University of Chicago Athletics Hall of Fame

Class of 2004

		Patricia Kirby played a central role in the development of women's intercollegiate athletics at Chicago. She served the University from 1967-90 coaching badminton, basketball, softball, and volleyball. She led the Chicago softball team to state championships in 1977 and 1978 and in 1974 coached the nation's first-ever college women's basketball team to fly to an away game.
		William A. Lester, Jr. emerged as one of the top basketball players of Chicago's post-Big Ten era from 1953-57. The first player in school history to score 1,000 points, Lester held the Chicago single-game scoring record (42 points versus Aurora in 1956-57) for 46 years. He is the only player in Chicago history to average more than 25 points per game in a season with a 25.5 average in 1956-57.
		James Lightbody competed in track & field from 1904-07. During his career at Chicago, he won six Olympic medals, including three golds (steeplechase, 800-meter run, 1,500-meter run) and a silver (four-mile relay) at the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis. He also posted a world record in the 1,500-meter run at the 1904 Games. At the 1906 Olympic Games, won a gold (1,500-meter run) and a silver (800-meter run).
		John Schommer is considered one of the Big Ten's first great basketball players. Schommer was a three-time All-American from 1907-09. He led Chicago to three consecutive Big Ten championships and was the first player to lead the Big Ten in scoring three times. Schommer, who also competed in baseball, football, and track & field, was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., in 1959.
		Courtney Shanken was the NCAA individual all-around and rope climb champion in 1941. He led Chicago to a national third place team finish in 1941 and to fifth place finishes in 1940 and 1942. Shanken, who also competed in baseball at Chicago, was elected to the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1967.
		Helen Straus won 12 major "C" awards in three sports from 1980-84. As a track & field star, she placed among the top 10 in the heptathlon and javelin at the 1984 NCAA Division III Championship. In field hockey, she was a two-time all-state selection (1980-81). As a basketball player, Straus was named team MVP in 1981-82. She was the 1984 Dudley Medal recipient.