The East Side Old Timers inducted seven new people into their Hall of Fame Sept. 22 at Holy Cross Kolbe Center, 1621 University Ave NE. Athletes who grew up on the East Side are selected for their achievement in sports throughout their lifetime. They are:
Jay Doetkott, Marshall-University High, played varsity football, hockey and baseball and was a member of Minneapolis Park Board championship teams in softball and broomball. He was Minnesota State Handball doubles champion and coached the University of Minnesota Women’s Club hockey team and youth baseball.
Rick Eskola, Edison ’72, captain in football, basketball and baseball, achieving All-City in baseball and football. At St. Thomas, he was All-MIAC in baseball and an All-Star member of the 1973 MIAC championship football team. He played/managed Halek’s 1985 Minnesota State Championship baseball team.
Dawn Ginnaty, ’76 Edison, held second place in the city golf championship and qualified for Minnesota State High School tennis doubles. She was the first girl to receive the Edison Athena Award in 1976 for a state tournament, played golf and basketball at Winona State and was the Minnesota Women’s Public Golf Champion 1983-1986, Minnesota Women’s Amateur State Golf Champion 1986, and on the PGA Futures Tour 1987-1991. Named to the PGA/Minnesota Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2020.
Rick Jaede, Marshall-U, all conference and captain in football, hockey and baseball. He was the leading hockey scorer and had the best batting average in the Tri-Metro conference in his senior year, played college hockey at University of Wisconsin and St. Thomas, was the Class B State Handball Champion in 2001 and a youth hockey coach.
Jeff Moritko, Edison ’80, football and basketball captain, Minneapolis All City in both sports. He was named high school football All-American. Moritko was the Section 5A shot put and discus champion and started at tackle for the University of Minnesota for three years, under Lou Holtz. He was head football coach at Edison 1996-1997 and served as assistant line coach and defense coordinator for 21 years at Totino Grace, where his team won eight state championships. He is in the Edison Community Sports Foundation Hall of Fame and the USA Slow Pitch Hall of Fame.
Claudia Anderson Stephens, Edison ’72, was the ’71 Minnesota State diving champion. (She was self-taught with the help of the Edison boy’s gymnastics coach because there were no girls in high school sports before Title IX in 1972.) She was a Tennis/USTA National participant and an amateur competitive tennis player for many years.
Tony Hofstede, owner of Event Sales and Discount 70, was recognized for his active support for youth sports. He also organized the Earth Day Run/Walk and the river cleanup at Boom Island.
The money raised by the Hall of Fame raffle supports youth sport teams in the Northeast and Southeast neighborhoods.
The East Side Old Timers are seeking future Hall of Fame inductees (men and women) 55 years or older. The person must have been a resident of the East Side and achieved excellence in a sport or sports. You can recommend a worthy candidate’s name to one of the East Side Old Timers or at neseminneapolis on Facebook.
Below: Left to right are inductees Dawn Ginnaty, Jeff Moritko, Rick Jaede, Jay Doetkott, Rick Eskola and Claudia Anderson Stephens. (Provided photo)
