The second Frankfort Hot Dogs Alumni Hall of Fame class was unveiled Saturday afternoon at the Frankfort High School Auditorium.
“This is another great group,” said Hall of Fame President Don Rusk. “We’ve been really fortunate the last two years that we’ve put together what I think are really outstanding alumni that deserved to be honored.”
Last year, 15 individuals were inducted into the inaugural class. This year, 11 were added to the Hall.
“This is a proud day for us Hot Dogs,” said Master of Ceremones Tyler Stock. “This Hall is designed to be the best of the best. Frankfort has a lot of impressive inductees to be proud of.”
The weekend began with the reception on Friday night, followed by the induction on Saturday afternoon and then a public introduction before the varsity boys’ basketball game Saturday night against West Lafayette.
The following is a list of the 11 individuals who were inducted into the second hall of Fame class:
- Charles L. (Chuck) Aidman — alumni, Class of 1942, served in the United States Navy during World War II. Aidman was a film scenarist and television actor for four decades. He made his film debut in “Destination Space” (1959), followed by Pork Chop Hill (1959).
- Dr. Frank Beardsley — alumni, Class of 1943, on his 30th birthday he started his medical practice and spent the next 36 years serving the residents of Frankfort and Clinton County. He was the founder of the Frankfort Medical Clinic. He is most passionate about keeping the memory of Everett Case alive.
- Lt. Gen. Jay Kelley — alumni, Class of 1959, enlisted in the Air Force following graduation. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and was commissioned in June 1964. His Major Command assignments included Vice Commander of Space Command, and Commander of the Air University.
- Dr. Patrick Kersey — alumni, Valedictorian of Class of 1986, he has served as Medical Director or St Vincent’s Sports Performance since 2009. He is very active in the world of Sports Medicine which includes being the Indianapolis Colts Team physician.
- Cindy Ward Wine Martinez — alumni, Class of 1973, hosted radio and television programs spanning from Indiana to Arizona. In Phoenix, Arizona she was the host for one of the nation’s first female co-hosted radio programs.
- Karen McClain Miller — alumni, Class of 1973, she was the first female President and CEO of the Farmers Bank. She served as President of Clinton County Partners in Progress, President of Chamber of Commerce, Served on Clinton County Community Foundation and the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
- Jim H. Miner — alumni, Class of 1937, was a lifelong resident of Frankfort. As a junior, he was a member of the 1936 IHSAA State Basketball Championship Team and selected 1st Team All-State. As a senior in 1937, he was the IHSAA State Pole Vault champion clearing 12ft.-10in. using a bamboo pole. Miner served his country in WWII. He received the Purple Heart and the Silver Star for gallantry in action and devotion to duty.
- Rawlings “Rawl” Ransom — alumni, Class of 1938, he was among a group of businessmen who had the foresight to begin several economic development initiatives in Frankfort including The Frankfort Development Corporation. He helped develop the Clinton County Land Trust which procured land to be available for the area known today as the Industrial Park. He was also involved in procuring the land and developing the Frankfort Municipal Airport.
- Richard “Butch” Ricker — alumni, Class of 1949, he was the IHSAA Track and Field State Champion in the 440 yard dash and he also anchored the 880-yard relay to a 2nd place finish. Ricker holds the school record for the 100-yard dash and the 880-yard relay. In 1961, he was hired as the Frankfort High School Athletic Director a position that he held for 30 years.
- Ralph Vaughn, alumni, Class of 1936, he was a Consensus 1st team All-American. He led USC to their first NCAA Basketball Tournament in 1939. As a Hot Dog, Vaughn led the North Central Conference in scoring in both his junior and senior years. He was the top scorer for the 1936 IHSAA State basketball champion team. He was selected to the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 1976.
- John Milholland, honoree, he was hired as the Frankfort High School basketball coach, spending 18 seasons on the bench before retiring in 1985 with a career record of 286-133. During his tenure, he additionally won 8 sectionals, 2 regionals and 5 Sagamore Conference championships. Milholland is the second all-time winningest coach at Frankfort High School behind Everett Case. The gym floor was named in his honor 2008.
“This is one of the highest honors I’ve had,” said Lieutenant General Jay Kelley, who has been in the Air Force for 37 years and is part of the monument on the Courthouse Square as one of the four United States Generals born in Clinton County. “It’s one of those things that when people recognize you for genuinely being part of the hometown crowd and you’re associated with such as esteemed group as was just done today, it’s really an honor, a humbling honor. It makes you proud to be a Hot Dog.”
Milholland echoed Kelley’s thoughts.
“Frankfort has been my life for so many years as a teacher, coach and principal,” said Milholland. “It’s just wonderful to be a part of Frankfort.”
Rusk was asked when the next event will be held.
“Right now, our plans is to go in two years,” said Rusk. “We want to build up the nominations because we would like to have 40 or 50 nominations to go through. We don’t want to water down the honor.”
These 11 individuals join the following members from the first class who were inducted in 2018: