The Melcher-Dallas School District is pleased to announce the Class of 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees. Four athletes — Travis Branson, Jeff Fee, J’Lyn Knutson and Beth Mathes; two coaches — Jim Crozier and Jerry Pezzetti; one patron — Lary Willoughby; and one team — the 1967 football team — will be honored in the inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was created to recognize former athletes, coaches, teams, administrators and patrons who have made significant contributions to the district’s athletics program.
Melcher-Dallas will recognize these eight recipients of the 2026 class in a public recognition ceremony, scheduled to be held on Friday, January 23, 2026. The ceremony will occur in the Melcher-Dallas High School Gym, and will take place between the varsity basketball games, around 7:15 PM. Preceding their induction, a small reception will take place for the inductee’s family and friends, by invitation only.
Branson, a 2003 graduate, is a three-time state qualifier, and a state champion wrestler in the 171-pound weight class. He carries a career record of 167-18 for all four years of high school. He was also a first-team all-state football honoree, earning an invitation to the Shrine Bowl. In recent years, Branson has coached Little Saints Wrestling for more than 15 years and helped build the program.
Fee, a 1982 graduate, was a three-sport athlete. He held several track records and set a new state record in the 3200-meter run at the Iowa High School Track and Field Championships. He placed first, second and third in the 3200 in 1980, 1981 and 1982, respectively, with his state record set in 1981.
Knutson, a 2021 graduate, earned accolades on and off the running paths. She was a seven-time state qualifier and placed sixth at the Iowa High School Track and Field Championships in 2019. She was a 19-time all-conference honoree in the Bluegrass Conference and was instrumental in creating Melcher-Dallas' cross country program in 2018, paving the way for her continued success in the sport. Following graduation, Knutson attended Mount Mercy University, where she was a four-time national qualifier in cross country and a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) all-academic honoree.
Mathes, a four-sport athlete and 2003 graduate, earned numerous records during her career. She recorded more than 1,600 career kills in volleyball and nearly 900 digs. She played on the 1999 volleyball team that advanced to the state tournament — the school’s first. Mathes was first-team all-conference all four years and all-state for three. She also earned all-district 1A honors all four years. Her senior season, she was selected to the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Senior All-Star Volleyball Match and led the state with 7.13 kills per set. Mathes was equally accomplished in basketball. A four-year varsity starter, she compiled 1,234 career points, which remained a school record for 22 years. She earned all-conference honors each year and was selected for the Senior All-Star Basketball Game. She also excelled on the softball field, earning all-conference honors all four years and all-state recognition as a pitcher. After graduation, Mathes competed at Indian Hills Community College and later the University of Sioux Falls, where she continued to earn honors. She was named first-team all-region and was part of a national tournament team, earning all-tournament recognition in 2004. She earned Great Plains Athletic Conference honorable mention her junior year and first-team all-conference her senior year.
Crozier, a 1983 graduate, coached softball and retired in 2022 after 34 years. He won 591 games during his tenure and led powerful teams to multiple conference titles. He guided the Saints to the state tournament in 1988 — the school’s only softball team appearance in program history. He was named district coach of the year and for many years served as dean of softball coaches in the Bluegrass Conference, where he led all-conference meetings. Crozier also served as athletic director for 20 years before retiring in June 2025. His impact has been felt across every athletic program at Melcher-Dallas for nearly four decades.
Pezzetti, a 1956 graduate, was first an athlete and later a coach for the district. He played football, basketball and baseball in high school and was all-conference in both football and basketball. He went on to attend Drake University, where he played football and baseball and was a letterwinner in baseball. Drake named him a Double D Award winner, the university’s highest honor for former student-athletes. Pezzetti returned to Melcher-Dallas as a teacher and coach, leading the track and field team to a conference title in 1968. His success extended to the football field as well: he coached the 1965–68 teams to conference championships and holds the school record for most football conference titles. The 1966, 1967 and 1968 teams went undefeated, finishing 9-0 each season. Pezzetti continues to inspire young athletes and will begin his 64th season as head football coach this year. As of May 2025, his coaching record ranks first in Iowa history and in the top 10 nationally. He is a member of the Iowa Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the National High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame (2022).
Willoughby, a 1974 graduate, was known for his time and dedication to his chosen sports - basketball and football. Willoughby continues to serve the Melcher-Dallas Community over 50 years later as a coach for both basketball and football, where his legacy as a coach is well known, as he guides, molds, and motivates his student-athletes. He is looked to as an inspiration to all who coach alongside him, as well as all who play for him.
The 1967 football team was known for its hard work and determination. Considered one of the greatest squads in Melcher-Dallas history, the team finished 9-0 and ranked fifth in the state. It was named Bluegrass Conference champion for the third consecutive year thanks to an offense that averaged 52.5 points per game and a defense that allowed just 14.2 points per game. The varsity defense surrendered only one touchdown all season. As juniors, the team began a 35-game winning streak that included two undefeated seasons.
Team members
Seniors: John Milburn Sr., Ken Dhabalt, Rick Wadle, Don Wadle, Mike Crowe, Greg McCullough, Dan Friedrichs, Dennis Mann, Larry Kirfman and Bill Daggett
Juniors: Darrell Jensen, Rodney Jones, Mike Ohnemus, Kirk Nelson, Bill Bousquet, Ivan Ripperger, Darrell Bowers, Pat Conrad, Paul Tickle, Steve Kirfman, Jerry Fee, Doug Fee and Terry Roberts
Sophomores: Tom Wadle and Ed Langebartels
Visit the district’s website, www.melcher-dallascsd.org/page/mdhof for additional information.