Miami announced on Wednesday six new members of the university's athletic Hall of Fame. They will be inducted at halftime of the October 23rd homecoming football game against Ohio University. Covering five different sports, it is quite the distinguished class.
The youngest inductees are Danielle Burkemeier and Andrea Cunningham, (both soccer players from the class of '03). The two ladies combined to lead the Lady 'Hawks on a streak of unparalleled dominance in the MAC. They guided the team to four consecutive appearances in the conference championship (1999-2002), and three straight MAC titles and berths in the NCAA tournament (2000-2002). The team made it to the second round of the tournament twice (2001 and 2002), and won the MAC regular season title in 2002. Their individual accolades are too numerous to list here in their entirety, but include multiple All-American, All-Ohio, and All-MAC recognitions, and a MAC Player of the Year and Miami Female Athlete of the Year award for each of them. Cunningham remains Miami soccer's only First-Team All-American (2000), and Burkemeier was MAC Freshman of the Year (1999). Both still hold multiple program and conference records.
Walt Podgurski (Class of '69) was Miami's first All-American wrestler. He was a three-time MAC Champion (in 1967 and 1968 at 177 lbs., and in 1969 at 190 lbs.). The team won MAC titles in 1967 and 1968 during his career.
Buddy Schultz (Class of '73) remains the NCAA record holder for most strikeouts in a single nine-inning game. On April 3, 1971 he struck out 26 batters against Wright State. In 1970 he had an ERA of 1.06, which was best in the nation and remains a Miami program record. Named All-MAC in each of his three years at Miami, he posted a career ERA of 1.77 and 240 strikeouts, leaving Oxford with six program records to his credit.
Becca Williams (Class of '97) was a two-time All-American in track and field. She was a five-time MAC Champion, winning three titles at the 1996 championships. She was a two-time qualifier for the NCAA Championships, placing fourth in the 400-meter hurdles in 1996. She was a two-time recipient of Miami's Female Athlete of the Year award.
Mack Yoho (Class of '58) was First-Team All-MAC and First-Team All-Ohio in 1957. The RedHawks won two MAC Championships (1955 and 1957) during his three-year career, and were undefeated in MAC play during that time.
For more details about each of the inductees, you can read Miami's official announcement. The complete Miami University Hall of Fame can be accessed by clicking here.
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