Hall of Fame

*FYI: I will be bragging throughout this post :)

This last Friday night, a banquet was held at Western Oregon University for 4 athletes and 2 coaches who were being inducted into their Hall of Fame. One of those athletes was MY husband!!! He had an amazing high jump career in high school and college. He's a 3 time national champion in high jump, has won meets, and STILL holds the school record of jumping 7 feet 1/2 inch!!! That is so HIGH!! We had such an awesome time at the banquet and I've got LOTS of pictures to show-so hang on!

The Acker side (and a pair of Thompson's)

The Uram side (with some Acker's)
AJ and his PROUD parents Dan and Barb!

After family pictures we all headed over to WOU for the banquet. For the first hour, they had hors d'oeuvres (not sure how to spell that! But it was cheese, pretzels, fruit) We got to stand around and chat which is always fun!
The ladies-I love these women!

AJ mingling

The banquet room

For each person being inducted, the school set up a display of every one's own memorabilia-medals, awards, etc. A few years ago AJ's sister made this awesome scrapbook for him of all of his track articles, awards, pictures, etc. Such a great gift to have forever!

And a close-up of this poster that was with his stuff-the school did all of this! We had nothing to do with it. But they did let us take it home! I love it and want to display it in our home-but I'm pretty sure AJ won't let me :)
The table with the Hall of Fame medals for each person

The emcee' for the night, director of athletics Jon Carey
Each person being inducted was to choose someone to present for them. AJ chose John Bartlett. He was one of the track coaches when AJ was at WOU. He said some wonderful things about AJ!
AJ accepting his medal
And making his acceptance speech-he said such good stuff too!
The school also had a slide show going of each athlete/coach when it was their turn to be presented. There were such good pictures of AJ, that I took pictures of those pictures! So, they aren't the best quality, but you get to see him high jumping:
He makes it look so effortless!
Such a baby face! :)
Receiving his first place award from his awesome coach, Berny Wagner. Berny was also inducted into the Hall of Fame, but couldn't be there due to his health. Just some track history for you: Berny coached Dick Fosbury, of the "Fosbury Flop" and Dick went on to win the gold medal in the Olympics in the 70's! Berny is a legend at WOU and AJ still goes to see him when he can. They have a great relationship!
I love him!!! (And I love this picture!)
The medal up close
The whole gang-except for AJ's brother and his wife and my brother and sister. They all wanted to be there but couldn't for various reasons (living in Texas! and other things :)
AJ and Jon
AJ and another John
AJ with another past track coach John Knight and Berny's son (who was there to accept his dad's award)
AJ with fellow track buddies Jeremy and Steven-with Steven's wife and daughter.
And the boys again

It was such an awesome evening! AJ is such a humble guy that he really wasn't telling anyone about this. Me, on the other hand, I was telling everyone! I just think it's a huge accomplishment for him and I am so proud of him! I know he gives all the glory and credit to God for giving him the strength, endurance, performance, etc. to achieve all that he's done. Congratulations to my Hall of Fame husband! Can you tell I'm a proud wife?!