• News & Events
• Local/Regional Newsroom
• From NPR »
  • US
  • World
  • Business
  • Health and Science
  • Opinion
  • Elections
• Weather
• Events »
  • KXCV-KRNW Events
  • Community Events
  • Submit Your Event
  • Photo Albums
• Contact News

Home » News » 2025 » Sports

News Brief

June 3, 2025ST. JOSEPH, Mo.

St. Joe Sports Commission announces 2025 Hall of Fame Class

 

The St. Joseph Sports Commission unveiled the 2025 St. Joseph Hall of Fame Class Tuesday afternoon.

Eleven individuals and one team will be inducted to the hall later this summer.

The class is headlined by All American Prize Fighter Rob Calloway, Kansas State football standout Elijah Lee, high school football coaching legend Don Tabor, and longtime Missouri Western radio voice Bob Orf.

The Hall of Fame induction is set for August 24th at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center in St. Joseph.

 

2025 ST. JOSEPH AREA SPORTS HALL OF FAME CLASS BIOGRAPHIES

Bob Boyles – Seven Time AAU Powerlifting Champion/Personal Trainer
Known locally for excellence in personal training, Bob Boyles became known for excellence statewide, nationwide and worldwide as a power lifter more than 40 years ago as he won first place in his first ever competition at the Missouri State AAU Championship.  Over the course of the last four decades, Boyles accomplishments, a graduate of Lafayette High School, have set the powerlifting Gold Standard.  In 1990, he set the NASA National Squat Record of 705 pounds in the 198-pound category, a record still standing today and is the longest lasting NASA national record. He won his first of 7 AAU World Powerlifting Championships in 1999 and followed in 2000, 2001, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.  The 2017 championship was a part of a prestigious AAU trifecta as in addition to being World Champion he was named the AAU Best Power Lifter of the competition and Outstanding Male Athlete at the AAU World Championship at age 60.  For his 40+ years of excellence, Boyles was inducted into the AAU Strength Sports’ Hall of Fame. In addition, Boyles has dedicated his life to personal training and has trained and assisted many local athletes and residents to help them achieve their personal fitness goals. 

 

Rob Calloway – Local Boxing Legend

Professional boxing has always had great tradition in St. Joseph in which for more then a decade, Rob Calloway’s popularity on the local, national and world scene was rare air for boxing in our community.  Known as the “All American Prize Fighter”, Calloway enjoyed a decorated amateur career as in forty bouts, he was the Kansas City Gold Gloves Champion three times, and a semifinalist for the 1992 United States Western Olympics Trails.  He began is pro career late in 1992 and went on to fight professionally 92 times and accumulated a career record of 72 wins, 14 defeats, 2 draws and 4 no contests.  In his 20 year career, Calloway held the following titles: World Boxing Council Continental Americas Cruiserweight Title; International Boxing Federation International Cruiserweight Title; World Boxing Foundation Heavyweight Title; North American Boxing Association Cruiserweight Title.  His 2005 victory over Bob Mirovic in Australia for the WBF Heavyweight Championship was designated the 2005 Fight of the Year by Fox Sports Australia.  23 of his 92 professional fights were held at the St. Joseph Civic Arena which were attended by thousands of people and were must see events downtown.

 

Mike Habermehl - PGA Club Professional/Instructor/MWSU Golf Coach
A friend of the game, mentor to many in St. Joseph and the surrounding area for 40 years, Mike Habermehl began leaving his legacy in 1985 arriving from Springfield, Missouri to become the Head Golf Professional at Fairview Golf Course.  During his 26+ year career at Fairview, Mike’s contributions to the growing the game of golf are many and include creation and implementation of the Junior Golf Program in teaching hundreds of kids the game on an annual basis. Speaking of teaching: Mike has mentored many pupils on all skill levels and helped them enjoy and in several cases compete at its highest level (St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Brad Nurski is one of his star pupils).  Habermehl also excelled as a college golf coach as he led Missouri Western Men’s Golf for several seasons including winning the 1997 NCAA Division II West Regional at St. Joseph Country Club which clinched a spot in the National Tournament, the only Griffon Men’s Golf Team to ever accomplishment the feat.  In 2013, Mike left his position at Fairview to assume the same one at St. Joseph Country Club where he led and grew the golf efforts for nearly a decade.  During his tenure at the club in furthering his passion for the growth of junior golf, Habermehl created the Northwest Missouri Junior Golf Tour which allows boys and girls of all ages/skill levels to compete in an eight-week, tournament style series.  For his work/service; Mike has received numerous awards which include Fairview Golf Course Hall of Fame, Missouri Western Athletics Hall of Fame, 2010 PGA Midwest Section Professional Development Award - 2013, 2021, 2023; PGA Midwest Section Youth Player Development Award, 2013 PGA Midwest Section Jon E. Jacobson Award and is a 2014 inductee into the PGA Midwest Section Hall of Fame.

 

Elijah Lee – Kansas State Football/National Football League
Born in St. Joseph, Elijah Lee’s path to football’s biggest stage commenced at Central High School in which as only a sophomore, he recorded 67 tackles including 9 for loss.  Lee wrapped up his high school career at Blue Springs in which he accumulated numerous accolades including Missouri Football Coaches Association Class 6 Defensive Player of the Year, USA Today All-Missouri Team and won the Buck Buchannan Memorial Award for the second time in which he is the only two-time recipient of the award.  Lee took his talents to Kansas State University in which he played three years for the Wildcats who were coached by Class of 2021 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame Member Bill Snyder.  He was a two-time All-Big 12 selection including First Team his junior season as selected by four different outlets and recorded five interceptions, the most by any linebacker under Snyder at K-State.  His 20 tackles in bowl games (three games) rank fourth on the all-time career list.  Following his junior season, Lee declared for the NFL Draft in which he was drafted in the seventh round, 232^nd overall by the Minnesota Vikings.  He spent eight seasons in the league playing for the Vikings, San Franciso 49ers, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears in which he competed in 74 games recording 107 total tackles.  Lee officially retired following the 2022 season.

 

Chris Miljavac – Men’s Fastpitch Softball Star
Men’s fastpitch softball in St. Joseph is rich with history and tradition.  When the “best ever” conversation is broached, the list of names in this category is short, but one that continually rises to the top is that of Chris Miljavac.  Miljavac, a three-sport athlete from Bishop LeBlond High School was introduced to fastpitch softball at age 20 playing for VFW 1668.  A mere two years later, he and his teammates became National Champions in the 23 & under division. A 5-tool player who excelled at the national and international level, he was a four-time All-American and part of five Men’s Major Fastpitch National Championship teams.  He was a 10-time member of the USA National Team and played in two ISF Championships (2004, 2025), two Pan-Am Games Qualifiers (2002, 2014) and was a Silver Medalist in 2003.  Noted for his great defensive capabilities, his versatility at multiple defensive positions and his game changing speed on the base paths made him very hard for his opponents to defend.   Local softball fans will remember the 2000 World Games at Phil Welch Stadium when Chris as a member of the Class of 2021 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame team inductee Meierhoffer/St. Jo. Frontier Casino Players team finished fourth overall in which he earned his first, 1^st Team All-World selection.  In all, Miljavac was named 1^st Team All-World three times including being named ISC World Tournament MVP in 2002.  Chris retired from the Circle Tap Dukes in 2014 after an impressive 18-year career and was inducted into the USA Softball Missouri Hall of Fame in 2016.  Even though officially retired, Miljavac still plays on 50 & over national teams periodically including an event coming up later this summer.

 

Bob Orf – Radio Broadcasting Personality/Voice of Griffon Athletics
Few voices are as synonymous with St. Joseph sports as Bob Orf.  For more than 35 years, Orf served as the “Voice of the Griffons” bringing Missouri Western State University football and basketball to life for thousands of fans across the region.  Orf began his career at KFEQ 680 AM in 1974, launching what would become four decades of dedication to sports broadcasting.  That same year, he took on the role of play-by-play announcer for Griffon Football in which 15 years later after Class of 2022 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame member Tom Smith brought Griffon Men’s Basketball back to national prominence, Orf lobbied to carry to those games live on KFEQ in which he was successful in 1989 and then added Griffon Women’s Basketball to his resume three years later.  In addition to being the on air voice, Orf emceed several University banquets and booster club gatherings. While many knew his allegiance and association with MWSU, Orf had interests in all sports including being the ring announcer for more then a dozen major boxing cards at Civic Arena including one promoted by legendary ring announcer Don King.  Winner of numerous awards for excellence in broadcasting including being inducted into the MWSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, Orf retired in 2014 leaving a lasting impact on athletes, fans and the broader sports community.  His storytelling ability, professionalism and passion for Griffon Athletics created lasting memories for generations of listeners.

 

Justin Thornton – Multisport Central High School Star/University of Kansas Football
A man who excelled in all seasons, Justin Thornton was a three-sport letterman in football, basketball, and track at Central High School.   While he likely could have continued his career in college in any of the three sports, his ability on the gridiron was elite as playing on the offensive side of the ball as a wide receiver, he caught 46 passes for 894 yards and 15 touchdowns including six in one game his senior season.  This performance garnered him a 1^st Team All-State selection in which he still holds Central’s career record in receiving yards for a single season. Thornton was recognized as an All-City, All-Conference and All-District selection as a defensive back which would ultimately be his position in college  After graduation, Justin went to the University of Kansas on a football scholarship and dawned the Crimson and Blue for five seasons. He redshirted his first year, then cemented his name in the lineup the following four seasons. During his 49 game career at Kansas, the Jayhawks won three bowl games including the 2007 Orange Bowl. Justin’s eight career interceptions at KU placed him in the top 10 all time for the Jayhawks.  He recorded 235 career tackles including 80 during his senior season. His career high for tackles in a game, came during KU’s record setting 2007 campaign where they finished with a 12-1 record, as he recorded 16 against Missouri at Arrowhead Stadium.  After graduating from KU, Justin was afforded an opportunity to continue his career in the National Football League as he signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

 

Adam Selkirk – Three-time Missouri State High School Tennis Champion
Few in sports get to call themselves a champion.  Even fewer get to call themselves a multi-time champion.  In the case of Adam Selkirk, his championships were numerous.  Selkirk was a staple on the tennis courts in St. Joseph and beyond during his career.  A 1995 graduate of Central High School, Selkirk achieved one of the best prep tennis careers in the history of the state of the Missouri.  He won the Class 5 District Boys Tennis Singles Championship all four years of his career in which three of those seasons he went on to win the Class 5 State Boys Singles Championship.  His team joined him on the medal platform his sophomore season as he helped lead the Indians to the Class 5 Team Championship.  Selkirk was the #1 ranked player in the Missouri Valley five state region and was ranked in the top 25 of the USTA National Poll for junior singles players from 1991-1994.  Afte graduation, he took his talents to the University of Minnesota where he was an integral part of the Gophers two-time NCAA Regional Team Championships and their two NCAA Sweet Sixteen appearances. 

 

Don Tabor – Bishop LeBlond/Benton High School Football Coaching Legend
A football coaching career spanning 40+ years, a mentor to many for a lifetime, Coach Don Tabor began his career at then Christian Brothers High School in 1957.  For 28 years he led CB, then becoming Bishop LeBlond to impressive heights.  From 1974-76, the Golden Eagles won 26 straight games including a perfect 10-0 season in 1975 in which they were not selected for the playoffs. Tabor’s LeBlond teams did compete in the state playoffs twice, including his 1982 team that reached the state semifinals.  Tabor left LeBlond in 1985 for the southside and took over the helm of the Benton Cardinals in which the era of the early 90’s was one of the best of any 11 man football team in city history.  Benton made the state playoffs four seasons in a row, anchored by class of 2021 St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame member Mike Rucker.  The run included two state quarterfinal appearances, a state semifinal appearance and in 1991, Tabor led the Cardinals to the state championship game, which remains the only appearance for an 11-man team in city history.  Tabor retired in 1995 with 178 career victories.  He was inducted into the Missouri Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1996 and was a 2006 inductee into the Bishop LeBlond Athletics Hall of Fame.

 

1977 Bishop LeBlond Boys Basketball State Champions
1977 was a vintage year for the Bishop LeBlond Golden Eagles Boys Basketball Team as lead by Head Coach John Bizal and Assistant Coach Mike Ziesel, the team won the school’s first and only boys basketball state championship in winning the Class 2 title.  LeBlond finished the season 27-5, were City League Co-Champs and in qualifying for the State Final Four held at the Hearnes Center in Columbia, the Golden Eagles defeated Forsyth 65-61 in the semifinals and Linn 64-56 in the championship game.  Team members included: Brent Buckman, Mike Bullimore, Rick Dickens, Bart Geiger, Kenny Gilbert, Carl Marriott, Bill Miller, Steve Minnis, Tim Pepple, Paul Pioch, Jeff Salanky, Scott Schoeneck, Rick Schultz, Jim Treu, Head Coach: John Bizal, Assistant Coach: Mike Ziesel.  Individually, Jeff Salanky was an All-City, All-Conference, All-District and First Team All-State selection.  Brent Buckman was All-City, All-District, All-State and a Second Team All-State selection.  Scott Schoeneck was an All-District selection.

 

Special Olympics Area Athlete Of The Year presented by the Hook Family – Chris Ringot
For nearly 30 years, Chris Ringot has been a legendary Special Olympian.  A 2005 graduate of Savannah High School, Ringot has participated in multiple sports including swimming, basketball, golf, flag football, and power lifting. Of these, swimming is his sport of choice in which he has excelled in the pool.  Chris represented Special Olympics Missouri at the first National Games held in Ames, Iowa in 2006 as a member of the aquatics team.   He medaled in all three of his events against athletes from around the United States.  Chris also had the opportunity to represent Special Olympics Missouri as part of the aquatics team on Team USA at the World Games in Athens, Greece in 2011.  He medaled in all three of his events.  For his accolades, Chris was selected to become a member of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame for Special Olympics in 2023. Not only has Chris excelled in the pool, he gives back to the sport as he has volunteered as a swim buddy for young athletes, has chosen to be a Certified Special Olympics Aquatics Coach and is also a Global Messenger. He is the athlete representative for the Special Olympics Missouri Strategic Planning Council.  His favorite thing about being involved is talking to people about Special Olympics and meeting people from all over the area, state, country, and world!