Individuals slated for induction are softball pitcher Jessame Kendall, women’s soccer goalkeeper Julie Raup, football standout L.J. Eiben, soccer and cross country athlete Phil Rouse, and football player Ron Peterson. Also being honors is the 1978 wrestling team.
Formal ceremonies will be held on Friday, Oct. 3 at the induction banquet, starting with social hour at 6 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room on campus. Cost of tickets is $35 and those planning to attend must RSVP by Sept. 29 to Associate Athletic Director Tom Trepiak at either 826-5959 or trt2@humboldt.edu.
Kendall pitched the Lumberjacks to their first woman’s national championship during the 1999 softball season. She was a three-time All-American selection and four-time all-region performer who is still listed in 12 categories in the HSU record book.
Raup anchored the fledgling women’s soccer team in goal from 1995-97, helping the program get off to a great start that included a berth in the NCAA West Region Tournament in 1997. She was a two-time all-Northern California Athletic Confernce selection and retains the best career goals-against average in HSU program history at 1.01 per game.
During the mid-90s, Eiben took on the double-duty of playing on both sides of the ball for the Lumberjack football program. Already established as a standout wide receiver and return specialist, Eiben moved into the Jacks’ secondary in 1995, and his achievements earned him NCAC Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Another multi-talented athlete, Rouse first established himself as a Jacks’ cross country runner, finishing second among HSU runners at the 1989 NCAA Division II National Championships. He was co-captain of the 1990 NCAC championship team, and a key contributor to the Jacks’ success at regionals and nationals that season. Rouse then moved on to the soccer field, where his leadership skills contributed to the Jack’s success as captain of the 1994 league champions.
Peterson starred for the Jacks during the football glory years of the 1960s, twice earning all-conference selection as a defensive back. He was also chosen to the Associated Press all-coast squad in 1962 after leading the Jacks with five interceptions and also in tackles.
Coached by Frank Cheek, the 1978 wrestling team placed third overall in the NCAA Division III Championships. Leading the way were four All-Americans – George White, Tom Pender, Wayne Nickerson, and Eric Woolsey. Nine Lumberjack athletes also placed in the 10 divisions at the Far West Conference Championships that season, finishing second to Chico State.