Inducted: 1985
Coach Mel Skillman
Coach Skillman owns a 257-171-6 record in 45 years as a head coach after taking over for Breckenridge for the 2012 season and going 1-8.
Skillman coached in Beaverton and Freeland before becoming a coaching fixture in Saginaw Township, leading the Douglas MacArthur football team to a 139-68 record, including two trips to the state finals. The Generals lost 21-0 to Dearborn Divine Child in the Class B state championship game in 1975, the first year for the state tournament. In 1977, the Generals returned to the state final game only to lose 17-16 to Jackson Lumen Christi.
When MacArthur and Eisenhower merged into Heritage High School, Skillman took over as the head coach, going 23-20 in four seasons. He became an assistant coach at Alma College before returning to high school football to coach Merrill to a 52-22 record in seven seasons.
He followed with coaching jobs at Arthur Hill, Hemlock, Bridgeport, Atlanta and Breckenridge.
Skillman’s teams have recorded seven undefeated seasons and have reached the playoffs 10 times. Including his years as an assistant, Skillman has coached football for 54 years. Skillman also trains Leader Dogs for the Blind, and is in the process of training his 14th leader dog.