By Saint Joseph Central Indians
The Hall of Fame was established in 2012 to recognize outstanding achievement by Central High School alumni. It is the ultimate award presented to individuals, coaches and teams that have brought distinction and excellence to Central through their performance during high school.
Mr. Borden Taylor Jr. – Class of ’52
Borden Taylor’s remarkable athletic career left an indelible mark on Central High School, and his contributions both on and off the field continue to inspire us today.
Taylor was a standout 3-sport athlete, excelling in football, basketball, and track for the Indians from 1949 to 1952. Born in Oklahoma to Borden and Ester Taylor, the family moved to St. Joseph, where Borden would go on to call Central High School home. Over the course of his high school career, Borden’s tenacity and competitive spirit earned him 11 varsity letters playing for legendary coaches John Gibson and Howard Iba.
In football, Taylor was a three-year letterman, playing both quarterback and defensive end. His relentless drive earned him All-City honors for two years, as well as All-District.
After hanging up his football cleats, Borden laced up his basketball shoes, where he truly found his niche. Many who followed Central High School basketball in those years consider Borden Taylor to be one of the greatest players ever to don the Indians’ jersey. During his standout basketball career, he earned four varsity letters and was named to the All-City, All-District, and All-State teams in 1952.
But Borden’s athleticism didn’t end there. Following basketball season, he traded his sneakers for a set of spikes, earning four varsity letters in track. He was known as one of the fastest Indians of his time, and his speed and dedication left a lasting impression on his teammates and coaches alike.
After high school, Borden joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served from 1953 to 1956 and achieved the rank of Corporal. Following his military service, Borden dedicated 50 years to a successful career as an electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), retiring in 2002.
In addition to his athletic achievements, Borden was awarded a full scholarship to the University of Missouri, where he played basketball. He then shifted his focus to pursue an engineering degree, demonstrating the same discipline and work ethic that defined his athletic career.
Borden Taylor Jr. passed away on January 12, 2013 at his home in Independence, Missouri. We are privileged to honor a true legend of Central High School, an individual whose contributions to both his community and his country have had a lasting impact.
Mr. Norman McDonald – Class of ’80
Norman McDonald is a true basketball legend whose impact on the court at Central High School remains unforgettable. From 1977 to 1980, McDonald played the game with a level of talent and passion that set him apart as one of the most gifted athletes ever to grace the hardwood at Central.
Widely regarded as one of the best basketball players in both the school’s history and the city’s, Norman McDonald was nothing short of a generational talent. As Coach Orv Solmon once put it, Norman was “Mr. Everything” on the court, dominating every aspect of the game with unmatched skill and determination.
During his illustrious high school career, McDonald earned All-City honors for three years, All-District honors for three years, and All-Metro honors for two years. His senior season culminated in him being named a first-team All-State selection—a testament to his excellence. McDonald was also a 1,000-point scorer for the Indians, averaging an impressive 19.8 points per game. Beyond scoring, Norman’s dominance extended to the glass, where he averaged 10 rebounds per game, showing his all-around game and relentless effort on both ends of the court.
After high school, Norman took his talents to Missouri Western before transferring to Highland Community College from 1982 to 1984. There, he continued to shine, averaging 30 points per game, which earned him a well-deserved place in the Scotties Hall of Fame.
Norman McDonald’s legacy as a basketball player continues to inspire athletes today. His combination of talent, work ethic, and leadership on the court has left a lasting impact on Central High School and the wider community.
Mr. Matt Wegenka – Class of ’83
Matt Wegenka is an athlete whose remarkable career at Central High School and beyond has left an enduring legacy. Wegenka was a three-sport standout who excelled in cross country, basketball, and track, and his achievements on the field of competition have set him apart as one of the most decorated runners in Central history.
Matt was a three-year letterwinner in both cross country and track, and his track career was particularly extraordinary. He set multiple school records in the 1600-meter run, 800-meter run, 3200-meter relay, and sprint medley. His 1600-meter record of 4:16.09 still stands after 42 years, and his second-fastest time in the 3200-meter run remains a mark of excellence to this day. Matt earned All-City honors for three years, as well as All-District, All-Region, and All-State honors for his outstanding performances.
In cross country, Matt’s tenacity and competitive spirit were just as evident. He earned All-City, All-District, and All-Region honors, and in 1981, his 7th place finish at the State meet helped set a school record and led his team to a 4th place finish overall. Matt earned All-State honors in both his junior and senior seasons, cementing his place as one of the top cross country runners in the state.
Following his high school career, Matt continued his athletic journey at Southwest Missouri State University, where he became a dominant force in both cross country and track. He still holds numerous MSU school records in both disciplines, was selected All-Region in 1987, and won numerous collegiate track and cross country meets. Matt was also a two-time AMCU Conference individual champion and earned a spot on the All-Decade Conference Team.
In 1992, Matt reached the pinnacle of his career when he qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 5000 meters and was ranked 14th nationally by Track and Field. He finished 3rd in the U.S. Olympic Festival in 1991 and currently holds the Missouri State 5K road record. His contributions to the sport were recognized when he was inducted into the Ozark Mountain Ridge Runner Hall of Fame in 2005.
Off the track, Matt’s success continued in his professional life. He has worked for 30 years at Tremco Construction Products and has earned a place in the Tremco Hall of Fame as the top sales representative in the company.
Mr. Scott Rubinstein – Class of ’85
Scott is an exceptional multi-sport athlete whose talent and dedication set him apart as one of the most decorated athletes in Central High School history. Rubinstein was a standout in baseball, basketball, cross country, track, and swimming from 1981 to 1985, earning an impressive 11 varsity letters during his time at Central.
Scott’s athletic achievements were spread across multiple sports, but he truly excelled in cross country, track, and swimming. In cross country, he earned All-City honors for two years and All-District honors for two years, culminating in a trip to the State competition in 1985. On the track, Scott dominated the 800, 1600, and 3200 meters, winning City Championships in both 1984 and 1985. As a swimmer, he was equally impressive, earning All-District honors and qualifying for State in eight events, including a remarkable performance in the 200 freestyle, where he earned All-State honors.
After his high school career, Scott took his talents to the University of Missouri, where he competed for two years on the Mizzou swim team. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Science in 1989 and earned a Master’s degree in Exercise Physiology in 1992. But Scott’s athletic pursuits didn’t stop there. He went on to compete in over 100 triathlons across the country, including qualifying for the prestigious Hawaiian Ironman triathlon. His achievements were recognized when he was named Male Athlete of the Year for the State of Missouri for his gold medal performances in both bike racing and triathlons at the Show-Me State Games.
Scott’s professional journey has been as diverse and impactful as his athletic career. He began his career in Cardiac Rehabilitation at Boone Hospital in Columbia, where he met his wife, Paula. His career has spanned across cardiac rehab, aquatic therapy, business ownership, and orthopedic medical device sales with Synthes Trauma. Recently, Scott retired and now splits his time between Columbia and Southwest Florida. He and his wife of 33 years, Paula, are proud parents to two daughters.
Mr. Isaac Unruh – Class of ’02
Isaac Unruh is an athlete who made an indelible mark on the soccer field here at Central High School. Unruh was a standout player whose skill, leadership, and passion for the game set him apart as one of the most decorated soccer players to ever wear a Central uniform.
A four-year letterwinner in soccer from 1999 to 2002, Isaac’s career was nothing short of extraordinary. He began his high school career with a strong debut as a freshman, earning honorable mention All-Conference honors. From there, he continued to rise to new heights, earning All-City honors for four years, All-District honors for three years, and All-Conference honors for all four years of his high school career.
In 2001, Isaac’s exceptional play was further recognized when he was named the All-News Press Player of the Year. He was also selected to the prestigious All-Midwest and Western Regional teams and earned First Team All-State honors.
As a goalkeeper, Isaac Unruh set multiple records that still stand to this day. He holds the Central High School records for the most shutouts in a season, with 15, and the most shutouts in a career, with 25. His leadership between the posts helped guide his 2001 team to become the first in school history to win both Districts and Sectionals.
After graduation, Isaac continued to excel, taking his talents to Graceland College, where he played a pivotal role in the 2006 team’s NAIA National Championship victory. Isaac was named the National Tournament MVP, an honor he earned after not allowing a single goal throughout the tournament en route to the championship.
Beyond his athletic accomplishments, Isaac has continued to make a positive impact in the community. He is now a partner at River Bluff Brewery, a real estate agent for Mobility Realty in St. Joseph, and a dedicated member of the board for Big Brothers Big Sisters.