June 5, 2009
Athletics Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2009

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago announced today the seventh induction class of the University's Athletics Hall of Fame. The eight honorees will be formally inducted on Friday evening, Oct. 23, 2009, as part of Chicago's Homecoming Celebration.

Cliff Cox was a three-time wrestling national qualifier in two NCAA Divisions. After being selected for the NCAA Division I Championship in 1962, he earned a spot in the Division II championships the following two seasons. A four-year captain, Cox went on to coach the Maroons for two years following his graduation. He received the Amos Alonzo Stagg Medal in 1964.

Harry Frieda was an NCAA champion and member of the 1924 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Team. Frieda won the javelin competition at the 1923 NCAA Championship held at Chicago. He went on to place eighth in the decathlon at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. In 1925, he received the Western Conference Medal.

Aaron Horne was an All-American and the first four-time All-University Athletic Association selection in Chicago men's basketball history. Horne, who garnered All-UAA First Team accolades on two occasions, currently occupies third place all-time at Chicago in points (1,334) and assists (324). He also stands among the school's career leaders in three other categories.

Rusty Loyd joined Horne on the 1997-98 Basketball Times All-America Team and was a three-time All-UAA pick. Loyd, who earned All-UAA First Team recognition in back-to-back years, tallied 1,039 points during his career and currently stands as Chicago's all-time leader in assists (484) and steals (170).

Horne and Loyd were teammates for four years, during which time they helped lead a resurgence of Chicago men's basketball. The Maroons posted a 76-29 record from 1994-98 with a pair of UAA championships and two trips to the NCAA Division III sweet sixteen.

Ken Rouse was named the Big Ten Conference Most Valuable Player for the 1927 football season. A center, Rouse was one of only three offensive linemen to win the award from its inception in 1924 through 1945. Rouse and 1935 Heisman Trophy winner Jay Berwanger are the only Chicago players to ever receive the Big Ten MVP award.

Marie Ortmayer, who graduated in 1906, was the first president of the Women's Athletic Association. She helped develop an intramural sports program for women decades prior to the onset of intercollegiate competition for female athletes. Ortmayer was later employed by the University as the first women's medical advisor.

Kelly Ostler was a two-time All-American and two-time national statistical champion in softball. Ostler earned All-America honors in 2001 and 2002 and led the NCAA Division III in strikeout ratio in 2000 and 2001. En route to posting a 49-16 career record, she helped lead the Maroons to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. Ostler received the Gertrude Dudley Medal in 2002.

Gene Shin was a two-time All-American and four-time national qualifier in wrestling. Competing in the 190-pound weight class, Shin was the runner-up at the 1986 NCAA Division III Championship after capturing fourth place in 1984. He also claimed four consecutive Midwest Conference titles from 1983-86.

Inductees were selected by a committee composed of University of Chicago faculty, staff, alumni, and Athletics Hall of Fame members.  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.