CU Athletic Hall Of Fame To Induct Dozen In 2023 Class
July 06, 2023 | Cross Country, Football, General, Men's Basketball, Track and Field, Women's Basketball, Soccer, Skiing, Alumni C Club, Ralphie
18th Class To Be Inducted This November; Three Also Selected For Legacy Wing & Two For Athletic Hall of Honor
BOULDER — The 18th class to be inducted into the University of Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame this November will feature nine Golden Buffalo athletic legends representing seven different sports, including a popular administrator, along with three additions to the Hall's Legacy Wing and the first females into the Athletic Hall of Honor.
All have their special place in the school's history. The inductees, including three who will be honored posthumously, cover a period starting in the 1940s through the early 2010s, representing six different decades in all. The nine overall hail from football (three athletes including the administrator), with one each from men's basketball, women's basketball, cross country and track, skiing, soccer and track and field.
For the second straight year, four of the inductees are women, matching the most in all 18 classes. The athletic department celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX earlier this year.
The 2023 Hall of Fame class will be the 18th inducted into the Hall since it was conceived in 1998, and the 12 will join 142 individuals (the 1959 ski team as a unit and two legacy inductees) who have been enshrined to date (20 previously have been honored posthumously). Those to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame are (click on names for complete bios):
All have their special place in the school's history. The inductees, including three who will be honored posthumously, cover a period starting in the 1940s through the early 2010s, representing six different decades in all. The nine overall hail from football (three athletes including the administrator), with one each from men's basketball, women's basketball, cross country and track, skiing, soccer and track and field.
For the second straight year, four of the inductees are women, matching the most in all 18 classes. The athletic department celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX earlier this year.
The 2023 Hall of Fame class will be the 18th inducted into the Hall since it was conceived in 1998, and the 12 will join 142 individuals (the 1959 ski team as a unit and two legacy inductees) who have been enshrined to date (20 previously have been honored posthumously). Those to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame are (click on names for complete bios):
- Emma Coburn, Cross Country & Track (2009-13)
- Karol Damon, Track & Field (1989-92)
- Robert Doll, Basketball (1939-42)
- Andre Gurode, Football (1998-2001)
- Bill Harris, Football/Administration (1961-63; 2001-10)
- Clark Matis, Skiing (1967-69)
- Laura Munnelly, Soccer (2003-06)
- Nate Solder, Football (2007-10)
- Brittany Spears, Basketball (2007-11)
They will be joined by Athletic Hall of Honor selections Heidi Burgett and Kate Fagan along with the inductees into the year-old "Legacy Wing," CU Boulder chancellor Dr. Philip DiStefano and the late John Parker and his wife, Shaaron. They join CU's famous twins, Peggy Coppom and Betty Hoover in Legacy enshrinement (bios for those five at end of this story).
Athletic director Rick George personally notified the living members of every class of their impending induction, as well as the next of kin for those who have passed, including the veteran committee's selection. This year's choice was basketball player Robert Doll, CU's second-ever All-American in the sport and the most valuable player in the 1940 NIT that CU won.
All inductees were nominated by their peers or by members of the selection committee; several of the 25 semifinalists emerged from new names submitted over the last three years. There will now be 154 members (plus the '59 ski team, CU's first national champions in any sport) in the CU Athletic Hall of Fame since its inception in 1998, including five in the Legacy Wing and now 73 in the Hall of Honor.
The group – Hall of Fame, Hall of Honor and Legacy Wing – will officially be inducted during Hall of Fame Weekend over the course of Nov. 9-11 (final details pending); they will also be featured in the Pearl Street Stampede parade on Friday night and will be introduced at halftime of the CU-Arizona football game on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Emma Coburn, a six-time All-American at CU, made history as the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic medal in the steeplechase, winning the bronze in the 2016 Summer games in Rio de Janeiro. One of 10 Buffaloes across all sports to have won three or more national titles, she was a three-time NCAA champion, winning titles in 2013 in the mile run (indoors) and the 2011 and 2013 steeplechase (outdoors). She was also a four-time conference champion (three steeplechases, one indoor 3,000-meter run), which helped her being named a three-time co-recipient of CU's Female Athlete of the Year honor (2009-10, 2010-11, 2012-13) and also the co-recipient of CU's Female Career Athletic Achievement Award as a senior. She has gone on to have a most successful professional career since her days at CU.
"I have been a Buffs fan my entire life, so to be inducted into the Hall of Fame makes me feel so honored and proud," Coburn said. "My years as a student-athlete at Colorado were incredibly special. I want to say thank you to my college coaches, Coach (Mark) Wetmore and Coach (Heather) Burroughs, and to my teammates, for making those years such a highlight in my life. Also, thank you to my parents, Annie and Bill, for not only establishing my love of all things CU, but for supporting my athletic career from the early days.
"The biggest thank you is to my husband, Joe Bosshard," she continued. "My high school sweetheart, my college teammate, and my current coach, Joe has helped me reach goals I never thought possible. And thank you to everyone in the athletic department and to Rick George and for all their support!"
Karol Damon was a four-time All-American at Colorado in the high jump (twice indoors, twice outdoors), earning four letters from 1989 through 1992. She still holds CU records for the high jump: indoors (6 feet, 2 inches) that she set at the 1991 NCAA Championships (good for a third place finish) and outdoors (6-3, at the University of New Mexico Invitational in Albuquerque). The 1990 Big Eight Conference outdoor champion (second indoors) and third place finisher in the '90 NCAA Outdoor Championships, she earned the No. 9 amateur ranking in the United States as a collegian. Overall, she had seven top three finishes in the Big 8 indoor and outdoor meets (and one fourth).
A member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team that competed in Sydney, Australia, she did not advance to the finals but cleared 1.89 meters (6 feet, 2¼ inches) in the preliminaries (the top effort by an American) as she was the top ranked female high jumper in the United States that year (Track & Field News). Married to Kansas State head track coach Cliff Rovelto, she recently completed her 20th year on the K-State track and field staff as its director of operations and currently is also one of their assistant coaches.
"Shocked doesn't begin to describe how I felt when I got the phone call telling me I was being inducted," Damon said. "I am humbled to be honored alongside those athletes that have already been inducted and those that are being inducted in this current class. Being an athlete at the University of Colorado set the path that I am on today and I wouldn't change that for anything."
As a sophomore, Robert Doll led CU to the 1940 title in the National Invitation Tournament in New York City, where he was selected as the Most Outstanding Player in leading the Buffaloes to wins over DePaul and Duquesne; he was the tournament's leading scorer with 31 points. CU was the champion of the Mountain States Conference two of his three seasons, with a 43-12 record (29-7 in league play and 21-1 at home). The 6-foot-5 Doll became known for his aggressive defense as he was named a unanimous first-team All-Mountain State Conference player as a senior, when he was also CU's second All-American in the sport, joining one-time teammate Jack Harvey.
After serving in the military during World War II, he returned to the states and became CU's first alum to play professional basketball, for the St. Louis Bombers and Boston Celtics of the Basketball Association of America (later rebranded as the NBA), with a brief stop in-between for the original Denver Nuggets. He was just 40 when he passed away on September 18, 1959.
"On behalf of Bob Doll and his family, we would like to the thank the University of Colorado Hall of Fame and its selection members for recognizing his extraordinary athletic contributions and honoring his memory in such a meaningful way," Doll's grandson, Larry Puttman said.
"Bob's grandparents were Boulder pioneer families," said his niece, Kathy Koehler. "One grandfather fought in the Civil War and the other arrived in Boulder in 1870. At the time of his death, Bob was survived by his wife Dorothy, a son Stacy, his mother, two sisters, two brothers, seven nieces and four nephews.
"This is an honor for my mother's side of our family," she added. "He was my tall Uncle Bob! He was a wonderful man and it was always fun to have him around or go on a road trip with him."
Some eight decades since he last wore a CU uniform, Doll still has a connection to the university. His great grandson, James Puttmann, is a senior at CU pursuing a double major in Finance and Real Estate in CU's Leeds School of Business.
Andre Gurode will be the fifth member of CU's 2001 Big 12 champion team to be inducted into the Hall, joining its head coach Gary Barnett, assistant Brian Cabral, tailback Chris Brown and tight end Daniel Graham. As a senior in 2001, he earned consensus first-team All-America honors when he was on the watch lists for both the Outland and Lombardi awards. He was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection and one of the reasons Colorado averaged over 200 yards both rushing and passing for a full season for only the third time in school history. A two-time first-team All-Big 12 performer as a junior and senior, he earned won the John Mack Award, as selected by the coaches for being CU's most outstanding offensive player his junior year. He was a second round choice by Dallas in the 2002 National Football League Draft (37th player overall), he would play in 161 NFL games (131 starts) with four teams, mostly with the Cowboys (2002-10).
An All-Pro performer at center with Dallas in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, in 2020, he was selected to the Cowboys' Top 60 Roster of all-time players in the franchise's 60-year history.
"It's like a level of appreciation from a place where you played and made sure that you adhered to the established standards on and off the field," Gurode said. "It feels like a great appreciation and a thank you for what you represented to the university. And I need to thank the university for the opportunity to play and for the education I received, and I am very grateful. It also tells me somebody somewhere new what they were doing, to be a part of something special for the Buffaloes and also to be part of the top 60 Cowboys – it all started in Boulder."
The late Bill Harris was a star running back in the early 1960s, earning three letters under three different coaches (Sonny Grandelius, Bud Davis, Eddie Crowder) from 1961-63. As a player, he earned the nickname "Buffalo Bill" and led the team in rushing as a junior in 1962. He was an honorable mention All-Big Eight performer as a sophomore and junior and a second-team selection as a senior, with his positive nature helping the team through a tough time after NCAA violations nearly decimated the program after CU's 1961 Big Eight champion season. As one of the student-athletes not implicated in any wrong doing, he could have transferred practically anywhere, but his love for CU flourished through the years and only grew stronger.
After settling in New Jersey after his playing days in the Canadian Football League, he relocated to Boulder in 2000 to work in CU's Alumni Association office, specifically to strengthen the Black Alumni Association on campus. He soon took over duties as the Alumni C Club director in May 2001 and would serve in the latter for over nine years, the longest tenure of anyone in the position since it was created in 1996, and becoming one of the most popular administrators in CU's athletic history. He passed away in Marina Del Rey, Calif., on April 5, 2022 at the age of 79.
George notified Bill Harris' widow, Sue, of his selection; by pure coincidence, it was the one-year anniversary to the day of the on-campus memorial for her late husband.
"When Rick George called to tell me that Bill had been selected for the Hall of Fame, I was rendered speechless," his widow Sue said. "Bill is on my mind all day, every day, but this day was special. I shared with Rick that it happened to also be the one-year anniversary of the wonderful Celebration of Life for Bill at the Dal Ward Center. What a coincidence and what spectacular news and timing. He would be so very honored and humbled, and I am too. Bill's journey continues, now to the Hall of Fame. Number 33, wow!"
Clark Matis was the first Buffalo in any sport to defend an individual NCAA title, when he captured both crowns in cross country in 1968 as a junior and again as a senior in 1969 (he was second as a sophomore); he was the third CU skier to win two NCAA titles overall at the time. A two-time, first-team All-American, he destroyed the collegiate competition over his junior and senior years, winning one 30-kilometer race by an incredible 4½ minutes. The recipient of CU's Dick Schoenberger Memorial Award as the team's most outstanding skier as a senior in 1969, he won the last eight races of his CU career and placed in the top five in all 13 of his college events. He was a two-time Olympic ski team member, in Grenoble, France (1968) and Sapporo, Japan (1972).
Matis also served as an assistant coach for the Buffaloes in 1972, when CU won the first of eight straight NCAA men's titles, the first seven under Bill Marolt, his college coach. A Durango native, he had previous ties to CU as his mother (Virginia) became the first female member of CU's club ski team in 1939.
"When I was deciding on where to go to college, I wanted to go to the best of the best skiing program and engineering school, and that was the University of Colorado," Matis said. "To live, study and train in beautiful Boulder!
"What an honor it is to be selected to be part of an incredibly talented group, the University of Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame members," he continued. "A true honor joining athletes of all CU sports, but especially in skiing with iconic members such as Bob Beattie, Jimmy Heuga, Bill Marolt, Frank Brown, Stephan Hienzsch, Vidar Nilsgard and Buddy Werner."
Laura Munnelly was a defensive specialist, a position that doesn't chalk up a lot of statistics; she had just one goal and seven assists over her four year career from 2003-06. But she made a significant impact in the program during her time as one of the top defenders in the Big 12 Conference, earning All-Conference four times (first-team as sophomore, second-team the other three seasons). She was also named to the Big 12's All-Newcomer Team, and was the NSCAA Central Region Freshman of the Year among her other accolades. She led the team in minutes played all four seasons and started all 91 games, as CU was 56-24-11 overall during her career (25-11-4 in conference play), and was the regular season Big 12 champion her freshman year. She helped CU to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament, to its first-ever win and its first advancement into the Sweet 16.
Munnelly joins her older sister Fran (2016 inductee) as the third-set of siblings in the Hall, joining Dick and Bobby Anderson and Stan and Pete Brock.
"I followed Fran to CU 20 year ago, and now following her into the Hall of Fame, which is pretty cool," Munnelly said. "I am super-honored and am really thankful, I just wish my Dad was here, he would have been super proud (he passed away last Sept. 18).
"I looked up the date when we beat Nebraska to win the Big 12 championship – it was on Halloween in 2003, so this will be that 20th anniversary. I think that win solidified CU as a soccer program. I'm very honored, especially as a defender, you don't get to set many records, but I'm proud that I played all but 20 minutes over my entire career. (Coach) Bill Hempen gave me a chance, and I didn't look back. I had the opportunity to be irreplaceable, and that's what I tried to be my whole career – to be that one you couldn't afford to take out."
Nate Solder earned four letters (2007-10) under head coach Dan Hawkins, first starting out as a tight end before shifting to offensive tackle the spring prior to his sophomore year. That move paid off, as he became the first offensive tackle at Colorado to earn All-America honors since 1979 (Stan Brock), and the first Buff to garner consensus honors at the position. As CU's left tackle, he started the final 36 games of his career and as a senior, was one CU's four co-captains, as selected by his teammates; they also selected him as the recipient of the Zack Jordan Award as the team's most valuable player, rare for an offensive lineman. Also as a senior in addition to his All-America honors, he was one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 Conference performer, with the league coaches selecting him as the league's Offensive Lineman of the Year. One of 16 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes for 2010 and was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (considered the "Academic" Heisman). He earned first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors all four years as a player.
He was drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots (17th pick overall), he started as a rookie and would win four AFC championships and two Super Bowl rings (2014, 2016) with the club in seven seasons. He finished his career with the New York Giants, and overall, he started in 143 of 146 regular season games and all 15 postseason one as a pro before retiring after the 2021 season.
"I don't know if I deserve it, I wish I could have had a bigger impact to win more games, somehow contribute in more ways to allow our teams to have more success," Solder said. "As one player, you can only do so much. My first year as a tight end, I really didn't know what I was doing. (Assistant) Coach (Jeff) Grimes had a big influence on me moving to tackle, the coaches pushed me hard and wound up building myself into something.
"Looking back, it was all so unbelievable, coming out of Buena Vista when I was first thinking about playing basketball, or not playing sports at all and concentrating on academics," he recalled. "My brother was at Stanford, and there were other schools I was thinking about to play basketball, Dartmouth for one. But CU was a great option for me, and my first priority was to major in biology. On my campus tour, they emphasized the importance of academics, and they were able to accommodate me with the classes I needed and still be able participate in everything with the team.
"Playing at CU, a prestigious university in my mind, then getting to start as a member of a Big 12 team, earning All-America and (National Football Foundation) Scholar-Athlete honors was beyond a dream come true. I busted my tail in academics and was always studying as hard as I could. I really enjoyed biology – what I miss about college to this day is going around campus and attending lectures."
Brittany Spears was four-year letterwinner (2007-11), earning some level of All-Big 12 Conference mention all four seasons, including making the All-Rookie team as a freshman and first-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. She is Colorado's all-time leading scorer with 2,185 points, in addition to being prominent in nearly every team career statistical category. She scored 20 or more points in 47 career games, including four 30-point games (a high of 36 on two occasions, including in her career finale, a quarterfinal loss to Southern California in the WNIT quarterfinals. Spears led the team in scoring and rebounding both as a junior and senior and started all 127 games of her career, a school record; her name is still on 18 CU career top 10 lists.
She was CU's 2011 Female Career Athletic Achievement Award winner and was selected by the Phoenix Mercury with the 19th overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft, but would play seven seasons overseas.
"When I got the call, I was pretty shocked, usually most seem to be older when they are selected," Spears said. "It's funny, I was speaking to Donovan Blythe (former teammate's father) just the other day about how everything had changed in college basketball, and with the new rules I could have made a lot of money. And then I got the call from the AD like two days later. It means a lot to me, my name will always be there in history with so many CU greats, and that means everything. Coming to Colorado as a freshman, not really knowing what I was going to get myself into, and now I'm in the Hall of Fame."
Heidi Burgett (Soccer '99) and Kate Fagan (Basketball '04) will join 71 previously recognized in CU's Athletic Hall of Honor – the first two women to receive the prestigious honor. The Hall of Honor was created in 1967 but discontinued after 1989 until it was revived last year. The distinction is presented to a person or persons who, while attending the University of Colorado, was awarded a Varsity "C" and attained distinguished achievement in his or her chosen professional field.
Burgett was an original member of CU's inaugural soccer team, and went on to letter four times as a goalie (1996-99) and was a two-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 team member. Since college, she has distinguished herself in her chosen field of global communications: Over the past 15 years, she has been an integral member of the Nike team, working her way up to her current position as senior director of global communications. She is credited with being a driving force behind the company's brand communication strategy, helping to elevate Nike's message and image on a global scale; her dedication and hard work have helped Nike to become one of the most recognized and respected brands in the world.
"I am so deeply proud to be a Buff and beyond grateful for every CU experience," Burgett said. "This honor means so much to me because CU means so much to me. It's not just college, it's community and connection for life, shoulder to shoulder. It's not every day you get a phone call you'll remember for the rest of your life, but getting this news from Rick George will be forever etched in my memory!"
Fagan lettered four times under Ceal Barry and turned into one of the premier three-point specialists and deadliest free throw shooters in the country. She would become a top journalist in both print and then for ESPN in addition to authoring four books. After playing two seasons with the Colorado Chill of the National Women's Basketball League, she began her professional career as a sports editor for the Ellensburg (Wash.) Daily Record; two stops later, she moved on to the Philadelphia Inquirer where she covered the NBA's 76ers for three seasons (2008-11) before moving on to ESPN. She spent seven years as a columnist and feature writer for espnW, ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine, and was also a regular panelist on ESPN's 'Around the Horn' and host of 'Outside the Lines.' She currently co-hosts the national podcast, Off The Looking Glass.
Dr. Phil DiStefano is nearing 50 years in Boulder, and he has been heavily involved supporting and working with athletics for much of his time. Appointed chancellor in May 2009, he is now in his 15th year in the position, the longest tenure of chancellor in the school's 146-year history. He joined the university in 1974 as an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the School of Education. He served five years as CU's faculty athletic representative to the Big 12 Conference (2000-05), served a two-plus year term as the chairman of the Pac-12 Conference's CEO group spent five years on the NCAA Board of Governors representing the Pac 12.
"Being named to the Hall of Fame Legacy Wing is a wonderful honor," Dr. DiStefano said. "CU athletics has been a part of my life for almost 50 years. As chancellor of this great university for the past 14 years, I have said many times that intercollegiate athletics plays such an important role in the reputation of the university. It is humbling to be recognized for this honor with so many outstanding individuals."
"Coming to the University of Colorado in 1974 from Ohio State University, I understood the importance and impact of intercollegiate athletics on a university," he reflected. "When I was asked by Dick Tharp to be the Faculty Athletic Representative when I was Provost, I accepted because I thought it would strengthen the relationship between the faculty and athletics. Later as Chancellor, I worked with the AD to have the Director of the Herbst Academic Program in athletics report to the Provost.
"I am very proud of our student athletes and their achievements in their sports and in the classroom and also proud of our coaches and staff who mentor them."
Johnnie and Shaaron Parker took over the Ralphie program in 1985, many crediting the couple with saving and even rejuvenating it, and spent over 15 years training, caretaking and housing who many believe is America's favorite live mascot. They inherited Ralphie II late in her career, and then helped the university secure its next two mascots – Ralphies III and IV – before leaving the program in excellent shape. They trained easily over 100 students through the years to be Ralphie Handlers, including the first females. Already donors of multiple scholarships, they absorbed all costs of the program, and coordinated her appearances on the road when the Buffaloes earned a bowl bid. John passed away on Dec. 11, 2021 at the age of 83.
"When we started, Bill Marolt asked Johnnie if he was willing to take over the program, at least for a couple of weeks until CU could sort things out, and we wound up doing it for over 15 years," Shaaron said. "Johnnie wasn't much for accolades, but I'll accept the honor for him because it means a lot to me for him. He spent a lot of time and effort and loved every minute of it. It didn't cost the university one single dime, it was gratis on Johnnie's part, particularly in the beginning. We both especially loved working with the kids (Ralphie's handlers), and at his celebration of his life, a lot of runners attended and many others sent in notes of condolences."
The Legacy Wing inductee bios:
Phil DiStefano, CU Boulder Chancellor
Dr. Philip P. DiStefano has had a long association with the CU athletic department that dates back to the 1970s, one of the longest affiliations by a faculty or staff member in the school's history … An ardent supporter of all 17 of the school's varsity programs, he attends many events when his schedule permits … He is in his 15th year as the chancellor at the University of Colorado Boulder, the longest tenure of anyone in the position in the school's 146-year history … Prior to his appointment on May 5, 2009, Dr. DiStefano was the top academic officer at CU Boulder for eight years as the provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. He also served as interim chancellor twice during pivotal times in the university's history … DiStefano completed a two-plus year term in June 2020 as the chairman of the Pac-12 Conference's CEO group and also served (August 2016-August 2021) on the Board of Governors of the NCAA representing the Pac 12 (within that role he was a member of the NCAA's revenue distribution working group) … He served five years as the University of Colorado's faculty representative to the Big 12 Conference, as he assumed the role on June 1, 2000, and held it until the spring of 2005 … In June 2016, was accompanied by athletic director Rick George to Italy to promote the university and the success of its international students … DiStefano co-chaired the steering committee for CU Boulder's visionary strategic plan, Flagship 2030, conceived with campus, community and statewide input, to guide the university for decades to come. Today, he is shepherding its implementation as Flagship 2030 has moved from vision to reality … DiStefano earned a bachelor of science degree from Ohio State University in 1968 and a master of arts degree in English Education from West Virginia University in 1971 … He arrived at the CU in 1974 as an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at the School of Education … His academic career flourished as he assumed a series of academic and administrative positions, including professor, associate dean, dean and vice chancellor. He was appointed provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs in 2001 … DiStefano was born in Steubenville, Ohio, and graduated from its Catholic Central High School … He has been very active throughout his career in the Boulder community, currently serving on the Boulder Community Health Board of Directors and previously on the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club … He received an "Honorary C" letter from athletics in 2010 … In 2015, he served as the official starter for the 37th annual Bolder Boulder, the city's 10-kilometer race that is the fourth largest in the nation.
The Hall of Honor inductee bios:
Kate Fagan is an Emmy-award winning journalist and the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of What Made Maddy Run, which was a semifinalist for the PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sportswriting … She lettered four times under Hall of Fame Coach Ceal Barry for the Buffaloes (2000-01 through 2003-04 seasons) after she played only five games in her true freshman season (1999-2000) before being sidelined with a foot injury … Averaged 10.9 points as junior and 12.8 as a senior, second to Tera Bjorklund both seasons … Scored 970 career points overall … Rebounded from a foot injury as a freshman to become one of the Buffs best perimeter shooters … She set a Big 12 Conference record by making 44 consecutive free throws during the 2002-03 season, when she was 62-of-65 from the line (95.4 percent) … A three-time, first-team Academic Big 12 selection, she graduated from CU with a B.S. degree in Communication … Her first book was the coming-of-age memoir The Reappearing Act, her third book, All The Colors Came Out, was released in 2021 and her fourth, Hoop Muses, in 2002 … She currently works for Meadowlark Media and co-hosts the podcast Off The Looking Glass … Played two seasons with the Colorado Chill of the National Women's Basketball League before retiring from the sport and turning to journalism … She began her professional career as a sports editor for the Ellensburg (Wash.) Daily Record; the following year she moved to the Glens Falls (N.Y.) Post-Star as a sportswriter … Catching the eye of major newspapers, she landed at the Philadelphia Inquirer where she covered the NBA's 76ers for three seasons (2008-11) before moving on to ESPN … She spent seven years as a columnist and feature writer for espnW, ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine, and was also a regular panelist on ESPN's Around the Horn and host of Outside the Lines … Born November 15, 1981 in Warwick, R.I., and graduated from Niskayuna (N.Y.) High School where she was the school's all-time leading scorer in basketball … Her website is http://www.bykatefagan.com.
Athletic director Rick George personally notified the living members of every class of their impending induction, as well as the next of kin for those who have passed, including the veteran committee's selection. This year's choice was basketball player Robert Doll, CU's second-ever All-American in the sport and the most valuable player in the 1940 NIT that CU won.
All inductees were nominated by their peers or by members of the selection committee; several of the 25 semifinalists emerged from new names submitted over the last three years. There will now be 154 members (plus the '59 ski team, CU's first national champions in any sport) in the CU Athletic Hall of Fame since its inception in 1998, including five in the Legacy Wing and now 73 in the Hall of Honor.
The group – Hall of Fame, Hall of Honor and Legacy Wing – will officially be inducted during Hall of Fame Weekend over the course of Nov. 9-11 (final details pending); they will also be featured in the Pearl Street Stampede parade on Friday night and will be introduced at halftime of the CU-Arizona football game on Saturday, Nov. 11.
Emma Coburn, a six-time All-American at CU, made history as the first U.S. woman to win an Olympic medal in the steeplechase, winning the bronze in the 2016 Summer games in Rio de Janeiro. One of 10 Buffaloes across all sports to have won three or more national titles, she was a three-time NCAA champion, winning titles in 2013 in the mile run (indoors) and the 2011 and 2013 steeplechase (outdoors). She was also a four-time conference champion (three steeplechases, one indoor 3,000-meter run), which helped her being named a three-time co-recipient of CU's Female Athlete of the Year honor (2009-10, 2010-11, 2012-13) and also the co-recipient of CU's Female Career Athletic Achievement Award as a senior. She has gone on to have a most successful professional career since her days at CU.
"I have been a Buffs fan my entire life, so to be inducted into the Hall of Fame makes me feel so honored and proud," Coburn said. "My years as a student-athlete at Colorado were incredibly special. I want to say thank you to my college coaches, Coach (Mark) Wetmore and Coach (Heather) Burroughs, and to my teammates, for making those years such a highlight in my life. Also, thank you to my parents, Annie and Bill, for not only establishing my love of all things CU, but for supporting my athletic career from the early days.
"The biggest thank you is to my husband, Joe Bosshard," she continued. "My high school sweetheart, my college teammate, and my current coach, Joe has helped me reach goals I never thought possible. And thank you to everyone in the athletic department and to Rick George and for all their support!"
Karol Damon was a four-time All-American at Colorado in the high jump (twice indoors, twice outdoors), earning four letters from 1989 through 1992. She still holds CU records for the high jump: indoors (6 feet, 2 inches) that she set at the 1991 NCAA Championships (good for a third place finish) and outdoors (6-3, at the University of New Mexico Invitational in Albuquerque). The 1990 Big Eight Conference outdoor champion (second indoors) and third place finisher in the '90 NCAA Outdoor Championships, she earned the No. 9 amateur ranking in the United States as a collegian. Overall, she had seven top three finishes in the Big 8 indoor and outdoor meets (and one fourth).
A member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team that competed in Sydney, Australia, she did not advance to the finals but cleared 1.89 meters (6 feet, 2¼ inches) in the preliminaries (the top effort by an American) as she was the top ranked female high jumper in the United States that year (Track & Field News). Married to Kansas State head track coach Cliff Rovelto, she recently completed her 20th year on the K-State track and field staff as its director of operations and currently is also one of their assistant coaches.
"Shocked doesn't begin to describe how I felt when I got the phone call telling me I was being inducted," Damon said. "I am humbled to be honored alongside those athletes that have already been inducted and those that are being inducted in this current class. Being an athlete at the University of Colorado set the path that I am on today and I wouldn't change that for anything."
As a sophomore, Robert Doll led CU to the 1940 title in the National Invitation Tournament in New York City, where he was selected as the Most Outstanding Player in leading the Buffaloes to wins over DePaul and Duquesne; he was the tournament's leading scorer with 31 points. CU was the champion of the Mountain States Conference two of his three seasons, with a 43-12 record (29-7 in league play and 21-1 at home). The 6-foot-5 Doll became known for his aggressive defense as he was named a unanimous first-team All-Mountain State Conference player as a senior, when he was also CU's second All-American in the sport, joining one-time teammate Jack Harvey.
After serving in the military during World War II, he returned to the states and became CU's first alum to play professional basketball, for the St. Louis Bombers and Boston Celtics of the Basketball Association of America (later rebranded as the NBA), with a brief stop in-between for the original Denver Nuggets. He was just 40 when he passed away on September 18, 1959.
"On behalf of Bob Doll and his family, we would like to the thank the University of Colorado Hall of Fame and its selection members for recognizing his extraordinary athletic contributions and honoring his memory in such a meaningful way," Doll's grandson, Larry Puttman said.
"Bob's grandparents were Boulder pioneer families," said his niece, Kathy Koehler. "One grandfather fought in the Civil War and the other arrived in Boulder in 1870. At the time of his death, Bob was survived by his wife Dorothy, a son Stacy, his mother, two sisters, two brothers, seven nieces and four nephews.
"This is an honor for my mother's side of our family," she added. "He was my tall Uncle Bob! He was a wonderful man and it was always fun to have him around or go on a road trip with him."
Some eight decades since he last wore a CU uniform, Doll still has a connection to the university. His great grandson, James Puttmann, is a senior at CU pursuing a double major in Finance and Real Estate in CU's Leeds School of Business.
Andre Gurode will be the fifth member of CU's 2001 Big 12 champion team to be inducted into the Hall, joining its head coach Gary Barnett, assistant Brian Cabral, tailback Chris Brown and tight end Daniel Graham. As a senior in 2001, he earned consensus first-team All-America honors when he was on the watch lists for both the Outland and Lombardi awards. He was a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection and one of the reasons Colorado averaged over 200 yards both rushing and passing for a full season for only the third time in school history. A two-time first-team All-Big 12 performer as a junior and senior, he earned won the John Mack Award, as selected by the coaches for being CU's most outstanding offensive player his junior year. He was a second round choice by Dallas in the 2002 National Football League Draft (37th player overall), he would play in 161 NFL games (131 starts) with four teams, mostly with the Cowboys (2002-10).
An All-Pro performer at center with Dallas in 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, in 2020, he was selected to the Cowboys' Top 60 Roster of all-time players in the franchise's 60-year history.
"It's like a level of appreciation from a place where you played and made sure that you adhered to the established standards on and off the field," Gurode said. "It feels like a great appreciation and a thank you for what you represented to the university. And I need to thank the university for the opportunity to play and for the education I received, and I am very grateful. It also tells me somebody somewhere new what they were doing, to be a part of something special for the Buffaloes and also to be part of the top 60 Cowboys – it all started in Boulder."
The late Bill Harris was a star running back in the early 1960s, earning three letters under three different coaches (Sonny Grandelius, Bud Davis, Eddie Crowder) from 1961-63. As a player, he earned the nickname "Buffalo Bill" and led the team in rushing as a junior in 1962. He was an honorable mention All-Big Eight performer as a sophomore and junior and a second-team selection as a senior, with his positive nature helping the team through a tough time after NCAA violations nearly decimated the program after CU's 1961 Big Eight champion season. As one of the student-athletes not implicated in any wrong doing, he could have transferred practically anywhere, but his love for CU flourished through the years and only grew stronger.
After settling in New Jersey after his playing days in the Canadian Football League, he relocated to Boulder in 2000 to work in CU's Alumni Association office, specifically to strengthen the Black Alumni Association on campus. He soon took over duties as the Alumni C Club director in May 2001 and would serve in the latter for over nine years, the longest tenure of anyone in the position since it was created in 1996, and becoming one of the most popular administrators in CU's athletic history. He passed away in Marina Del Rey, Calif., on April 5, 2022 at the age of 79.
George notified Bill Harris' widow, Sue, of his selection; by pure coincidence, it was the one-year anniversary to the day of the on-campus memorial for her late husband.
"When Rick George called to tell me that Bill had been selected for the Hall of Fame, I was rendered speechless," his widow Sue said. "Bill is on my mind all day, every day, but this day was special. I shared with Rick that it happened to also be the one-year anniversary of the wonderful Celebration of Life for Bill at the Dal Ward Center. What a coincidence and what spectacular news and timing. He would be so very honored and humbled, and I am too. Bill's journey continues, now to the Hall of Fame. Number 33, wow!"
Clark Matis was the first Buffalo in any sport to defend an individual NCAA title, when he captured both crowns in cross country in 1968 as a junior and again as a senior in 1969 (he was second as a sophomore); he was the third CU skier to win two NCAA titles overall at the time. A two-time, first-team All-American, he destroyed the collegiate competition over his junior and senior years, winning one 30-kilometer race by an incredible 4½ minutes. The recipient of CU's Dick Schoenberger Memorial Award as the team's most outstanding skier as a senior in 1969, he won the last eight races of his CU career and placed in the top five in all 13 of his college events. He was a two-time Olympic ski team member, in Grenoble, France (1968) and Sapporo, Japan (1972).
Matis also served as an assistant coach for the Buffaloes in 1972, when CU won the first of eight straight NCAA men's titles, the first seven under Bill Marolt, his college coach. A Durango native, he had previous ties to CU as his mother (Virginia) became the first female member of CU's club ski team in 1939.
"When I was deciding on where to go to college, I wanted to go to the best of the best skiing program and engineering school, and that was the University of Colorado," Matis said. "To live, study and train in beautiful Boulder!
"What an honor it is to be selected to be part of an incredibly talented group, the University of Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame members," he continued. "A true honor joining athletes of all CU sports, but especially in skiing with iconic members such as Bob Beattie, Jimmy Heuga, Bill Marolt, Frank Brown, Stephan Hienzsch, Vidar Nilsgard and Buddy Werner."
Laura Munnelly was a defensive specialist, a position that doesn't chalk up a lot of statistics; she had just one goal and seven assists over her four year career from 2003-06. But she made a significant impact in the program during her time as one of the top defenders in the Big 12 Conference, earning All-Conference four times (first-team as sophomore, second-team the other three seasons). She was also named to the Big 12's All-Newcomer Team, and was the NSCAA Central Region Freshman of the Year among her other accolades. She led the team in minutes played all four seasons and started all 91 games, as CU was 56-24-11 overall during her career (25-11-4 in conference play), and was the regular season Big 12 champion her freshman year. She helped CU to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA tournament, to its first-ever win and its first advancement into the Sweet 16.
Munnelly joins her older sister Fran (2016 inductee) as the third-set of siblings in the Hall, joining Dick and Bobby Anderson and Stan and Pete Brock.
"I followed Fran to CU 20 year ago, and now following her into the Hall of Fame, which is pretty cool," Munnelly said. "I am super-honored and am really thankful, I just wish my Dad was here, he would have been super proud (he passed away last Sept. 18).
"I looked up the date when we beat Nebraska to win the Big 12 championship – it was on Halloween in 2003, so this will be that 20th anniversary. I think that win solidified CU as a soccer program. I'm very honored, especially as a defender, you don't get to set many records, but I'm proud that I played all but 20 minutes over my entire career. (Coach) Bill Hempen gave me a chance, and I didn't look back. I had the opportunity to be irreplaceable, and that's what I tried to be my whole career – to be that one you couldn't afford to take out."
Nate Solder earned four letters (2007-10) under head coach Dan Hawkins, first starting out as a tight end before shifting to offensive tackle the spring prior to his sophomore year. That move paid off, as he became the first offensive tackle at Colorado to earn All-America honors since 1979 (Stan Brock), and the first Buff to garner consensus honors at the position. As CU's left tackle, he started the final 36 games of his career and as a senior, was one CU's four co-captains, as selected by his teammates; they also selected him as the recipient of the Zack Jordan Award as the team's most valuable player, rare for an offensive lineman. Also as a senior in addition to his All-America honors, he was one of three finalists for the Outland Trophy, a unanimous first-team All-Big 12 Conference performer, with the league coaches selecting him as the league's Offensive Lineman of the Year. One of 16 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes for 2010 and was a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy (considered the "Academic" Heisman). He earned first-team Academic All-Big 12 honors all four years as a player.
He was drafted in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots (17th pick overall), he started as a rookie and would win four AFC championships and two Super Bowl rings (2014, 2016) with the club in seven seasons. He finished his career with the New York Giants, and overall, he started in 143 of 146 regular season games and all 15 postseason one as a pro before retiring after the 2021 season.
"I don't know if I deserve it, I wish I could have had a bigger impact to win more games, somehow contribute in more ways to allow our teams to have more success," Solder said. "As one player, you can only do so much. My first year as a tight end, I really didn't know what I was doing. (Assistant) Coach (Jeff) Grimes had a big influence on me moving to tackle, the coaches pushed me hard and wound up building myself into something.
"Looking back, it was all so unbelievable, coming out of Buena Vista when I was first thinking about playing basketball, or not playing sports at all and concentrating on academics," he recalled. "My brother was at Stanford, and there were other schools I was thinking about to play basketball, Dartmouth for one. But CU was a great option for me, and my first priority was to major in biology. On my campus tour, they emphasized the importance of academics, and they were able to accommodate me with the classes I needed and still be able participate in everything with the team.
"Playing at CU, a prestigious university in my mind, then getting to start as a member of a Big 12 team, earning All-America and (National Football Foundation) Scholar-Athlete honors was beyond a dream come true. I busted my tail in academics and was always studying as hard as I could. I really enjoyed biology – what I miss about college to this day is going around campus and attending lectures."
Brittany Spears was four-year letterwinner (2007-11), earning some level of All-Big 12 Conference mention all four seasons, including making the All-Rookie team as a freshman and first-team All-Big 12 honors as a senior. She is Colorado's all-time leading scorer with 2,185 points, in addition to being prominent in nearly every team career statistical category. She scored 20 or more points in 47 career games, including four 30-point games (a high of 36 on two occasions, including in her career finale, a quarterfinal loss to Southern California in the WNIT quarterfinals. Spears led the team in scoring and rebounding both as a junior and senior and started all 127 games of her career, a school record; her name is still on 18 CU career top 10 lists.
She was CU's 2011 Female Career Athletic Achievement Award winner and was selected by the Phoenix Mercury with the 19th overall pick in the 2011 WNBA Draft, but would play seven seasons overseas.
"When I got the call, I was pretty shocked, usually most seem to be older when they are selected," Spears said. "It's funny, I was speaking to Donovan Blythe (former teammate's father) just the other day about how everything had changed in college basketball, and with the new rules I could have made a lot of money. And then I got the call from the AD like two days later. It means a lot to me, my name will always be there in history with so many CU greats, and that means everything. Coming to Colorado as a freshman, not really knowing what I was going to get myself into, and now I'm in the Hall of Fame."
Heidi Burgett (Soccer '99) and Kate Fagan (Basketball '04) will join 71 previously recognized in CU's Athletic Hall of Honor – the first two women to receive the prestigious honor. The Hall of Honor was created in 1967 but discontinued after 1989 until it was revived last year. The distinction is presented to a person or persons who, while attending the University of Colorado, was awarded a Varsity "C" and attained distinguished achievement in his or her chosen professional field.
Burgett was an original member of CU's inaugural soccer team, and went on to letter four times as a goalie (1996-99) and was a two-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 team member. Since college, she has distinguished herself in her chosen field of global communications: Over the past 15 years, she has been an integral member of the Nike team, working her way up to her current position as senior director of global communications. She is credited with being a driving force behind the company's brand communication strategy, helping to elevate Nike's message and image on a global scale; her dedication and hard work have helped Nike to become one of the most recognized and respected brands in the world.
"I am so deeply proud to be a Buff and beyond grateful for every CU experience," Burgett said. "This honor means so much to me because CU means so much to me. It's not just college, it's community and connection for life, shoulder to shoulder. It's not every day you get a phone call you'll remember for the rest of your life, but getting this news from Rick George will be forever etched in my memory!"
Fagan lettered four times under Ceal Barry and turned into one of the premier three-point specialists and deadliest free throw shooters in the country. She would become a top journalist in both print and then for ESPN in addition to authoring four books. After playing two seasons with the Colorado Chill of the National Women's Basketball League, she began her professional career as a sports editor for the Ellensburg (Wash.) Daily Record; two stops later, she moved on to the Philadelphia Inquirer where she covered the NBA's 76ers for three seasons (2008-11) before moving on to ESPN. She spent seven years as a columnist and feature writer for espnW, ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine, and was also a regular panelist on ESPN's 'Around the Horn' and host of 'Outside the Lines.' She currently co-hosts the national podcast, Off The Looking Glass.
Dr. Phil DiStefano is nearing 50 years in Boulder, and he has been heavily involved supporting and working with athletics for much of his time. Appointed chancellor in May 2009, he is now in his 15th year in the position, the longest tenure of chancellor in the school's 146-year history. He joined the university in 1974 as an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction in the School of Education. He served five years as CU's faculty athletic representative to the Big 12 Conference (2000-05), served a two-plus year term as the chairman of the Pac-12 Conference's CEO group spent five years on the NCAA Board of Governors representing the Pac 12.
"Being named to the Hall of Fame Legacy Wing is a wonderful honor," Dr. DiStefano said. "CU athletics has been a part of my life for almost 50 years. As chancellor of this great university for the past 14 years, I have said many times that intercollegiate athletics plays such an important role in the reputation of the university. It is humbling to be recognized for this honor with so many outstanding individuals."
"Coming to the University of Colorado in 1974 from Ohio State University, I understood the importance and impact of intercollegiate athletics on a university," he reflected. "When I was asked by Dick Tharp to be the Faculty Athletic Representative when I was Provost, I accepted because I thought it would strengthen the relationship between the faculty and athletics. Later as Chancellor, I worked with the AD to have the Director of the Herbst Academic Program in athletics report to the Provost.
"I am very proud of our student athletes and their achievements in their sports and in the classroom and also proud of our coaches and staff who mentor them."
Johnnie and Shaaron Parker took over the Ralphie program in 1985, many crediting the couple with saving and even rejuvenating it, and spent over 15 years training, caretaking and housing who many believe is America's favorite live mascot. They inherited Ralphie II late in her career, and then helped the university secure its next two mascots – Ralphies III and IV – before leaving the program in excellent shape. They trained easily over 100 students through the years to be Ralphie Handlers, including the first females. Already donors of multiple scholarships, they absorbed all costs of the program, and coordinated her appearances on the road when the Buffaloes earned a bowl bid. John passed away on Dec. 11, 2021 at the age of 83.
"When we started, Bill Marolt asked Johnnie if he was willing to take over the program, at least for a couple of weeks until CU could sort things out, and we wound up doing it for over 15 years," Shaaron said. "Johnnie wasn't much for accolades, but I'll accept the honor for him because it means a lot to me for him. He spent a lot of time and effort and loved every minute of it. It didn't cost the university one single dime, it was gratis on Johnnie's part, particularly in the beginning. We both especially loved working with the kids (Ralphie's handlers), and at his celebration of his life, a lot of runners attended and many others sent in notes of condolences."
The Legacy Wing inductee bios:
Phil DiStefano, CU Boulder Chancellor
Dr. Philip P. DiStefano has had a long association with the CU athletic department that dates back to the 1970s, one of the longest affiliations by a faculty or staff member in the school's history … An ardent supporter of all 17 of the school's varsity programs, he attends many events when his schedule permits … He is in his 15th year as the chancellor at the University of Colorado Boulder, the longest tenure of anyone in the position in the school's 146-year history … Prior to his appointment on May 5, 2009, Dr. DiStefano was the top academic officer at CU Boulder for eight years as the provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs. He also served as interim chancellor twice during pivotal times in the university's history … DiStefano completed a two-plus year term in June 2020 as the chairman of the Pac-12 Conference's CEO group and also served (August 2016-August 2021) on the Board of Governors of the NCAA representing the Pac 12 (within that role he was a member of the NCAA's revenue distribution working group) … He served five years as the University of Colorado's faculty representative to the Big 12 Conference, as he assumed the role on June 1, 2000, and held it until the spring of 2005 … In June 2016, was accompanied by athletic director Rick George to Italy to promote the university and the success of its international students … DiStefano co-chaired the steering committee for CU Boulder's visionary strategic plan, Flagship 2030, conceived with campus, community and statewide input, to guide the university for decades to come. Today, he is shepherding its implementation as Flagship 2030 has moved from vision to reality … DiStefano earned a bachelor of science degree from Ohio State University in 1968 and a master of arts degree in English Education from West Virginia University in 1971 … He arrived at the CU in 1974 as an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at the School of Education … His academic career flourished as he assumed a series of academic and administrative positions, including professor, associate dean, dean and vice chancellor. He was appointed provost and executive vice chancellor for academic affairs in 2001 … DiStefano was born in Steubenville, Ohio, and graduated from its Catholic Central High School … He has been very active throughout his career in the Boulder community, currently serving on the Boulder Community Health Board of Directors and previously on the Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club … He received an "Honorary C" letter from athletics in 2010 … In 2015, he served as the official starter for the 37th annual Bolder Boulder, the city's 10-kilometer race that is the fourth largest in the nation.
Johnnie & Shaaron Parker, Ralphie Program
In 1985, CU was searching for a new caretaker of its beloved live buffalo mascot, "Ralphie." …. Johnnie Parker and his wife, Shaaron, had been intimately involved with CU Athletics: they became football scholarship donors in 1983 and at different junctures, supported as many as three scholarships at once … Former owners of a ranch near Hudson (about 25 miles east of Boulder), then-athletic director Bill Marolt recalled, "We asked them to take over and they just took off with it." … The Parkers directed the Ralphie program for 16 years, 1985 through May 2000, covering Ralphies II, III and IV … They were credited as not only saving and rejuvenating the program, but also who took Ralphie from a well-known regional "secret" to a nationally known brand that has more than once been named as the best mascot in college sports … It all came about through the work, dedication, and passion of the Parkers, who first took the Ralphie reins in 1985 and elevated her into a college football icon. Marolt: "John and Shaaron took it up a notch if not two and made it a great program. It was one of those friendships that was just such a great part of that era. They really immersed themselves in the program and made it something special." … And they were those with a love for the program where it didn't matter about the won-loss record. Former CU director of development Ron Scott: "When the Parkers got involved, our football program was not good. We won 14 games in a six-year span. But they jumped in and supported us when things were tough. That's the kind of people they were, true Colorado Buffaloes." Shaaron noted about John, "He loved CU and the tradition of Ralphie. It was really important to him. When he took over, there wasn't a lot of money to support it. He went out and got donations, made sure she had a nice place to stay and was well-fed. He is one of the main reasons the program became a big deal."… All told, the Parkers helped plan the logistics for Ralphie to make nine bowl appearances from coast-to-coast: such cross-country trips required special planning, including getting checkups and traveling "papers" from veterinarians in every state she would have to pass through. John knew how to coordinate those inspections, in addition to other issues that had to be addressed, such as how to cool her off in places where the weather was warmer and more humid than in Colorado … The one that often fetched national attention? In Florida, the handlers would take her to a car wash, set up her pen and used the cold water to give her a bath … Ralphie's bowl appearances also meant national media exposure, as media (TV and newspapers alike) always made it a point to provide coverage of Ralphie and her famous stadium runs … The handlers would stay in touch with the Parkers for years after they graduated, as they created a special "coed" fraternity (the first female handlers were under their watch) and worked with athletics to create the tradition of awarding CU letter jackets to each of the handlers … Incidentally, only a select few knew Ralphie was housed in Hudson, her location is a secret to this day … Johnnie Parker received an "Honorary C" letter from athletics in 2002, but Shaaron played a significant role as well, offering morale support … Both were University of Colorado graduates, Shaaron in 1961 (Business major) and Johnnie in 1962 (History and Economics) … John passed away on Dec. 11, 2021 at the age of 83.The Hall of Honor inductee bios:
Heidi Burgett, Soccer (1996-99)
Heidi Burgett was an original member of CU's inaugural soccer team, and went on to letter four times as a goalie (1996-99) … She was a two-time first-team Academic All-Big 12 team member and twice named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll … She has distinguished herself in her chosen field of global communications: Over the past 15 years, she has been an integral member of the Nike team, working her way up to her current position as senior director of global communications … She has been a driving force behind the company's brand communication strategy, helping to elevate Nike's message and image on a global scale; her dedication and hard work have helped Nike to become one of the most recognized and respected brands in the world … Prior to her work at Nike, she gained valuable experience at Yahoo and the United Parcel Service (UPS), where she honed her skills in communications and marketing … Her diverse background has given her a unique perspective on the industry, allowing her to bring fresh ideas and innovative approaches to her work at Nike … Not only has Heidi achieved great success in her career, but she has also given back to her community and her alma mater: she has been an active member of the University of Colorado Alumni Association, volunteering her time and expertise to help current students and fellow alumni … She has also served as a mentor to young professionals in the communications field, sharing her knowledge and experience to help them succeed … She graduated with summa cum laude honors from CU in 1998, with a bachelor's degree in Communication (minor in Ethnic Studies), and earned her Masters in Communications, also from CU in 2000 … A native of Wilmington, Del., her family moved to Colorado when she was just two months old and stayed for 10 years before moving to California, where she graduated from Foothill High School in Pleasanton (one of her childhood memories was going with her father to watch football games at Folsom Field).Kate Fagan is an Emmy-award winning journalist and the No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of What Made Maddy Run, which was a semifinalist for the PEN/ESPN Award for Literary Sportswriting … She lettered four times under Hall of Fame Coach Ceal Barry for the Buffaloes (2000-01 through 2003-04 seasons) after she played only five games in her true freshman season (1999-2000) before being sidelined with a foot injury … Averaged 10.9 points as junior and 12.8 as a senior, second to Tera Bjorklund both seasons … Scored 970 career points overall … Rebounded from a foot injury as a freshman to become one of the Buffs best perimeter shooters … She set a Big 12 Conference record by making 44 consecutive free throws during the 2002-03 season, when she was 62-of-65 from the line (95.4 percent) … A three-time, first-team Academic Big 12 selection, she graduated from CU with a B.S. degree in Communication … Her first book was the coming-of-age memoir The Reappearing Act, her third book, All The Colors Came Out, was released in 2021 and her fourth, Hoop Muses, in 2002 … She currently works for Meadowlark Media and co-hosts the podcast Off The Looking Glass … Played two seasons with the Colorado Chill of the National Women's Basketball League before retiring from the sport and turning to journalism … She began her professional career as a sports editor for the Ellensburg (Wash.) Daily Record; the following year she moved to the Glens Falls (N.Y.) Post-Star as a sportswriter … Catching the eye of major newspapers, she landed at the Philadelphia Inquirer where she covered the NBA's 76ers for three seasons (2008-11) before moving on to ESPN … She spent seven years as a columnist and feature writer for espnW, ESPN.com and ESPN The Magazine, and was also a regular panelist on ESPN's Around the Horn and host of Outside the Lines … Born November 15, 1981 in Warwick, R.I., and graduated from Niskayuna (N.Y.) High School where she was the school's all-time leading scorer in basketball … Her website is http://www.bykatefagan.com.
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