Walk Of Fame Honors Spokane-Area Prep Stars, Coaches
There’s nothing provincial about the sports-themed motif at Players and Spectators.
Newspaper clippings and pictures of former Spokane high school stars are displayed next to those of Valley greats at the “eatertainment” business on East Sprague.
The ecumenical approach to high school sports was by design, said Players and Spectators owner H.T. Higgins of his attempt to broaden the appeal of the former Sports Page bowling house.
It also is a sign of the times. One of the past athletes represented, Rogers High School athlete and former North Central baseball coach Ken Eilmes, is today a Valley resident. His children attended Valley schools and son Kenny was a baseball standout at Central Valley.
Eilmes, along with retired Spokesman-Review sportswriter Merle Derrick and Players and Spectators manager John Bockmier, helped compile the articles that lend to the atmosphere of authenticity.
“All those pictures are ones I have,” said Eilmes. “Every one of them.”
There are pictures of former West Valley High football coach Rich Shulkin when he was a high school player at Rogers.
Stories about the late University High Hall of Fame basketball coach Marv Ainsworth hang beside those of Lewis and Clark legend Squinty Hunter.
Steve Ranniger of U-Hi, once the Greater Spokane League’s all-time rushing leader, is displayed along with Shadle Park recordsetting quarterback Mark Rypien.
Replica letter jackets and sweaters representing some of the greatest athletes at 11 area schools are encased on the walls. Included is 1981 East Valley discus star Cora Aguilar, CV multi-sport star Annette (Helling) Pedersen in 1982, and 1963 WV basketball great Larry Winn.
Like to debate the merits of Spokane’s greatest athletes? Players and Spectators has story-filled binders categorized by years dating back to the 1930s.
Engraved stars on the entryway floor “Walk of Fame” include 110 of the greatest prep athletes and coaches in Spokane and the Valley from the 1920s to today.
Among those who have earned their stars on the Walk of Fame is CV graduate Kevin Stocker, now shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies.
The decor is a spectacular reminder of the place prep sports held in decades past.
“John (Bockmier) shared my dad’s passion for local sports,” said Higgins. “He was a historical buff who took it and ran.”
The Valley facility also displays a wealth of collectors’ memorabilia such as baseball jerseys autographed by Mickey Mantle and Ted Williams, an autographed Babe Ruth baseball and Willie Mosconi pool cue.
“I always heard about sports bars and when I went there I’d see bogus stuff,” said Higgins. “I wanted authentic pieces. I don’t think there’s anything quite like it in Spokane or the Northwest.”
Much of it was procured with the help of local bowler and sports card shop owner Jim Hainline.
Also prominent are clippings about Gonzaga Prep football. That’s no coincidence. Higgins for more than 15 years has been a Bullpup assistant football coach.
“My real passion is coaching and teaching,” said Higgins.
When his father Hank died two years ago, however, he set about turning the bowling alley into a showpiece sports, entertainment and dining facility.
“Bowling was starting to take a downturn,” said Higgins. “We really had to do something to continue to grow. Over the course of the last five years I developed my own vision.”
Bowling is now merely a part of the equation, being played on the 24 original lanes of the building that opened as East Bowl in 1958 and became Sports Page when Hank Higgins bought it in 1976.
Original owner Sam Price wouldn’t recognize the place, from its decor to the virtual-style video games, the casino and the Merle Derrick meeting room.
That room is named for Derrick, prep sports writer for the Spokane Chronicle and The Spokesman-Review for nearly a half-century.
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