-
ACS ATHLETIC WALL OF FAME TO WELCOME
2025 INDUCTEES AT SEPTEMBER 26th HOMECOMINGThe Akron Central School Athletic “Wall of Fame” Committee has announced the 2025 inductees for the ACS “Wall of Fame” and the induction ceremony to be held at 6:00PM in the performance gymnasium during the school’s homecoming events scheduled for Friday, September 26, 2025. This year’s inductees include one individual athlete with an exceptional athletic career, one team that went to the state championship, and two long-time coaches. Additionally, the “Eye of the Tiger” award will be presented.
Mr. Terry Yousey, retiring long-time grounds crew member for Akron Schools, has been selected for the “Eye of the Tiger” award. Mr. Yousey has worked for the district for over 30 years making sure that teams have fields and diamonds that are mowed, groomed and accurately lined, and the equipment to practice or get games underway! He goes above and beyond during the winter season when snow has to be piled high, too! The Wall of Fame committee created the special award to recognize significant supporters of the ACS athletic program who may not be athletes or coaches themselves.
Kay Pawlick, Class of 1970, has been selected to the Wall of Fame for her stellar sports career for the Tigers’ field hockey, volleyball, basketball and softball teams during a time when volleyball was in a separate season. Pawlick was team captain for field hockey and softball.
Kay was recognized by Mrs. Jeanne Drier and the late Mrs. Janice Williams, retired coaches and P.E. teachers at ACS, as one of the top athletes at Akron during her era. She went on to play basketball collegiately for Genesee Community College and Buffalo State College.
The 2013 Girls Cross Country Team will also be added to the Wall of Fame. All seven members of the team earned All-League honors and the team was the 2013 Niagara-Orleans and Section VI Champs. They traveled to the NYSPHSAA State Championship and earned fourth-place patches. They also had a first-place finish at the McQuaid Invitational.
Members of the team, coached by Mrs. Nancy Bennett, are Emma Chubb, Alexandra Erb, Gina Henley, Margo Henley, Eliza Papke, Jenna Robnett, and Kylee Schultz.
Two long-time coaches will also be added to the Wall of Fame.
Mr. David Butler, a High School Physical Education teacher at ACS for 23 years, coached the varsity boys basketball team for 16 seasons that included four Niagara-Orleans League Championships, and the varsity girls basketball team for 8 seasons. The girls were Section VI finalists in 2014. For both girls and boys basketball, Mr. Butler has over 250 wins in his coaching career, the most in school history.
Mr. Butler also coached varsity tennis for 7 seasons; his team enjoyed two Niagara-Orleans League Championships and an overall record of 28-2 in a two-year span. Butler also coached JV and varsity football for 16 seasons.
Mrs. Mary Borden, a Tiger herself from the Class of 1971 and a long-time coach for ACS, was the first female athlete to earn the top athletic award, the white blazer, as a sophomore. She played Division 1 Field Hockey at the University of Michigan.
Coach Borden’s coaching career has spanned 50 years! As a gymnastics coach for ACS in the 1970s, she had a gymnast earn All-Around Honors at the state meet.
Her 19-year career as the varsity field hockey coach included 8 Niagara-Orleans League titles, four Section VI Championship titles, and one Regional Championship title to earn a berth in the NYSPHSAA State Championship Final Four in 2017. In 2021, the team broke 8 state records during their perfect 14-0 season in League and Sectional play.
Coach Borden currently coaches three modified sports for the Tigers, developing the skills of young athletes before they make their debut at the JV and/or varsity level.
The Wall of Fame Committee asks fans and community members to save the date, Friday, September 26th, to join in celebrating the athletic feats of those being inducted. More details about the school’s traditional homecoming events will be shared as the date draws near.
For additional information, please contact Mr. Justin Gerstung, ACS Wall of Fame Committee Chairman, at (716)542-5040 ext. 6126 and visit the website akronschools.org/WOF. -
KARMAZYN BREAKS SCHOOL HIGH JUMP RECORD - Eighth-grader Kylie Karmazyn has broken Akron's school record for the girls' High Jump! At the May 14, 2025, 96-45 win against Barker, Kylie jumped 5 feet, a full inch above former record-holder Samantha Bellis, who jumped 4' 11" back in 2022 to break a record that had held since 1996. Kylie earned second place at the N-O All-League meet hosted by Wilson on Tuesday, May 20th. Congratulations, Kylie! Go Tigers!
