A dozen people will be inducted into the second class of the Legendary Rustler Hall of Fame on Oct. 3.
As part of the C.M. Russell High School Homecoming celebration, the school will honor the 12 inductees for their contributions to the school and following careers in two categories, athletics and contributors.
This year’s inductees are:
Players
- Patrick Dwyer: National Hockey League, 2008-2015
- Michele Chalmers: national cross country team
- Wanda Jewell: rifle team, Olympic bronze medal in 1984
- Paul Schafer: player, Montana State University All-American football
Coaches
- Branch Brady
- Terry Graham
- Jerry Kuntz
- Sparky Kottke: national assistant coach of the year
- Gary Lowry: national assistant coach of the year
Legendary Rustlers
- Wiley Kendle: Rustler athletic trainer for 34 years
- Jim Gant
- Jim Bergene
There will be an induction ceremony at 6 p.m. Oct. 3 in the fieldhouse and they’ll be recognized during the Homecoming coronation that day.
On Oct. 4, they’ll be the grand marshals of the Homecoming parade and be introduced during the game.
The weekend concludes with a social at the Halftime Sports Bar at 4 p.m. Oct. 5.
The Rustler Legend Committee evaluates criteria for becoming a part of the Rustler Legends Hall of Fame.
The group has the flexibility to induct players or coaches based upon their accomplishments outside of the established criteria and as a group, they decide if the nominations meet the criteria needed to qualify for the Rustler Legends Hall of Fame.
CMR High inducting “Legendary Rustlers” into new school hall of fame
A 70 percent approval vote is needed to be inducted into the Rustler Legends Hall of Fame.
The committee then forwards their list of nominations to the CMR principal for final approval.
The group also gives recommendations to the CMR principal on what’s needed to keep the hall of fame updated and “looking top notch,” according to Nate Achenbach of the committee. Those improvements may require fundraising, Achenbach said.
The selection committee includes:
- Rustler Legends: Brock Sunderland, Jon Knutzon, Lynda Morin and Mike McLean
- current coaches: Aaron Jensen, Brian Greenwell, Val Scheevel and Alex Hurley
- administrators: Nate Achenbach and Paul Soldano
Current criteria for athletes includes:
- Montana High School Hall of Fame
- professional athlete
- Olympian
- played on a national team
- world champion in an event
- at least two years attending CMR
- All American status in college
- All American high school national organization
Coaches
- national coaches hall of f
- professional coach
- coach of an Olympic or national team
- Montana Coaches Hall of Fame
- longevity coaching at CME may be a consideration
- have to be retired but still may be coaching
Legendary Rustlers
- has made or is making contributions to CMR athletics over a period of time
The school inducted its first class into the Legendary Rustler Hall of Fame in October 2023.
That class included 29 inductees.
For questions or to nominate future inductees, email nate_achenbach@gfps.k12.mt.us.
