by 
Queen Creek High School Athletics Hall of Fame inductees – Chad Cummard (left) and Heather Schroder (right). Photo courtesy of Queen Creek Athletics.
Southeast Valley Ledger
The lone member of the Queen Creek Athletics Hall of Fame finally has some company.
Until recently, Justo Bustamante was the only member of the school’s hall of fame even though he never attended the high school because it didn’t exist.
Bustamante did, however, attend Queen Creek Middle School and was considered a representative of Queen Creek while a student-athlete at Chandler High School at the time; hence his induction into Queen Creek’s hall of fame years ago.
During halftime of the Oct. 23 football game versus Westview, Queen Creek hosted an induction ceremony welcoming its two newest hall of fame members – Heather Schroder and Chad Cummard.
“We are hoping to be able to recognize as many of our former Queen Creek athletes as possible,” Queen Creek Athletic Director Paul Reynolds told the school’s athletic website of the induction process. “In a way, this is an inaugural event and we’re hoping to make it happen on a more consistent basis.”
Schroder, a three-sport athlete – basketball, volleyball, and track – during her high-school career, won the state championship in the 400m and the 800m in track during her junior year. She was at one time the state record holder in the 800m.
After graduating from Queen Creek, Schroder accepted a basketball scholarship to Central Arizona College. She currently lives in Miles City, Montana, where she teaches fifth grade.
“It’s really a great honor,” Schroder told theLedger. “We graduated 25 years ago and that’s when Queen Creek first started. We were involved with everything and it’s just awesome to see how much it’s grown, how big the school is, and the accomplishments of our school.”
Schroder believes participating in athletics at Queen Creek taught her lessons that go beyond the track and court.
“I think it helped me set goals, reach for something, and work really hard to accomplish it,” she said. “I can say there were so many supportive people around us; friends, staff, and parents.”
Cummard, another three-sport athlete – baseball, basketball, and football – from 1987-1990, was a member of Queen Creek’s state championship baseball team in 1989. The Bulldogs’ then second baseman was an all-conference selection that same year. He also earned All-Arizona honors in basketball and was selected all-conference in football.
“I’ve had the opportunity to see a ton of great athletes, great kids come through this school,” Cummard said. “It’s an honor just to be a part of that and be recognized among some of the greats. I’m proud of that.”
Though he experienced great success as a student-athlete during his time at Queen Creek, Cummard is further impressed with the school’s more recent achievements.
“It’s crazy,” he said of the athletic department’s triumphs. “We were successful back then, but it’s not even close to where it is now.”
Andrew Luberda began writing for Copper Area News Publishers (CANP) in February 2013 after working 15 years in Healthcare Financial Management. Andy covers sports for 11 high schools. His stories are published in Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner and Superior Sun, in addition to the San Tan Valley Daily PRSS and CopperArea websites. Additionally, he has written human interest stories and business profiles. In May 2012, he earned an AAS in Sports Management at Central Arizona College before graduating with a BS in Communication from Arizona State University in 2014. He and his wife, Kelli, have three sons – AJ, Kyle, and Kade.
by by