INDUCTEE Fred Hynoski was a super high school football player, teaming with Jimmy Darrup to give Mount Carmel one of the best running back combinations ever to play for the Red and White. However, it was as a college player that Fred really hit his stride. At the University of Cincinnati, Fred found the perfect showcase for his versatile talents. He was one of the last of the two-way players; guys who did everything on the football field. He was the lone starting sophomore for the Bearcats when they opened the season against Hardin-Simmons…and he held onto the position for three years. During that period he not only led the team in rushing; but also was the leading punt and kick-off returner and averaged 38.6 yards as the Bearcat punter. His particular specialty was the quick-kick. At that time. A team with a quick-kicker was at a tremendous advantage. IN one game against Air Force Academy, he gained 72 yards rushing, 59 in a final TD drive that ended up just short of victory for the Bearcats. And quick-kicks of 50, 50, and 40 yards kept the high powered offense of the Academy at bay keeping the score close until the end. For that performance he was named Missouri Valley Conference Back of the week. His versatility made him an outstanding threat anywhere on the field. As a senior he led the team in total offense, was second in rushing and was the leading scorer. He had a 77 yard punt return which was the Bearcat record at the time. He led the Missouri Valley Conference in both punting and punt and kickoff returns…and he was 20th in the nation in punting average. He was voted All Conference Honorable mention as a junior; and was second team as a senior. Fred’s entrance into our Hall is long overdue. He was an outstanding player who did it all against major competition.

OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR ATHLETE Ed Romance loved athletes. He considered athletics the highest form of expression for a Coal Region Kid…The Hall of Fame was his idea of how our great athletes could serve as ideals for the rest of us. And when a great athlete was also a great student, or was able to equal his success on the field with similar success in life, Ed Romance loved it even more. Ed Romance would have been crazy about Mike Higgins. Mike won the job as starting quarterback during the pre-season practice his freshman year at Mount Carmel: and he went on to start 50 consecutive games…culminating with his score of the winning touchdown in the State Championship Game. On his way he has accumulated career records for yards passing, completions and touchdown passes; and has been named to every All Star and All State Team of significance. In addition, he is four-year varsity letter winner in basketball, and is co-captain of that squad. Michael has been ranked number one in his class academically throughout his school career. He is expected to hold that ranking through graduation this year. He has dine it all. ATHLETICS in the form of breaking records; PERFORMANCE IN THE CLUTCH, in the form of scoring the winning touchdown, on what was actually a broken play; LEADERSHIP, in the form of being elected captain of his teams, and class president; and SCHOLARSHIP, in the form of compiling a 98 plus average over 12 years. Mike is also active in school plays, student government and service organizations. Over the 17 years that this club has honored student athletes, we have had some great ones, but Ed Romance really would have loved Mike Higgins.