “Father of Soccer” at SPA, Lagos began as the Head Coach of the boys’ soccer team in 1973, eventually leading the team to nine state appearances in the 1980s, four of which resulted in championship and two in runner-up titles. Additionally, Lagos founded and served as Head Coach for the Minnesota Thunder, the state’s longest running professional soccer team.
He also taught math in the upper school. Lagos’ introduction was filled with testimonies from those who knew him as a teacher, coach and influential human being in the lives of those he mentored. Now an assistant coach for boys soccer, he received a second standing ovation upon completion of his speech demonstrated Lagos’ continued influence in the school community.