The Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce its two honorees for the 2024 Wall of Fame: Samuel Sanders Jr. and Albert Van Dyke.

Samuel Sanders Jr.

Sanders, a graduate of Liberty High School’s Class of 1979, has dedicated his life to uplifting his community through mentorship, athletics and service. As a standout multi-sport athlete, he was a four-year varsity basketball player, team captain and two-time recipient of the Ivan Richards MVP Award. His athletic talents led him to play at Mansfield College, earn all-star status in a semi-pro league, and receive a tryout with the New Jersey Nets. However, his greatest legacy extends beyond the basketball court.

Choosing service over a professional career in Australia, Sanders returned to Liberty to invest in the next generation. As the founder of Rising Stars Basketball, he has mentored and coached countless young athletes, organizing free clinics and tournaments to unite and inspire the community. His work as a coach at LHS, as well as with the Hudson Valley Hawks and Hudson Valley Rivermen, has shaped the lives of many aspiring athletes.

Sanders has also been a steadfast role model as a deacon at Friendship Baptist Church. His commitment to youth development extends to his career as a recreation director at Delaware Job Corps and St. Christopher’s Inc., where he creates enrichment programs for young people with diverse needs.

Sanders’ leadership has also been evident in organizing community events such as the “Pursuing Your Dreams” workshop and the “Fathers and Men’s Unity Event.

Through decades of selfless dedication, he  has left an enduring mark on Liberty, mentoring youth, strengthening community ties and serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration.

Albert Van Dyke

Albert Van Dyke was a trailblazer in special education, a devoted community leader, and a champion for students with special needs. A 1948 graduate of Liberty High School, Van Dyke dedicated his life to ensuring all children had access to quality education. He began as a social studies teacher at Liberty, but soon recognized the need for specialized programs to support students who struggled in traditional academic settings. He established the district’s first special education class, which later expanded into a countywide program under Sullivan County BOCES. The organization’s first director of special education, Van Dyke created and expanded programs at a time when special education was often overlooked.

Van Dyke was also an Eagle Scout, a member and Sunday School superintendent of the Liberty United Methodist Church, and a participant in civic organizations such as the Liberty Lions Club and the Sullivan County Mental Health Board. A historian and collector of local artifacts, he donated more than 2,000 cataloged postcards to the Sullivan County Museum.

Whether helping a Liberty graduate become a police officer by arranging for a civil service test to be read aloud or even rescuing two small children from a burning building, Van Dyke’s selflessness knew no bounds.

Van Dyke continued to serve his community after his 20-year career at BOCES by designing and implementing the county’s preschool special education program.

Van Dyke, who died on April 30, 2012, was a man of integrity, vision and boundless dedication to the Liberty community and has left an indelible mark on Sullivan County.

The Wall of Fame

The Wall of Fame was established in 2011 by the Board of Education to honor extraordinary alumni. Nominees are judged on exceptional accomplishments and significant contributions within their career, community or personal life. The two honorees will be inducted during the Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame ceremony in June. Planning for the invitation-only event is underway. Former inductees’ information can be found on the district’s Wall of Fame webpage.