There is a growing sense of awareness and pride surrounding the homegrown athletic talent in the greater Flandreau area, largely due to the recognition of these accomplishments through the relatively newly established Flandreau Athletic Hall of Fame.
The third annual Hall of Fame event, held this past Sunday night at the Royal River Casino and Hotel, saw a packed house. Events kicked off earlier in the weekend with the official return of the Dusk to Dawn Dance at the Japanese Gardens in City Park. Entrance fees from attendees went toward supporting the growing number of recognition installments.
Dozens of former Flandreau area athletes, both from Flandreau Public School and Flandreau Indian School, were honored with recognition plaques after being nominated and selected for this most recent class of honorees.
Among them was DuWayne Groos, a basketball, cross-country, and track coach at FIS from 1974 to 2002.
I feel really good, I feel honored. There are other older guys around here that are maybe more deserving, but I was nominated and Im proud of it, he said.
Originally from Sisseton, Groos ended up in Flandreau by chance, looking for work as a young educator. A former supervisor had transferred to FIS, and Groos happened to stop in for a visit after striking out in his job search around Sioux Falls.
Since then, hes been a core member of the FIS and Flandreau communities.
Were very happy with the time spent at Flandreau Indian School. There wasnt a day I regretted going to school; it was just a good time.
Other individual athletes were also recognized for their athletic accomplishments, as were teams from 1963 and 1997. All of these honorees are considered traditional athletes. But Flandreau is unique in that its athletic talent extends far beyond the track, field, mat and hardwoods.
Also honored this past weekend was team roper Logan Olson, whose accomplishments range from local rodeo awards in his youth to competing at the national level and earning significant winnings still.
Its an honor to get to do this, but you feel privileged to do what you got to do, said Olson, who attended the ceremony with his young family, parents, and best friends and fellow ropers.
Olsons proudest accomplishment, he said, as he waited for the ceremony to begin, is not about the titles or trophies but the people hes met along the way.
I wouldnt put it as far as what Ive won or what Ive done, but its been the people Ive met along the way, the friends Ive made. Like anything else, you lose way more than you win. Its the people that have been with you this whole time, and the relationships you make. Thats what lasts. Trophies fade, relationships last.
For photos of the Class of 25 inductess see the print edition of the Moody County Enterprise.
Leave a Reply