All-female induction class to highlight Chapman Hall of Fame banquet
ORANGE, Calif. – In what some might consider a watershed moment for its Athletic Hall of Fame and another victory for Title IX, Chapman University will enshrine an all-female class in its 34th annual Athletics Hall of Fame ceremony and banquet on Saturday, Oct. 26. It’s the first time Chapman has inducted an all-female group and also the first time all three athletes: Sara Struhs-Featherstone ’02 (soccer), Rebecca Mondon-Mathias ’03 (volleyball) and Kelly Crampton ’05 (basketball/cross country) graduated in the 21st century.
The banquet, which begins at 5 p.m., will precede Chapman’s home SCIAC football game against the University of Redlands at 7 p.m. at Ernie Chapman Stadium.
Sara Struhs-Featherstone ’02: A dynamic presence at the center-midfield position, Struhs became Chapman's first Division III All-America selection when she was honored after her junior year in 2000. That same year, the Panthers reached the NCAA West Regionals for the third straight season. A three-time All-Far West Region honoree from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, Struhs led Chapman to its best season ever in 2000, setting career-highs in goals (10), assists (five) and points (25). She finished her career ranked No. 4 all-time at Chapman with 27 goals and 65 points and still ranks in the top 10 in those categories.
After graduating from Chapman in 2002, Sara worked with the elderly and their families in a Skilled Nursing Facility as a Social Services Director for three years. She spent three years volunteering through the Latter Day Saints church working children and teens. She is a stay-and-home mother of four with her husband Jeff.
Rebecca Mondon-Mathias ’03: Since joining the Division III ranks in 1994, Chapman Volleyball has been known for producing great middle blockers and Mondon may have been the best on the block. Her 135 career solo blocks remain tops in the school's history. And with 245 total blocks she is also the Panthers’ all-time blocks leader. Becky was Chapman's first-ever Division III All-America selection when she earned the award as a freshman in 1999. She also earned the West Region's Freshman of the Year from the AVCA that same season. She recorded 875 kills and a .293 hitting percentage and she went on to earn All-West Region honors three times.
After graduation, she spent time as a photographer earning multiple ribbons from entries at the Orange County Fair and hosted several art shows in Los Angeles. In 2005, she put the camera down to pursue police work spending time with the Huntington Beach Police, before landing at Cypress PD where she currently serves as a K-9 officer with her partner “Sem.”
Kelly Crampton ’05: Crampton was Chapman's record holder in the women's 5-kilometers (all-time) and 6-kilometers (Division III), until just this fall when both records were broken. Crampton was also a two-sport star for the Panthers, appearing in 100 basketball games in her four-year career. Crampton set the Chapman record in the 5K with a time of 18:53 in 2004. That same season, Crampton placed 35th at the NCAA West Regionals and set the Panthers’ Division III record in the 6k with a time of 23:45. She also helped women’s basketball to four consecutive NCAA Division III playoff appearances, including a berth in the 'Sweet 16' during her freshman year in 2002. The shooting guard scored 696 points and grabbed 327 rebounds over her four-year career and added 46 three-pointers.
Kelly earned her master’s in history from San Diego State University and currently teaches history and P.E. at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego. Besides teaching, Kelly coached the girls’ basketball team for five years and is in her second year of assisting the cross country program. She’s still running half and full marathons and has served on a number of mission trips to Malaysia, Haiti and Africa.
Chapman’s three newest Hall of Fame inductees, as well as all current Hall of Fame members in attendance, will be recognized on the field during halftime of the Panthers’ football game. An unveiling of their names on Chapman’s Hall of Fame wall is scheduled to take place immediately following the halftime ceremony. The Hall of Fame is located on Gray Victory Way as part of the Lastinger Athletics Complex. Tickets for the banquet are available for $75 per person or $700 per table and can be purchased online: http://www.chapmanathletics.com/hof
For more information contact Hilda Douvas: 714-744-2191 or douvas@chapman.edu.
by Doug Aiken
Sports Information Director
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