Doug and Dennis Swearingen spent a lot of time playing baseball in the fields by their Steeple Valley home as youngsters, while also shooting a lot of baskets in that section of the Purple City.

Little did they know that all that time spent working on their games would pay off sometime down the road.

Well, that time came Friday night when they were part of the illustrious 18-member charter class of the Martins Ferry High School Athletic Hall of Fame.

“I didn’t realize there wasn’t a Hall of Fame already,” Doug, the oldest of the two by three years, admitted during a well-attended reception Friday afternoon in the high school cafetorium for honorees and their families. “As many great athletes as we’ve had over the years, it’s amazing. There’s been so many great athletes that have come through the halls of Martins Ferry High School. There’s a long tradition at Martins Ferry and I’m glad they’ve finally started a Hall of Fame.”

Dennis echoed his older brother’s thoughts.

“I couldn’t believe that years ago they didn’t start a Hall of Fame. Growing up as a teenager and even in grade school, I remember going to games and watching some of the great athletes Martins Ferry has had. It’s certainly an honor to be part of the first class.”

Going into the HoF together couldn’t have been any sweeter.

“This is special because we grew up playing sports together,” Doug said of being enshrined with his sibling. “We spent thousands and thousands of innings in the field down by our house. When it would get dark and our mother would go to the grocery, we’d go down to Fodor Field and play under the lights.

“He (Dennis) could’ve played any position, but he played outfield,” Doug said of his brother. “He played as a freshman on the baseball team when I was a senior.”

A three-sport standout for the Purple-and-White, Doug was better known for his baseball exploits which took him to The Ohio State University, as well as a spot on the 1982 U.S. National team which participated in South Korea and won the bronze medal, and eventually being drafted by the Seattle Mariners organization in the 23rd round.

When asked what he remembers about his days in Purple and White, Doug said, “My favorite memories are going from season to season with my teammates. There were always special times. We all bonded together and were like brothers.

“We also had the best coaches,” he continued. “When I was inducted into the OVAC Hall of Fame, I talked about how I was in the right place at the right time just because of the coaches we had. Bob Bruney was our football coach, Larry Duck was our basketball coach and John Magistro was our baseball coach my last three years.

“We were blessed to have the coaches that we did,” he added.

Doug currently resides in Columbus and works for an insurance company as a business analyst.

Dennis, meanwhile, was an accomplished athlete who earned 10 varsity letters in four sports. He left his mark, however, in football and basketball.

“I just asked Doug if he ever thought back to when we were shooting basketball at Steeple Valley if he thought some day we’d be in the Martins Ferry Athletic Hall of Fame,” Dennis quizzed. “We had a big family to start with, and then all of our friends. It’s all of those teammates and friends that we made over the years that makes this that more special.”

When asked his favorite memories of being a Purple Rider, Dennis answered, “I was coach (Dave) Bruney’s first quarterback in 1979 and he’s still here 36 years later. I think we’ve developed a special bond over the years because of that.

“Another special memory that I like to tell people is that my parents held me back a year because Doug’s class had such a great group of athletes. I always say that because when I was a sophomore, they had all graduated and that left the door open for me.”

He was also thankful for all the great head, and assistant, coaches he had during his playing days.

Dennis is a resident of Brookville, Ind., just west of Cincinnati. He is a human resources director.

Another member of the class, and the lone female, was Peri Powell. She excelled in girls basketball, scoring a little more than 1,400 career points, but it was on the softball field where she made left her mark.

Although the Purple Riders didn’t field a softball team back then, Powell matriculated to the Steubenville College (now Franciscan University), West Liberty State College (now West Liberty University) and then Wheeling College (now Wheeling Jesuit).

“I always thought there was a Hall of Fame,” Powell said when asked her feelings. “I just didn’t know where it was among the trophy cases.

“I’m highly honored to be with such legends as Lou and Alex Groza, Fred Negus and Kenny Vargo,” she admitted. “I am really, really honored to be part of this group.”

She was kind of surprised to find out she was the lone female.

“I honored by that distinction, but I know there will be more after me.”

As for her favorite memory?

“All of the friends that I made,” she said. “Sports kept me out of trouble. Basketball was my favorite sport back then, mainly because Martins Ferry didn’t have softball, but it’s all worked out.”

Other inductees included Bill Van Horne, Larry Duck, Fred Bruney, Alex Groza, Bruce Smith, Ron “Cy” Godfrey, Jim Brown, Ken Vargo, Lou Groza, John Vrotsos, Eudie Joseph, Chad Brinker, Tuss Edwards, Fred Negus and Bill Young.