Excelsior Springs Athletes Celebrated at 2025 Hall of Fame Ceremony

Golden Era Award: Bud Smith

The Golden Era honor went to Bud Smith (ESHS Class of 1951), a three-sport letterwinner in football, basketball, and track and field who later earned a football scholarship to Missouri Valley College and served in the Korean War. Smith helped the Tigers win the 1949 state track and field title, finished second in the state in shot put (47 feet, 11 inches, then a school record) and was first-team MRVC in basketball. Family members accepted on his behalf, noting he “was a true Tiger,” active in the QB Club and a fixture at games for decades.

Carl Abele

Presenter Terri Irons introduced longtime coach Carl Abele, a former Concordia Teachers College standout who held school records in the shot put and sprint relays. Abele arrived at ESHS in 1987 and built a powerhouse in track and field: head boys coach of the 1999 state champions, the MTCCCA Missouri Coach of the Year, and NFCA Midwest Coach of the Year that same season. He also coached freshman football and middle-school cross country. Abele credited assistant coaches, middle-school development, and family support.

Brennan Johnson

Introduced by Darren Marriott, Brennan Johnson (ESHS Class of 2013) was a four-time wrestling letterwinner, four-time state qualifier, and two-time MSHSAA state champion. He also lettered in soccer. Johnson, now a graduate of a Fire/EMT program, thanked his parents, siblings, coaches, and teammates: “This Hall of Fame induction is a testament to what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.”

Joe Greim

A 1990 ESHS graduate and 1994 Central Missouri alumnus, Joe Greim returned to ESHS in 1994 and served as a PE teacher, assistant, and head wrestling coach, and later activities director (2014–2024). As an assistant, Greim coached four state champions, five runners-up, and 10 other medalists, with the team finishing second in 1999. As head coach (2004–2013), his teams produced four state champions, seven runners-up, and 22 additional medalists, with team finishes of second (2008), fourth (2009), and third (2010). Greim also held leadership roles with KCIAAA and MSHSAA and received the MSHSAA Distinguished Service Award. He credited mentors Bill Tuck, Jesse Hall, colleagues Mike Snelling and others, and “strong relationships” with families and athletes.

Preston Mills

Preston Mills (ESHS Class of 2001) starred in football and track and field, earning four letters in each. On the gridiron, he was first-team all-conference (2000, 2001) and first-team all-district (2001), setting marks that included most career yards (2,162), yards in a season (1,763), rushing yards in a season (1,428), and touchdowns in a season (19). In track, Mills was a key member of the 1999 state championship team, finishing second in the state in pole vault and the 4×100 relay that year, then claiming the 2001 Class 3A pole vault title at 14-9. He thanked coaches, including Todd Cooper and Carl Abele, and teammates who “gave me what I had.”

Team Inductee: 1999 Men’s Wrestling Team

Led by head coach Bill Tuck with assistants Joe Greim, Mike Snelling, and Eric Todd, the 1999 Tigers finished Class 3A state runner-up with 118 points (St. Charles West 139; Helias 115; Ste. Genevieve 97). State qualifiers included Josh Baldwin (3rd, 145), Seth Baldwin (2nd, 152), Nate Conyers (HWT), Justin Cook (5th, 189), Ryan Lowry (130), Shaun Marcum (state champion, 140), Will McGaugh (135), and Conrad Woolsey (2nd, 215). District team members were Chris Hobbs, Matt Lewis, Kasey Pridge, and Trevor Wilkins. Marriott praised the group’s resilience and chemistry through “highs and lows” on the way to the podium.

The evening concluded with group photos and an invitation to continue the celebration at the Excelsior Springs Golf Course.

Community members are encouraged to submit nominations for future Hall of Fame classes by contacting any committee member or emailing rsiegel@ga.essd40.com.