On Saturday, September 14, 2024, the Hot Springs American Legion Post 71 was filled with applause, laughter, and moments of quiet reflection as the Hot Springs High School Athletics Hall of Fame welcomed its Class of 2024. Now in its ninth year, the annual banquet continues to celebrate not only athletic achievement, but the mentorship, teamwork, and community spirit that define Bison athletics.

From the opening moments, the evening carried a sense of perspective. Generations of Bison athletes, families, and supporters gathered not simply to honor records and championships, but to recognize the people and relationships behind them.

Opening Recognition: Honoring a Lifetime of Service

Hall of Fame Chair Quinten Hofer opened the program by recognizing Maj. Gen. Roger Burg (USAF, Ret.), a member of the Class of 1974, who received the inaugural HSHS Alumni Association Achievement Award during his class’s 50-year reunion.

Burg spoke candidly about the role Hot Springs played in shaping his life and career, emphasizing that the freedom to learn, fail, and grow within a supportive community laid the groundwork for his success beyond high school. His remarks set the tone for the night—rooted in gratitude and reflection rather than accolades.

2024 Inductees

• Carl “Teenie” Andre – Athlete & Coach (posthumously)

• Todd Malott – Three-Sport Athlete

• Ted Niemann – Basketball Record-Holder

• 1990 Girls Track & Field Team – First Girls’ State Champions

Also recognized was Maj. Gen. Roger Burg (USAF, Ret.), class of 1974, who received the inaugural HSHS Alumni Association Achievement Award during his class’s 50-year reunion.

Carl “Teenie” Andre (Posthumous) — Athlete & Coach

Carl Andre’s induction brought a reflective stillness to the room. A standout three-sport athlete who later returned to Hot Springs High School in the 1950s as a teacher and coach, Andre was remembered as someone who connected with students on a deeply personal level.

Former player Dave Batchelor spoke about Andre’s mentorship, recalling time spent not only in practices and classrooms, but during weekend hunting and fishing trips that carried lessons about life and character. Andre’s grandson, Reese Andre, accepted the award on behalf of the family and delivered one of the evening’s most powerful reflections, reminding the audience that legacy is measured not in years, but in intention, heart, and the difference one makes in the lives of others.

Todd Malott — Three-Sport Athlete

Todd Malott, a 1982 graduate and accomplished three-sport athlete, was unable to attend the banquet, but his presence was strongly felt through the stories shared on his behalf. Malott earned three state track titles before a knee injury cut his high school career short, yet his influence extended far beyond his own competition.

His wife, Debbie Malott, accepted the award and shared a message from former rival runner Walker Witt of Custer, who described watching Malott’s smooth, effortless stride and modeling his own running after it. The story resonated as a reminder that impact in athletics often reaches beyond teammates and school colors.

Ted Niemann — Basketball Record-Holder

Introduced by longtime friend and Hall of Famer Joyce Farrell, Ted Niemann’s induction blended achievement with humility. A 1984 graduate, Niemann scored 1,150 points during his Bison career and set eight school records, several of which still stand.

In his remarks, Niemann focused less on statistics and more on gratitude—thanking coaches who trusted him early, teammates who supported his growth, and a community that welcomed his family when they arrived in Hot Springs. He reflected on opportunity, timing, and the importance of people willing to invest in young athletes before results are guaranteed.

1990 Lady Bison Track & Field Team — First Girls’ State Champions

The induction of the 1990 Lady Bison Track & Field Team brought collective pride into the room. As the first girls’ team to win a state championship for Hot Springs High School, their title was clinched in dramatic fashion during the final event of the meet—the 1,600-meter relay.

Coach Cheryl Huddleston emphasized that the championship belonged to the entire roster, not just those who qualified for the state meet, noting that internal competition and shared accountability pushed everyone to higher levels. Several team members echoed that sentiment, speaking about trust, effort, and the bonds formed through shared pursuit.

The team also honored the late Coach Dave Scott, whose emphasis on hard work, heart, and unity shaped their journey. His daughter, Marianne Scott Drobny, spoke on his behalf, reminding the audience that track is a points game built on teamwork—and that championships are earned collectively. Her closing words, “Once a Bison, always a Bison,” brought the room to its feet.

Carrying the Legacy Forward

The 2024 Hall of Fame Banquet reaffirmed the purpose of the Hall of Fame itself: to preserve the stories that shaped Bison athletics and to honor the people who carried its values forward. As the evening came to a close, conversations lingered, memories were revisited, and there was a shared understanding that this legacy continues—person by person, generation by generation.

The Class of 2024 added a meaningful chapter to that story, defined not only by achievement, but by character, connection, and enduring pride in the Blue and White.