Aug. 17, 2009

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - The Southeast Missouri State University Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has selected five individuals and one team for induction into the Hall of Fame with induction ceremonies slated for Dec. 11, 2009 at the Show Me Center.

Hall of Fame spokesman Ron Hines announced the selections that include Rich Eichhorst (basketball, 1952-56), William "Bud" Eley (basketball, 1995-98), Tuba Meto (volleyball, 1994-97), Andrew Presberry (track 1980-82) and Linda Wells (softball, 1968-72). The team scheduled for induction in the 1988-89 basketball team that advanced to the NCAA II national championship game.

"The committee always has a tough time narrowing down the selections with so many worthy former athletes and coaches, but feels this year's class is outstanding," Hines said. "The induction ceremony will be on Friday, Dec. 11 at the Show Me Center beginning with a reception at 6 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m. with the induction ceremony to follow. The inductees will also be introduced at the Redhawks basketball game vs. Williams Baptist on Saturday, Dec. 12."

Eichhorst was a four-year letterman in basketball and a three year starter who earned all-MIAA honors as a junior and senior. His senior year he led the team in scoring and rebounding. Eichhorst played for the NBA St. Louis Hawks in 1961 and is the only Southeast player to advance to the NBA. After his playing career ended, Eichhorst, a retired school administrator in St. Louis, spent 25 years as an NCAA Division I basketball official working the Missouri Valley, Metro, Big Ten and Big Eight conferences. He was also a pro football official in the NFL and was the driving force behind the establishment of the Southeast Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002.

Eley was the 1999 Ohio Valley Conference Male Athlete of the Year and the 1999 OVC Basketball Player of the Year. During the 1998-99 season he led the nation in double-doubles with19 and had the nation's only triple-double. Eley was a three-time all-OVC selection and ranks as the leading rebounder and fourth leading scorer in Southeast history. He is still playing professional basketball in Spain.

Meto was the starting volleyball setter for Southeast from 1995-97. She led the Redhawks to a record of 105-43 during the span including a 62-6 mark in OVC play. Southeast won the OVC title in each of her four seasons and made two NCAA appearances. Meto was the OVC player of the Year in 1996 and 1997. She is currently playing professional volleyball in Turkey. Presberry was a three-time All-American at Southeast, winning honors in the hurdles and on the mile relay team. He still holds the Southeast record in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 13.84. The record, established in 1981, has stood for 28 years. Presberry also recorded the second fastest 400-meter hurdle time of 51.35.

Wells, a 1972 graduate of Southeast, ranks as one of the most prominent and successful softball coaches in NCAA history. She played five sports at Southeast including volleyball, basketball, tennis and field hockey and went on to a very successful career as a collegiate softball coach at Minnesota and Arizona State. A member of five Halls of Fame including the Minnesota Hall of Fame and the National Softball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Wells coached the Greek Olympic softball team in 2004 and the Dutch Olympic team in 2008.

The 1988-89 men's basketball team had a record of 27-6 and advanced to the NCAA Division II championship game in Springfield, Mass. The team was coached by Ron Shumate and included Mike Lewis, Dwayne Rutherford, Earnest Taylor, Ray Pugh, Lawrence Wilson, Darren Shepard, Malcomn Henry, John Simpson, Johnnie Coleman, Darryl Harris and Keith Ressel. Assistant coaches were Randy Curl and Rick Kestner and student coach Mike Brey.

The Southeast Athletic Hall of Fame currently includes 55 individuals and 11 teams.

The Hall of Fame induction on Dec. 11 is open to the public with tickets selling for $25 each. To reserve tickets, call 573-651-2227.