Air Force inducts eighth athletics hall of fame class
9/24/2021 9:00:00 PM | General, Women's Tennis
Otis Jones (men’s basketball), Terry Maki (football/wrestling), Robin Orth (rifle), Laura Simmons-Bergstrom (women’s tennis), Randy Spetman (former athletics director) and the 2004 men’s basketball team inducted
Air Force athletics inducted its eighth class for induction into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night, Sept. 24, at the Colorado Springs Marriott.
The class consists of of basketball's second all-time leading scorer Otis Jones, football All-American and wrestling NCAA qualifier Terry Maki, rifle All-American Robin Orth, women's tennis singles national champion Laura Simmons-Bergstrom, former director of athletics Randy Spetman and the 2004 Mountain West men's basketball championship team.
Jones, a 1995 Academy graduate, was an honorable mention All-American in 1995 while finishing as the runner-up for the Francis Pomeroy Naismith Award as the nation's best player under 6-feet. He scored 2,003 points in his career while becoming the only player in program history to earn first-team all-conference honors three years. Jones earned the athletic excellence award twice and ranks among the program's top three in four categories.
Maki, a 1987 Academy graduate, earned multiple All-America honors in 1986 and was named first-team all-conference two years in football. He set the school record for tackles in a single game with 30 vs. Notre Dame in 1985 while also blocking a game-winning field goal attempt that was returned for a touchdown, which is widely considered the most famous play in program history. Maki was also a conference wrestling champion in 1985 and two-time NCAA qualifier.
Orth, a 1996 Academy graduate, earned All-America honors eight times during his career. A three-time team most valuable player, Orth finished second in air rifle at the 1994 NCAA championships and was fourth in small bore in 1996. He helped the Falcons finish in the top four at the NCAA championships all four years. He later eanred a gold medal in air rifle in the 1995 Olympic Festival and was a member of the international air rifle team from 1994-2004.
Simmons-Bergstrom, a 1994 Academy graduate, won the 1991 NCAA Division II singles championship and earned All-American honors all four years in singles. Simmons is the only four-time most valuable player in program history and earned all-conference honors all four years in singles. She was also a two-time All-American in doubles and twice earned all-conference honors in doubles. She was named Colorado Sportswoman of the Year and was the program's record holder in singles victories with 108 when she graduated.
Spetman, a 1976 Academy graduate, was the director of athletics from 1996-2003. He was instrumental in leading the Academy into the Mountain West and was a member of the conference's handbook and television committees. During his tenure, the Academy moved into the Falcon Athletic Center, added a new scoreboard and turf to Falcon Stadium and had 26 nationally-ranked teams, 224 all-conference athletes, 466 academic all-conference honorees, 108 All-Americans and 32 Academic All-Americans. He is also credited with hiring hockey coach Frank Serratore and basketball coach Joe Scott. Spetman later served as AD at Utah State and Florida State and was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors (NACDA) Hall of Fame in 2017. Spetman was a two-sport standout as an athlete at the Academy. He lettered in football and earned Sports Illustrated Lineman of the Week honors. Spetman was also a two-time Wing Open boxing champion.
The 2004 men's basketball team won the program's only conference championship while compiling a 22-8 overall record, a program record at the time. The Falcons finished 12-2 in the Mountain West, winning the championship by two full games. The team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, the program's first appearance in 42 years. The Falcons won 13 straight and 16-of-17 at one point during the season and earned a top 25 national ranking. The team was coached by current head coach Joe Scott.
AIR FORCE ACADEMY ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASSES
2007
Alonzo Babers, class of 1983, Track, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, All-American in 1983
Bob Beckel, class of 1959, Men's Basketball, 1959 Helms All-American
John Clune, Athletics Administration, Director of Athletics, 1975-91
Chad Hennings, class of 1988, Football, 1987 consensus football All-American and Outland Trophy winner
Michelle Johnson, class of 1981, Women's Basketball, 1995 CoSIDA Academic All-American
Brock Strom, class of 1959, Football, 1958 consensus All-American
2009
Jim Bowman, Athletic Administration, former coach and administrator, 1958-2007
Callie Calhoun (Molloy), class of 1991, Track/Cross Country, multi All-American and national champion
Dee Dowis, class of 1990, Football, 1989 Heisman Trophy finalist
Ernie Jennings, class of 1971, Football, 1970 consensus football All-American
Terry Isaacson, class of 1964, Wrestling/Football, three-time wrestling All-American
Ben Martin, Coach, head football coach, 1958-77
2011
Jim Conboy, Athletic Administration, head athletic trainer, 1955-98
Gail Conway (Gray), class of 1984, Track, two-time national champion
Chuck Delich, class of 1977, Ice Hockey, school's all-time leading scorer
Bob Nieman, class of 1970, Swimming, two-time All-American
Scott Thomas, class of 1986, Football, consensus All-American in 1985
2013
Karen Burton (Reeder), class of 1984, Swimming, 16-time NCAA Division II All-American
Fisher DeBerry, Coach, Head Football Coach, 1984-06, winningest in school history
Parker Hinman, class of 1964, Basketball, Football, Baseball and Track, first four-sport letterman at the Academy
Eric Mack, class of 1996, Track, six-time conference champion and three-time All-American
Patty Martinez (Gillette), class of 1983, Swimming, six-time NCAA Division II individual national champion
Carlton McDonald, class of 1993, Football, consensus All-American in 1992 and Thorpe Award runner-up
2015
Maiya Anderson, class of 1997, Swimming, 12-time NCAA Division II All-American
Raymond Dudley, class of 1990, Men's basketball, all-time leading scorer in program history
Gene Miranda, Coach, Men's golf, all-time winningest coach in program history
Dana Pounds, class of 2004, Track, two-time national champion in the javelin
Bob Spear, Coach, men's basketball, led program to two NCAA tournaments and most wins in program history
Bart Weiss, class of 1986, Football, conference offensive player of the year, runner up for Davey O'Brien award
1958 Football Team, posted only undefeated season at 9-0-2 in program history and earned Cotton Bowl berth
2017
Rich Gugat, Coach, Men's Tennis, the Academy's all-time winningest coach in all sports with 730 dual-match wins
Paul Arata, Coach, Men's and Women's Swimming, led programs to a combined 301-15-1 record
Mike Thiessen, class of 2001, Baseball/Football, two-time baseball All-American, football conference player of year
Jim Murphy, class of 1965, Track and Field, school's first NCAA champion, winning the 5,000-meters in 1964
Seth Kelsey, class of 2003, Fencing, three-time Olympic team member and 2003 NCAA champion in epee
Don Henderson, class of 1968, Wrestling, program's only NCAA champion, winning 145-pound title in 1967
Rick McAlister, class of 1975, Swimming and Diving, 1974 NCAA champ in 1-meter diving, four-time All-American
1995-96 Women's Swimming and Diving Team, Won back-to-back NCAA championships in 1994-95 and 1995-96
2019
Wayne Baughman, coach, wrestling, winningest coach in program history with 183 wins in 27 seasons
Delavane Diaz, class of 2004, Volleyball, Rhodes Scholar and USAFA female athlete of the year in 2004
Chris Gizzi, class of 1997, Football, All-American in 1997 and two-time WAC defensive player of the year
Eric Ehn, class of 2008, Hockey, the program's first All-American and a Hobey Hat Trick finalist
Gregg Popovich, class of 1970, Basketball, five-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs
1985 Football Team, school-record 12 wins, WAC champions, reached No. 4 in the national polls
2021
Otis Jones, class of 1995, Men's Basketball, first three-time first-team all-conference honoree, 2000-point scorer.
Terry Maki, class of 1987, Football, First-team All-American in football and two-time NCAA qualifier in wrestling.
Robin Orth, class of 1996, Rifle, Eight-time All-American and three-time team most valuable player.
Laura Simmons-Bergstrom, class of 1994, Women's Tennis, 1991 NCAA National Singles Champion.
Randy Spetman, class of 1976, Athletics Administration, Director of Athletics from 1996-2003.
2004 Men's Basketball Team, 2004 Mountain West champions, first NCAA tournament for program in 42 years.
The class consists of of basketball's second all-time leading scorer Otis Jones, football All-American and wrestling NCAA qualifier Terry Maki, rifle All-American Robin Orth, women's tennis singles national champion Laura Simmons-Bergstrom, former director of athletics Randy Spetman and the 2004 Mountain West men's basketball championship team.
Jones, a 1995 Academy graduate, was an honorable mention All-American in 1995 while finishing as the runner-up for the Francis Pomeroy Naismith Award as the nation's best player under 6-feet. He scored 2,003 points in his career while becoming the only player in program history to earn first-team all-conference honors three years. Jones earned the athletic excellence award twice and ranks among the program's top three in four categories.
Maki, a 1987 Academy graduate, earned multiple All-America honors in 1986 and was named first-team all-conference two years in football. He set the school record for tackles in a single game with 30 vs. Notre Dame in 1985 while also blocking a game-winning field goal attempt that was returned for a touchdown, which is widely considered the most famous play in program history. Maki was also a conference wrestling champion in 1985 and two-time NCAA qualifier.
Orth, a 1996 Academy graduate, earned All-America honors eight times during his career. A three-time team most valuable player, Orth finished second in air rifle at the 1994 NCAA championships and was fourth in small bore in 1996. He helped the Falcons finish in the top four at the NCAA championships all four years. He later eanred a gold medal in air rifle in the 1995 Olympic Festival and was a member of the international air rifle team from 1994-2004.
Simmons-Bergstrom, a 1994 Academy graduate, won the 1991 NCAA Division II singles championship and earned All-American honors all four years in singles. Simmons is the only four-time most valuable player in program history and earned all-conference honors all four years in singles. She was also a two-time All-American in doubles and twice earned all-conference honors in doubles. She was named Colorado Sportswoman of the Year and was the program's record holder in singles victories with 108 when she graduated.
Spetman, a 1976 Academy graduate, was the director of athletics from 1996-2003. He was instrumental in leading the Academy into the Mountain West and was a member of the conference's handbook and television committees. During his tenure, the Academy moved into the Falcon Athletic Center, added a new scoreboard and turf to Falcon Stadium and had 26 nationally-ranked teams, 224 all-conference athletes, 466 academic all-conference honorees, 108 All-Americans and 32 Academic All-Americans. He is also credited with hiring hockey coach Frank Serratore and basketball coach Joe Scott. Spetman later served as AD at Utah State and Florida State and was inducted into the National Association of Collegiate Athletic Directors (NACDA) Hall of Fame in 2017. Spetman was a two-sport standout as an athlete at the Academy. He lettered in football and earned Sports Illustrated Lineman of the Week honors. Spetman was also a two-time Wing Open boxing champion.
The 2004 men's basketball team won the program's only conference championship while compiling a 22-8 overall record, a program record at the time. The Falcons finished 12-2 in the Mountain West, winning the championship by two full games. The team earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, the program's first appearance in 42 years. The Falcons won 13 straight and 16-of-17 at one point during the season and earned a top 25 national ranking. The team was coached by current head coach Joe Scott.
AIR FORCE ACADEMY ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASSES
2007
Alonzo Babers, class of 1983, Track, 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist, All-American in 1983
Bob Beckel, class of 1959, Men's Basketball, 1959 Helms All-American
John Clune, Athletics Administration, Director of Athletics, 1975-91
Chad Hennings, class of 1988, Football, 1987 consensus football All-American and Outland Trophy winner
Michelle Johnson, class of 1981, Women's Basketball, 1995 CoSIDA Academic All-American
Brock Strom, class of 1959, Football, 1958 consensus All-American
2009
Jim Bowman, Athletic Administration, former coach and administrator, 1958-2007
Callie Calhoun (Molloy), class of 1991, Track/Cross Country, multi All-American and national champion
Dee Dowis, class of 1990, Football, 1989 Heisman Trophy finalist
Ernie Jennings, class of 1971, Football, 1970 consensus football All-American
Terry Isaacson, class of 1964, Wrestling/Football, three-time wrestling All-American
Ben Martin, Coach, head football coach, 1958-77
2011
Jim Conboy, Athletic Administration, head athletic trainer, 1955-98
Gail Conway (Gray), class of 1984, Track, two-time national champion
Chuck Delich, class of 1977, Ice Hockey, school's all-time leading scorer
Bob Nieman, class of 1970, Swimming, two-time All-American
Scott Thomas, class of 1986, Football, consensus All-American in 1985
2013
Karen Burton (Reeder), class of 1984, Swimming, 16-time NCAA Division II All-American
Fisher DeBerry, Coach, Head Football Coach, 1984-06, winningest in school history
Parker Hinman, class of 1964, Basketball, Football, Baseball and Track, first four-sport letterman at the Academy
Eric Mack, class of 1996, Track, six-time conference champion and three-time All-American
Patty Martinez (Gillette), class of 1983, Swimming, six-time NCAA Division II individual national champion
Carlton McDonald, class of 1993, Football, consensus All-American in 1992 and Thorpe Award runner-up
2015
Maiya Anderson, class of 1997, Swimming, 12-time NCAA Division II All-American
Raymond Dudley, class of 1990, Men's basketball, all-time leading scorer in program history
Gene Miranda, Coach, Men's golf, all-time winningest coach in program history
Dana Pounds, class of 2004, Track, two-time national champion in the javelin
Bob Spear, Coach, men's basketball, led program to two NCAA tournaments and most wins in program history
Bart Weiss, class of 1986, Football, conference offensive player of the year, runner up for Davey O'Brien award
1958 Football Team, posted only undefeated season at 9-0-2 in program history and earned Cotton Bowl berth
2017
Rich Gugat, Coach, Men's Tennis, the Academy's all-time winningest coach in all sports with 730 dual-match wins
Paul Arata, Coach, Men's and Women's Swimming, led programs to a combined 301-15-1 record
Mike Thiessen, class of 2001, Baseball/Football, two-time baseball All-American, football conference player of year
Jim Murphy, class of 1965, Track and Field, school's first NCAA champion, winning the 5,000-meters in 1964
Seth Kelsey, class of 2003, Fencing, three-time Olympic team member and 2003 NCAA champion in epee
Don Henderson, class of 1968, Wrestling, program's only NCAA champion, winning 145-pound title in 1967
Rick McAlister, class of 1975, Swimming and Diving, 1974 NCAA champ in 1-meter diving, four-time All-American
1995-96 Women's Swimming and Diving Team, Won back-to-back NCAA championships in 1994-95 and 1995-96
2019
Wayne Baughman, coach, wrestling, winningest coach in program history with 183 wins in 27 seasons
Delavane Diaz, class of 2004, Volleyball, Rhodes Scholar and USAFA female athlete of the year in 2004
Chris Gizzi, class of 1997, Football, All-American in 1997 and two-time WAC defensive player of the year
Eric Ehn, class of 2008, Hockey, the program's first All-American and a Hobey Hat Trick finalist
Gregg Popovich, class of 1970, Basketball, five-time NBA champion with the San Antonio Spurs
1985 Football Team, school-record 12 wins, WAC champions, reached No. 4 in the national polls
2021
Otis Jones, class of 1995, Men's Basketball, first three-time first-team all-conference honoree, 2000-point scorer.
Terry Maki, class of 1987, Football, First-team All-American in football and two-time NCAA qualifier in wrestling.
Robin Orth, class of 1996, Rifle, Eight-time All-American and three-time team most valuable player.
Laura Simmons-Bergstrom, class of 1994, Women's Tennis, 1991 NCAA National Singles Champion.
Randy Spetman, class of 1976, Athletics Administration, Director of Athletics from 1996-2003.
2004 Men's Basketball Team, 2004 Mountain West champions, first NCAA tournament for program in 42 years.
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