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UCM Athletic Hall of Fame
Inductees for 2007-2008

11 individuals and three teams make up the 2007-08 class of the
University of Central Missouri of Athletic Hall of Fame

Joining the Hall of Fame this season are Eddie Coates (football, 1968-70) from the early era; Armando Becker (men’s basketball, 1989-91), Beth Horn (Savage) (softball, 1991-95), P.J. McGinnis (baseball, 2001-02), Kevin Nickerson (football, 1998-2001), Craig Ringe (baseball, 1999-2002) and Daria Zerr (McConnell) (volleyball, 1997-99). Al Molde (football coach, 1980-82) will enter in the coach category. Dr. Al Folkner, Chuck Simmons, and Bill Turnage made it in the special recognition category. The 2002 Mules Football team, 2002 Mules Baseball squad, and the 1972-73 Mules Wrestling team will join the Hall of Fame as well.

Early Era

Eddie Coates - Football, 1968-70

Coates played wide receiver and was All-MIAA first team in 1969 and an Associated Press All-American honorable mention in 1970. He ranks fifth in UCM career receiving yards (1,719) and still holds the UCM single-game record for receiving yards with 228 against Eastern Illinois on October 4, 1969 (second closest is 168 yards). His 16 career touchdown grabs is also fourth in school history. Coates was drafted in the 15th round by the Detroit Lions, the fifth player in Mules football history to be drafted.

Modern Era

Armando Becker - Basketball, 1989-91

The only two-time first-team All-American in school history (named to three teams in both 1989-90 and 1990-91), Becker was also a two-time first-team All-MIAA selection, earning conference MVP honors in 1989-90. He ranks seventh in school history (second among two-year players) in scoring with 1,315 points (20.2 ppg). He had the third-highest single-game effort in school history with 50 points against Missouri-St. Louis on February 9, 1991. He also had the fourth best single-season scoring effort in school history that season (744 points, 23.3 ppg). Becker ranks 16th (second among two-year players) in school history in rebounding (475, 7.3 rpg), fifth in steals (131), and fourth in field goal percentage (.586) while leading the squad in assists as well in his two seasons. He played one season (1995) with the Pittsburg Piranhas of the CBA before going to South America for a long pro career.

Beth Horn (Savage) - Softball, 1991-95

UCM’s career record holder in games played (220), hits (222, the only player in school history with 200+ hits), at bats (687), and doubles (49). She also ranks second in total bases (295), fourth in runs batted in (107), fifth in career runs scored (105), and 10th in slugging percentage (.429). With a .323 career average, she was a two-time All-Central Region pick (second-team in 1994, first-team in 1995), two-time Academic All-District selection, and a two-time first-team All-MIAA catcher. The 1994 team went 42-16 and won the MIAA and Central Region titles before finishing fourth in the nation (team is in UCM Hall of Fame).

P.J. McGinnis - Baseball, 2001-02

A first-team All-MIAA pick in each of his two seasons, he was a second-team All-American in 2001 with a national best 14-1 record (then was a school record for wins). He finished his career with a 22-3 overall record and is the all-time wins leader for two-year players in school history. He also finished his career with a 3.37 ERA. The two teams he played on finished second and third in the nation and had a combined record of 107-18.

Kevin Nickerson - Football, 1998-2001

A four-time All-MIAA pick, he was named to the first team twice and second team twice. He was also an All-Southwest Region all-purpose back in his senior season. The NCAA record holder for career kick and punt returns for touchdowns with 10, he is also the MIAA record holder for the most career touchdowns on punt returns with eight. He is the Mules record holder for the most punt return yards in a career with 1,533 and most kickoff return yards in a career with 1,976. He played running back, quarterback, and wide receiver, while returning kicks and punts. Nickerson is now an All-Arena League player with the Arizona Rattlers.

Craig Ringe - Baseball, 1999-2002

MIAA and Regional Player of the Year in 2002 as the shortstop, he also earned second-team All-American honors. He was also a two-time first-team All-MIAA selection in 2001 and 2002. He laid an assault on the UCM record books during his career. Ringe holds the school record with 275 hits, 297 runs scored, 61 doubles, 181 walks, 583 assists, not to mention several single-season marks (ranked in the season runs scored category three times). He also ranks second all-time in stolen bases with 91. He helped the Mules to 50-win seasons in his final three years, winning the regional title each time. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers at the completion of his career.

Daria Zerr (McConnell) - Volleyball, 1997-99

A two-time All-American (first-team in 1999, second-team in 1998), she was also a two-time first-team AVCA All-Region pick, and a three-time All-MIAA selection (second-team in 1997, first-team in 1998 and 1999). She was the 1999 Jennies and MIAA Most Valuable Player and twice was named to the MIAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll. She holds the Jennies single-season records for kills (692 in 1999) matches with 20+ kills (17 in 1999), and the career mark for kills per game (4.54). She also ranks sixth in school history in career kills (1,538) and second in career matches with 20+ kills (26). She has the four highest single match kill totals in UCM history as well (41, 39, 31, and 30). Her team also won the MIAA title all three seasons she played, losing only once in conference action.

Coaching

Al Molde - Football, 1980-82

Headed the Mules football program from 1980-82 and served as the school’s athletic director from 1981-83. Had three consecutive winning seasons for the first time since 1968-70, reviving the Mules football program. Went on to coaching careers at Eastern Illinois from 1983-86 and Western Michigan from 1987-96 (where he is the school’s all-time winningest coach). He currently serves as the athletic director at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota.

Special Recognition

Dr. Al Folkner - Team Physician

Dr. Folkner assisted Hall of Famer Dr. Reed Maxon, treating student-athletes for several years before serving as the UCM team physician from 1991-94. He is a long time supporter and booster of Central Missouri athletics and played for the Mules football team in the 1950’s. A graduate of Central Missouri, he is now retired and resides in Tubac, Arizona.

Chuck Simmons

Simmons is a Warrensburg native and now resides in Houston, Texas. A long time supporter of Central Missouri athletics, he has made several generous donations and has been a great friend of the program, especially Mules football. He has helped fund facility improvement projects, including the Sprinturf at Walton Stadium / Kennedy Field.

Bill Turnage - Sports Information Director
1981-2002, Voice of the Mules from 1969-81

Turnage served as voice of the Central Missouri football, basketball, and baseball teams from 1969-81 before becoming the Sports Information Director from 1981-2002. He was present at all but one of Central Missouri’s football games from 1969 to 2001. He has received 33 awards from CoSIDA for publications excellence and has served on the Academic All-America Committee since 1987. He currently works as the SID at Florida Southern College.

Teams

2002 Mules Football

The 2002 Mules football team made the first NCAA Playoff appearance in school history while going 10-2 and 8-1 in conference play. The Mules set a school record with 10 regular season wins and made it to the playoffs with a 23-20 overtime win at Pittsburg State. They were led by All-Americans Kegan Coleman at running back and Roderick Green at defensive end while wide receiver Todd Devoe, offensive lineman Dan Joiner, and strong safety Brian Riley earned first-team All-MIAA honors as well as All-Southwest Region accolades.

2002 Mules Baseball

The 2002 Mules baseball squad took third in the nation and won the MIAA and Central Regional titles with a then school record 54-8 mark (now the third most wins in school history). They rolled through the MIAA with a 28-3 record and were led by the pitching duo of P.J. McGinnis and Jason Herz. Shortstop Craig Ringe claimed MIAA MVP and All-American honors along with Herz while four other players were named to the MIAA first-team (seven total) in Joe Strada, Chris Umphres, Boomer Berry, and Zach Norman. Berry and Norman were also named All-Americans while head coach Brad Hill was named Regional Coach of the Year.

1972-73 Mules Wrestling

The 1972-73 Mules wrestling team went 11-1 in duals, finished first in the MIAA, and 12th (of 100+ teams) in the NCAA College Division (at the time the best ever finish for the Mules). The squad also defeated Division I Missouri 17-16 that season. The team produced two All-Americans (Randy Hughell at 150 and Duane Fritchie at 190, both finishing fourth) and seven national qualifiers. UCM also had seven of the 10 conference champions at the MIAA meet. Head coach Roger Denker’s squad was led by senior standouts Dan Power, Hughell, and Fritchie.

With the 2007-08 inductees, the Central Missouri Athletic Hall of Fame will consist of 135 individuals and 43 teams.