May 22, 2007

Athletics Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2007

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago announced today the fifth induction class of the University's Athletics Hall of Fame. The seven honorees will be formally inducted on Friday evening, Oct. 19, 2007 as part of Chicago's Homecoming Celebration.

Joe Bochenski (AB '88, MBA '93) was an All-American, two-time national qualifier, and conference champion as a wrestler from 1985-88. He capped his career with a runner-up performance at 134 pounds at the 1988 NCAA Division III Championship. The Stagg Medal winner in 1988, Bochenski was the Midwest Conference 126-pound champion in 1987 and the University Athletic Association 134-pound titleist at the conference's inaugural championship in 1988. As a volunteer assistant at Chicago since 1989, he has coached 15 All-Americans.

Derrick Brooms (AB '96) was an NCAA Division III statistical champion, All-American, and two-time University Athletic Association Player of the Year as a wide receiver and kick returner for the Maroons from 1992-95. In 1995, he led the nation with a 35.2 yard kickoff return average as he helped lead Chicago to an 8-2 record -- its best mark of the modern era. The 1996 Stagg Medal recipient, Brooms was also a two-time UAA sprint champion in indoor and outdoor track & field.

Walter Hass was instrumental in reinstituting football as a varsity sport following a 30-year absence. The University's director of athletics from 1956-77, Hass initiated a football class as part of the physical education curriculum which later evolved into a club program. In 1969, largely as a result of Hass's strident efforts, football regained its status as an intercollegiate sport at the NCAA Division III level. Hass served as the head football coach from 1969-75.

Clarence Herschberger (AB 1898) became the first consensus All-American in Chicago football history when in 1898 he was among the first players outside the Ivy League to earn selection to Walter Camp's All-America team. A standout running back and kicker, Herschberger was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1970. During Herschberger's career, Chicago teams compiled a record of 35-8.

Claire Orner (AB '77) earned 12 varsity letters in basketball, softball, and volleyball from 1973-77. During her career, Chicago posted a record of 47-30 in basketball and 39-15 in softball. Orner was a member of Chicago's 1976 IAIAW semifinal volleyball team, the 1977 IAIAW basketball runner-up, and the 1977 IAIAW softball champion. She also served as the University's first trainer for women's athletics.

Floyd Stauffer (SB '37) was an All-American diver in 1937 when he placed third in 3-meter diving and fourth in the 1-meter competition at the Intercollegiate Diving Championships. The 1937 Western Conference medal winner, Stauffer was also a standout water polo player who helped lead the Maroons to a Big Ten title his senior year. In 2006, Stauffer was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

Mitchell Watkins (AB '60, MBA '65) was a two-sport star during the late 1950s. A versatile track & field athlete, Watkins ranked among the team's top scorers competing in jumps, hurdles, and throws. During his final two basketball campaigns, Watkins was the second-leading scorer and rebounder as the Maroons compiled a 31-10 record.

The seven inductees join 1935 Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwanger, legendary football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, and women's sports pioneer Gertrude Dudley among 46 previous Athletics Hall of Fame honorees.

Inductees were selected by a committee comprised of University of Chicago faculty, staff, and alumni.  Twenty-five individuals were chosen for the inaugural class in 2003.  A maximum of eight individuals have been and will be selected on an annual basis.

To be eligible for induction into the University of Chicago Athletics Hall of Fame, athletes must have attended the University, competed in an intercollegiate sport, and completed their participation in intercollegiate sports a minimum of five years prior to induction.  Coaches or administrators must also have ceased service in that capacity at least five years prior to induction.