The Montgomery County Sports Hall of Fame announced its six-person member class for 2025. The class is the sixth to be inducted, and the total number of inductees will now rise to 35. Here are next year’s inductees:
Paul Rabil – Lacrosse
Considered by some to be the greatest player in the history of the sport, The Gaithersburg native excelled at Watkins Mill High School and DeMatha before winning two national championships at Johns Hopkins. Rabil then embarked on a successful professional career, co-founding the Premier Lacrosse League with his brother Mike. Rabil played three seasons in the league he started before hanging up his cleats to focus on running the league after the 2021 season.
Oguchi Onyewu – Soccer
Oguchi Onyewuo played at the highest level in the world’s most popular sport. Growing up in Silver Spring and Olney, Onyewu made a name for himself at Sherwood High School before playing two seasons at Clemson. After college, Onyewu moved to Europe and played in several top leagues including Spain’s La Liga and England’s Premier League. Onyewu won 69 caps for his country, and represented the United States at two World Cups.
Thea LaFond – Triple Jump
Born on the tiny Caribbean Island nation of Dominica, Lafond moved to Silver Spring and studied at Kennedy High School and the University of Maryland. Choosing to represent the island of her birth, LaFond made her first Olympic debut in 2016, and was named flag bearer in 2021. In 2024, LaFond won her first World Indoor Championship, and followed it up with a gold medal in the Olympics. Her triumph in Paris is the first Olympic medal of any kind in the history of Dominica.
Haley Skarupa – Ice Hockey
LaFond is not the only Olympic gold medalist in the class, as Rockville native Haley Skarupa won gold as a member of Team USA in 2018. The Wootton High School graduate attended Boston College, collecting 244 points at the NCAA level. While playing professionally, Skarupa joined the Washington Capitals as a hockey ambassador. After her retirement in 2023, Team USA hired Skarupa to be the head scout of the Women’s National Team program.
Al Thomas – Football
One of the most decorated high school football coaches in the history of the state, Al Thomas was successful everywhere he went. Thomas began his career as an assistant coach at Gaithersburg, before taking over the Seneca Valley program and leading them to five state championships. Thomas then led Damascus to another two titles and Sherwood to one. In all, Thomas won eight Maryland state championships and over 240 games. Thomas passed away in 2016
Bob Windsor – Football
A three-sport athlete at Blair High School in Silver Spring, Bob Windsor is one of the greatest athletes in County history. After a brief stint at Montgomery College, Windsor excelled for the Kentucky Wildcats. A top-30 draft pick in both the AFL and NFL, Windsor chose the latter. In a career spanning nine seasons with the San Franscisco 49ers and the New England Patriots, Windsor caught 15 touchdowns (including one in the playoffs) as a tight end. After his playing career, he returned to the county as a teacher and coach.
The induction Ceremony will be held on May 4, 2025 at the Silver Spring Civic Building. More information can be found at the Hall of Fame’s website here.
