Four more heroes will be inducted in the Lancer Hall of Fame tonight.
The Indelicato Family along with East Union High student athlete standout Amy Haapanen and former longtime coaches Butch Marliani and Bill Stricker will be honored at the Dalben Center during the boys’ varsity basketball game between the Lancers and rival Manteca High.
This Valley Oak League finale is scheduled to begin at 7:30.
East Union High is located at 1700 N. Union Rd.
According to Rosa Souza, the Indelicato Family, Haapanen, Marliani and Stricker were selected via folks in the community and Lancer Hall of Fame Nomination Committee.
“We did this years ago and decided to bring it back,” she said, indicating that this is the third year of the Lancer Hall of Fame.
The Indelicatos are Delicato Family Wines, one of the fastest growing wine companies in the U.S. Members of this local third-generation family attended East Union.
Haapanen is a 2002 graduate of East Union, where she involved in volleyball, basketball and track & field during her four years. She named league MVP in those sports and was selected CIF Student Athlete of the Year.
Haapanen was also in the school band and graduated with a 4.3 grade point average.
Marliani taught health education to hundreds of sophomores at the school in addition to teaching typing.
He coached football and was the head baseball coach for the Lancer program. Marliani was also the instructor for body conditioning for adults and student athletes.
Stricker spent three decades as a teacher and basketball coach for the Lancers, compiling a 367-377 win-loss record.
He developed many players and coaches throughout the Manteca Unified School District and beyond – most notably being former NBA player and current Washington Wizards coach Scott Brooks.
Stricker, who set records during his playing days at the University of the Pacific, was Dean of Athletics for EU prior to his retirement.
The EU Hall of Fame was established to recognize and preserve the heritage of the school by honoring those who made significant contributions or a distinguished achievement.
