Printer Friendly VersionFIU Athletics Announces First Hall of Fame Induction Class
LPGA Hall of Fame golfer Pat Bradley and Major League Baseball all-star Mike Lowell are among five former players and coaches elected to the inaugural class of the Florida International University Athletics Hall of Fame.
In addition to Bradley and Lowell, also elected into FIU's first Hall of Fame induction class were women's coach and administrator Dr. Judith A. Blucker, women's basketball's Andrea Nagy and Dwight Stewart from men's basketball.
Bradley (1972-74) became the university's first-ever All-American who went on to become one of the most prolific women's golfers on the LPGA Tour. She is one of just 23 members in the LPGA Hall of Fame, after capturing 31 tour victories. Bradley is also a two-time Rolex Player of the Year and was the 1986 Golf Writers Association of America's Female Player of the Year.
She was recognized during the LPGA's 50th Anniversary in 2000 as one of the LPGA's top-50 players and teachers and was named among GOLF Magazine's "100 Heroes" in celebration of 100 years of golf in America.
Lowell (1993-95) was a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American in 1993, a three-time All-Trans America Athletic Conference selection, and the league's Student-Athlete of the Year and an Academic All-American in 1995. Since his collegiate playing days, Lowell has been a three-time MLB All-Star and a member of the Florida Marlins 2003 World Series Championship team.
Dr. Blucker was a pioneer for women's athletics at FIU. After starting the women's softball program at Florida State and leading that program to the 1970 senior college state championship, Dr. Blucker came to FIU in 1972 and helped develop the university's women's volleyball, softball and golf teams. She was FIU's first softball and volleyball head coach, winning 82 volleyball matches and 85 softball games over a five-year period.
Nagy (1991-95) is one of three FIU women's basketball players to have her jersey retired. She helped FIU to two NCAA Tournament appearances and her 1,136 career assists remain second-best all-time in NCAA history. Nagy, who ranks fourth in school history with 1,812 career points, was selected as a first-team All-American by Kodak, the United States Basketball Writer's Association and USA today.
Stewart (1988-93) was perhaps the most productive men's basketball player in school history, finishing as the only male player ever to score more than 2,000 career points. He concluded his playing days as the solo holder of 30 school records and co-holder of five others. He was twice named a first-team All-Trans America Athletic Conference member and was a preseason All-America selection of Street & Smith's magazine prior to the 1989-90 season. On Feb. 27, 1993, Stewart became the first and only FIU male basketball player to have his jersey retired.
"It is truly an honor to chair the first FIU Hall of Fame Committee," said FIU Athletic Hall of Fame Committee Chairman Tony Argiz, managing partner of Morrison, Brown, Argiz & Farra, LLP, certified public accountants who also has the distinction of having played on the first FIU baseball team. "Our committee has selected an impressive first class' of achievers who bring great credit to FIU and who serve as wonderful role models to our students."
Players are eligible for the FIU Athletics Hall of Fame 10 years after their final college season. Coaches are eligible 10 years after beginning their career at FIU.
"I'm very excited over the announcement of our first Hall of Fame induction class. This is certainly another positive step forward for our young athletic program and the start of an outstanding tradition," said FIU Athletic Director Rick Mello. "I think the committee did a superb job in selecting our first induction class with so many worthy candidates to consider."
FIU started its intercollegiate athletic program during the university's first year of existence in 1972-73 with five men's programs (baseball, golf, tennis, soccer and wrestling). Since then, the Golden Panthers' program has grown to 17 intercollegiate teams (10 for women and seven for men) and is a member of the NCAA's highest level of athletic competition (Division I-A) and the Sun Belt Conference.
The inaugural FIU Athletics Hall of Fame class will be honored during a two-day celebration as part of Homecoming 2006. An induction banquet will take place on Friday, Nov. 17 at the Graham Center Ballroom on the University Park campus and the class will be honored during pre-game and halftime activities surrounding Saturday, Nov. 18's football game between the Golden Panthers and Sun Belt Conference rival Louisiana-Lafayette at FIU Stadium.
For additional information, contact FIU Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations Rich Kelch at (305) 348-3164.
