2005 FERRIS STATE ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS ANNOUNCED

Bulldog Athletics Hall Of Fame To Induct Ten Athletes & One Coach

Ten athletes spanning six decades plus a veteran coach are included in the Ferris State University Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2005, which will be inducted this fall. The announcement was made today (June 10) by the FSU Athletics Department.

Chosen as the Class of 2005 are: John Dawe of Whitmore Lake, cross country and track (1973-76); Russell Hildensperger of Grand Blanc, football (1946-50); Tanya Johnson of Round Lake Beach, Ill., women's basketball (1974-78); Sherri Jones of Muskegon, track (1984-88); Jim Knapp of Mount Pleasant, football player/coach (1968-71); Dr. Rhonda (Filius) Little of Waterford, track and volleyball (1980-84); Jesse Mangham of Santa Barbara, Calif., basketball (1966-72); Randy Merrifield of Warren, hockey (1980-84); Ed Philion of Lorraine, Quebec, football (1990-93); John Sonntag of Big Rapids, football (1969-74); and coach Jim Miller of Big Rapids, wrestling (1981-94).

A 17-member Selection Committee of faculty, staff, alumni and community members chose the inductees from among 61 nominees. In addition, the committee also selected longtime volunteer and former university dean Tom Walsh to receive an Athletics Special Service Award.

The 11 inductees will join 55 honorees already enshrined during the sixth annual Induction Banquet on Sept. 23 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 committee continues to do a stellar job in selecting the most deserving candidates for the Bulldog Athletics Hall of Fame,” said FSU Assistant Athletics Director Brian Kegler. “It’s a difficult task the committee does not take lightly.”

“Ferris State has been blessed with numerous outstanding student-athletes throughout history whom are deserving of this high honor,” Kegler added. “I’m extremely pleased with the Class of 2005 as it represents a wide variety of inductees from both male and female varsity sports.”

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.

This year’s inductees will bring membership in the Hall to 66 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, 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, Grover Hinsdale, Andre Johnson, Dennis Johnson, Paul Jungck, Frank Karas, Sam Ketchman, Bernie Kilpatrick, Terry Kirkpatrick, Babe Kleiman, Bob Leach, Dan Ley, Paul Lowden, Peter Lowden, Sharon (Wilbur) McCumber, Bill McElwain, Walt Piggott, Jim Place, Patti Silye, 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.