Ewu Admits Six To Its Hall Of Fame
Featuring four All-Americans, a Pacific Coast boxing champion and a pioneer in women’s athletics, six more individuals have been selected as inductees to the Eastern Washington University Athletics/Nextlink Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony dinner is scheduled for Feb. 21 prior to Eastern’s men’s basketball game against Montana in Cheney. The dinner costs $10 and begins at 4 p.m. at the Pence Union Building on the EWU campus. For reservations contact the EWU athletic department by calling (509) 359-2463.
The inductees:
Defensive back Kurt Schulz of Yakima, who has spent his entire six-year National Football League career with the Buffalo Bills. He was an All-America defensive back and Academic All-American when he played for EWU from 1988-91. He finished his college career with 17 interceptions, 219 interception return yards, 28 passes broken up and 224 tackles as he set a pair of school records.
All-time leading basketball scorer and rebounder Ron Cox of Coulee City. He earned NAIA All-America honors in 1976 and 1977. He finished his career with 1,741 points and 1,273 rebounds while leading Eastern to a 77-30 record in his four years. The Tekoa-Oakesdale boys basketball coach, he directed the Nighthawks to the 1992 State B championship.
Dick Eicher of Palouse, who played basketball for Eastern from 1947-51. Eicher scored 1,084 career points and led Eastern to a 77-35 record in four seasons, including wins over Washington State, Idaho, Idaho State, Gonzaga and Montana. He was an honorable mention Little All-America selection in 1951. He went on to serve as a scout for the Indiana Pacers and the Kentucky Colonels and as an executive for the Denver Rockets (now Denver Nuggets).
Women’s basketball standout Brenda Souther of Arlington, Wash., who earned honorable mention All-America honors in 1987. She led Eastern to a 74-38 record in four seasons, including the school’s only NCAA tournament berth in 1987. She established more than 10 school records including 1,733 career points, 1,045 rebounds and 364 blocked shots.
Boxer, football player and high school coach Herm Pein of Chewelah. Pein won the Pacific Coast heavyweight boxing title in 1948 and was also a standout football player at Eastern, earning all-conference honors at linebacker and center. He helped EWU to a 27-7-2 record in his four years. He coached prep football at Chewelah for 32 years, directing the Cougars to a state title in 1977.
Administrator Peggy Gazette of Spokane (North Central High School). She was instrumental in the development of women’s athletics at Eastern, serving for 21 years (1966-87), primarily as women’s A.D. and chair of women’s physical education programs. For three years, she also chaired the Northwest College Women’s Sports Foundation.
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