Monday, January 12, 2009

Four former student-athletes as well as the 1997-1998 men’s basketball team will be inducted into the Valparaiso University Athletics Hall of Fame on February 28 as members of the Class of 2009.  This year’s class features athletes from various Crusader athletic programs over the years.

Stephanie (Greer) McCalment (1992) still ranks among Valpo’s top-10 all-time in numerous categories on the basketball court.  She holds the school record for most points in a game with 39, and is among the top-10 in scoring, games played, free throw percentage and steals for the Crusaders.

Cyndi Norman (2003) was a three-time All Mid-Continent Conference volleyball player, including being named the Setter of the Year in 2003.  She finished her career second all-time with 4,886 assists and led Valpo to its first NCAA Tournament appearance as a senior.

Robert Skaltsas (1978) was an All-American baseball player at Valparaiso in 1976, the same year he earned First Team All-Indiana Collegiate Conference honors.  He ranks third all-time in Crusader history with a .365 batting average and second on the career triples list.

Tim Weidner (2002) still holds several of Valparaiso’s swimming records.  While with the Crusaders, he set the 50 and 100 freestyle marks as well as the 100 breaststroke record.  He was also a member of two relays that set school marks.

The 1997-1998 Men’s Basketball Team finished the season ranked 23rd in the nation after upsetting Mississippi and Florida State on the way to the Sweet 16.  With a 23-10 record overall and a 13-3 mark in Mid-Continent Conference play, the team won its fourth consecutive Mid-Con title.

The Valparaiso University Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will be held on Saturday, February 28 in the Ballroom of the new Harre Union.  The banquet is slated to begin at 3:30 p.m.  The cost of the banquet is $30 per person and reservations can be made by calling Sharon Jackson at (219) 464-5471 or (800) 803-7184 ext. 72.  The deadline for purchasing tickets is February 20.  The inductees will also be recognized at halftime of both the men’s and women’s basketball games on the same day.