Six Headed Into USF's Athletic Hall of Fame
11/5/2014 7:35:00 AM | General
USF's Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2015, which will comprise the 41st group of inductees, includes Ed Thomas '64 (men's basketball), Scott Cousins '06 (baseball), Glenn Van Straatum '83 (men's soccer), Bill Nepfel (women's basketball coach), Haley Carroll '09 (volleyball) and Jennifer Hartford '08 (women's cross country).
With the inclusion of the new members, USF's Athletic Hall of Fame now includes 257 individuals and 20 teams.
A three-year letterwinner for the Dons, Ed Thomas '64 is recognized as one of the fiercest defenders in school history. The Oakland native earned second team All-WCAC honors and was an All-Northern California selection after averaging 10.6 points and 8.6 rebounds as a sophomore in 1960-61. After sitting out the 1961-62 season with an injury, Thomas came back the following season to average 11.1 points and 5.7 rebounds to help the Dons to a 18-9 overall mark and a first place finish in the WCAC. He averaged 8.5 points and 7.4 rebounds a game in 1963-64 as the Dons went 27-11 and won their second straight conference title with a 12-0 mark. Thomas remained active in the USF community following his graduation in 1964. He served two three-year terms as director of USF's Alumni Association, spent 16 years as the director of the Green & Gold Club and four years as the director of USF's 6th Man Club.
One of the school's best-ever utility players, Scott Cousins '06 batted .319 with 15 home runs and 93 RBI during a three-year career from 2004-06. He also posted a 12-9 record to go along with a 3.21 ERA in 33 career pitching appearances, including 27 starts. As a junior in 2006, Cousins was named to College Baseball Foundations All-America team and was also chosen as the WCC's Player of the Year after helping the Dons to their first-ever national ranking and NCAA Regional appearance. A native of Reno, Nev., Cousins was a third round draft pick of the Florida Marlins in 2006 and made his Major League debut in September of 2010. He has also spent time in the Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox and Texas Rangers organizations.
An attacking midfielder on USF's powerful soccer teams of the late 1970's and early 80's, Glenn Van Straatum '83 finished his career with 25 goals and 18 assists. He scored 16 goals, including five game-winners, as a senior when he led the team with 42 points, which still ranks third all-time in school history. As a junior, he scored a goal in USF's 3-2 victory over Washington in the 1982 NCAA Tournament game which was played in a down pour at Negoesco Stadium. A native of Suriname, Van Strattum has made significant contributions to the growth of youth soccer in the East Bay through his position as Director of Coaching with the East Bay United Soccer Club, which serves over 2,500 members in competitive and recreational soccer U6-23. He also served as the head coach of the California Victory of the United Soccer League.
Bill Nepfel presided over the most successful stretch in the history of the USF women's basketball program. Serving as co-head coach with his wife, Mary Hile-Nepfel during a 13-year period from 1987-2000, the Dons compiled a 196-166 (.541) record, won or shared three WCC regular season titles, captured three WCC Tournaments and made three NCAA Tournament appearances. Nepfel's Dons were especially dominant during a three-year stretch from 1994-97, compiling a 73-19 (.793) record and making three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. In 1994-95, the Dons made their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance after winning both the WCC's regular season and tournament titles. The following season, Nepfel and the Dons made a Cinderella run to the Sweet 16 with upset wins over 16th-ranked Florida and 13th-ranked Duke on the Blue Devils home floor. In 1996-97, USF won a school-record 25 games, captured its third straight WCC Tournament title and made its third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. A two-time WCC Coach of the Year (1989-90; 1994-95), Nepfel was also named the NABC's District VIII Coach of the Year in 1994-95 and was a finalist for national coach of the year honors. Five of Nepfel's former players - Marlene Henderson, Renee Demirdjian,Jamie Shadian, Valerie Gillon and Brittany Lindhe - have been inducted into USF's Hall of Fame, while Lindhe became the second women's player to have her number retired by the University. Following his 13-year stint as head coach of the Dons, Nepfel continued to serve USF as an associate athletic director for compliance and academic services from 2000-07 before moving into a similar role at San Francisco State in 2008.
One of the best defensive players in the history of USF's women's volleyball program, Haley Carroll '09 was a three-time All-WCC performer, including first team selections in 2007 and '09. Her 2,089 digs rank first on USF's all-time career list, nearly 400 than her closest pursuer. In 2007, the Gilroy native was named the WCC's Defensive Player of the Year and played a key role on USF's 2008 NCAA Tournament team which finished 22-8 overall and 11-3 in the WCC.
A four-year member of USF's women's cross country team, Jennifer Hartford '08 was a three-time All-WCC performer and is credited with laying the foundation for the program's rise to national prominence. A first team All-WCC selection in 2006 and '07, Hartford placed fourth at the 2007 WCC Championships with a then-school record mark of 21:18. Her fourth place finish was the highest finish by a USF runner in program history at the time. She also won the 2006 Hornet Jamboree where, helping USF to the team title. An inaugural member of USF's track program, Hartford was a three-time team MVP and set school records in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. She was the first NCAA Championship qualifier in program history in 2008 in the 5,000 meters. She was also a two-time WCC All-Academic selection in 2004 and '07. Hartford is the second women's cross country runner to be inducted into the school's hall of fame, following the selection of Kari McCallum-Cuneo.
Formal induction ceremonies are scheduled for Friday, Feb. 6 at the Father Hubert "Hub" Flynn Hall of Fame Dinner which will be held the McLaren Center on the USF campus. The festivities will begin with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the dinner program at 7:30 p.m. The inductees will also be honored at halftime of the USF-Gonzaga basketball game on Feb. 7.
Individual reservations are priced at $60 while a table of 10 may be purchased for $500. Please visit the registration link at the top of the page.
