The Hall of Fame event, which is set for October 20, will have a 12:00 p.m. reception and a 1:00 p.m. ceremony. The Elite 11 class recognizes the outstanding achievements of athletes at the high school and collegiate level. 

 

Salem "Bubba" Stutzer, Brad Cavanah, and Aaron O'Laughlin are the Eagles who will be recognized by the Hall. 

 

A 2001 graduate of Independence's William Chrisman High School, Stutzer played for a program that ran up against some of the toughest conference and district opponents in the Kansas City area. This only toughened him for the next stage in his career. At Central Methodist, he was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter, setting the career record for tackles with 407. He was a two-time NAIA All-American, earning First Team All-American by the NAIA, NAIAFootball.net and Don Hansen's Football Gazette as a senior. He was honorable mention the previous year. He was unanimous First Team All-Heart of America Athletic conference from 2001 to 2004. During his senior season, he ranked 17th nationally in interceptions per game (0.5) and led the CMU defense with 100 tackles. That Central Methodist defense led the nation in turnover margin (2.5/game) and was nationally ranked in eight other per game categories. Stutzer is now the Director of Facilities and Operations for the Francis Howell School District.

 

Cavanah played his final two years at Marceline High School after transferring from Nevada Missouri High School after his sophomore year. He garnered All-State honors both his junior and senior seasons. His senior season was capped with a First Team All-State selection. Additionally he was First Team all-conference and all-district both years. He was named District Player of the Year in 1989 and recognized on the KMZU Dream Team and KRES All-Star Team. In his final two seasons, he threw for 2,666 yards and 49 touchdowns. He led the team to the state semifinals as junior, and then guided Marceline to a state runner-up in Class 1 in 1989. At Central Methodist, he was a two-sport letterman and played football three seasons. Cavanah is now a retired Missouri educator and coach.

 

A 2007 graduate of South Shelby High School, O'Laughlin was a three-sport athlete. As a football player he was named First Team All-State as a defensive back and running back his junior and senior years. He also was First Team All-Clarence Cannon Conference in both positions, as well as a return specialist and was First Team All-District. As a defensive back, he combined for 152 tackles, eight interceptions and six fumble recoveries in his final two seasons. Offensively he had more than 30 touchdowns, with his senior season seeing O'Laughlin combine with Ethan Harris for 3,666 rushing yards – an MSHAA single-season record for teammates. The 2005 team reached the state semifinals and the 2006 team won the State Championship. At Central Methodist, he earned the Football Workman's Scholarship through Westran High School in each of his final two seasons as he was a player/scout for Central Methodist. He later earned the KRES Coach of the Year in 2018 at Westran. O'Laughlin is now the principal at Marion County RII High School.