Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Announced - GoColumbiaLions.com—Official Web Site of Columbia University Athletics

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Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2010 Announced

Written By: Columbia University Athletics Release: 06/04/2010

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NEW YORK - Columbia Athletics will induct 20 of its former student-athletes and three former head coaches in the 2010 Class of the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame. The induction will occur at a special ceremony in Low Memorial Library on the Columbia University's Morningside Campus on Friday, October 22, 2010.

Columbia will also honor one of its all-time great teams, one individual for his special contributions to the Columbia athletics program, and one former athletics staff member. The inductees have been selected by a vote of a selection committee of Columbia Athletics affiliates, including alumni and athletics administration.

"When you look back at the history of Columbia University Athletics, the members of this year's Hall of Fame class are etched throughout some of our brightest moments," says Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, Director, Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education at Columbia. "This year's inductees have made significant impact to the University, and are truly deserving of this honor."

Columbia University has fielded teams for intercollegiate athletics competition since the mid-1800s - some records indicate that the first intercollegiate sporting event in which Columbia participated in was a rowing race in New York City in 1852.

Among the members of the Class of 2010 of the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame are Beijing Olympic silver medalist in fencing, Erinn Smart, National College Football Hall of Famer Walter Koppisch, US Open Tennis Champion Oliver Campbell, one of Columbia's most beloved coaches, Buff Donelli, and one of his most successful teams, the 1961 Ivy League Champion Football squad.

The 1961 Football team boasts some of Columbia Football's most influential and involved alumni. Bob Asack, Tony Day, Lee Black, Tom Haggerty and Columbia Athletics Hall of Famer Russ Warren, all earned first team All-Ivy League honors that season, while Dick Hassan was named to the All-Ivy League second team.

The captain of the '61 squad, William V. Campbell, is Chair of the Columbia University Trustees, a former Columbia head football coach, and National Football Foundation Gold Medal winner. In 2009, the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame renamed the Draddy Trophy in honor of Campbell. The William V. Campbell Trophy is the most prestigious academic honor in collegiate football.

The Class of 2010 of the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame includes 19 men, six women and one team representing 12 different sports.

Nominees for the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame were submitted by the general public from November 2008 through March 2010. Inductees are eligible in the following categories: Category 1: Former Male Student-athlete - Heritage Era (1852-1955), Category 2: Former Male Student-athlete - Modern Era (1955-present), Category 3: Former Female Student-athlete, Category 4: Coaches - Heritage Era (1852-1955), Category 5: Coaches - Modern Era (1955-present), Category 6: Team, Category 7: Athletics Administrators and Staff, Category 9: Special Category for Individual Achievement. More than 200 nominations were submitted for consideration.

Tickets to the black-tie dinner and induction ceremony are available by calling Felicia Ganthier at (212) 851-5648. Media members may contact Darlene Camacho at (212) 854-2535 or dc2164@columbia.edu for information regarding press credentials.  

The members of the Class of 2010 of the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame are:

Former Male Student-athletes - Heritage Era (1852-1955)  

Charles Batterman '44CC (Swimming and Diving)

Lou Bender '32CC (Basketball, Baseball)

Oliver Campbell 1891CC (Tennis)

Walter Koppisch '25CC (Football)

John J. O'Brien '38CC (Football, Basketball, Swimming and Diving)

Stephen Sobel '54CC (Fencing)

Al Thompson '54CC (Track & Field)  

Former Male Student-athletes - Modern Era (1955-Present)

Thomas Auth '90CC (Rowing)

Robert Cottingham, Jr. '88CC (Fencing)