Bono named to Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame

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Tom Kroeschell (Iowa State Sports Information)
04/27/2004


GAINESVILLE, Fla. - New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and Iowa State assistant wrestling coach Christopher Bono head the list of eight individuals selected for induction this year into the Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame.     Joining Steinbrenner and Bono in the Class of 2004 are former FHSAA Associate Commissioner for Athletic Operations Ron Allen; former Titusville High School girls volleyball coach Laura Dixon; former Port St. Joe basketball coach Vernon Eppinette; Bradenton area contest official Mike Knowles; Gulliver Preparatory School founder Marian Krutulis; and former FHSAA Director of Field Services Charles Smith.      Bono, 30, was a three-time FHSAA wrestling champion for The Bolles School in Jacksonville. He is the third individual to be selected for induction in the student-athlete category, joining football legends Emmitt Smith and Danny Wuerffel.    Bono posted an overall record of 181-12 throughout his varsity wrestling career and was the captain of the 1992 Class 2A state championship team. He also played football and baseball for Bolles. His success continued in college at Iowa State University, where he won the 1996 NCAA 150-pound title and was a three-time All-American. Now an assistant head coach at Iowa State, Bono is still active as a competitor, finishing as the runner-up in his weight class at the 2004 U.S. Senior Nationals to clinch a qualifying spot for the 2004 Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis in May. He is a two-time World Team Trials champion and was a 2002 U.S. World Team member.    Steinbrenner, 73, a resident of Tampa, is best known as the principal owner of the 26-time world champion New York Yankees. Over his 30-year residence in Florida, Steinbrenner has been a major contributor to Florida interscholastic athletics. His contributions include bringing the FHSAA Baseball Finals to Legends Field in Tampa, donating $200,000 to Hillsborough County to reestablish the middle school athletic program, and donating funds to help underprivileged youth with the cost of participation in high school athletics. Steinbrenner has served as the vice president of the U.S. Olympic Committee and is a member of the NCAA Foundation Board of Directors. He is the recipient of the 2002 USOC General Douglas MacArthur Award, the New Yorker of the Year Award, and the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's Gold Medal.      This is the 13th group to be inducted into the Florida High School Athletic  Hall of Fame, formerly the FHSAA Hall of Fame. Founded during the 1990-91 school year, the Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame keeps alive the tradition and spirit of high school athletics, and honors each year those persons who through distinguished achievement have excelled in one or more high school programs sponsored by the Association and its member schools.    This year's eight inductees bring to 83 the number of deserving individuals who have been enshrined in the Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame. They include student-athletes, coaches, administrators, contest officials and other contributors, such as sports writers, who have raised the level of awareness of high school activities through their efforts, achievements and dedication. The 2004 Florida High School Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Awards Banquet will be held June 10 at the Wyndham Westshore Hotel in Tampa.