Joseph A. Craig High School’s Class of 1982, a class that came of age during the dawn of MTV and the era of bold fashions and classic video games, saw two of its own, Tammy McCaslin Fanning and Greg Hughes, inducted into the school’s Honor Wall.
The ceremony was held during an all-school assembly on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025.
Established in 2005, Craig’s Honor Wall recognizes alumni who have realized significant accomplishments in their field and given back to their communities.
Greg Hughes: From Craig to the Global Sports Stage
Greg Hughes, Executive Vice President of Communications for NBC Sports, was introduced by senior Brisa Torres Garnica before sharing his reflections on his career and deep Janesville roots.
The plaque honoring him notes his “remarkable, globe-trotting career” that has taken him to the world’s most iconic sporting events.
Hughes has earned national acclaim as a communications leader for more than 12 Olympic Games, several Super Bowls and the NFL, the NBA, the Kentucky Derby, Major League Baseball, Professional Golf, NASCAR races, Premier League soccer and many others. He spent the first 20 years of his career at Turner Broadcasting (TNT, TBS, etc), and has spent the last 14 with NBC Sports.
Despite his global success, Hughes has never forgotten his hometown. He is part owner of multiple bars and restaurants, which serve as popular gathering places for the community.
Those establishments include GameDay Sports Bar & Grill (established in 2007), Barkley’s Burgers, Brews and Dawgs (formerly Spirits, 2015), Bazinga Classic Pub & Grille (formerly Jumbo’s Pub, 2011, sold in 2025), and Genisa Wine Bar (formerly Legend’s, 2021). His newest establishment, Jack & Jenny’s (2025), shares a courtyard with Genisa.
Hughes’s Advice: Ignore the Noise and Get Up
In his acceptance speech, Hughes revealed his journey was not pre-planned.
“This wasn’t the plan,” he said, adding, “I had no plan.” He specifically thanked former teachers Bob Suter, Charles Harty, and Sam Loizzo for giving him the confidence to take challenging classes.
He shared several pieces of wisdom with the assembled student body, emphasizing the power of resilience and self-belief.
“Failure is a great teacher. I have failed multiple times. The key is to get up from a failure,” he said.
He advised students to “control your own outcome and believe in yourself.” Rather than paying attention to comments about who they should be, he urged students to “ignore the noise and chart your own path.”
He also stressed the importance of experience and relationships, urging the audience to “make yourself uncomfortable” and to remember that “relationships matter.”
Hughes, who spoke to the Janesville business academy the day before, concluded a key life lesson: “Happiness leads to success. Success doesn’t lead to happiness.”
Tammy McCaslin Fanning: Kindness as a cornerstone
Tammy McCaslin Fanning, introduced by senior Jersey Ganus, was honored for relying on a caring nature and a successful career in banking to give back to the Janesville community.
As Vice President of Executive Banking at Lake Ridge Bank, Fanning’s professional success is rooted in using her financial expertise to help others reach their goals. More significantly, her career in banking has also been a platform for extensive community service.
Her leadership and involvement with organizations like the Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, ECHO, and the Noon Rotary illustrate her commitment to helping those in need. This commitment is exemplified by her personal motto, “Here to give a hand, not a handout.”
Fanning’s Call to Action: Every Person Can Make a Difference
Fanning began her speech by summarizing her philosophy: “Work hard, dream big, give back.” Echoing the lessons taught by her teachers and parents, she spoke about supporting causes that make a difference.
Fanning shared a personal discovery with the audience that “fulfillment comes not from what we get but from what we give.”
She reiterated her commitment to providing a “hand up, not a hand out,” stating, “Kindness restores dignity and inspires hope.”
“Every small act of kindness creates a ripple effect that impacts far beyond what we see,” she said.
Addressing the current students, Fanning encouraged immediate action. “You are the future of this community, you have energy, creativity, and heart. You don’t have to wait to make a difference.”
She concluded her remarks with a call to service. She urged students to “volunteer, show up, get involved.”
She added, ”Mentor someone younger and lend a hand to someone in need.”
Fanning ultimately defined success by its lasting impact, proclaiming that “success is not measured by achievements or awards but by the impact you have on others.”
“I promise you that one person can make a difference,” she said.
The plaques honoring Mrs. McCaslin Fanning and Mr. Hughes are on display on the wall outside the auditorium, along with the plaques of 54 previous honorees.
This year’s ceremony was the first since the spring of 2023, and this year’s honorees became the 55th and 56th names added to the Honor Wall.
The committee is currently seeking nominations for the 2026-27 school year. The application form can be found by visiting the Craig High School website at and clicking on “About Us” at the top of the main page.
