The 2026 class of inductees includes Raymond Bray, Peter J. Brackett, Robert Danielson, Robert Gianninzio, Irving Soderlund and the 1979 Norway-Vulcan High School football team that won the Class D state title.

The Hall of Distinction was created to recognize individuals and teams who have made significant contributions to the school district, the community or their professions while exemplifying character, integrity and support for the district’s vision.

“We received quality nominations, and know there are many more to come,” Tony Adams, Norway Junior/Senior High School principal and athletic director and committee member. “We’re excited to honor our first class and continue recognizing deserving nominees in the years ahead.”

Adams said he learned several new pieces of unknown history through the nominee process. “That’s all part of the process — telling those stories,” he added.

Raymond “Ray” Bray

The Hall of Distinction Committee was formed in June 2025 to establish its purpose, bylaws, selection process and permanent display. They actively began seeking nominees in the fall.

In addition to Adams, committee members are Mike Tomasoski, Joe Tinti, Randy Van Gasse, Bill Van Wolvelaere, John Gallino, Jan Hogberg, Barb Menghini and Steve Ortman.

“Over the last 18 months, the committee has worked hard to create a permanent space in our school where past, current and future students and community members can connect with our proud history and traditions,” Adams said. “We look forward to seeing the Norway-Vulcan Area Schools Hall of Distinction grow in the coming years.”

Honorees will receive individual plaques highlighting their accomplishments, which will be displayed in the Hall of Distinction, a permanent exhibit in the common area of the sports deck adjacent to the weight room.

The inaugural induction ceremony will be Saturday, Oct. 17, at Oak Crest Golf Club in Norway. A social hour will begin at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the induction ceremony. Dinner tickets are $30 and will go on sale to the general public Aug. 16 at the Norway High School office.

Robert “Bob” Danielson

For information or to nominate a candidate or team for the Hall of Distinction, go to https://www.nvknights.org/page/hall-of-distinction.

The 2026 inductees:

Raymond “Ray” Bray

The 1935 graduate was a standout football player at Vulcan High School before continuing his athletic career at Western State Normal School — now Western Michigan University — from 1936 to 1938.

Bray was selected by the Chicago Bears in the ninth round of the 1939 NFL Draft and went on to play as an offensive guard and defensive lineman for the Bears from 1939 to 1942 and again from 1946 to 1951, with his career interrupted by military service in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1943 to 1945.

Peter Brackett

He concluded his professional playing career with the Green Bay Packers in 1952.

During his time in the NFL, he was part of three championship teams –1940, 1941 and 1946; earned Pro Bowl honors in 1940, 1941, 1950, and 1951; and was selected as a second-team All-Pro in 1948 and 1950. He was also named among the 100 greatest Chicago Bears players of all time.

Bray’s contributions to the game were later recognized with his induction into The Helms Athletic Foundation Hall of Fame in 1959 and the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 1973.

He passed away in December 1993 at age 76.

Robert “Bob” Danielson

Bob Giannunzio

The 1938 graduate of Norway High School remained in his hometown his entire life — enjoying the small town and its people.

He developed a love of sports as a young boy, skating and playing hockey on neighborhood rinks. During his high school years, he played on the 1938 NHS Vikings basketball team.

His enthusiasm for Norway athletics continued throughout his life as he faithfully attended nearly every Vikings and, later, Knights home and away contests, often traveling downstate to support the teams in football and basketball tournaments.

In recognition of his dedication, he was named Norway High School’s Fan of the Year in the 1980s.

Danielson served his country during World War II from 1942 to 1945 as a staff sergeant with the 91st Infantry Division. He spent 18 months in North Africa before marching in the “boot” of Italy.

Irving “Bing” Soderlund

After his death, it became known that he had been awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat.

After returning home, Danielson joined his brother, Irving, in operating the family-owned Danielson’s Greenhouse, a business established by their parents.

For nearly four decades, Bob and his wife, Wanda, provided the Norway area with quality greenhouse and floral services before retiring and selling the business in 1983.

Beyond his business career, Danielson was deeply involved in civic life. He served on the original board of Preservation Partners for the Jake Menghini Museum and held leadership roles with the Norway Senior Citizens Board, the Norway-Vulcan Community Foundation, the Norway Industrial Development Board, and the Non-Profit Housing Authority. A longtime member of the Norway-Vulcan Kiwanis Club, he served as its Spiritual Aims coordinator for many years and was recognized as the 1997 Friend of Norway during the Leif Erikson Festival.

Perhaps Danielson’s greatest legacy and contribution to the Norway community was his spiritual influence. He was a founding member of Community Bible Chapel in 1962 and served as a church leader and elder for decades. He also served on the board of WRVM Christian Radio, the Christian Service Brigade, and the Child Evangelism Fellowship of the south-central Upper Peninsula. As an active member of Gideons International, he participated in jail ministry and Bible distribution throughout the region.

Danielson passed away in 2010 at the age of 89.

Peter Brackett

Born in 1887 in Norway, Brackett’s only formal education consisted of two years at a Catholic school and one year in the public school system, ending after the third grade, when he left school to help support his family.

Despite his limited formal education, he ultimately rose to become president of his hometown bank.

Throughout his life, Brackett maintained a deep commitment to his family, friends, community, and church. In recognition of those ties, he made a lasting philanthropic gift by leaving the remainder of his estate to the City of Norway upon his death in 1981 at the age of 94. He had previously distributed a significant portion of his assets to his children by age 90.

The remainder of the funds donated to the city to establish the Brackett Fund were accumulated during the final four years of his life. That gift became the foundation for what is now known as the Curtis J. Brackett Memorial Foundation, established to honor his son.

Since its creation in the 1980s, the foundation has grown significantly through prudent investment and has awarded numerous and sizable grants throughout the greater Norway area. Beneficiaries have included the city government, Norway Vulcan Area Schools (primarily through scholarships), the local museum, the community senior center, area recreational facilities, veterans’ organizations and township governments, supporting improvements and programs that serve local residents.

Today, the foundation continues to expand its impact, with total grants approaching the $1 million mark.

Peter J. Brackett’s legacy lives on through the organizations and scholarship recipients who have benefited from his generosity and his commitment to strengthening the community of Norway.

Bob Giannunzio

The 1964 graduate of Norway High School built a distinguished career as both an educator and one of the most successful football coaches in school history.

As a student-athlete, Giannunzio played for coach Alan Ronberg’s Norway Vikings and earned All-Menominee Range Football Team honors in 1962 and 1963 as an offensive end.

After graduating from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial education, he returned to Norway to begin his coaching career. Giannunzio joined Gene Melchiori’s coaching staff as an assistant in 1971 before serving as junior varsity coach from 1972-74, compiling a 24-3 record.

He took over as Norway-Vulcan’s head varsity football coach in 1975, a position he had through 1999. During his 25 seasons at the helm, Giannunzio guided the Knights to a 135-79-2 record, despite competing primarily against larger schools.

His teams won 20 consecutive games from 1975-77, with undefeated seasons in 1975 and 1976. The 1976 squad was named the Detroit Free Press Class C Team of the Year.

Giannunzio led the Knights to Michigan Class D State Football Championships in 1979 and 1980 and earned numerous coaching honors along the way. He was named Regional Coach of the Year six times, Class C State Coach of the Year in 1976, Class D State Coach of the Year in 1979, and Upper Peninsula Coach of the Year in both 1975 and 1976. His teams also were recognized as Upper Peninsula Team of the Year in those same seasons.

His coaching accomplishments led to his induction into the Michigan Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.

Beyond the football field, Giannunzio taught industrial education at Norway High School for 28 years. He also coached freshman and junior varsity boys basketball for 12 seasons and spent three years coaching the girls track team, leading the program to three Upper Peninsula championships.

Irving “Bing” Soderlund

Soderlund, known as “Bing” to his family, friends and community, was born in 1925 in Norway and graduated from Norway High School in 1943.

After graduating from high school, Soderlund enlisted in the Army Air Corps during World War II. Following training in the United States, he was stationed in England, where he served as a waist and ball turret gunner aboard B-17 Flying Fortress bombers with the 301st Bombardment Group. He completed 35 combat missions over France, Belgium and Germany before being honorably discharged in 1945.

Soderlund earned a bachelor’s degree from Northern Michigan University and a master’s degree from the University of Michigan before beginning his career in education in Powers in 1949 as a teacher and coach. A lifelong sports enthusiast, he also officiated high school football and basketball games for many years.

He returned to Norway in 1954, serving as a teacher, junior varsity basketball coach and driver’s education instructor. He later was Norway High School principal and athletic director for nine years, before leading the district as superintendent for 16 years until his retirement in 1986.

Soderlund served 21 years on the Upper Peninsula Athletic Committee and 12 years on the Michigan High School Athletic Council, which helped establish the state’s high school football playoff system. He was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Northern Michigan University Hall of Fame in 1993.

Beyond his work in education, Soderlund remained deeply involved in the community. He taught Sunday school, served on his church council. He was a member of the SET/SEG insurance board, Dickinson County Hospital Board, the First National Bank of Norway Board, Norway Senior Center Board and Hall-DeWinter American Legion Post. He was also the charter president of the Norway-Vulcan Kiwanis Club.

In 2001, he was recognized as the Leif Erickson Celebration’s Friend of Norway.

He and his wife, Lenore (Nyberg), were married for 63 years and raised three children. Together, they enjoyed a growing family that included 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

1979 Norway-Vulcan High School State Championship Football Team

The 1979 Norway-Vulcan High School football team earned its place in school history by capturing the Class D state championship with a 21-6 victory over Schoolcraft at the Pontiac Silverdome. The Knights finished the regular season with an 8-1 record, outscoring opponents 273-10. Their lone defeat came in a hard-fought 22-20 loss to Ishpeming.

Norway-Vulcan went on to post a perfect 3-0 record in the state playoffs, defeating Forest Park 33-14, Saginaw Lutheran 26-14 and Schoolcraft in the championship game. The Knights outscored their postseason opponents 80-34 and finished the season ranked No. 1 in Class D in the state of Michigan by the United Press International, or UPI.

The championship team was coached by Bob Giannunzio, with assistants Don Anderson, Ray Bray and Don Byczek.