RICHMOND, Ky. — Model Laboratory School inducted four individuals to the Model Laboratory School Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, January 17, 2025.
The Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2025 includes Freddy Ballou (’62), Coach Dan Lichty, Brent Lichty (’85), and Mary Carole Thomas Tate (’95).
Freddy Ballou (’62), despite standing only 5’5” and weighing 135 pounds, became a standout running back and a two-year team captain for Madison-Model High School under the legendary Head Coach Roy Kidd from 1959 to 1961. Over his remarkable high school career, Ballou achieved All-American honors, earned a spot on the East-West All-Star Team, and was named to the All-State Team twice. He amassed 5,000 rushing yards and scored 50 touchdowns.
Elizabeth Ballou, Freddy Ballou’s daughter-in-law, shared her initial surprise upon learning about his achievements. “It always kind of amused me when I first met him because he was not a big man,” she said. “When I learned that not only did he play high school football, but that he broke all sorts of state records, it was a surprise to me.”
Ballou led his team to a 34-4 overall record, including a Recreation Bowl victory, two Conference championships, a Class AA State Semi-final, and a Class AA State runner-up.
“He was just so humble. He never embellished on his football stories,” Ballou’s granddaughter, Claire Ballou, continued. “And then, was inducted into three Halls of Fame.”
In addition to the Model Laboratory School Athletic Hall of Fame, Freddy Ballou is also a member of the KHSAA Hall of Fame and the Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame.
Coach Dan Lichty arrived in Richmond in 1969 with his wife, Barbara, to pursue his dream of coaching swimming and diving. Upon joining Eastern Kentucky University, he served as the Assistant Swimming Coach and Head Diving Coach under Donald Combs while also taking on the role of Head Coach for the Model Swimming and Diving Teams.
“It is just an honor, for what my dad did here, from winning three state championships [as a coach]… for all the athletes and lives he touched,” said Brent Lichty, Coach Lichty’s son. “To have Mom, who taught here for decades, and for Denise and me to grow up in this building for 14 years—it’s a touching tribute to Dad’s success and the success I brought to this program as well. You can’t beat what this family has been to us.”
From 1969 to 1975, Coach Lichty led the Swimming and Diving Teams to remarkable success. His teams captured two KHSAA Class AA Girls Championships (1970, 1971) and a KHSAA Class AA Boys Championship in 1972. At the state level, his boys' teams never placed below third, while the girls' teams consistently finished in the top six. Impressively, 31 of his swimmers and divers achieved individual or relay team KHSAA State Champion titles, and 11 earned High-School All-American honors.
“The legacy both Dad and Mom leave behind and all the kids that they taught… [they’re] embedded here,” Coach Lichty’s daughter, Denise Turpin shared. “It is very exciting to be able to be honored in this way.”
In 1975, Coach Lichty became the Head Coach of the EKU Men’s Swimming and Diving program. In 1984, he expanded his role to include the Women’s Swimming and Diving team, mentoring numerous former Model Patriots as they advanced their collegiate swimming and diving careers under his guidance at EKU.
Turpin added, “One of the things Dad did his whole career—starting at Model then carrying on to Eastern —he ended up producing so many other coaches that have gone on to coach all over the country and the world. That’s the legacy of swimming continuing because he loved swimming so much, he instilled that in other people.”
Brent Lichty (’85) began his journey with the Model Swim and Dive team as a fourth grader, making an immediate impact by competing in the State Championship for diving in his very first season. His success continued to build, with a fifth-place finish in the 1-meter dive as a sixth grader in 1979.
Lichty shared insight on how he competed on the varsity level despite his age, “I would get done with school here at 3 o’clock, and by 3:10 I was at Dad’s pool. I was around the college swimmers all the time.”
As a sophomore in 1983, Lichty claimed his first Class A 1-meter Diving State Championship, beginning a historic streak. He went on to win three consecutive KHSAA Diving State Titles from 1983 to 1985, earning recognition as one of the state’s most dominant divers. During this time, he was named to the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association (NISCA) High School All-American Diving Team for three consecutive years. In his senior year, Lichty achieved a milestone score of 307.10 on the 1-meter dive—a Model record that has stood for over 40 years.
“You are one of me, and I am one of you. We both represent the school and what we did then, so be proud of it,” Lichty said to the current Model swim and dive team. “Your swimming can take you places. It can give you opportunities all over the world.
After graduating from Model, Lichty continued his diving career at the University of Tennessee, where he excelled at the collegiate level. He was a three-year finalist in the NCAA 1- and 3-meter Diving Championships and earned the prestigious Ken Hall Outstanding Diver Award. Lichty capped off his collegiate career with numerous accolades, including being named to the All-SEC Team and the NCAA All-American Team for three consecutive seasons.
Mary Carole Thomas Tate (’95) was a powerhouse on the softball diamond during her time at Model Laboratory School. As a seven-year letterman and a five-year starter, the first baseman became known as a fierce competitor and a feared hitter. Over her career, she hit 24 home runs, led her teams to three consecutive winning seasons, and contributed to an overall team record of 77-28.
“It’s quite an honor,” Tate continued to share Model softball history. “We actually switched to fast pitch my senior year of high school, which was frankly devastating because we had a really strong team that had played together through middle school and high school. That was one of the advantages we had here [at Model].”
Throughout her career, Tate dominated at the plate, consistently leading the team in batting average, hits, and RBIs. She finished her high school career with a .595 batting average. Her senior season was particularly remarkable, as she posted a city-leading batting average of .643, along with 19 doubles and 11 home runs. Her stellar performance earned her spots on the All-District team (1994, 1995), the All-Region team (1995), and an Honorable Mention on the All-State team. Additionally, the Richmond Register recognized her as the "Madison County Player of the Year."
“Your top-notch players are always the ones with the most talent, but they are the ones who want it more than anything,” Tate said to current and future athletes. “Being coachable will take you further than any talent you got.”
To hear from the 2025 inductees, see their interviews and inductions here.
We sincerely apologize to Coach Lichty and the Lichty family for the oversight in the spelling of his name on the Hall of Fame banner and plaque. Both are being reprinted, and we regret that this could not be corrected before the induction ceremony.