LOGAN, Utah – Utah State University held a ceremony Saturday night to officially induct its 2024 class into its Athletics Hall of Fame.
The eight inductees into the 2024 class include: Bob Erickson, the winningest wrestler in program history; Rich Haws, one of the best Aggie scoring guards ever; Sid Lane, a two-way football player and one of the first collegiate African American coaches in the country; Liz McArthur, one of 11 volleyball All-Americans in school history; Bill Munson, one of just four football players in school history to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft; Natalie Norris, the only player in Western Athletic Conference history to earn three-straight Defensive Player of the Year honors; Clint Silcock, a three-time All-American in the high jump; and Gary Wilkinson, an All-American basketball player and the 2009 WAC Player of the Year.
A total of 138 individuals and three teams have now been inducted into the Utah State Athletics Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame was founded in 1993 with 12 initial members, followed by eight members in 1994 and seven in 1995. The addition of any inductees was stopped until 2006, when five more individuals were added, followed by six recipients in 2007 and five in 2008, to go along with the first-ever team inducted. Seven more inductees were added in 2009, followed by six in 2010, five in 2011, plus two more national championship teams, eight in 2012, six inductees in 2013, 2014 and 2015, eight inductees in 2016 and 2017, and six more inductees in 2018 and 2020. Both the 2021 and 2022 classes consisted of four inductees each, while the 2023 class had seven inductees and the 2024 class has eight inductees.
Located inside the Steve Mothersell Hall of Honor, the Utah State Athletics Hall of Fame gives fans the opportunity to view biographical information and watch videos on each of the inducted members. Both the Hall of Fame and Hall of Honor are located inside the Jim and Carol Laub Athletics-Academics Complex in the north end zone of Maverik Stadium.
The inductees must fit into one of five categories: student-athlete, coach, team, athletics staff member, or contributor/special achievement. Contributor/special achievement includes individuals who have contributed to the ideal of sports at the University. Each nominee must receive at least 75 percent of the committee’s vote to be eligible for induction.
Members of the committee are Diana Sabau, Jerry Bovee, Amy Crosbie, Erin Cartwright-Davis, Patty Halaufia, Craig Hislop, Jeff Hunter, Lauren Keller, Al Lewis, Jimmy Moore, Ross Peterson, Chris Wilson and Doug Hoffman (chairman).
2024 Utah State University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame Class
BOB ERICKSON
Hometown: Clear Lake, Iowa
Sport: Wrestling
Years: 1975-78
Bob Erickson, a three-year team captain, is the winningest wrestler in Utah State history and was the first wrestler in the state of Utah with more than 100 individual victories in his career as he posted a 119-14-3 overall record and holds the school record for most falls with 47. He went undefeated in dual matches throughout his career (60-0-3) and finished as the champion or runner-up at regionals all four years. Erickson advanced to the NCAA Championships three times, finishing eighth in the nation as a sophomore, the same season he was ranked as high as No. 7 nationally. Erickson also helped the Aggies to a Pacific Coast Athletic Association (PCAA) team title as a senior and won an individual title at 158 pounds at the conference championship. He was a two-time Beehive and Mountain Intercollegiate Wrestling Association Tournament champion. During his four-year career, Utah State posted a 51-12 dual meet record.
RICH HAWS
Hometown: North Ogden, Utah
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Years: 1972-75
A three-year starter and co-captain his senior season, Rich Haws helped Utah State to a 53-26 (.671) record during his Aggie career, including a 39-4 (.907) home mark. As a senior during the 1974-75 campaign, Haws led Utah State to a 21-6 record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. During his senior year, Haws scored in double figures in all 27 games, including 20-plus points 17 times, and had a career-high 35 points against Boise State. He also posted six double-doubles on the year, which included a career-high 14 rebounds against New Orleans. As a senior, Haws led the team in scoring at 20.9 points per game, which ranks 19th all-time in school history. Furthermore, his 563 points that season were the 12th-most in school history at the time and currently ranks as the 25th-most. This was all prior to the NCAA allowing freshman to play (1975), implementation of the shot clock (1985) and the 3-point shot (1986). For his career, Haws scored in double figures 66 times and had 21 games with 20-plus points, not to mention nine double-doubles. He finished his career with 1,255 points, the sixth-most in school history at the time and a mark that still ranks 24th all-time at USU. Following his collegiate career, Haws was selected to play for the West in the Aloha Bowl, where he hit the winning shot. He was later chosen in the 1975 NBA Draft by the Seattle Supersonics.
SID LANE
Hometown: Oakland, California
Sport: Contributor/Football
Years: 1965-67
Sid Lane is one of the last known Utah State football student-athletes to play on both the offensive and defensive lines during his three years at Utah State. After his playing days, he was hired as an assistant coach for the Aggies and is said to be one of the first collegiate African American coaches in the country. He was also the first full-time African American employee for Utah State University. Lane is an avid supporter of USU Athletics and commits both his time and resources by supporting the next generation of Aggies.
LIZ McARTHUR-FISHER
Hometown: St. George, Utah
Sport: Volleyball
Years: 2008-11
One of 11 volleyball players in school history to earn All-American honors, Liz McArthur-Fisher was a three-year starter for Utah State, helping the Aggies to a 24-9 record and a berth in the 2010 NCAA Tournament during her junior season. Following her junior season, McArthur-Fisher was named an honorable mention All-American and to the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Region Team. Overall, she eared first-team all-Western Athletic Conference honors as a junior and senior, and second-team accolades as a sophomore. Off the court, she was a four-time academic all-WAC honoree and twice was named academic all-district. During her junior season in 2010, McArthur-Fisher was named the WAC Tournament MVP after leading USU to a three-game sweep against third-ranked Hawai’i in the championship match. McArthur-Fisher led USU in kills each of her last three seasons, including 504 during her junior campaign, a mark that ranks third all-time in school history. She also led the team and WAC in service aces with 42 in 2010, a mark that ranks sixth all-time at USU, while her 1,428 attempts that year are still the most in a single season in program history. McArthur-Fisher also had 1,304 attempts as a senior in 2011 and 1,262 attempts as a sophomore in 2009, which ranks fifth and sixth all-time in school history, respectively. For her career, McArthur-Fisher ranks second all-time in career attempts (4,294), third in kills (1,431) and tied for 10th in service aces (97). In single-match action, McArthur-Fisher holds the record for kills in a three-set match (25) and the record for attempts in three-set (54) and four-set (74) contests.
BILL MUNSON
Hometown: Lodi, California
Sport: Football
Years: 1961-63
Bill Munson was a three-year letterwinner at quarterback for Utah State from 1961-63 as the Aggies went 25-5-1 during his career. As a sophomore in 1961, he helped the Aggies to a 9-1-1 record and a berth in the Gotham Bowl. USU, which played in just its fourth bowl game and tied the school record for wins that season, finished the year ranked 10th in the nation, its highest end-of-season ranking in school history. USU, which also won the Skyline Conference title in 1961 with a 4-0-1 record, outscored its opponents during the season 396-102. As senior in 1963, he led the Aggies to an 8-2 record and set school records for passing yards, completion percentage, completions, attempts and touchdowns as he was 120-of-201 for 1,699 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He was selected to play in the 1963 East-West Shrine Bowl and was voted the game’s top player. He was also named Utah State’s Athlete of the Year for the 1963–64 academic year. At the end of the 1964 season, Munson played in and was named the top back of the Senior Bowl. Following his collegiate career, Munson was the seventh overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams in the 1964 NFL Draft. In fact, Munson is one of just five Utah State football players to ever be drafted in the first round along with Merlin Olsen (1962), McArthur Lane (1968), Phil Olsen (1970) and Jordan Love (2020). As an NFL rookie in 1964, he started eight games for the Rams. In all, Munson played for five NFL teams over 16 years from 1964 to 1979. He appeared in 107 games, including 66 as a starting quarterback. For his career, Munson completed 1,070-of-1,982 passes for 12,896 yards with 84 touchdowns and 80 interceptions.
NATALIE NORRIS
Hometown: Sandy, Utah
Sport: Soccer
Years: 2009-12
Natalie Norris, a three-time first-team all-Western Athletic Conference selection, is the only three-time Defensive Player of the Year in the history of the WAC. As a senior in 2012, she earned first-team CoSIDA Academic All-American honors and was a second-team Senior CLASS All-American, along with being named an NSCAA Scholar All-American as both a junior and senior. Norris also earned a pair of third-team all-region honors by the United Soccer Coaches. During her junior and senior campaigns, she led the Aggies to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances as Utah State captured consecutive WAC Tournament titles and a pair of regular season championships in 2011 and 2012. Norris was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2012 WAC Tournament and was a member of the WAC Tournament team in 2010 and 2011. Norris was also named NSCAA All-Region three-straight seasons as she earned third-team honors as a sophomore, second-team honors as a junior and first-team honors following her senior season. For her career, Norris holds the school record with 86 starts, while her 86 career matches played are the second most. Over the course of her career, Norris totaled 26 points on 12 goals and two assists. Her 12 goals are the most by any defender in school history.
CLINT SILCOCK
Hometown: Moore, Idaho
Sport: Track & Field
Years: 2006, 2009-11
Clint Silcock is one of the most accomplished jumpers in Utah State track & field history, earning All-American honors three times in the high jump. In fact, he is one of just 10 Aggie men in school history to earn three or more All-American honors in track & field. Silcock’s first All-American honor was during his sophomore season as he tied for ninth place with a height of 2.09 meters (6-10.25) at the 2009 NCAA Indoor Championships, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He claimed his second All-American honor as a junior as he placed ninth with a height of 2.17 meters (7-01.50) at the 2010 NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. His third and final All-American accolade came in his senior season as he tied for 11th with a mark of 2.15 meters (7-00.50) at the 2011 NCAA Indoor Championships, held in College Station, Texas. Silcock was also the WAC Champion in the high jump five times during his illustrious career, winning indoor titles in 2009, 2010 and 2011, and outdoor titles in 2010 and 2011. Silcock holds the USU all-time indoor high jump record with a mark of 2.24 meters (7-4.25) set as a junior. He also ranks second all-time in the outdoor high jump with a mark of 2.26 meters (7-5) set during his sophomore campaign.
GARY WILKINSON
Hometown: South Jordan, Utah
Sport: Men’s Basketball
Years: 2008-09
Gary Wilkinson earned Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American honors as a senior in 2009 after being named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year. Wilkinson was also named second-team All-American by CollegeHoops.net and first-team all-district by the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the United States Basketball Writers Association as he led USU to a school-record 30 wins (30-5). During his two years, Utah State compiled a 54-16 (.771) record, including a 26-6 (.813) conference mark. The Aggies also won back-to-back regular season WAC titles along with the 2009 WAC Tournament Championship and played in consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Wilkinson, a two-time all-WAC honoree, finished his Aggie career with 1,065 points and a 58.2 field goal percentage, which ranks sixth all-time in school history. Wilkinson also shot 82.1 percent from the free throw line to rank 10th all-time at USU. His 598 points as a senior are the 18th-most in school history as he averaged 17.1 points per game. During his senior year, Wilkinson finished second in the WAC in scoring and free throw shooting (.826), fourth in field goal shooting (.580) and sixth in rebounding (7.0). Wilkinson also ranked 24th in the nation in field goal percentage that year. Following his collegiate career, Wilkinson spent six years playing professionally in Greece, South Korea, New Zealand, Estonia and Puerto Rico.
Previous Inductees By Class:
Class of 2023: Tana Call Davis (gymnastics, 1987-90); Shantel Flanary (soccer, 2008-11); Krista Larson Du Plessis (track & field, 2006-09); Jerrie McGahan (women’s basketball, 1977-80); Denae Mohlman Pruden (volleyball, 1997-2000); Christine Thomsen (softball, 2012-13); Marilyn Weiss (woman’s athletics director, 1975-81).
Class of 2022: Trever Ball (track & field/cross country, 2002-06); Robert Turbin (football, 2008-11); Tai Wesley (men’s basketball, 2008-11); Barb Zahl (gymnastics, 1988, 1990-92).
Class of 2021: Kathy Beasley-Houchen (softball, 1993-96); Jaycee Carroll (men’s basketball, 2005-08); Bobby Wagner (football, 2008-11); Lance White (track & field, 1992-95).
Class of 2020: Zuzana Cernianska (volleyball, 2002-05); Eric Franson (men’s basketball, 1991, 1994-96); Russ Paulsen (wrestling, 1972-75); Donald Penn (football, 2002-05); Kevin Robinson (football, 2004-07); Kendall Youngblood (men’s basketball, 1989-92).
Class of 2018: Tony Brown (men’s basketball, 1999-2002); Erin Cartwright-Davis (volleyball, 2001-03); Charlie Denson (contributor); Greg Kragen (football, 1980-83); Kevin Nixon (men’s basketball, 1985-88); Kendal Smith (football, 1985-88).
Class of 2017: Kent Baer (football, 1970-72; assistant football coach, 1979-85); Gordon “Dutch” Belnap (men’s basketball coach, 1974-79), men’s tennis coach (1969-71); Shane Bingham (track & field, 1993, 1996-98); Chris Cooley (football, 2000-03); Christy Denson-Pettiette (gymnastics, 1997-2000); Jayme Gordy (soccer, 1997-2000); Nate Harris (men’s basketball, 2003-06); Stew Morrill (men’s basketball coach, 1998-2015).
Class of 2016: DeAnna Earsley-Bowers (softball, 1990-93); Tom Forzani (football, 1970-72); Jim Helton (track & field, 1966-67); Jim Hough (football, 1974-77); Phil Johnson (men’s basketball/track & field, 1960, 1962-63); Dave Manning (football, 1972-73); Steve C. Mothersell (football/contributor, 1973-74); Rod Tueller (men’s basketball coach/athletics director, 1980-88; 1985-92).
Class of 2015: Dr. Stan Albrecht (university president, 2005-16); Lucia Chudy (volleyball, track & field, 1977-79); Ray Corn (gymnastics coach, 1978-2008); Kevin Curtis (football, 2001-02); Spencer Nelson (men’s basketball, 1999, 2003-05); Lloydene Searle (women’s basketball, softball, volleyball, softball head coach, 1972-75; 1981-97).
Class of 2014: Cordel Andersen (wrestling, 1981, 1984-86); Yolanda Arvizu (softball, 1979-82); Anthony Calvillo (football, 1992-93); Craig Carter (track & field, 1988-91); Troy Collier (men’s basketball, 1963-64); Dale Mildenberger (athletic trainer/contributor, 1975-2013).
Class of 2013: Candy Cashell (track & field, women’s basketball, 1982-84); Jim Laub (contributor); Jimmy Moore (men’s basketball, 1972-75); Corey Murdock (track & field, 1994, 1997-99); Roy Shivers (football, track & field, 1964-65); Jim Turner (football, 1959-62).
Class of 2012: Alfred Castro (wrestling, 1984-87); Eric Hipple (football, 1976-79); Brian Jackson (men’s basketball, 1978-81); Shae Jones-Bair (track & field, 1998-2000, 2002); James Murphy (football, 1978-80); James Parker (track & field, 1995, 1999-2001); Kristie Skoglund (softball, 1984-87); Emmett White (football, 1998-2001).
Class of 2011: Jerry Cerulla (track, 1965-67); LaVell Edwards (football, 1949-51); Dean Hunger (men’s basketball, 1977-80); Henry King (football, 1965-66); Rick Parros (football, 1976-79); 1980 National Championship Softball Team; 1981 National Championship Softball Team.
Class of 2010: Tom Foster (wrestling, football, 1963-66); Louie Giammona (football, 1973-75); Lauren Goebel Keller (volleyball, 1979-82); Shaler Halimon, Jr. (men’s basketball, 1967-68); Earl Lindley (football, men’s basketball, 1951-53); Glenn Passey (track, 1959-62).
Class of 2009: Bob Carlson (wrestling, wrestling coach, administrator, 1969-87); Greg Grant (men’s basketball, 1983-86); Dave Kragthorpe (football, baseball, administrator, 1951-54); Tom Larscheid (football, 1959-61); Alisa Nicodemus (cross country/track, 1991-93); John Pappas (football, 1966-68); Ralph Roylance (football, track, 1947-50).
Class of 2008: Jay Dee Harris (contributor/advisor); MacArthur Lane (football, 1965-67); Chuck Mills (football coach, 1967-72); Max Perry (men’s basketball, 1959-61); Kelly Smith (softball, 1984-86, 1988); 1978 National Championship Volleyball Team.
Class of 2007: Ladonna Antoine-Watkins (track, 1994-97); Robert Broughton (football and wrestling, 1963-65); Rulon Jones (football, 1976-79); John Ralston (football coach, 1959-62); Jay Van Noy (baseball and football, 1946-49); Nate Williams (men’s basketball, 1970-71).
Class of 2006: Kris Stano Lilly (gymnastics, 1982-83); Marvin Roberts (men’s basketball, 1969-71); Al Smith (football, 1984-86); John Clyde Worley (baseball, men’s basketball, football, and track, 1917-19); Dr. John Worley (football and track, late 1940’s, team physician).
Class of 1995: Tony Adams (football, 1970-72); Jay Don Blake (men’s golf, 1980-81); Karolyn Kirby (volleyball, 1979-81); Clark Miller (football, 1960-61); Bill Staley (football, 1965-67); Conley Watts (men’s basketball, 1933-34); Glen Worthington (football, men’s basketball, and track, 1926-29).
Class of 1994: Ladell Andersen (men’s basketball, men’s basketball coach, and athletics director, 1949-51, 1961-71, 1973-83); H. Cecil Baker (men’s basketball, track, and men’s basketball coach, 1922-25, 1950-61); Mark Enyeart (track, 1974-77); Phil Olsen (football, 1967-69); Eddie Peterson (football and track, 1934-36); Len Rohde (football, 1957-59); Elaine Roque (volleyball, 1979); Frank “Buzz” Williams (football, track, wrestling, athletics director, 1942, ’46-48, 1964-1973).
Class of 1993: Annette Viola Cottle (volleyball, women’s basketball, volleyball coach, 1976-79, 1982-84); Wayne Estes (men’s basketball, 1963-65); Mary Lou Ramm Flippen (softball, 1981-83); Fern Gardner (women’s basketball, softball, tennis, volleyball, women’s basketball coach, softball coach, volleyball coach, 1972-79); Cornell Green (men’s basketball, 1960-62); Ralph Maughan (men’s basketball, football, track, men’s basketball coach, football coach, track coach, 1942-46, 1951-88); George “Doc” Nelson (athletics director and wrestling coach, 1923-58); Merlin Olsen (football, 1959-61); E.L. “Dick” Romney (athletics director, baseball coach, men’s basketball coach, football coach, track coach, 1919-49); Kent Ryan (men’s basketball, football, track, 1934-37); L. Jay Silvester (track, 1956-59); Elmer “Bear” Ward (football and track, 1932-35).
