St. Vincent to induct fifth Hall of Fame class

It may be one year later than usual, but that doesn’t mean their accomplishments were any less impressive. St. Vincent will induct its fifth class into its Athletic Hall of Fame in November. The six-member class consists of three athletes, one coach, one volunteer, and one team.
The class was planned to have been inducted in 2020, but the St. Vincent Hall of Fame committee didn’t hold a ceremony last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m really excited about this year’s class,” Hall of Fame Committee member Jim Guyot said.
The class starts with Kenny Cissell, who Guyot would rank as “one of the best running backs St. Vincent has ever had.”
Cissell, a member of the Class of 1956 at St. Vincent, was the 1955 running back of the year and was a two-time first team Catholic League player. Southeast Missouri State University offered Cissell a scholarship, but he instead joined the military. St. Vincent football coach Max Hamilton had arranged for an NFL tryout after Cissell returned from the service, but he had contracted an illness and lost too much muscle and weight to compete. Cissell also played baseball while at St. Vincent.
Jonathan Paulus, St. Vincent Class of 2001, was a first team all-conference and all district player on the football team but made his claim to the hall thanks to his time on the golf course. Paulus was an All-State golfer and was a member of the 2001 state champion golf team as an Indian.
Tina Gremaud, St. Vincent Class of 1983 was an outstanding member of the volleyball and basketball teams in the early 1980s.

Keith Winkler, Class of 1984, will be inducted as the lone coach this year and he made a name for himself on the football field.
Winkler was a three-time conference coach of the year and was named the Class 1 Coach of the Year in 2004 after he led the Indians to the state championship.
Inducted as a team in 2018, the football team was nicknamed the “Road Warriors” because of the 1,700 miles the team travelled during the state playoffs. The Indians finished 13-1 in 2004 and defeated East Buchanan 21-0 in the state title game, outscoring opponents 406-97 that season.
Kathy Hoffman will also be inducted for her work in the school district. Hoffman is a long-time Alumni Association member and spent more than more decides as a secretary and teacher aide.
“Wherever you needed help, Kathy was there,” Guyot said.
The team going into the hall of fame this year will be the 2009 St. Vincent soccer team. The Lady Indians coached by Dustin Wengert won the first ever state championship for the soccer program. That team went 17-5 and from April 18 until the end of the season lost just once (Jackson). That run included 11 consecutive victories, while outscoring opponents 27-3 in the state playoffs. (including districts)
The induction ceremony will be held Nov. 6 at the Elks Lodge in Perryville with the doors opening at 5 p.m. and a meal served at 6 p.m.
Call in reservations to Jim Guyot at 547-4524. The 2021 class will be announced during the St. Vincent homecoming game on Oct. 22.