By David Lubeski
Membership in the George Washington University Athletic Hall of Fame expanded to 136 on Jan. 23, when five newly elected members were inducted in ceremonies on campus.
The five inductees, Scott Allen, Mike Battle '73, Myriah Lonergan Cain '96, Liu Li '96 and President Emeritus Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, were introduced at halftime of the GW-Richmond basketball game the afternoon of Jan. 23 and officially inducted at dinner that night.
Mr. Allen is the winningest coach in the 80-year history of the GW golf program and led the team to its first NCAA berth in 60 years in 2006. “I’m honored that I have this special place in the athletic Hall of Fame,” Mr. Allen said.
His 1,364 career victories are four times more than any other GW golf coach. He coached the Colonials to 13 tournament victories and 41 top-three finishes, both more than all other GW golf coaches combined. In addition to his duties as golf coach, Mr. Allen served as the athletic department's recruiting coordinator from 1998 to 2008. He is now the head golf coach at the University of Pennsylvania.
Mr. Battle was a two-time men’s basketball team MVP. He began his GW career in 1969 when freshmen were not allowed to play varsity basketball and dunking was prohibited. His career took place prior to the construction of Smith Center when the Colonials practiced in the infamous "Tin Tabernacle" and played home games at Fort Myer.
A 6-foot-5 forward, Mr. Battle played alongside fellow GW Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Pat and Mike Tallent, Walter Szczerbiak and Ronnie Nunn. At the induction he referred to himself as a “survivor” since he was usually assign to guard the best player on the opposing team including All-Americans and future NBA stars such as Julius Erving, Artis Gilmore, Kermit Washington and Derek Dickey. Mr. Battle's physical play and aggressive defense earned him the nickname “Captain Crunch.”
Ms. Lonergan Cain is the 10th women's basketball player to enter the GW Athletic Hall of Fame after a standout career from 1992 to 1996. During her four seasons, she helped the Colonials achieve 95 victories and reach three NCAA Tournaments, including the program's first Sweet 16 appearance in 1995.
In accepting her induction plaque, she said, “As I reflect back on my time at GW, the memories flood and I will forever carry it in my heart.”
As team captain during the 1995-96 season, she averaged a career-best 11.9 points as GW captured its second straight Atlantic 10 Championship and reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Ms. Lonergan Cain was named to the 1993 A-10 All-Rookie Team and received the team's Abbie Oliver Smith Award for academic and athletic excellence in 1994 and 1996.
Many of GW volleyball star Ms. Li’s teammates from her championship years were in attendance for her induction. “I am sincerely thankful, privileged and honored,” she said from the podium.
Known as a fierce competitor and a great teammate, Ms. Li started as an outside hitter but quickly distinguished herself as an all-around player who could play virtually any position during her GW career. Her skills and leadership helped lead the team to Atlantic 10 Championship titles in both 1994 and 1995.
In 1994, Ms. Li was named the Atlantic 10 Conference Player of the Year, in addition to being named to the All-Mideast Region and All-Atlantic 10 Conference first teams. She also was a five-time Atlantic 10 Player of the Week.
Mr. Trachtenberg, the 15th president of the University, was instrumental in transforming the athletics program during his time as president from 1988 to 2007. In accepting his Hall of Fame plaque he said, “I am obviously very grateful and honored to be here.”
During his tenure, the men's and women's athletic departments merged and winning became a top priority. Mr. Trachtenberg took office during a 30-year drought in men's athletics that began in 1961 in which no GW basketball team made a post-season appearance. During Mr. Trachtenberg's 19-year tenure as president, several Colonials teams advanced to the postseason, including men's and women's basketball, baseball, men's and women's soccer, volleyball, women's rowing, gymnastics and golf.
This year's Athletic Hall of Fame “Class of 2010” is the 48th elected since the University's Hall of Fame was founded in 1959.