Wesleyan Announces First Class of Inductees into Athletics Hall of Fame

Posted 04/21/08

Eight individuals and three teams have been selected into Wesleyans newly-established Athletics Hall of Fame.

The seven prominent Wesleyan graduates, one long-time athletic coach, and a series of three football teams will be inducted during a ceremony May 23.

The inaugural class of the Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame is comprised of many great athletes, coaches that have accomplished much while at Wesleyan, or in their post graduation careers and, for some, in Olympic competition, says John Biddiscombe, director of athletics. The standard that this group establishes for future hall of fame recipients insures that being inducted into Wesleyans Athletic Hall of Fame will be a once in a life time achievement.

Chosen for the first class of inductees as individuals are:

C. Everett Bacon ’13, an All-America quarterback as well as an outstanding basketball, tennis and baseball player for the Cardinals (pictured at right).

Bill Belichick ’75, who played football, lacrosse and squash at Wesleyan and won three Super Bowls as head coach of the New England Patriots of the National Football League.

Norm Daniels, who coached football, baseball, basketball, wrestling and squash at Wesleyan during a 40-year career from 1934-1973.

Barbara Martin Herzlich ’81, who graduated from Wesleyan holding the season and career scoring records in both women’s lacrosse and field hockey, while playing number one in squash as well. Several of her several of her records still stand.

Kathy Keeler ’78, a tremendous talent in crew and basketball at Wesleyan who went on to stroke the U.S. rowing squad to a gold medal in the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (pictured at left).

Bill Rodgers ’70, who ran track and cross country at Wesleyan and established himself as the top marathon runner in the world with four wins at both Boston and New York marathons in the 1970s.

Henri Salaun ’49, who led the squash and soccer teams during his college years and went on to win a national squash title in the 1950s (pictured at left)

James I. Wendell ’13, an amazing competitor in track who earned a silver medal in the 110-meter hurdles during the 1912 Olympic games in Stockholm, Sweden.

In the team category, the football squads of 1946, 1947 and 1948 received a nod to the Hall of Fame as they combined for a perfect 22–0 mark and three Little Three titles as part of Wesleyan’s team-record 28-game unbeaten streak in the sport.

I dont think we could ask for a finer representation of athletic achievement by members of the Wesleyan community than this initial class for the Hall of Fame, says Wesleyan sports information director Brian Katten 79. Encompassing the key elements of accomplishment both as Wesleyan undergraduates and beyond the confines of the university, this group of alums truly speaks to the talent of Wesleyan athletics. Norm Daniels is a coach beyond compare and what the football teams under his tutelage did from 1946 to 1948 is something every team should strive to do.

The induction ceremony into the Wesleyan University Athletic Hall of Fame will begin at noon, May 23 in Beckham Hall. The Athletics Hall of Fame will be located in the Warren Street lobby of the Freeman Athletic Center.

The second class of inductees into the Hall of Fame will be announced in fall 2008 and formally inducted at a ceremony during Wesleyan’s Homecoming/Family Weekend festivities in October.

Wesleyan Announces First Class of Inductees into Athletics Hall of Fame

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