Six individuals and an entire team were inducted into the DePauw University Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday.
The inductees included Tom Boese '68 (football), Tom Cath '76 (men's tennis coach), Haley Heathman '03 (women's tennis), Sarah Miller Humbert '97 (women's soccer), Doug Ruud '76 (men's cross country and track and field), Jeff Willis '99 (men's swimming and diving). The entire 1981 football team was also inducted for its contribution to DePauw’s athletic history and its members academic accomplishments.
Record holders, All-Americans, conference champions, four-year lettermen, and historic careers among them, athletes were given recognition for their accomplishments and the athletic department’s gratitude was reciprocated.
In addition to the induction ceremony in Kresge Auditorium in the Green Center for the Performing Arts, the honorees were recognized at halftime of the football game against Kenyon College.
Jerry Howard, starting center of the 1981 football team, joked about the experience. “At our age we walked on and off the field and no one got hurt, which is pretty incredible,” he continued, “but of course it was an awesome experience being back on the field and to be honored by students and fans.”
The 1981 football team is the second football team since the 1933 squad to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
“It’s really special to see your teammates that have scattered across the country together again. I probably haven’t seen 85 to 90 percent of those guys since we played together,” Howard said.
At Tap House 24, the team was able to recollect over pints of beer as they watched the film of their victory over Wabash to reclaim the Monon Bell after a tie game the following year.
Doug Ruud, an individual inductee who ran track as well as cross country, also enjoyed catching up with old friend, teammate and now DePauw professor, Jeff McCall ’76.
“It was fantastic to have Jeff introduce me at the ceremony. I’m glad to have someone who is really connected to the University as a teammate of mine,” Ruud said, “I looked at some clippings from The DePauw my mother had saved and was surprised to see Jeff had written some of them.”
Ruud also acknowledged DePauw athletics as a pivotal point in his life. “Not only was one of the runners on the team my best man, the DePauw athletic experience helped me through my career,” Ruud said.
Since the charter class of 25 was inducted in 1986, 196 individuals and three teams have previously been inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame.
