3 inducted into Arcanum-Butler Athletic Hall of Fame

781
Arcanum-Butler High School 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame inductees (L-R) Mike Eilerman, Ryan Burns, and Gene Morris. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

ARCANUM – Arcanum-Butler Schools inducted three alumni into the Athletic Hall of Fame before the Saturday night varsity boys home basketball with the New Bremen Cardinals.

Arcanum athletic director Abbey Moore made the presentations honoring Mike Eilerman, Ryan Burns, and honorary member Gene Morris.

Mike Eilerman 2025 Arcanum-Butler High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

Mike Eilerman graduated from Arcanum High School in the class of 2006 as a record-holding athlete competing in football, basketball, and baseball for the Trojans. Eilerman received varsity letters in all four years of his high school career. As the current record holder of the longest punt return at Arcanum, Eilerman accomplished many successes in his football career.

Playing three positions, including running back, quarterback, and defensive back, Eilerman earned All-Conference defensive back from 2003 through 2005 and other conference honors, including All-Conference teams and Special Mention offense. In 2003, Eilerman was voted all Southwest-District First Team Defense. He also earned Second-Team All-District his junior year in 2005.

Eilerman excelled in basketball, earning Special Mention honors in 2003 through 2005. He was known for his ball-handling skills, being voted the Team Assist Award in 2005. Mike earned All-Conference Special Mention baseball honors from 2004 through 2006 and the All-Boy Athlete Award his senior year 2006. Eilerman transitioned into his professional career after high school as a member of the family-owned Eilerman-Insurance Agency. Eilerman currently lives in Arcanum.

Ryan Burns 2025 Arcanum-Butler High School Athletic Hall of Fame inductee. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

Ryan Burns graduated from Arcanum High School in the class of 2011. Burns was a two-sport athlete playing both baseball and basketball. Burns earned three varsity letters in basketball and back-to-back sectional championships in 2010 and 2011. Burns earned All-Conference honors and was named to the All-Area Team in 2010 and 2011. Burns earned four varsity letters and led his team to a 2010 Conference Championship in 2010 and 2011 as District Runner-Up. Burns earned Defensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2011.

Burns was named team Pitcher of the Year three consecutive years and was voted 2010 Conference Pitcher of the Year. Burns threw two no-hitters and is currently tied with the record for most wins in a season at Arcanum High School. Burns was recognized as an All-Conference player from 2009 through 2011, earning All-Area team honors in 2010 and 2011.

Burns’ dedication to baseball allowed him to pursue a four-year collegiate career at The University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) where he had a successful career while pursuing a degree in Business Administration. Not only did he earn pitcher of the year in 2015, but his team was named Conference Champions, a top 10 Nationally Ranked team, and earned Regional Runner-Up in the National Tournament. Burns left his legacy at UNOH by placing his name in the record books multiple times. Beyond athletics, Ryan now resides in Arcanum, serving his community as a council member, and continues to raise three children with his wife, Mallory.

Gene Morris, 2025 Arcanum-Butler High School Athletic Hall of Fame Honorary Member inductee. (Gaylen Blosser photo)

Gene Morris was named Honorary Member of the Arcanum Athletic Hall of Fame as “The Voice of the Trojans.” Over the past 35 years, Morris has volunteered to announce football and basketball games at Arcanum. Morris received recognition for his dedication to Arcanum athletics when he was presented with the Arcanum Athletic Booster Appreciation Award in 2011 and the Southwest District Friends of Athletics Award in 2018.

Besides announcing athletic events at Arcanum, Morris has devoted countless hours as a volunteer coach and scorekeeper for the baseball and softball teams. He has also impacted the Arcanum community by coaching little league baseball, serving on the Gordon town council for twenty years, and serving as mayor of Gordon for four years, where he currently resides. Gene has been married to his wife Nelda for 59 years and enjoys spending time with his three sons, seven grandchildren, and thirteen great-grandchildren.

Arcanum-Butler Athletic Hall of Fame members. (Gaylen Blosser photo)