Taylor Hall of Fame Adds Four in '09 Class

10.16.2009

The Taylor University Athletic Hall of Fame class of 2009 will certainly rekindle some tremendous memories for Trojans fans. Four outstanding graduates will be honored for their contributions to Taylor athletics.

In addition to the four inductees, the 25th anniversary of the inaugural season of the women's cross country team will be honored.

Festivities will begin at 6:00 pm Friday night with the Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony in the Hodson Dining Commons.

On Saturday the inductees will be introduced at halftime of the football game.

The four inductees are:

Laurel (Kinzer '90) Dean left her mark in the record books during her tenure on the Taylor Trojans volleyball team. Her career record of a .393 hitting percentage from 1986-89 is the highest in team history. In 1987, 1988 and 1989 Laurel was named to the NAIA All-District team, in 1989 she was also named NAIA District/Regional Player of the Year, and in 1989, Laurel was named NCCAA Player of the Year.

Stevimir Ercegovac ‘02 is the Taylor University record holder in shot put and discus; he holds the Mid-Central College Conference (MCC) record in those same events. He is a five-time NAIA shot put champion (three outdoor and two indoor), the NAIA record holder in the shot put, and is a seven-time NAIA All-American athlete. Steve competed in and placed 24th in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Alan Jones '02 was clearly the leader of his basketball team at Taylor University during his junior and seniors years. Alan was named a member of the first-team all Mid-Central College Conference (MCC) in both 2001 and 2002. He received Second Team All-American honors in 2002 after earning Honorable Mention All-American status in 2001. Alan was the 2002 recipient of the Gates-Howard Award, emblematic of Taylor's outstanding male athlete.

Rick Minnich '74 recently retired from Adams Central High School (Monroe, Ind.) where he coached football for 32 years and finished with a record of 235-137 overall. His playoff record was an amazing 63-25. His teams won 16 sectionals, 10 regionals, one semistate and one state championship in 2000.