Boerne ISD Hall of Honor Class of 2023 announced

The Boerne Independent School District announced the Athletic Hall of Honor Class of 2023 inductees.

This year’s recipients are Chad Pechacek (football and baseball), Richard Herbst (basketball), Madeline Hurdt (track and field), as well as the 1987 and 1988 Boerne High School girls cross country teams, with Gina DeWall earning the Bill Canavan Memorial Benefactor Award.

“The 2023 Athletic Hall of Honor inductees represent the best of the best in Boerne ISD history,” Boerne ISD Athletic Director and Athletic Hall of Honor Chair, Stan Leech. “When you look at the accomplishments of these outstanding individuals you see excellence, not only in their athletic accomplishments but in giving back to the community. We could not be prouder to induct this special group of people to the Athletic Hall of Honor.”

Chad Pechacek

Chad Pechacek will enter the Hall of Honor thanks to his football and baseball accomplishments for the Boerne Greyhounds. A 1995 Boerne High graduate, Pechacek was 11-0 in his senior season as a starting pitcher for the Greyhounds baseball team. His career varsity pitching record was an impressive 28-7.

Pechacek was selected to play in the THSBCA All-Star Game in the Astrodome. He was also recognized as an All-State punter and kicker during the 1994 football season.

After high school he attended Baylor University where he played baseball for one season for the Bears.

Richard Herbst

Richard Herbst will enter the Hall of Honor as both a player and coach. Herbst was a two-time All-District basketball player and a three-year letterman.

He went on to play at Howard Payne University from 1972-1976. Herbst was a standout in the classroom as well and was the Salutatorian of the Greyhound Class of 1972.

In 1999, Herbst became the Greyhound girls basketball coach and led them to tremendous success. The 2000 Greyhound girls team played in the state semifinals, and reached two other regional finals games during Herbst’s eight-year coaching stint in Boerne. Coach Herbst’s 2000 team was inducted into the Hall of Honor in 2014.

Herbst had a stellar coaching career with more than 600 total victories that spanned through high school and college coaching at the DII and DIII levels. He was also an assistant coach at DI Colorado State University.

Madeline Hurdt

Madeline Hurdt excelled for the Champion Chargers and Boerne Greyhounds track and field teams, earning multiple state, regional and district championships.

In 2009, Hurdt won the state championship for the Chargers in the shot put in the school’s first year. She also earned the regional and district championships that season as well.

From 2008-2009 she won three district championships, one regional championship and one state title. Hurdt qualified for the state meet in 2010 as well. She won the silver medal in shot put at the 2009 Junior Olympics.

During her stellar career Hurdt broke several school and grade-level records in shot put and discus. She also was a member of the 2007 Boerne Greyhounds state championship softball team prior to attending Champion.

Hurdt, a 2010 graduate of Champion High School, competed collegiately for Ohio State University and UTSA. She currently is at O’Connor High School in San Antonio where she is the head girls track coach.

1987 and 1988 BHS girls cross country teams

The 1987 and 1988 Boerne High School girls cross country teams earned backto- back state medals, with the ‘87 team winning silver and the ‘88 team earning bronze. The 1988 team also won the regional championship for the Greyhounds.

Team members from those two historic Greyhound teams are Cathy (Flatley) Jameson, Helen (Taylor) Green, Joanna Marsh, Melinda (Raby) Claypole, Shannon (Harris) Sivek, Jennifer Wennermark, 2021 Hall of Honor inductee Jennifer (Standefer) Doenges, Sheri (Barberee) Taylor, Keena (Nietenhoefer) Shelmir and Shannon (Faulkner) Mims.

Mike Mazelin coached the 1987 squad while Richard Sunvison led the 1988 team as coach.

Gina DeWall

Gina DeWall is the recipient of the Bill Canavan Memorial Benefactor Award and has been instrumental in the growth and success of Boerne ISD athletics. DeWall is in her 12th year as the Boerne ISD Athletic Secretary, where she is being honored for her tremendous service to the entire athletic community.

DeWall has been a major contributor to the Athletic Hall of Honor program and the distinguished alumni luncheon. Her tireless efforts organizing these events ensure they are a rousing success. She is beloved by the community for her kindness and excellent customer service.

The 14th Annual Boerne ISD Athletic Hall of Honor luncheon will be held on Friday, Oct. 20, at 11:30 at The Clubs of Cordillera Ranch.

About the Hall of Honor

The Boerne ISD Athletic Hall of Honor was created in 2010 as a way to remember and honor past athletic excellence in the district. A committee was formed by BISD AD Stan Leech to help in the selection process. There is a nominating process for the public and the committee considers all names submitted and others to make its final selections. All selections are made by unanimous consensus.

Serving on the committee are Leech, Terry Gault, Billy Corcoran, Bill Sultenfuss, Jonathan Cluck, Tommy Mathews, Ryan McGinnis, Justin Boerner, Courtney Darter Bruce and Boerne Star sports editor Kerry Barboza.

In order to be considered for the Boerne ISD Athletic Hall of Honor, each athlete or team nominated must be 10 years removed from high school and a coach has to be five years removed from coaching in the district.