Six elected to Simley Hall of Fame Class of 2021

The Simley High School Hall of Fame exists to honor individuals who have distinguished themselves in the areas of academic achievement, athletic achievement, and/or humanitarian achievement. The Hall of Fame also serves as a way to preserve history, build a sense of community, and connect the past with the present.

The newest additions to the Simley Hall of Fame – a six-member group that makes up the Simley High School Hall of Fame Class of 2021 - will be recognized at halftime of the Simley football game Friday, September 3.

The six inductees include Pat Kavanagh (1975), Steve Iverson (1978), Jim Bell (1988), Charlie Rea (2007), Cory Haala (2009), and Kim Madigan (posthumously).

Learn more about the 2021 Simley Hall of Fame inductees:

Pat Kavanagh (1975)
Pat Kavanagh was a six-time letter winner and three-sport standout at Simley High School. In football, Pat played quarterback his junior and senior seasons, and his strong arm, athletic ability, and leadership helped several teammates earn individual awards and accolades. Kavanagh also was the team's kicker and punter and played a major role in two highly successful seasons for the Spartans football team. In basketball, Pat was a key player on Simley's first-ever state tournament team. During that tournament, he broke the state tournament rebound record. He also was named Honorable Mention "Best in Show" by the St. Paul Pioneer Press and was twice recognized in the Prep Points section of the Star Tribune. In baseball, Kavanagh played outfield his sophomore and junior seasons but missed his senior year due to an injury sustained during basketball season. Kavanagh attended Inver Hills Community College, earning All-Conference Honorable Mention and All-Region Honorable Mention honors in basketball, while also helping IHCC qualify for the NJCAA national tournament. Kavanagh was also a kicker, punter, and quarterback on the Inver Hills football team. He then attended North Dakota State University and was a two-year starter on the Bison basketball team. After college, Kavanagh played basketball for Club Athletica Cordone in Montevideo, Uruguay, and South America. Kavanagh also coached youth sports in Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount, eventually taking on the role of Basketball Director for the Rosemount Area Athletic Association. Kavanagh also taught catechism at St. Patrick's Church in Inver Grove Heights and St. Joseph's in Rosemount and was a successful salesperson for several companies during his professional career.

Steve Iverson (1978)
Steve Iverson was a record-setting swimmer for Simley, setting several school records while competing for the Spartans from 1974-1978. He set school records in the 100 freestyle, 200 freestyle, 400 freestyle, and 500 freestyle. His school record in the 400 still stands today. Iverson went on to compete at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls from 1978-1980 where he was a member of the school record-setting and NCAA Division III national tournament qualifying 400 and 800 freestyle relay teams. He also competed in the 100 freestyle, setting another school record in that event. Iverson served as an assistant coach with the Simley Swimming and Diving Program from 1984-2002 and played a part in the team finishing third in the state in 2002 and winning the 2000, 2001, and 2002 Classic Suburban Conference Championships. Iverson also started the Thunderbolts Swim Club in 1986.

Jim Bell (1988)
Jim Bell was a three-sport standout for Simley, excelling in football, basketball, and baseball for the Spartans from 1986-1988. He was a three-year starter at linebacker/safety earning All-Conference Honorable Mention honors in 1986. In 1987 he led the state in tackles and was named All-Conference and All-Metro Honorable Mention. He was also selected for and played in the Minnesota Coaches All-Star Football Game. Bell, a shooting guard, was also a three-year starter for the Spartans basketball team, earning All-Conference and Team MVP honors in 1987-88. In baseball, Bell was a three-year starter (outfield), 1987 All-Conference Honorable Mention, and 1988 All-Conference selection. Bell graduated from Arizona State University and has been working in education leadership (school principal) for over 25 years in the Phoenix, Arizona area.

Charlie Rea (2007)
At age 7, Charlie Rea began competing and practicing with the South Region Stars Special Olympic team. Rea participated in 12 sports with the Stars: Alpine skiing, aquatics, basketball, bocce ball, bowling, equestrian, golf, hockey, softball, table tennis, tennis, and track. At Simley High School, Rea played floor hockey, adapted soccer, adapted softball, and one year of varsity tennis. Rea was a key member of two Spartan state championships and one runner-up floor hockey team. He also was a member of an adapted soccer state championship team and participated on an adapted softball team that finished 5th in the state. He earned All-Conference Honorable Mention honors in softball in 2007. Rea has been selected as a member of the Minnesota Special Olympics bocce ball team and competed in the Summer USA National Special Olympics Games in Seattle in 2018. Rea finished third in the nation in singles, 4th in doubles, and was on a national championship-winning 4-person bocce team. Rea has been involved with Special Olympics for 22+ years and enjoys the competition and social aspects of being involved with the organization.

Cory Haala (2009)
Cory Haala is a 2009 Simley High School graduate who excelled in academics, arts, and athletics. Haala graduated as co-valedictorian (4.0 GPA) and was an MSHSL AAA (Athletics, Arts, and Academics) finalist. Haala was a National Merit Scholar, National Honor Society Officer, AMC Math Competition semi-finalist, Student Advisory Committee member, Simley representative at the state legislature, and passed 10 AP tests. Haala earned 34 letters at Simley in these activities: Quiz/knowledge bowl (6), band (5), tennis (5), academics (4), speech (3), soccer (2), football (2), NHS (2), and theatre (1). In quiz knowledge bowl he was a captain of two conference championship teams, a two-year national qualifier, and Simley's leading point-getter grades 7-12. In speech, Haala was a two-year letter winner and national qualifier. In theatre Haala had the lead role in the winter play his senior year and participated in the pit orchestra spring musical. In band, Haala was a 5-year letter winner, John Philip Souza Award Winner, lead clarinet chair for three years, and received a superior rating in competition. He was also a member of summer marching band and jazz band. He was also a four-year member of the Simley math team. In soccer, Haala was a two-year letter-winner, the starting goalie on a section runner-up team, and All-Conference Honorable Mention selection. In football, he was a two-year letter winner and punter on two conference championship teams. In tennis, Haala was a 5-year letter winner, All-Conference selection, two-time All-Conference Honorable mention selection, and team captain. He was also a Boche Memorial Scholarship Award winner. After graduating from Simley Haala earned a Ph.D. and MA in American History from Marquette University (2020, 2015) and a B.A. in History and Political Science from Northwestern University (2012). At Marquette, Haala was a Marquette Fellowship Award Winner and named the 2017 Marquette History Graduate Student of the Year. He has also served as an adjunct professor at St. Cloud State University, Connecticut College, and Tarleton College. Haala is currently a visiting Assistant Professor of History in The Honors College at the University of Houston.

Kim Madigan (posthumously)
Kim Madigan served students and faculty members of Independent School District 199 and Simley High School for 25 years before passing away from cancer in 2020. Madigan served as a special education paraprofessional, a copy machine operator, and administrative assistant to several administrators. For the last decade of her career, she served as Assistant to the Activities Director, working closely with Inver Grove Heights youth programs, IGH community programs, and various clubs to integrate them with Simley athletics and activities. However, it was not the titles Kim held that earned her a place in the Simley Hall of Fame or in the hearts of those who had the privilege to know her. It was what Kim did in those roles - all the extra time and effort, the passion and compassion, the humility, and care she brought to her job. There was no challenge too big, no detail too small for Kim to tackle. Most importantly, there was no one at Simley High School or in the community who cared more for others, who positively touched more lives, and who connected so quickly with so many. "Kim and her husband Mark, their daughters Melissa and Sarah, and their relatives and countless friends have been truly blessed with having Kim be a part of their lives," said Joe Atkins former Inver Grove Heights Mayor and current Dakota County Commissioner. "While she passed too soon, Kim will always be with us, living on through her joy, laugh, and the love she shared every day with all those who knew her. Kim made Simley High School an even more special place, and it's only fitting that she is enshrined into the Simley Hall of Fame."

All current Simley students and staff, alumni, current Simley Hall of Fame members, and community members are encouraged to come out Friday, Sept. 3 to help recognize the Simley Hall of Fame Class of 2021.

View the interactive Simley Hall of Fame

Simley Hall of Fame nomination form