Post Messenger Recorder -

Members of the Wildcat Wall of Fame Committee are looking for nominations for the Wildcat Wall of Fame.

Do you know a School District of Belleville staff member, alumnus, or community member who deserves to be on the Wildcat Wall of Fame?

If so, fill out a brief Wildcat Wall of Fame Nomination form at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSea6nVAy20-3y5I9RiazUJLZH0HKNMD4pggvD7GAypSFKQCWg/viewform.

Paper copies are available at the Belleville High School office. The deadline to submit is Monday, December 16, 2019.

“Nominate a Wildcat who has impacted your life or the lives of others,” said Nate Perry, Belleville High School Principal. “Those with multiple nominations have a better chance of becoming a finalist.”

The Wildcat Wall of Fame was started two years ago to honor School District of Belleville staff, graduates, or community members who have made significant contributions to Belleville.

Belleville teacher and coach John Becker was announced as the first inductee into the Wildcat Wall of Fame. The inscription on his plaque reads:

John Becker began teaching and coaching at Belleville High School in 1964. He coached football in Belleville for 28 years. In that time, he amassed a record of 144-105-9. His teams won six State Line League championships and achieved three undefeated seasons. Coach Becker always put his team first and gave the credit to his players. One of his former players remarked, “He taught us the values of self-discipline, teamwork, attention to detail, poise under pressure, and ‘practice makes perfect.’” He taught in the District for 33 years at the Elementary School and High School in Physical Education and History. He served as the varsity basketball coach and assistant baseball coach. He was inducted into the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1994. Becker retired from the School District of Belleville in 1997.

Other Inductees

Nancy Fahey: Now one of the country’s winningest head basketball coaches, Nancy Fahey’s roots started in Belleville. She was a star player for the Ladycats, before going on to a collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin. A four-year letter winner in Madison, Fahey served as a starter and team captain for two seasons before graduating moving into the coaching ranks.

Fahey was twice named the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year and she was recognized as NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year four times. Nancy has already been inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, the Washington University Sports Hall of Fame, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.

In 2017, Nancy was named head coach of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini.

Throughout her storied career, Fahey continues to be an example and source of inspiration to generations of young women. She is known not only for her passion for the game of basketball, but for the energy and excitement she brings to work each day.

Barb (Disch) Funseth: Barb (Disch) Funseth was a member of the Belleville High School class of 1962. Throughout her life, Barb epitomized service to the Village of Belleville and the School District of Belleville. Barb started driving school bus in 1978, and served as the Transportation Director for 18 years. She knew every student on the bus routes by name and address. Barb is a constant figure at almost all sporting, fine arts, and social events for children in the school district.

Barb is a lifetime member of Girl Scouts and helped build the Belleville Girl Scout program. She received the Thanks Badge at the Council level in recognition for her years of service to our youth. She served as a troop leader, community chairperson, and led council events in a nine-county area made up of 9,000 girls.

Barb also was instrumental in the Belleville Community Picnic, organizing food stand volunteers, offering safe rides home, and delivering chicken dinners. She was awarded the Volunteer of the Year by the Community Club. She also organized the Road Rally scavenger hunt for many years, purely for the enjoyment of the participants.

As John (JP) Pamperin recognized, “Barb’s life is one characterized by service.”

LeRoy Freitag: LeRoy Freitag taught and coached in the School District of Belleville from 1962 to 1994. When asked what one word best describes Mr. Freitag, Belleville High School graduate Bart Morrick commented, “Dedicated.” And added that when he accepted the teaching position in Belleville, he built a house next to the school and moved his family here. “He was a year-round teacher, coach, father, and husband.”

He and his wife, Joann, taught in Belleville for more than 30 years, have lived in the community for more than 50 years, and raised their two children here.

LeRoy taught high school history and drivers’ education. He also served as athletic director for more than 10 years. He started the Letter Club, which preceded the Booster Club. LeRoy was the head baseball coach and an assistant football coach. He led teams to eight State Line League championships in baseball. When Belleville students wanted to wrestle, Freitag started a team and, serving its first head coach.

LeRoy is a member of the Belleville Community Club and is a lifetime member of the Belleville Fire Department. He was active in the Belleville American Legion Post and served in its honor guard for many years. In 2014, he participated in the Badger Honor Flight.

C.H. Hageman: C.H. (Clarence Harold) Hageman served the School District of Belleville for 44 years. He started his career in 1942, as a mathematics and physical education teacher, and coach for football, basketball, baseball, track, and volleyball.

In 1949, he assumed the role of district administrator. In 1968, Mr. Hageman exchanged jobs with Darrell Fitch, becoming the Belleville High School principal and the assistant district administrator.

As a football coach, he led Belleville to a 53-14 record in six-man football from 1942 to 1949. The 1943 team was undefeated in seven games, out scoring opponents 307 to 26 and posting five shutouts. In 1949, Coach Hageman’s volleyball squad finished as the runner-up at the state tournament, with a loss to Madison Central in the finals.

C.H. was instrumental in consolidating the district and drawing school district boundaries, bringing students from area country schools into the School District of Belleville. He also led the district’s building construction, with the elementary school and its additions, the high school, and later the middle school. He ushered in the first computer lab as well, finding space in the old locker room. His son Greg stated, “He always found ways to make things work.”

Mr. Hageman developed a reputation of being fair and extremely involved with the school and community, attending almost every event and becoming the face of the school district.

In 1994, the gymnasium at the old high school was named after Mr. Hageman. He had a view of the gym from his backyard. C.H. was also an active member of the Community Club, Belleville Area Cultural Foundation, and a key leader within the State Line League Conference.

Yvonne Remy: Yvonne Remy graduated from Belleville High school in 1956. She was valedictorian of her class, American Legion Badger Girls State representative, both class officer and band officer, and cheerleader.

She started working for the School District of Belleville in 1972, as a kindergarten aide. Just one year later, she became a school secretary and went on to serve at the Elementary and Intermediate Schools for 30 years. C.H. Hageman often said, “I never have to worry about the Elementary School because Yvonne is running things.”

Her greatest joy was working with students. She became acquainted with thousands of Belleville’s children over her career, offering each a smile, listening ear, and kind word when needed. Yvonne was organized, resourceful, and performed her work with dedication, compassion, and good humor.

Yvonne has lived in Belleville her entire life. It is where she chose to raise her family. Yvonne worked as the bookkeeper for St. Mary of Lourdes Catholic Church and volunteered for American Red Cross blood drives and at New Glarus Nursing Home functions. She was a charter member of the Belleville Area Cultural Foundation and the Econo-misers homemakers and is involved with the Kiwanis Club, Community Club, and Friends of the Library.

Yvonne is selfless, kind, and humble. She does things simply to help others, without seeking notoriety or personal gain. In her unassuming way, Yvonne has helped to make Belleville a better place.

Brad Stiner: Brad Stiner taught his entire 32-year career in Belleville, starting as a sixth grade Belleville Middle School teacher. He served as acting principal for Rodger Moe. In 2007, he was honored with the Dane County Educator Award.

Brad was inducted into the Monroe High School Athletic Hall of Fame upon his graduation, holding the school basketball record in points and rebounds after only two years on the team. He then played basketball at Kent State University for four years.

Brad started as an assistant volleyball coach in Belleville. In 1977, he was named head coach of the girls’ basketball program. He led the program to seven State Line League titles and three regional titles, finishing with a varsity record of 200-97. He also served as the girls and boys Track and Field head coach from 1978 to 1991, winning nine State Line League championships and leading the Belleville boys to the 1989 Class C State Runner-up. In 2017, Brad received an award for 40 years of service from the WIAA for his work at the state track meet. In addition, Brad helped to start the girls softball and middle school girls basketball programs and restart the high school cross country program in Belleville.

He introduced the Power of Positive Students program, rewarding them with Harby Day celebrations. He also launched the Park Science summer school program at the Middle School. Brad coached the elementary Math 24 and Math Teams for 18 years, highlighted by a third-place finish at the State Mega Meet. In a pinch, Brad drove school busses as a substitute for 25 years.

Brad served the community as a Boy Scout Troop Scoutmaster. He served 23 years as an Alderman for District 3 on the Verona City Council. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, holding the position of Grand Knight for several years.