CU Welcomes Newest Hall Of Fame Class

BOULDER — One of the most diverse classes in the University of Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame history was inducted at a Friday banquet, with 12 athletes representing eight sports and seven decades of Buffaloes celebrated for their achievements.

A full house was on hand to honor the induction of Dale "Pete Atkins (baseball, CU Class of 1943), Bill Brundige (football, 1970), Ted Castaneda (track and field/cross country, 1974), Sara Gorton Slattery (track and field/cross country, 2005), Jerry Hillebrand (football, 1962), Chris Hudson (football, 1994), Bob Justice (wrestling, 1969), Bob Kalinowski (golf, 1994), Jim Miller (track and field, 1966), Fran Munnelly Griffin (soccer, 2006), Shaun Vandiver (basketball, 1991) and Michael Westbrook (football, 1995).

"The foundation that you have created for our current student athletes is phenomenal," CU athletic director Rick George told the newest Hall members. "I want to thank all of you for being here — particularly so many great Buffs."

The afternoon was both touching and lighthearted. Some athletes struggled to contain their emotions, struggling to find words to thank all those that helped pave the way for their success; others regaled the crowd with "behind the scenes" stories of their times at CU.

"At 73, it's hard to remember all the races I ran," said Miller, a multiple Big Eight champion, All-American and NCAA record holder. "But I will always remember the people I was associated with and the people at the University of Colorado who helped me get ready to become successful in life."

Miller's sentiments were echoed in one form or another by every inductee, and each new Hall member is also clearly still quite proud to be called a Bufff.

"This is a wonderful moment," Griffin said. "Receiving this award refreshes my sense of pride in this athletic department and this university."

Atkins, who went on to a successful career as a doctor, was represented by his sons, Pete and John.

"I think if you distilled down what was most important to my dad, it was family first, closely followed by medicine and the University of Colorado," John Atkins said.

Each inductee also thanked their coaches and family as well as their teammates, noting that the bonds they created while competing at CU have been bonds that have survived the test of time.

"If I didn't have the team behind me, I would never have succeeded," Westbrook said. "You can't build a house with cards. You need sturdier stuff."

Kalinowski, meanwhile, remembered playing basketball with Westbrook — and watching helplessly as Westbrook literally jumped over him en route to a dunk.

"One of the best athletes I've ever seen," Kalinowski said.

Other highlights:

— Brundige recalled receiving a letter from the Coors Brewing Company, saying that the Golden brewery had taken over paying his scholarship. "The check were for $1,720 a year to the school," Brundige said. "For that, I've done my darnedest to repay then every year."

— Slattery, who met her husband, Steve (also a cross country standout) at CU, said, "I want to thank the Hall of Fame Committee. It's truly an honor and I could not be prouder to be a Colorado Buffalo."

— Castaneda, who remembered competing with such CU stars as Larry Brunson and Cliff Branch (football players who were also track standouts), thanked the committee and athletic department. "I'm obviously very honored to be a part of this class. I appreciate the committee making me a part of it … thank you so much."

— Hillebrand, who was joined by a number of his teammates from the 1960 and '61 teams, noted that a college job as a bartender at The Sink resulted in him going from 210 pounds to 237 pounds. He then asked his teammates to stand and be acknowledged. "If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here," he said.

— Hudson thanked family, coaches, teammates and CU officials. "It's an honor to be here," Hudson said. "I want to thank the CU family for recognizing me. It's been a blessing to be part of your lives."

— Justice recalled the coaches he had who also served as his mentors, encouraging him to pursue an MBA to go with his engineering degree. "It's an honor to be here and celebrate with all these wonderful athletes — and I look forward to celebrating a Buffs win on Saturday."

— Kalinowski remembered late legendary CU coach Mark Simpson, who recruited him to Boulder. "He tried to a belief in all of us that we could take our game to the next level, and he taught us to be better people," Kalinowski said. "When I think of CU, I'm humbled to be part of this university — I just really wish Coach Simpson was here to see this. If ever a guy truly loved the Buffs, it was Mark."

— Griffin, who helped put CU soccer on the map, thanked her parents and sister, Laura, as well as her teammates. "You can't do anything in a team sport without a team," she said. "I want to thank them all."

— Vandiver called the moment "an honor and privilege." But, he added, "It's very cool to go in as an individual, but I'd love to go in as a team. You all made this possible." And, he thanked his wife, Danielle, who he said, "has had me on scholarship for 28 years."

But while there were moments of levity and moments of heartfelt emotion, the afternoon produced one overriding theme: their times at Colorado were formative years that produced not only success in their athletic endeavors, but set the stage for success long after leaving the university.

"Colorado has been everything to me," Vandiver said. "You hear that today's a great day to be a Buff? I'm here to tell you it's always great to be a Buff."

CU ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2016

Dale "Pete" Atkins (1940-42)

Known as the "Paonia Peach" for his Western Slope roots, Dr. Dale "Pete" Atkins was a two-time, first-team All-Mountain States Conference performer (and would likely had been an All-American but the first team wasn't selected until after World War II). In 1941, he enjoyed one of, if not the, finest seasons as a pitcher in CU baseball history, recording a 7-0 record, with 70 strikeouts in 61 innings; he allowed 20 earned runs for a 2.93 ERA. He led the conference in wins and struck out 19 batters in a season-opening 7-4 win at Colorado Mines (the second-most K's in school history). He was also unbeaten on the mound in 1942, earning all-league mention. Atkins earned three degrees from CU (A&S'43, MD'45 and MSci'53) and served as a member of the Board of Regents for two terms (1962-74). He truly loved his alma mater and his Buffaloes, as he was president of the Denver Buffalo Quarterback Club, a member of the Board of the Denver Area CU Alumni, a lifelong member of Alumni Directors Club, Buff Club, and Alumni C-Club. He passed away on Sept. 6, 2010, at the age of 88.

Bill Brundige, Football (1967-69)

One of the first prolific pass rushers in school history as the game had started moving away from a dominant one feature runs in the mid-to-late 60s. A first-team All-American by the Football Writers Association of America/Look Magazine as a senior in 1969, when he was also a first-team All-Big 8 performer in earning the conference's Defensive Player of the Year nod. He had a monster senior season, setting a CU record that still stood some 33 seasons later with 24 tackles for 123 yards in losses; that included 13 quarterback sacks, also a school record that would last almost a quarter-century. He was a second-round draft pick by Washington in the 1970 National Football League Draft (43rd overall). He started every game his rookie season and played in Super Bowl VII following the '72 season.

Ted Castaneda, Cross Country & Track (1972-74)

He may very well have laid the groundwork for CU's success in distance running today. A five-time All-American in cross country and track, his best times included 1:52.4 in the 800, a 3:58.5 in the mile, an 8:29 two-mile, a 13:32 in the 5,000-meter run, a 28:30.6 in the 10k a 2-hour, 15-minute marathon. He held the American record in the 3-mile run albeit briefly: he ran a 13:10.6 at the 1973 NCAA Outdoor Championships but it was broken in the next heat by the legendary Steve Prefontaine. He still holds some of the top 5k and 10k times in CU history: his 28:30.6 time in the 10k set a CU record back in 1973 and stood for 31 years. He also set the Colorado "soil" record in the mile in 1976, running in 4:04.86; that mark stood for 37 years. He competed in two U.S. Olympic trials (5K, 10K in 1976, marathon in 1980). A graduate of Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, he returned to his hometown in 1980 to coach the men's cross country team at Colorado College, and by 1994 was head coach for all the men's and women's cross country and track teams, all positions he holds to this day. He was one of the seven original inductees into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame in its inaugural 2007 class.

Sara (Gorton) Slattery (2000-05)

She compiled one of the most impressive women's cross country and track resumes during her time at Colorado: she was a 10-time All-American and a six-time Big 12 Conference champion (14 All-Big 12 performances). A two-time NCAA champion, winning the 2003 Indoor 5,000-meter run and the 2005 Outdoor 10,000-meter run, she remains the CU record holder in the indoor mile (4:40.35), the indoor 3,000 (9:07.16) and the outdoor 5,000 (15:24.97). She was just the second Buff to earn three All-American titles in cross country (2000-02-04, the same years she earned All-Region and All-Conference accolades) and was the Big 12's Female Cross Country Newcomer of the Year in 2000. She was on CU's first national championship in women's cross country in 2000 (as a freshman), led CU its second crown as a senior in 2004 and was a member of four Big 12 champion cross country teams. She was the Big 12's Indoor Freshman of the Year for 2001, earning Indoor All-America honors in the 3k (2001, 2003) and the mile (2002), while outdoors, she was the Big 12 champion in the 5,000-meter run twice (2003, 2005) and in the 10k (2005). She is the NCAA record holder for sophomores in the Outdoor 5k (15:24.97), still the fourth-fastest collegiate time … She earned two degrees from CU (Bachelor's in Economics and Master's in Education) and has enjoyed a stellar professional career since graduating from Colorado. She is married to former CU distance runner Steve Slattery.

Jerry Hillebrand, Football (1959-61)

He earned All-America honors as senior in 1961 in an era when only 11 players were named to the team since it was still the platoon format of the game. Also a two-time All-Big Eight Conference first-team performer (1960-61), in addition to being a great blocker and excellent receiver on offense, he was a tough defensive end and a fine placekicker. He recorded the fifth 100-yard receiving game in school history, catching four passes for 137 yards and a score against Arizona in 1960; it set the CU single game mark for yards at the time. As a kicker, he booted 54-yard field goal against Oklahoma State in 1961, the longest in school history at the time and the longest in the nation that season. His 696 career receiving yards at the time of his graduation were a school record, one that would hold for seven more seasons. He was an honorable mention member on CU's All-Century team (selected in 1989). A first-round draft pick by the N.Y. Giants in the 1962 National Football League draft (13th overall; selected as an outside linebacker) … Played nine years in the NFL for three teams, the Giants (1962-66), St. Louis Cardinals (1967) and Pittsburgh (1968-70).

Chris Hudson, Football (1991-94)

The 1994 Jim Thorpe Award recipient as the nation's top defensive back, he was also a consensus first-team All-American and a three-time first-team All-Big Eight performer his sophomore through senior seasons. In fact, he is just one of seven Buffaloes to earn first-team all-conference honors three times. As a senior, he won the team's Hang Tough Award, presented to the player who overcame the most adversity, playing the entire year with a nagging turf toe injury and still played at an All-American level and won the Thorpe hardware. His 15 career interceptions still rank as the second most in Colorado history, while his 20 pass deflections tied for the seventh most by a Buff at the time of his graduation. A third round selection by Jacksonville in the 1995 NFL Draft (71st player overall), he played in 77 career NFL games with Jacksonville (1995-98), Chicago (1999) and Atlanta (2001).

Bob Justice, Wrestling (1967-69)

He was the 1968 NCAA champion as a junior in the 177-pound class, going 5-0 in the tournament at Penn State, with that win helping CU to tie for 14th in the team standings. He actually injured a shoulder in training just ahead of the NCAA's, suffering a partial separation but refused to see the trainer so he could compete. He was the Big 8 runner-up in the weight class (losing 5-1 to the 1967 NCAA champion, one of the premier wrestlers of the time period, Oklahoma State's Fred Fozzard, whom he upset 4-0 in the national semifinals); he was 4-1-3 in conference action and 22-3-3 overall for the season. He owned a most impressive career mark of 32-5-4, but his career was cut short by a serious knee injury his senior year, otherwise he may very well have been a two-time NCAA champion. A graduate of Denver's Abraham Lincoln High School, he was the Denver Public Schools champion and the Colorado state champion as a senior in high school. He graduated from CU in 1970 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering (and earned an MBA in Finance from CU-Colorado Springs in 1977).

Bobby Kalinowski, Golf (1990-94)

Since 1940, only four CU golfers have won conference championships, two of whom who won a pair – Hale Irwin and Bobby Kalinowski. He was the Big 8 Conference individual champion in both 1993 and 1994, earning second-team All-America honors as a senior and third-team recognition as a junior (he was first-team All-Big 8 both years). He played in three NCAA Championships, his top effort being a runner-up finish in the 1994 Central Regional; he tied for ninth in the same event as a junior. His 72.62 stroke average for the 1993-94 season was the best in CU history by a senior at the time; he was second on the team as both a sophomore (73.87) and junior (73.67). His career average of 73.97 was fourth-best at the time of his graduation and still ranks 12th in school annals. He earned the Colorado Golf Association's Player of the Year honor for 1993 while still a student at CU.

Jim Miller, Track (1962-64)

He is considered one of the greatest high school track and field athletes in state history, he certainly made his mark at CU. He was the Big 8 Conference champion over his four-year stint at CU in the 60-yard low hurdles, 60-yard high hurdles, 330-yard Intermediate hurdles, 120-yard high hurdles and part of the league champion short relay squad. His list of accomplishments included Outstanding Athlete at the Kansas relays, Outstanding Athlete at the Big 8 Outdoor Championships and NCAA All-American laurels. In 1963, he won the Big Eight 330-yard intermediate hurdles title in a blazing time of 36.1 seconds that was an NCAA and American record at the time. He also was the co-holder of the American record (6.7) in the 60-yard low hurdles, was the AAU National Champion in the Pentathlon (1965) and 440-yard Intermediate Hurdles (1966). After his graduation from CU, he earned a Law degree from Howard University and went on to become a trial lawyer and an administrative judge for the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission. A Colorado Springs Palmer High School graduate, he won seven individual state titles in four separate events, and was inducted into the Colorado Springs Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.

Fran Munnelly, Soccer (2002-05)

A member of the Big 12 Conference's 10th Anniversary Team and was the conference's Player of the Year as a sophomore in 2003, she was the first player in CU's history earn any kind of All-America distinction. A four-time, first-team All-Big 12 performer and a three-time, first-team All-Central Region her sophomore through senior years (2003-05). She was on the Big 12's All-Newcomer team as a freshman in 2002, when she was a finalist for the National Freshman of the Year. She started all 87 games in her Colorado career, leading the Buffs to a 52-26-9 record in that span and the school's first three appearances in the NCAA Championships. She scored 84 points in her career (30 goals, 24 assists), and finished as CU's all-time leader in points and goals (still stands second and third, respectively, through 2015). She was credited with 10 game-winning goals, including CU's goal in 1-0 upset win over Missouri in the 2002 Big 12 Tournament, CU's first-ever postseason win. She was CU's Female Career Achievement Award recipient in 2005, the Female Freshman Athlete of the Year for 2002-03 and was the first women's soccer player at CU to have her jersey (#13) formally honored.

Shaun Vandiver, Basketball (1988-91)

A two-time All-Big 8 performer (1989-90, 1990-91), after leading Hutchinson CC to the national junior college championship in 1988, he transferred to CU where he was the Big 8 Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore in 1988-89. He still ranks among the top five in both career scoring (fifth, 1,876 points) and rebounding (third, 962), and holds the school-record for career double-doubles (59). He is one of two players in school history to average a double-double in each of his three years as a Buff. His junior season was his finest as a player, being named an honorable mention All-American after leading the team in scoring (22.3 points per game), rebounding (11.2 average), blocks (36) and field goal percentage (59.3), in addition leading the Big 8 in scoring. In the '89-90 Big 8 Tournament, Vandiver earned most valuable player honors after he helped CU upset Missouri and Oklahoma State in back-to-back games, as CU became the first and only No. 8 seed to advance to the title game. He was selected No. 25 overall in the 1991 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors, but would play nine seasons overseas in Europe. After his playing days, he went into coaching and has been the head coach at Emporia State for the last five seasons.

Michael Westbrook, Football (1991-94)

You can't recall the "Miracle in Michigan" without his name coming to mind. He was on the receiving end of college football's play of the decade if not the century when he hauled down a 64-yard pass from Kordell Stewart (via Blake Anderson tip) after time expired to rally CU to a 27-26 win at Michigan in 1994. That play won an ESPY as the national play of the year in all sports (and he's got the actual ESPY since he caught the ball). That play may have defined his career, but it was much more than just that one play. A two-time first-team All American, he became only the third Buffalo receiver to earn all-league honors and was the first to be named twice. He exited his career as CU's all-time leader in both receptions (167) and receiving yards (2,548), both records just recently broken in the last two seasons. He had eight career 100-yard games (six of 128 or more), and caught nine or more passes three times. A first round pick by Washington in the 1995 NFL Draft (No. 4 overall; tied for the second-highest ever among CU players). He was on the regional ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame for the first time in 2016, but he did not advance to the national ballot.

All inductees were nominated by their peers in the Alumni C-Club or by members of the selection committee; over 50 names were originally submitted and were pared to 28 semifinalists. There are now 91 members (plus the '59 ski team, CU's first national champions) in the CU Athletic HOF since its inception in 1998. An athlete must be at least 10 years removed from their CU career and retired from professional sports (teams) to be considered for induction. With an induction every year instead of on a biennial basis as was the case for the first 16 years of the Hall, CU has been able to get more of those who are deserving of the recognition honored in a shorter time span with larger induction classes.

Contact: Neill.Woelk@Colorado.edu

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