HU announces 2019 Hall of Fame inductees

On Saturday, November 16, Huntington University will induct Alyssa (Schroeder) Bailey, Jordan Dawes and the 1999-2000 men’s basketball team into the Forester Athletic Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony will take place at the Habecker Dining Commons at 11:00 a.m. Inductees will also be recognized at halftime of the Huntington men’s basketball game later that day.

Alyssa (Schroeder) Bailey (2010) is being honored for her contributions to the volleyball program during the years of 2006-2010. After a decorated career at Huntington North, Alyssa took her talent across town where she had the privilege of playing for her dad who spent 14 years at the helm of the HU volleyball program.

Alyssa is undoubtably one of the best setters in Huntington history. She holds the program record for most assists in a career with 4,979. She also boasts the most career aces on file with 255. Her impact was evident from day one and it didn’t take long for coaches around the league to recognize that too as she was an All-Conference honoree every year.

While she was one of the best at her craft, Alyssa’s contributions spanned well beyond her setting responsibilities. In addition to posting nearly 5,000 assists, she also racked up 1,018 digs, 399 kills and 240 blocks over the course of her career.

Jordan Dawes (2012) is being honored for his contributions to the men’s golf program during the years of 2008-2012. After an impressive prep career at Wawasee High School, Jordan splashed onto the scene at Huntington where his success was immediate and well documented.

Over his four-year career at HU, the Foresters compiled a 276-118 record. He guided his squad to two MCC Conference Championships and the program’s only two NAIA National Tournament appearances. As a junior, the four-time All-Conference selection was named the 2011 MCC Player of the Year by earning medalist honors at the conference tournament.

Jordan was one of the best in the nation as an upperclassman as evidenced by earning Third Team All-American accolades in each of his last two years. He was also adept in the classroom where he was a two-time NAIA Scholar Athlete and Academic All-Conference pick.

The 1999-2000 men’s basketball team is being honored for the legacy they have left on the HU basketball program.

Coach Steve Platt’s 1999-2000 squad was the first team in program history to earn a spot at the NAIA National Tournament as the Mid-Central Conference tournament champions and their debut was impressive. Seeded second, the Foresters routed their first three opponents, winning on average by 21.3 points, to reach the Final Four where they fell to the home-town favorites College of the Ozarks in overtime.

Led by First Team All-American Gabe LaGrange, Huntington finished the season with a 31-4 record, the most wins in program history. They dominated the opposition by outscoring opponents on average by nearly 12 points per contest. To this day, they hold the school record for most rebounds in a season with 1,432 and most assists in a season with 722.

Six players from the 1999-2000 squad finished their career as members of HU’s 1,000-point club. Those players are David Porter, Gabe LaGrange, Brett Snodgrass, Brodie Garber, Adam Hill and Joe Gaff.

Other members of the highly touted and talented 2000 team include Eric Ferrell, Brandon Holler, Andy Kurzen, Wade Leer, Greg Miller, Matt Plett, Nate Reusser, Eric Strom, Mike Willard, Paul Wright, Dusty Abshire (student manager), Larry Smith (student manager), Ryan Ripke (assistant coach) and Steve Platt (head coach).