Three Sparta High School alumni will be inducted into the Sparta Wall of Fame during halftime of the Homecoming football game Friday, Sept. 30, at Memorial Field.
This year’s three inductees, Gayle Hornett (1967), Rachel (Yahnke) Ryba (2001) and posthumously Edward D. Jones, PhD (1937) all have connections to the United States Armed Forces.
A reception will be at 9 p.m. following the game at the Greens Restaurant. The Sparta High School Athletic Wall of Fame is displayed in the main hallway at Sparta High School.
“This year’s inductees highlight the diverse level of talent our school has graduated and they can be held up as examples of how participation in athletics can teach hard work, determination, and service to others to help lead young people on to successful lives after high school,” said Bob Sanders, activities director for Sparta High School.
Edward D. Jones, PhD graduated from Sparta High School in 1937. While at Sparta High School, Ed was a member of the 1936-37 Sparta High School Basketball Team; the only SHS team to advance to the Wisconsin State High School Basketball Tournament. As a high school senior, Ed also participated in Baseball (Captain), Band, Orchestra, A Capella Choir, Glee Club, Boy’s Quartette, Letterman’s Club and Hi-Y (President).
As a sophomore at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Ed lettered in both baseball and basketball. He played the position of forward on the 1941 Wisconsin Badger Basketball Team that remains the sole NCAA Basketball Championship from UW.
Ed’s college education was interrupted during World War II when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a B-17 pilot with the Eighth Air Force in Europe, completing 33 missions. He attained the rank of first lieutenant and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters and the European theatre Ribbon with three Bronze Stars.
After the war, he completed his bachelor of science degree at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and obtained a master of science degree in agronomy and PhD in plant pathology degrees. In 1958, he accepted a faculty position at Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. in the Department of Plant Pathology. His career focused on the development of the Uihlein Farm of Cornell University. This program pioneered the development of disease-free potato seed stocks by tissue culture. In 1987, Ed became the first Henry and Mildred Uihlein Professor of Pant Pathology, an endowed chair at Cornell University.
Throughout his life, Ed was involved with sports and was active in youth baseball, coaching numerous championships. He also acted as manager for several ice hockey travel teams. He served as an off-ice hockey official at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid, N.Y. and witnessed first-hand the Miracle on Ice.
Other highlights include:
• Jan. 19, 2005: Ed was named Honorary Coach for the Badgers’ basketball team in a game versus Northwestern at the Kohl Center in Madison.
• On Feb. 6, 2013: Representing the 1941 NCAA Basketball Championship team, Ed was presented a commemorative ball and was named the Badger’s Honorary Captain for the game celebrating the 75th Anniversary of March Madness at the Kohl Center.
Ed, married to his wife Barbara for 67 years, raised four children who also shared his love of sports. He was a devoted husband and family man. His faith, character, and work ethic inspired all who knew him. Ed had a lifelong love of sports and his positive influence served as a role model for many young athletes and students. Ed passed away May 13, 2014.
Gayle Hornett graduated from Sparta High School in 1967 and played football from 1964, lettering in 1964, 1965 and 1966. He played first string his sophomore year and senior year, Gayle was co-captain of the football team, received the Most Valuable Player Award, was All Conference Defense and All State Honorable Mention. Gayle also played baseball for Sparta High School, lettering in 1965, 1966 and 1967. His three year conference pitching record was 18 victories versus three losses. Gayle’s senior year he pitched three no-hitter games, was co-captain and the MVP player.
Also while at Sparta High School Gayle was the Class President his junior and senior years and the President of the Letterman’s Club.
After graduation, Gayle became a pitcher for the Sparta City Team in 1967 in the La Crosse District Semi-Pro League. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls. In 1968, he was an assistant football coach at Fort Benning, Ga.
Gayle is a two tour Vietnam Veteran and had a 29 year military career.
Rachel (Yahnke) Ryba is a 2001 Sparta High School graduate. She participated in football, basketball, and softball all four years of high school. Rachel earned Varsity letters in football her sophomore, junior, and senior years (Best Offensive Lineman) and is the only female that played all four years of High School Football for Sparta. Rachel was also named Homecoming Queen and after being crowned, was selected to compete for America’s Homecoming Queen, earning the title Miss Congeniality. She also earned varsity letters in basketball her junior and senior years (Best Defensive Player) and softball her junior and senior years.
Rachel went on to play Softball for Bradley University until she was deployed to Iraq after the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Upon her return, she transferred to Winona State University, but was again deployed to Iraq in 2004-05. She sustained injuries while in Iraq and was unable to play softball when she returned to Winona. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in literacy education. She taught middle school for five years while coaching and mentoring seventh and eighth grade boys football and girls basketball teams.
Rachel was deployed to Afghanistan in 2008-2010 and continues to serve as an active duty member of the United States Army. She recently was selected for an early promotion to Major and is currently a Captain (promotable). She just finished her tenure as a Company Commander for the 993D Transportation Company in Central Florida; she is now the Operations Officer for the 649th Regional Support Group in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Rachel continues to coach Football and Softball for the Marion (Iowa) YMCA and volunteers with the Special Olympics in the surrounding area. She and her husband train to compete in four half marathons and three triathlons each year. Rachel coordinates and participates in team building activities and community events which emphasize her dedication and motivation to be healthy and fit.