Nominations for the Grand Island Senior High School Hall of Honor are accepted throughout each year. Nominations are reviewed each year and inductees are named. We are excited to announce the Hall of Honor Banquet & Celebration is projected to be held again in 2024.
The Hall of Honor, inaugurated in 1983, recognizes Grand Island Senior High School alumni who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the betterment of society. Nominees must have graduated more than 20 years ago from the high school. Each year, at least one person is inducted into the Hall of Honor.
Nomination Form
Online nominations are encouraged using the online form below. Email foundation@gips.org with questions.
Paper nominations also accepted using the PDF below. Paper nomination forms must be returned to the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation, Attn: Kari Hooker-Leep, 123 S. Webb Rd., PO Box 4904, Grand Island, NE 68802.
John F. Sanders
Class of 1964
Hall of Honor 1991
John Sanders was a three-sport star at Grand Island Senior High, and in 1964 was named Nebraska High School Athlete of the Year.
Sanders played for five years in the minor leagues, going on to play in the majors with the Kansas City Athletics.
John graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 1969, and received his master’s degree a year later. He coached at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon, and Arizona Western College prior to becoming the baseball coach at the University of Nebraska in 1978.
He has coached several athletes who have gone on to play professional baseball, and several of his teams have been in post-season play. He has not forgotten his roots as he has conducted annual baseball clinics in Grand Island for many years, thus instilling the love of the game in the minds of many young area athletes.
