2006 FERRIS STATE ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS ANNOUNCED

Bulldog Athletics Hall Of Fame To Induct Nine Former Athletes This Fall

Nine athletes spanning four decades and nine different sports are included in the Ferris State University Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2006, which will be inducted this fall. The announcement was made today (June 5) by the FSU Athletics Department.

Chosen as the Class of 2006 are: Mike Bohnet of Jerome, men's basketball (1959-62); Mark Casler of Westminster, Colo., men's swimming (1986-90); Tony Fleming of Detroit, men's track and cross country (1973-76); Doug Gillard of Morgan Hill, Calif., men's track (1980-83); Christie (Duthie) Gionfriddo of Sarasota, Fla., women's swimming (1990-94); Bill Love of Washington, Mich., football (1991-95); Doug Mooney of Stafford, Va., wrestling (1987-90); Amy (Summers) Pollack of Grand Rapids, women's golf (1988-92); and Jodi (Raab) Scovill of Fennville, women's basketball (1989-93).

In addition, former (1990-93) Bulldog football player Ed Philion of Lorraine, Quebec, who was inducted as a member of the 2005 class, will be honored after being unable to attend last year's banquet.

A 14-member Selection Committee of faculty, staff, alumni and community members chose the inductees from among 46 nominees.

The nine new inductees will join 66 honorees already enshrined during the seventh annual Induction Banquet on Oct. 27 at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Conference Center in Big Rapids. The Ballroom opens at 6 p.m. (EDT) with a reception in honor of this year's inductees. The dinner runs from 7-8 p.m. (EDT) and the induction program follows until approximately 10 p.m. (EDT).

"The Hall of Fame Selection Committee has done an exceptional job once again in selecting the most deserving nominees for induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame," said FSU Associate Athletics Director Brian Kegler. "It seems to get tougher each year as there are so many former athletes who accomplished so much during their time as a Bulldog.

"We are extremely happy to see so many different sports represented along with some for the first time. The Selection Committee should be commended for assembling a superb Class of 2006," he added.

The Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame, which inducted its Charter Class in 2000, was established to honor those student-athletes and coaches who have distinguished themselves in their sport or honorary members who made truly exceptional contributions to athletics.

Casler (men's swimming), Gionfriddo (women's swimming) and Pollack (women's golf) will represent the first former student-athletes to be inducted from each of their respective sports.

This year’s inductees will bring membership in the Hall to 75 by joining previous inductees Scott Appledorn, Sharon (Sanders) Bade, Jim Baker, Steve Banonis, Kurt Barrett, Norm Bennett, Corey Bouyer, Willie Bouyer, Art Carney, Paul Cochran, John Dawe, Kathy DeBoer, Dave DenBraber, John DePourcq, Dick Dolack, Charley Evans, Carmen Fanzone, Ed Farhat, Patty (Theis) Feldpausch, Jim File, Judd Folske, Monica Folske, Walt Franczek, Dave Gagnon, Ott Gingrich, Kurt Hammerschmidt, Lynn (Olson) Hayden, Ray Helsing, Ken Hicks, Russell Hildensperger, Grover Hinsdale, Andre Johnson, Dennis Johnson, Tanya Johnson, Sherri Jones, Paul Jungck, Frank Karas, Sam Ketchman, Bernie Kilpatrick, Terry Kirkpatrick, Babe Kleiman, Jim Knapp, Bob Leach, Dan Ley, Dr. Rhonda (Filius) Little, Paul Lowden, Peter Lowden, Jesse Mangham, Sharon (Wilbur) McCumber, Bill McElwain, Randy Merrifield, Jim Miller, Ed Philion, Walt Piggott, Jim Place, Patti Silye, John Sonntag, Dick Starkey, John Steinberg, Dave Surofchek, W.C. "Top" Taggart, Art Tetzlaff, Lloyd Tonkin, Jarvis Walker, Gary Waters and Jim Wink.

For ticket information, please contact the FSU Athletics Department at (231) 591-2860.