The Sacred Heart Athletic Hall of Fame was initiated in 1980 to honor the individual efforts that have contributed to the school's outstanding athletic success over the years. Requirements for selection are:
A sketch of each inductee along with a brief list of accomplishments hangs in the school hall.
Four former Irish athletes will be added to the Sacred Heart Athletic Hall of Fame during Homecoming ceremonies on October 3, 2025, bringing the total number of honorees to 128.
The Hall began in 1980 as a means to honor former athletes for their contributions to the history and tradition of Sacred Heart athletics. To be eligible, an athlete must be at least 15 years out of high school. Nomination forms are available here.
This year’s inductees include Ben Hackett ('94), Laurell (Bennett ‘06) Doherty, DO, Chelsea (Mills ’10) Stefanelli, Billy Myler ('10.) Congratulations to these notable athletes!
Ben was an All-State player and leading scorer and receiver in football. He also earned All-State honors in basketball, leading the Irish with a 15-point-per-game season average, and 728 career points. In track, Ben established the school record for the high jump event.
Ben attended Western Michigan University and received a degree in Computers and Information Technology. He later returned to school to pursue a passion in medicine, becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
He is currently working in a Cardiac Care Unit. Ben resides in Tuscan with his wife Stacey, son Logan, and daughter Madeline.
Laurel was a two-time 800-meter State Champion, establishing State meet records both times. She set school records in the long jump, high jump, 400-meter run, 800-meter run, 300 meter hurdles, and individual cross-country meet as well. Her long jump and 800-meter run records remain to be beaten. Laurel was also part of school record-setting 1600-meter and 3200-meter relay teams.
Laurel is a primary care physician who graduated from MSU’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. She and her husband, Richard Doherty, reside in Grand Rapids with their two sons, Leo and Bennett.
Chelsea earned 12 varsity letters in basketball, volleyball, and softball. She was the named MVP of both her basketball and volleyball teams. In basketball she amassed 809 career points. In softball she earned All-State honors and held the school records for home runs and triples. As a senior, she was honored as the Morning Sun newspaper female Athlete of the Year.
Chelsea is a social worker at the University of Michigan Health System. She and her husband, Alex, reside in Plymouth.
Billy was a two-time team leader in scoring, receiving, and interceptions; plus he set school records for points, touchdowns, receptions, and interceptions. His record for receptions still stands today. He was also a two-time First Team All-State selection in football. Billy became the sixth player in school history to record 1000 points in basketball, and was a four-year letter winner in baseball, finishing his career in the top 10 of all-time in hits, runs, and stolen bases.
Billy and his wife Amelia reside in Mt. Pleasant with their two children, Emmy Lou and Cassel. They own a fabrication company called Lodestone Fabrication.