Nine Inductees to Be Honored on January 26

St. Louis, Mo., September 22, 2006 – Washington University in St. Louis, in conjunction with its athletic support organization, the W Club, has announced its 12th induction class for the University's Sports Hall of Fame. Induction ceremonies will be held at a breakfast at the Knight Center on Fri., January 26, 2007, at 8:30 a.m.

Later that night, the 2006 class will be recognized at halftime of the women's basketball game against Brandeis University. Tip off for the women is set for 6 p.m., with the men to follow at 8 p.m. With the addition of the 2006 class the WU Hall of Fame boasts 121 members, including Distinguished Service honorees.

This year's induction class features nine former student-athletes: women's basketball's Alia (Fischer) Keys (Class of 2000), football's Paul Isham (Class of 1962), men's basketball's Ron Jackson (Class of 1965), women's soccer's Lori (Thomas) Khazen (Class of 1999), men's soccer's Matt Klosterman (Class of 1981), volleyball's Jennifer Martz (Class of 1999), football and baseball's Don Schlapprizzi (Class of 1957), men's tennis's Duncan Seay (Class of 1988) and wrestling's Jess Yawitz (Class of 1968).

Selection criteria for admission to the Hall of Fame require that student-athletes hold an undergraduate degree from the University, have earned their degree a minimum of five years prior to induction and have competed for a varsity sport as recognized by the University. Coaches and administrators must have begun a term of service to the University at least 10 years prior to induction.

Keys helped lead the women's basketball team to three straight national championships and three consecutive University Athletic Association (UAA) titles in 1997-98, 1998-99 and 1999-00. As Washington U.'s starting center, she was a three-time Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) National Player of the Year and three-time UAA Player of the Year. Keys also won the Honda Award in 1999-2000 as the top female athlete in Division III for all sports. At the time of her induction, she held Washington University's career record for points (1,974), rebounds (969) and blocked shots (219), and set the single-season record for points (626) and scoring average (20.9) in 1997-98. Washington U. posted a 107-9 (.922) overall record in her four seasons on the Danforth Campus.

Isham was one of only a handful of players during his time to play all four years of football. He earned Associated Press honorable-mention All-America honors at center and linebacker in 1960 and 1962. Isham was co-captain of the 1962 team, and was also chosen as the team's most valuable lineman. In 1960, he played more minutes than any other player on the team, earning the nickname of "Ironman." In 1990, he was selected to the Washington University Football Centennial Team (1890-1990).

A two-year letterwinner, Jackson graduated from Washington University with two-year totals of 599 points and 13.0 points per game. He averaged 11.0 points per game and was the Bears defensive ace in the backcourt on the 1963-64 squad that went 16-8 and finished the season ranked ninth in the final Associated Press Small College poll. As a senior co-captain, Jackson averaged 15.2 points on the 1964-65 squad that set school records with a 21-6 mark and a .778 winning percentage. A College Athletic Conference (CAC) selection in 1965, he also helped the Bears to a CAC championship and a berth in the NCAA quarterfinals.

A four-time all-University Athletic Association (UAA) and all-region selection, Khazen ranks second all-time in Washington University women's soccer history in goals (71), assists (38) and points (108). As a senior, she earned UAA Player of the Year honors after setting the Bears' single-season records for goals (31), assists (16), points (78) and game-winning goals (nine). Khazen, who serves as an assistant coach with Bears' women's soccer team, holds the school record for goals in a game (four, twice) and points in a game (10). She led the Bears to a 58-18-6 record in four seasons, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament and the 1995 UAA championship. Khazen was the 1999 recipient of the W. Alfred Hayes Award, " in recognition of student-athletes who, by personal example, have provided constructive leadership at Washington University."

A four-year starter from 1977-80, Klosterman helped the men's soccer team attain three consecutive Final Four appearances in 1978, 1979 and 1980. He anchored a defense that allowed just 54 goals in 67 games from 1978-80. Klosterman earned first-team all-Midwest Region honors and NSCAA first-team All-America honors in 1979 when WU allowed just 15 goals in 22 games. He also earned first-team all-Midwest Region honors in 1980 to help Washington University set a school record with 15 shutouts.

The 1997 American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Division III National Player of the Year and the 1999 NCAA Woman of the Year for the state of Missouri, Martz helped lead the volleyball team to the 1995 and 1996 national championship. She was one of only four players in Division III history to earn four All-America awards, including three first-team selections. Martz graduated as the school's all time leader in kills (2,068), blocks (588) and games played (549), and finished second in attacks (3,634) and hitting percentage (.443). Her career hitting percentage also ranks second all-time in Division III history. Martz, a four-time all-region and all-UAA selection, was a 1998 GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America selection.

Schlapprizzi was a four-year letterwinner in football and baseball at Washington University. A co-captain in football, he caught touchdown passes in each of his four years. Schlapprizzi set the school record for pass receptions in a single game on two different occasions, as well as being a defensive standout under the single platoon system. Hall-of-Fame football coach Carl Snavely named Schlapprizzi as a player with "tremendous ability" who could have played for any of his teams. In baseball, he helped lead the team to a 64-14 record in four seasons, including 19 straight wins to end the 1954 season. In 1957, Schlapprizzi was named team captain and voted most valuable player after hitting .314 at the plate. He also served as a charter member of the W Club and as past chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee.

A two-time NCAA All-America selection, Seay played number one singles all four years for the Bears' men's tennis team. A team captain in 1988, he qualified for the NCAA Tournament in singles three times and doubles twice, and made quarterfinal appearances in singles in 1986 and 1988. As a sophomore, he posted a 26-3 singles record and was ranked sixth in Division III. Seay also defeated the No. 1 Division III player and defending national singles champion two times during his sophomore year. He helped lead the Bears to their first NCAA quarterfinal appearance in 1986. In 1988, he finished the year ranked eighth in singles. During his time at Washington University, he traveled internationally to play the professional tennis circuit while keeping his amateur status.

Yawitz holds the career victories record for the Washington University wrestling program. Over the final three years of his career, he posted a 24-16-5 record on teams that went 8-29. As a senior, Yawitz finished second at 130 pounds in the College Athletic Conference (CAC) after producing a 6-4-2 mark. He earned team most valuable and most points honors as a junior after compiling an 11-6-2 record at 130 pounds. A two-time team captain, Yawitz received the University's Distinguished Faculty Award in 1983 and the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2004.

For information regarding tickets to the breakfast, contact the Washington U. Department of Athletics at (314) 935-5185.