Like many high schools, East High's decades of athletic achievements were on full display in the form of banners, trophies, and plaques. But recently, Athletic Director Jerry Schlabs looked around and didn't just see history — he saw a problem.
“We had plaques for our Athletes of the Year, our regional and state championships, and even our Super 25 football athletes. But there just wasn’t a great way to display them all. The walls were crowded, the plaques were small, and honestly, people rarely stopped to look at them.”
Jerry realized that East High's stories deserved more than outdated plaques and trophies that took up far too much space. He wanted something more modern, interactive, and accessible for students, staff, alumni, and the entire Cheyenne community.
The solution: A digital hall of fame that offers unlimited real estate
Jerry quickly realized that his solution was a digital hall of fame. He liked that the touchscreen was interactive and the experience could be shared beyond school walls.
“It’s interactive. You can search names, click through photos, and go beyond just a plaque on the wall. Even grandparents across the country can pull it up online. That’s something we’ve never been able to do before.”
Jerry also liked that a solution like Gipper Touch would allow him to include more than just athletic achievements on his touchscreen experience. He's already looking at including:
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Academic Hall of Fame inductees
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Distinguished alumni
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Clubs and activities
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T-Birds in the Pros (alumni who went on to professional athletics)
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Athletes of the Week and real-time recognition
For Jerry, it's important to tell the stories of the students and athletes that paved the way for East High, not just to preserve history, but to inspire current classes.
“We tell our kids that the honors they receive are possible because of those who came before them. Now they can see that history come alive. It’s humbling — and motivating.”
Easy, cost-effective, and scalable
One of Jerry’s biggest realizations was that going digital wasn’t just better — it was also more affordable than continuing with physical boards and plaques.
“Updating just one record board can cost $2–3,000. With Gipper Touch, we can recognize so much more — athletics, academics, activities — all in one place, and at a lower cost.”
The familiar Gipper design tools also saved time. Jerry’s part-time secretary quickly trained on the system and uploaded 10 years of All-State athletes in an afternoon. Now, even quick updates like rosters, flyers, and schedules can be displayed instantly on the Hall of Fame board.
“We love Gipper Touch for the ease of use, great customer service, and the fact that it ties together with the Gipper tools we already know and love. It’s not just a product — it’s a super product for us.”
Looking ahead: Building a living history
Jerry and his team are just getting started. Athletics came first, but now they’re expanding to activities and alumni. The vision is clear: a living, breathing history of East High School that grows with each graduating class.
“Yearbooks sit on shelves. Plaques fade on walls. But this is something people will engage with — whether they’re in our gym, in our hallways, or on their couch at home. That’s what makes it so powerful.”
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