The Last Word
AND NOW, A HALL OF FAME FOR SPARTAN ATHLETICS
For years, many of you have been asking me, 'When are we going to have a Hall of Fame to honor our truly outstanding athletes?' Some of you cited the one at Notre Dame, which you might have spotted enroute to the MSU Alumni Association's pre-game reception at the Athletic Convocation Center. Yes, I was impressed too. Some of you also noted that Indiana, Iowa, Michigan and Minnesota all boast Halls of Fame. Well, now I can answer you with an affirmative answer. Yes, we will have a Hall of Fame.
With an impetus from interim athletic director George Perles and approval by the Athletic Council and provost David Scott, the Michigan State University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame has been created.
One day, the achievements of Spartan standouts like Bubba Smith, Magic Johnson, Chuck Davey and Julie Farrell-Ovenhouse will be enshrined in a permanent display in the Jenison Field House lobby. Inductees will receive a miniature copy of the plaque at the induction ceremony. Ken Hoffman, sports information director, chairs the committee that hammered out a detailed set of articles detailing how the hall will operate. Hoffman worked closely with Clarence Underwood, associate athletic director, who initially chaired the committee. After many hours of brainstorming, the group has come up with a very thoughtful and well-designed set of rules and criteria. 'Our purpose,' explains Hoffman, 'is to honor those individuals who have made outstanding contributions in intercollegiate athletics-- whether they were athletes, coaches, administrators or support staff. We're looking primarily for their contributions to MSU athletics during their years on campus. Beyond that, we want those who have also enhanced the university's image after graduation and who exemplify high values in athletic competition.'
A charter class of up to 30 members will be inducted, representing both the Early Era and the Contemporary Era. 'The Contemporary Era covers the last 40 years from the year of induction,' explains Hoffman. 'Anything before that would be Early Era. We made the distinction to ensure that we don't overlook those who are deserving but might not be fresh in our memory.'
After the first class, Early Era selections are limited to two a year for the next 10 years, and to no more than one thereafter; Contemporary Era selections are limited to two a year for the next 10 years, and to no more than three thereafter. To ensure that no single sport dominates, no more than two athletes from one sport may be inducted in a single year. To be eligible, an athlete must have been retired from competition for 10 years, while a non-athlete must have served for at least five years. Don Coleman, Duffy Daugherty, Kirk Gibson and Bubba Smith would all be eligible right away. So would Molly Brennan Devlin, '82, but not fellow trackster Judi Brown King, '83, who must wait until 1993 to be eligible.
Two of last year's outstanding athletes, cager Steve Smith and diver Julie Farrell-Ovenhouse, would become eligible in 2001.
Because some sports--notably football and men's basketball-- receive more press than others, many Spartans in those sports are better known than achievers in other sports. But the committee wisely intends to cast as wide a net as possible. And they have plenty to choose from. Fred Stabley, Sr., sports information director emeritus, has compiled a four-page list that includes standouts in just about every sport. In ice hockey, for example, there are Olympians Wendel Olson and Doug Volmar, all-time scorer Tom Ross, and any of the Miller clan. Reiner Kemeling was a three-time All-American in soccer, as was Lynn Janson in men's golf. Women golfers Joyce Kazmierski, Bonnie Lauer, Sue Ertl and Barb Mucha all achieved professional success. Track and field boasts many contenders, both male and female. Many wrestlers boast NCAA titles. Gymnastics has many stars, both male and female. One gymnast, Carlton Ritz, boasts nine Big Ten titles and four NCAA titles. In fencing, Allan Kwartler was a three-time Olympian. Swimmer Clark Scholes boasts Olympic gold, while Gary Dilley boasts four NCAA and eight Big Ten titles. The examples go on and on.
The task of deciding who gets in must require Solomonic wisdom, and a special group of people has been given that assignment. A standing committe has been formed consisting of the occupants of the following positions: president of the Varsity Alumni 'S' Club, president of the Women's Varsity Alumni Club, director of the Ralph Young Fund, executive director of the MSU Alumni Association, sports information director, and director of athletics plus the director's designees. 'This last category,' explains Hoffman, 'consists of two or three individuals to be named by the athletic director to ensure the spirit of affirmative action.'
An ex-officio member of the committee is Fred Stabley, Sr., the current executive secretary of the Varsity Alumni 'S' Club.
A candidate must receive two-thirds of the committee's votes to be inducted. Induction activities will be scheduled for the Friday before the first home football game each fall. The charter class of up to 30 will be inducted on Sept. 11 at Kellogg Center, the day before the Central Michigan opener.
All of you--alumni and friends, fans, and readers of this magazine--are encouraged to participate by nominating people you deem deserving of Hall of Fame induction. You can request nomination forms from the MSU Dept. of Intercollegiate Athletics, 213 Jenison Field House, E. Lansing, MI 48824.
In particular, says Hoffman, the committee seeks to have a diversity of representation from all sports, rather than just the major revenue sports. So--for those of you who know the likes of Ernestine Russell, Fred Alderman, and Art Hills--sharpen your pencils and make sure you let us know your favorite candidate. Who, you might be wondering, is Art Hills? He is a former Spartan golfer who has done well. Indeed, he already boasts a permanent display on campus--the Forest Akers West golf course, which he has just renovated.
