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Devilettes Legacy Hall honors RHS excellence

By Jay W. Bennett 16 min read

RAVENSWOOD -- Building something from scratch isn’t easy, but it always starts with an idea.

That’s how the Devilettes Legacy Hall was established in 2022 at Ravenswood High School.

RHS head volleyball coach Chris Michael wanted to take advantage when the new middle school was constructed and created some extra space when it was attached to the girls gym, which has been known as the DAC – Devilette Athletic Center – since 2021.

“After the middle school was built and they put new sound panels and the air conditioning in, we wanted to remake it and give it a name that’s deserving,” admitted Michael, who said the DAC idea came from Tim Rector.

As it turned out, Michael, Rector and RHS head cross country coach Bryan Canterbury were the advisory council for Legacy Hall, which recognizes female student-athletes only.

“I think it’s important to acknowledge those significant achievements because there was so much time and sacrifice that went into that, and I think that’s an important thing,” Michael said.

“You’re rewarding all that effort and then you have a chance to remind the next set of athletes how much sacrifice and hard work it takes to get in here.”

Coach Canterbury noted the Red Devils started their Hall of Honor at the Pit in 1998.

“I remember many times kids would say how motivated they were because they wanted to get in here. We knew Chris wanted to start this and we knew the girls would see the same thing and it would help them along.

“Another reason we like doing this is when I first started coaching I remember someone said ‘always keep the things from your past so you can prove it wasn’t a dream.'”

Although the original project started with just basketball and volleyball, it soon expanded.

“It’s a flood of memories,” Canterbury said when he strolls through Legacy Hall. “This was Chris’ vision, but then after it got started with the basketball and volleyball stuff, which it should be because that’s where they play, we thought about adding some things.

“I’ve been involved, me and coach (Mick) Price with the Hall of Honor over in the Pit, so we thought maybe we could bring some of it here. One of the first things we talked about was ‘let’s start representing things that are extraordinary that female athletes have done from our school.'”

Canterbury continued “of course, right off the top of the bat was what Jill (Balis) did. It grew from there. We started thinking about honoring the state championship track and cross country teams that won. When we coached Jill, Jennifer (Jones-Palagi) was a freshman, but we didn’t think we’d ever coach anyone like Jill, and then she became like Jill.

“I mean she was a really good basketball player and she decided after winning in track that she wanted to run cross country, so she quit playing basketball because it was in the fall, and she won in cross country the only year she ran. She went to (West Virginia) Wesleyan. Jill was the first to win four events at the state track meet, but she won four running events.”

Palagi, who is being inducted into the Mid-Ohio Valley Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday night, expressed some of her thoughts.

“When I heard that Legacy Hall was moving from dream to reality, I couldn’t wait to donate funds and many of my past awards,” admitted Palagi. “I grew up in Ravenswood with the best coaches in the world (I’m sure of this), who valued and honed the physical discipline, the mental toughness, and the joyful spirits of their female athletes. They took women’s sports seriously, and our community celebrated us, even when you know it was a time when women’s sports hadn’t reached its peak, for sure. I’m grateful for this homage to Ravenswood’s female sport champions.

“The glory days are something we all look back upon fondly, all of our lives. And yet, now, we have a physical space to gaze upon and remember, and a place to also inspire local girls of all ages who are striving for greatness. It matters to see young women aspiring, overcoming, winning – and to see the record of coaches who prepared them for victories. I have lived in Boise, Idaho, for 30 years, but I come back to my hometown of Ravenswood periodically to visit. I will always take a walk through Legacy Hall to revisit the past, and to enjoy the accomplishments of so many other local female athletes.”

Although contributions toward Legacy Hall were vast, one of the key people who donated was Melissa (Rolston) Bare, a 1993 graduate.

“She was on these teams, but she wasn’t a star. She was just a contributor,” Canterbury said. “She doesn’t live here now, but she comes back all the time. She came and was running a couple years ago with the cross country team when she was in, and we started talking about this. I brought her down and she goes, ‘hey, if coach Michael doesn’t care we need to put our track stuff up in here,’ and I said ‘we should probably start the idea and maybe we can raise some money’. That Christmas she donated a large amount to this and then she contributed more. That’s where the next level of it started with her contributions. Then we started putting things out there like send some of your memorabilia and others contributed without even asking. You never know what it means to someone until you ask.

“Rebecca Farrington, who was a state champion in track and was an all-state runner, her family moved after she graduated. She came back last summer and visited and she was just overwhelmed. She hadn’t been back to Ravenswood since then. That’s been something that’s made this so wonderful for me is when the girls come back to see it. I know one of Chris’ big hopes for this is that it would inspire someone that we have now and I know that it has inspired some basketball players and his volleyball players. Riley Sotomayor stood right here and she goes ‘I want to be like Jill Balis’ and I said ‘well, you better think long and hard about what it takes to do something like that’ and she goes, ‘no, I want to be in here like these girls,’ and she did.”

Sotomayor, who just graduated this spring and was the Class AA state cross country champion, was fueled by the completion of Legacy Hall.

“When I found out about the Hall all I wanted was to have my name in there as much as possible,” said the now University of Rio Grande runner. “It definitely motivated me to make it happen.

“Being a part of Legacy Hall means so much to me! Having my name in this Hall with all these other talented women means everything and that we all worked to be the best in our sports is such an amazing feeling.”

Sarah (Dennis) Fairley might have graduated from RHS a little more than a quarter century ago before going on to the next level at Glenville State, but what’s been put together means the world to her.

“Legacy Hall is a true tribute to women’s sports in Ravenswood,” she said. “So many wonderful coaches and athletes have come out of our small town. I appreciate all coach Michael has done to display past and present athletic accomplishments.

“It’s empowering for younger girls to walk in and aspire to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to their sport. I’m honored to be a part of the history at Ravenswood High School and love to walk in and see my jersey from Glenville State displayed.”

Legacy Hall features a little bit of everything, but the oldest item is a picture of Ravenswood’s first girls basketball squad from 1922. At that time, they were nicknamed the Red Angels.

While Legacy Hall wasn’t a thing when two-time first team all-stater Emily Rector (2010/2011) was playing roundball, she is a big fan of how it has all come together.

“Being part of Legacy Hall means showing young girls what they’re capable of achieving,” stressed Rector. “Growing up, I always looked up at the banners of the teams that came before us, especially the ones that made it to the state tournament in basketball. Those teams inspired us to set the same goals, and we reached the state Final Four three times. Those teams and their accomplishments will always be recognized and remembered through Legacy Hall.

“In a small community like Ravenswood, Legacy Hall is a reflection of how much our community values and takes pride in its athletes. Having a Hall dedicated solely to girls’ sports sends a message that the accomplishments of female athletes deserve to be celebrated and preserved. I hope young girls can walk through Legacy Hall, see those achievements, and realize, like my teammates and I did, that they can be part of that legacy, too.”

Mary Beth Varney was a four-time all-state first team selection in basketball, which included being honored as captain during her senior campaign.

“To be a part of Legacy Hall at Ravenswood High School is more than just an honor for myself and my daughter Annie Hunt (2021 first team all-state), it is a true tribute to the coaches and founding players from the ’70s and ’80s that started the programs based on Title IX, and instilled the desire and pride to continue the success they established early,” Varney admitted. “It is truly beyond a dream to see my daughter’s jersey next to mine on the wall of the basketball court, named after my father Butch Varney. The New Gym was my first stop after I was born, as it was basketball season and dad was coaching.

“I was 5 when his team won the state championship. That gym was our second home growing up, because my mom, brother and sister loved it and supported the teams as much as we did. So the addition of Legacy Hall to the entrance to the New Gym, honoring all girls sports at Ravenswood reminds us of the tradition of excellence that was established from the beginning, honors the coaches and players that I had the privilege of watching growing up, who truly modeled and taught me how to work hard to accomplish my goals.”

Ravenswood all-time scoring leader Hadleigh McGoskey, who amassed 1,765 career points, is featured in a showcase.

Also inside Legacy Hall are memories of sisters Kim (Caldwell) Westmoreland and Lori Caldwell, who played for coach Varney on the 1982 state championship team.

“It’s so amazing that Ravenswood has a special place for all the female athletes,” admitted Westmoreland, who was twice a first team all-stater (1980/1982) and was named all-tournament thrice in Charleston. “Each one of these ladies has given their best and excelled in their particular sport, without the thought of obtaining recognition.

“Their excellence was driven by their love for the sport, expert coaching, exceptional teammates, fans and family support. Now as I walk through the Hall, and see all the names, pictures and memorabilia, I have warm memories, and a sense of pride, of the small part we played in getting this legacy started. I also believe it is a sense of encouragement for those young ladies who have yet to leave their mark as a Devilette.”

Lori, who also happens to hold the school record in the long jump of 16 feet, 3 inches she set in 1984, was named to the all-tournament squad after cutting down the nets on the 1982 double-A title team.

“Looking back more than 40 years later, I never imagined that the memories we created as young athletes would become part of Ravenswood’s history,” Lori explained. “To be recognized alongside so many outstanding female athletes is both humbling and deeply meaningful.

“Being a member of the 1982 girls state championship team is something I have always carried with great pride. We remain the only girls basketball team in our school’s history to win a state championship, and that accomplishment represents the dedication, teamwork and determination of an incredible group of young women, coaches and supporters. I am especially proud that I was able to share that experience with my sister Kim, making those memories even more special.”

Several other RHS graduates expressed their thoughts about Legacy Hall and the fact of how meaningful the project is.

“This recognition means a great deal to me, not only because of the accomplishments it reflects, but because it connects me to a community that shaped who I became,” noted Tess Gump, who played college volleyball at Fairmont State. “Ravenswood has always been more than a school – it’s a place where teachers, coaches and classmates encouraged me, challenged me and believed in what was possible.

“Being selected for Legacy Hall reminds me how fortunate I was to grow up in an environment that valued hard work, character and service. I’m grateful to everyone who played a part in my journey, and I’m proud to represent Ravenswood in this way.”

Nicole Sadecky, a two-time first team all-state volleyball player (2009/2010) who went on to compete at West Liberty, has her college jersey displayed in Legacy Hall.

“Being recognized alongside the female athletes I had looked up to and admired most of my life was a really special moment,” Sadecky noted. “It often felt like women’s sports didn’t always receive the attention they deserved so now having a space dedicated entirely to recognizing and celebrating both the historic and current accomplishments is huge.

“It’s an honor to be a part of something that can show young girls just starting their athletic careers that their accomplishments deserve to be seen, celebrated and remembered.”

Skylar Mace followed up first team all-state volleyball honors in 2017 at RHS by going on to compete at Glenville State and what’s been done with Legacy Hall also holds a special place in her heart.

“I am incredibly grateful to be part of a program that celebrates and represents girls’ athletics,” she said. “Coach Michael and everyone who helped bring this vision to life did an amazing job, and I’m truly thankful they chose to include me.

“When they first asked me to bring in my collegiate jersey, I couldn’t have brought it in fast enough. Seeing my jersey hanging in the hallway doesn’t just represent my accomplishment of earning the opportunity to play collegiate volleyball, it represents possibility for every young girl who walks by it.”

The opportunity for Macy Casto is something not lost on her. She’s the only three-time all-state first team honoree in volleyball at RHS (2022-2024).

“It’s a tremendous honor because it represents more than just my individual athletic success,” admitted Casto, who along with setter Abby Scritchfield (2023) are the only teammates in volleyball to make first team in the same season. “It means getting to be recognized alongside so many incredible athletes and teams from different sports. It is wonderful to see the dedication, perseverance and impact these female athletes had not only on me, but also on our school and the entire community. Legacy Hall is a symbol of all the hard work, sacrifices and memories made through sports that will leave an impact for future generations. Ever since I was little, I remember walking through the Pit and looking at the Hall of Fame, hoping that one day my name would be there, too.

“At the time, it felt like such a big dream, but it motivated me to keep working hard every day. Now, getting to be a part of Legacy Hall means that little girl’s dream has come true. Growing up, I never imagined there would be something like the Pit Hall of Fame dedicated to girls’ sports, but thanks to coach Michael and so many others in our community, Legacy Hall has become an incredible way to celebrate and preserve the legacy of female athletes.”

Casto finished her career in volleyball at Ravenswood with setter Annie Starcher, who broke all of former first team all-state setter Kaci Sullivan’s school records.

Starcher admitted being included was an “honor. It’s something that showcases the individuals and teams that were willing to work hard and have their own reputations, and being a part of that is such an honor because when I was younger coach Michael was just starting to get this set up.

“I always looked up to the names and numbers on the walls and especially the ones that were relevant to me and my sport. It made me work harder to know that if I succeeded then my name and numbers will forever be on display for other generations of players to look up to and make goals with, and I think that’s something so special.”

Countless memorabilia is located throughout Legacy Hall, which includes Gump’s 1975 letterman’s jacket, and the game ball from Ravenswood’s first win as the Devilettes – a 35-30 triumph against Walton back on Oct. 22, 1974.

There’s also a picture of Izzy Boothe registering the first female wrestling victory in school history as well as a plaque for Cassie Bowsher, who was the first female football player to ever score a point.

“Looking back now, it means a great deal to know that those years, memories and accomplishments are still being remembered,” admitted Hailey (Miller) Karst, who was all-state in both basketball and cross country.

“Ravenswood has such a strong tradition in girls athletics and having a hall dedicated solely to the Devilettes is very special. It gives generations of female athletes and coaches the recognition they deserve and preserves the history they helped create.”

Coach Michael is more than pleased with how everything turned out.

He said the main reasons for doing this were to continue student-athlete pride, school spirit and being motivated to accomplish big goals.

“All these faces are great for kids to see because it inevitably is going to be an aunt or a grandma, or somebody in the family and they’ll recognize them,” Michael said. “Not to just relive the past and for the past players to come see this, but to continue to emphasize that pride is important at our school.

“We’ve had a lot of pride and we don’t want to lose that, and to continue to motivate the next group I think it’s vital for that to be a part of your culture.”

As for Canterbury, he was just glad to be part of a project that not only came to fruition, but is perhaps unequaled across the country.

“I was connected with girls basketball and helped (Butch) Varney, and he had those great teams in the early ’80s,” Canterbury added. “We have an incredible history of female athletes at our school. They’ve been good at almost every sport at some time or another.

“It’s been good to kind of see this. There’s not a school in West Virginia, maybe not a school in the nation, that has one place just dedicated to the girls, and that’s been a big pride thing. They feel like someone really cares about them more than just their coach in that season.”

Contact Jay Bennett at jbennett@newsandsentinel.com

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