Chapman Athletics announces Hall of Fame Class of 2017
ORANGE, Calif. – Chapman University's Donald P. Kennedy Intercollegiate Athletic Program will host a Night of Champions and Hall of Fame Inductions on October 28, 2017 to induct its 37th Hall of Fame class. Former Director of Athletics David Currey, baseball standout Brian Sanders '03, two-sport star Linda Ly '10 and track & field national champion Joe Phillips '79 will be enshrined in the hall of fame.
The Night of Champions and Hall of Fame Inductions banquet will begin at 4 p.m. in the Sandhu Conference Center, preceding the 7 p.m. football game against Cal Lutheran. Steve Lavin '88, Chapman graduate and former men's basketball head coach at UCLA and St. John's, will be the keynote speaker at the banquet. Table sponsorships are available for $1,500 and individual tickets may be purchased for $75 per person.
Currey retired as Chapman's Director of Athletics in 2014-15 after 25 years of service. He led the athletics department through several major changes and upgrades during his quarter century as a Panther. Chapman transitioned from Division II to Division III in 1994 toward the beginning of Currey's tenure. The transition meant the addition of Orange County's only NCAA football program. In 2011, Chapman Athletics officially joined the SCIAC after 17 years as an independent. Currey also oversaw the building of the Erin J. Lastinger Athletics Complex, the renovation of Ernie Chapman Stadium and Wilson Field and the addition of the Allred Aquatics Center. The complex was named a Facility of Merit in 2010 at the Athletic Business Conference.
Under Currey's leadership, Panther teams brought home two NCAA Division III national championships and 18 regional championships. The Panthers also won three SCIAC titles upon its full entry into the conference and two SCIAC Postseason Tournament titles.
Sanders was a standout baseball player and captain on the 2003 NCAA Division III national championship team. He was a three-time All-Region selection and an Academic All-American as a senior. He still holds Chapman's Division III career records in home runs (21), RBIs (162) and assists. As a career .352 hitter, he is in the top-10 for several more categories including hits, batting average, doubles and runs scored.
Ly's name fills two record books after phenomenal careers in both basketball and volleyball. She remains Chapman's career digs leader – a record she broke during her sophomore season. She was a two-time All-American as a libero and three-time All-Region selection. When fall transitioned to winter, Ly switched sports on the hardwood. As a basketball player, she was a 1,000-point scorer and ranks ninth in school history with 1,079 points. She ranks in the top-10 in free throw attempts and makes, steals, assists and offensive rebounds.
Phillips had an outstanding career on Chapman's men's track & field team as a high jumper. He won the NCAA Division II national championship in the high jump in 1978 and was an All-American in 1979. He is still Chapman's school record holder in the high jump with a mark of 7-2 1/2 in 1979. During a meet with Long Beach State, Phillips defeated Dwight Stones, who was the world record holder at the time, in a head-to-head competition. Unfortunately, Phillips passed away in 2016 and will be inducted posthumously.
The four inductees as well as all Hall of Famers in attendance will be recognized at halftime of Chapman's SCIAC football game against Cal Lutheran. The Hall of Fame Class of 2017's plaques will then be unveiled on Gray Victory Way immediately following the on-field recognition.
For more information, please visit the Hall of Fame website here.
by Steven Olveda
Sports Information Director
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