Athletics - Hall of Fame

June 2, 2007

Seven Individuals Join Athletics Hall of Fame

The ceremony will be held at halftime of the Trinity Tigers’ football game with the University of the South-Sewanee (Tenn.). Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. Central Time at E.M. Stevens Stadium. An open reception will be held in the lobby of the William H. Bell Athletic Center following the game.

King, the chair of the Hall of Fame selection committee and University President John R. Brazil will introduce the honorees.

The 2007 inductees are: Pat Cluney, baseball (1970); Earl Costley, football (1974); the late Tom Hanzel, trap and skeet coach; Joe Jimenez, men’s golf (1952); Greg Lens, football (1978); Gene Norris, football coach and administrator; and Amy Waddell Stewart, volleyball (1994).

A special plaque of each 2007 honoree will be mounted on the Athletic Hall of Fame wall in the Bell Center, along with the other classes. Recent photos, along with photos of the honorees during their collegiate competition or coaching days, are included on the plaques, as well as athletic accomplishments.

Cluney led the Tiger baseball team in batting in 1966 and 1968 and was drafted by the New York Yankees.

Costley is the Tigers’ all-time career leader in rushing touchdowns and yards gained in a season. He was named an Associated Press Little All-American in 1973.

Hanzel coached Trinity trap and skeet teams from 1970 to 1985. His teams won four overall national collegiate team championships and individual shooters captured numerous world championships. He will be represented by his son, Steve Hanzel.

Jimenez was part of a Tiger golf team which beat national champion North Texas. He won the 1978 Senior PGA Tour Championship in a three-way playoff.

Lens, a defensive tackle for the Tigers, was an Associated Press and Sporting News All-American in 1969. He played for the Atlanta Falcons from 1970 to 1971 and later in the World Football League.

Norris joined the Trinity staff in 1961 and served the University for 40 years, until 2001. He was head football coach from 1974 through 1989. Norris also was Trinity’s Athletic Director from 1989 until 1993 and oversaw the development of the Bell Center.

Stewart was Trinity’s first female to earn NCAA Division III All-America honors. She was a two-time volleyball All-American in 1991 and 1992 and was selected as the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year three times. Stewart led the Tigers to their first NCAA playoff berth.

Nominations were received from throughout the nation. Criteria for induction included a graduation date of five years or more from the current academic year and the recipient must have received a degree from Trinity, or coached a Tiger team. Service to Trinity was also included in the selection requirements.

A selection committee chose the finalists.