Bonnie was the height and power that easily complemented the finesse and drive of co-inductee Pam DuMond on the basketball court. But when it came to the high jump, Bonnie was in a class all by herself.

In fact, Bonnie had already made a name for herself as a Varsity track athlete in 8th grade by tying the existing school record in the high jump! She would also compete in the triple jump, the 200 meter dash and was an "occasional" member of the 4x400 meter relay team.

When she returned to the track as a Freshman, Bonnie solidified her role as a major point-scorer for the Lady Warriors. The high jump mark was hers alone (5'3") that season, as she won the Sus League in that event. She added a second in the 200 meters, and third in the triple jump.

Meanwhile in those same two years, Bonnie played JV basketball. Fans of Sidney basketball could not wait for Bonnie and her talented teammates to reach the varsity level the next year.

They did not disappoint the fans. Sidney and Windsor battled for the division title and it came down to an epic overtime battle at home. Bonnie's fall away jumper clinched the win and the Sus West crown that night. She made 2nd team for both All-Sus and The Daily Star and was MVP of the Sidney Tip-off Tournament.

That spring, Bonnie joined other area players on an AAU team. An ankle injury prevented her from high jumping. Later that year she would make the Empire State Games Central Region basketball team.

Junior year for basketball meant first team Sus All-Star and All-Tournament selections in the Sidney Tip-off and A.B. Doyle Holiday Tournaments. A decent season for sure, but the best was yet to come.

That best came in many forms during Spring track. Bonnie's premier event was the high jump, as she placed 2nd in New York State. She also set the school record in the 200, triple jump, high jump and both sprint relays! After being named Outstanding Field Performer at the Johnstown Invitational and Outstanding Female Athlete of the Meet at the Cooperstown Invitational, Bonnie was named WCDO/SFCU Athlete of the Week.

Another ankle injury sidelined Bonnie for the first four games of what would be - to that point - Sidney's best girls basketball season ever. But once healthy, there was nothing to stop Bonnie and the Lady Warriors. They beat Delhi for the Sus Championship as well as the Section IV Class C Title.

She also elected to high jump during Winter Track, a decision she would not regret. One memorable weekend saw Bonnie capture 6th place in the high jump at the National Scholastic Indoor Track & Field Championships held at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse That was on a Sunday. Less than 24 hours earlier, Bonnie scored 26 points in Sidney's State Quarterfinal basketball win over Camden High School played at Utica College.

While Sidney lost in the semifinals to Cambridge the next weekend, Bonnie earned All-Tournament status at the Final Four as well as a 3rd team All-State mention for Class C girls.

In her final track season, Bonnie followed her indoor success with a high jump of 5'8". That height matched her indoor mark and Bonnie Shoemaker's name was firmly established with the Section IV record in both!

A nice story came out this past year as Sidney's Amanda Haney fulfilled a lifelong dream of tying Bonnie's record. Both young women can thank volunteer coach Spike Paranya for that accomplishment!

Bonnie's career ended with her joining basketball and track teammate Pam DuMond as the WCDO Female Athlete of the Year.

After her 1992 graduation from Sidney High School, Bonnie accepted a full athletic scholarship to Keene State in New Hampshire. She played one full season and led her team in scoring and rebounding. After reconstructive surgery on her thumb - an injury which originated shortly before Sidney's trip to the final four in '92 - she ended her college career.

She is now a proud mother of two energetic girls who love sports. Bonnie and Sidney graduate Jeremy Coates are married and live at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey. Bonnie is a Training and Curriculum Specialist, a civilian job within the military.

Welcome Bonnie to the Sidney Alumni Sports Hall of Fame!