Six new inductees join the ranks of Pacific's elite
 |
Five Tigers and one team
will be inducted on April
11, 2009 |
Stockton, Calif. - Five individuals and one team will be inducted into the University of the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame in annual induction ceremonies on April 11, 2009.
Established in 1982, the Hall of Fame welcomes Charlotte Johansson Eriksson (Volleyball), Todd Hosmer (Water Polo, Swimming), Bill Sandeman (Football, Swimming), Howard Stokes (Track) and Fred Van Dyke (Swimming) along with the 1996-97 men's basketball team. With the 2008-09 class, the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame will have honored 214 individuals and 20 teams in its 27-year history.
As part of this special evening, the 2008-09 Pacific Tigers Student-Athletes of the Year Awards will also be presented. This evening of celebration and recognition provides a unique opportunity for connecting Pacific's heritage of outstanding athletic alumni and Hall of Famers with the current generation of exceptional student-athletes.
Induction ceremonies and the annual awards banquet will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2009, at the Alex G. Spanos Center on the Pacific campus. A social hour begins at 6:00 p.m., with dinner and the induction program beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available by contacting the Pacific Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at (209) 946-3945 .
All previous inductees to the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame are encouraged to attend and wear their Hall of Fame medallions to this year's event.
Following are brief biographical sketches of the 2008-09 Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.
Charlotte Johansson Eriksson - Volleyball, 1991-94
Charlotte played volleyball for the Tigers from 1991-1995. During her tenure, she earned all-conference honors four times, AVCA All-District/Region honors three times, was named conference player of the week 2 times during the 1994 season, and was named an Academic All-American from 1992-1994. She also spent her time at Pacific making her mark on the record book where she currently ranks third in service aces in a career, fourth in service aces per game, fifth in hitting percentage, sixth in block assists, and tenth all-time in career digs. Charlotte also ranks eighth in the Pacific record book for most kills in a career, kills per game, solo blocks in a career, blocks per game, and total blocks.
Todd Hosmer - Water Polo, Swimming, 1989-94
Hosmer spent four years as a competing member of the men's water polo team, 1989-1991 and 1993. During the 1993 season, Hosmer led the Tigers to their first ever appearance in the NCAA Water Polo Tournament. He scored 64 goals over the course of the season, nine of which were two-point goals, for an average of 2.61 goals per game. Over the course of his water polo career at Pacific, Hosmer earned All-American honors three times (1990, 1991, and 1993).
Hosmer also spent four seasons participating on the men's swim team. Hosmer specialized in the freestyle, and finished in the top 10 in the Big West Conference in three different events during the 1993-1994 season. He had the second best time in the 50 Freestyle (20.43), the third best time in the 100 Freestyle (46.26), and the eighth best time in the 200 Freestyle (1:43.92). Hosmer also earned Big West Swimmer of the Year honors in 1992.
Bill Sandeman - Football, Swimming, 1961-64
While at Pacific, Sandeman was a member of the swim team from 1961-1963. Bill Sandeman also played on Pacific's football team from 1962-1964. Following his time at Pacific, Sandeman enjoyed an eight year career in the National Football League. He played for the Dallas Cowboys (1966), New Orleans Saints (1967), and the Atlanta Falcons (1967-73). Bill enjoyed his most success with the Atlanta Falcons where he earned a starting position on the offensive line in 1969 and 1971-1973.
Howard Stokes - Track, 1949-50
Prior to his time at Pacific, Howard lettered four times in track at Lodi High, where he competed in 440, the 220, the low hurdles, and the relay. Stokes then competed for Stockton College during his freshman and sophomore years in college. As a freshman, he took first place in the low hurdles at the NCJCC meet. Once at Pacific, Howard became a key contributor for then coach, Earl Jackson. Howard's most memorable moment for Pacific came in 1949. While competing in the low hurdles at the national AAU meet, he set the record for the fastest time in the country in 1949 for that event with a time of 23.1 seconds.
While Howard Stokes had a distinguished career at Pacific, it can be argued that his biggest contribution to the school came after his time at the university. Howard became the first president of the Tiger Track Club, which was an organization of downtown boosters who were committed to strengthening Pacific sports through scholarships and other financial assistance.
Fred Van Dyke - Swimming, 1938-39
An outstanding swimmer at Pacific who graduated in 1941, Van Dyke held six records in backstroke events during his time at Pacific, along with nine Pacific Athletic Association records. During this time he also held one world record for a span of 24 hours. Van Dyke also experienced success outside of collegiate competition, earning a spot on the United States team that traveled Europe and was in contention for the Olympics.
Fred resumed his swimming career in 1978 with Masters Swimming and continues to this day. He broke the world record in the 50 meter backstroke in 1978 for the 60-64 year old age group. He also participated in the 2006 World Masters Championship where he broke the American record and World Championship record in the 50 meter backstroke and the 50 meter butterfly.
1996-97 Men's Basketball Team
The 1996-97 Tigers finished 24-6, tying at the time for the most wins in school history. After an season-opening loss, Pacific won 16 straight games, including seven in a row to open Big West Conference play. With a 12-4 mark in Big West action, the Tigers won the Western Divison and tied with Nevada for the most league wins. Facing a difficult road at the Big West Tournament in Reno, the Tigers won three games in three days over Boise State, Utah State and Nevada on their home floor to take earn the league's bid to the NCAA Tournament. It was Pacific's first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1979.
