LAND O’ LAKES — For more than 10 years now, Land O’ Lakes High and the Land O’ Lakes Gators Athletics Foundation has been inducting a handful of former student athletes, coaches, supporters and those who have left their impact at the high school into its Hall of Fame. It features names known across the central Pasco Community, whether they graced past headlines or are debated about at the local Beef ‘O’ Brady’s.
The annual Hall of Fame tradition began in March 2013 when it was formed as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit to raise funds through donations and events to benefit the school’s athletic programs. And each year, a handful of inductees will be recognized with a dinner banquet featuring tribute videos and friends and family in attendance, as well as a guest speaker. This year’s was FSU football legend Walter Carter, who spoke before the inductees: Alison Campbell, Mike Connor, Tony Mattos, Mark Pearons and Caz Piurowski.
Connor, being awarded the Lifetime Service Award, became the third posthumous inductee, following Stephen Querns (2017) and the late football legend, John Benedetto, who died suddenly in 2013 and was inducted in 2014…