Oct. 13, 2006
COLUMBIA, Mo. - Six former standout student-athletes have been selected for induction into the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. They will represent the 17th induction class since the inception of the Hall in 1990.
As called for in the Hall of Fame bylaws, former student-athletes are not eligible for consideration until five years after they complete their competitive career at Missouri. Coaches and staff members must have spent at least five years working at Mizzou, and also have a five-year waiting period. Here is a look at this year's inductees, with more extensive biographical information to follow:
Julie Effinger - Women's Swimming (1978-81) [Native of Belleville, Ill.]
A five-time All-American who won 10 Big Eight Conference championships and was slated to be on the USA Olympic team that eventually boycotted the 1980 Moscow Games;
Wes Roper - Wrestling (1979-82 / 1986-98) [Native of Kansas City, Mo.]
Was Mizzou's alltime winningest wrestler with 131 wins as an athlete, and later served as head coach, producing nine All-Americans and seven top-25 teams;
Craig Ruby - Men's Basketball (1918-20 / 1920-22) [Native of Kansas City, Mo.]
Won four conference championships in his five-year association with the program, winning two each as a player and coach. Was the first-ever two-time All-American in MU history;
Jerome Sally - Football (1979-81) [Native of Maywood, Ill.]
An All-Big Eight defensive tackle who was a key part of Tiger defenses that helped MU to 23 wins in three seasons and to three straight bowl appearances;
Nikki Thole - Soccer (1997-2000) [Native of St. Louis, Mo.]
The most decorated player in MU soccer history was a three-time 1st-Team All-Big 12 honoree and was a 2nd-Team All-American in 1999;
Morris Towns - Football (1974-76) [Native of St. Louis, Mo.]
Was a 1st-Team All-American as an offensive tackle in 1976 and went on to a solid nine-year playing career in the National Football League.
The induction dinner will be held Fri., Jan. 12th, at the Courtyard by Marriott. A reception will begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased by contacting Amy Stuck in the Tiger Development Office, at (573) 884-6475. The class will be further honored during halftime ceremonies at the next day's men's basketball game, Jan. 13th, against Kansas State.
Prior to that, four of the five living members will be taking part in MU's annual Homecoming festivities on the weekend of the Tiger football game against Kansas State on Oct. 21st, with the inductees riding on the Varsity M float as part of the Homecoming parade (Morris Towns is unable to attend).
The Hall's constitution and bylaws express its purpose - "...to recognize and honor those individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements and prestige of the University of Missouri in the field of athletics, and who have continued to demonstrate in their lives, the values imparted by intercollegiate athletics."
The current class will up the membership to 154 individuals and two national championship teams in the Hall of Fame. Inductees are honored in a display located in the main entrance at Mizzou Arena.
Nominations are accepted year-round by sending support material to: Chad Moller, Director of Athletic Media Relations, Mizzou Athletics, P.O. Box 677, Hearnes Center, Columbia, Mo. 65205.
