Sports
February 28, 2011
www.aggiecentral.com
7
Athletics inducts new HOF class By Amanda Cantu Staff Writer
A new class of athletes was inducted into the Cameron University Athletics Hall of Fame over the homecoming weekend. The five members of the Class of 2011 were the fourth group to receive the distinguished honor. Cameron’s Director of Athletics, Jim Jackson, said the Hall of Fame is something very special. “The Hall of Fame gives us a chance to capture the history of Cameron athletics, which, as far as we can tell, dates back to 1915.” Jackson said. That span of nearly a century gives Jackson cause to believe that the strength of the Hall of Fame will continue for years to come. “So many people have been involved with Aggie athletics that we can sustain the quality of the
individuals inducted for years,” Jackson said. “So many men and women are deserving that the five of this year’s class are just as good as the first class and the second class and the third class.” The first inductee of the evening was Erica Consen. Consen was the first tennis player to enter the Hall of Fame. As a two-time NCAA AllAmerican and a participant in the NCAA National Tournament, Consen had a stellar career as an Aggie. The tennis standout attended Cameron from 1994-1998. During her first year, she was ranked 14th in the Midwest Region and had a 14-3 record. As a sophomore, she was 21st in the region in singles and fifth in doubles. In the fall of that year, she reached the ITA Regional Championship finals and ended the season with a 25-6 record.
She climbed to third in the region as a junior and finished the year with a 24-6 record. In her senior year, Consen was 14th in the Rolex Rankings and 20th in the NCAA polls. She closed out her final season as an Aggie with a 12-5 record, making her overall record at CU 75-20. The next inductee was Simmie Hill. Hill was a member of the Aggie men’s basketball team from 1966-1967. During that time, he led CU to a 27-4 record and a third place finish at the NCJAA national tournament. Hill was a prolific shooter, making 53 percent of his field goals and 68 percent of his free throws. He also averaged just over 11 rebounds per game. Hill later played four years in the American Basketball Association (ABA). Robert “Bob” Kelley was the next athlete to receive induction honors. Kelley wore a Black and Gold jersey for the 1961 Aggie football team and helped lead the squad to the National JUCO Championship. During the 1961 season, Kelley was the team rushing leader with 712 yards. He earned First Team All-Oklahoma Conference Team honors and was also named an AllAmerican First Team Halfback by the Helms Athletic Foundation. Ed Marshall was the next athlete to be paid tribute. Like Kelley, Marshall was a football player. He played for CU from 1967-1971. Marshall is Cameron’s all-time leading receiver. He led the team in scoring his sophomore, junior and senior seasons. Marshall caught a total of 113 passes for 2,448 yards and 29 touchdowns
Photos by Jim Horinek
20111 HOF Class: Jeremy Wagner, Ed Marshall, Bob Kelly, Erica Consen and Simmie Hill (not pictured) were the 2011 inductees into the CU Athletics Hall of Fame. from 1968-1971. Jackson said he was thrilled Though Marshall’s first love about all of the members of the was football, he was a member of latest Hall of Fame class. the 1971 Aggie basketball team “All five excite me,” Jackson as well. said. “We had our first ever tennis After leaving Cameron, player inducted; we had arguably Marshall went on to play three the best basketball player to ever seasons in the NFL. play here in Simmie Hill; Bob The final member inducted from the Class of 2011 was Jeremy Kelley was a member of the 1961 National Championship football Wagner. team; we had our all-time leading Wagner was an outstanding receiver for football with Ed player for the CU baseball team Marshall; and we had the best from 1996-1999. hitter ever to play for Cameron. He holds numerous Aggie baseball records including number That’s really cool. That’s quality.” Nominations are currently of At Bats (646), RBIs (191), Hits (251), Triples (15), Homeruns (30) being accepted for future Hall of Fame inductees. Nominations and Total Bases (426). can be made online at During his senior season, cameronaggies.com or by calling Wagner led his team in At Bats, or visiting the CU Athletic Hits, Doubles, Triples, Home Department. The deadline for Runs and RBIs and boasted the nominations for the Class of 2012 team’s highest batting average is Oct. 1. (.438).
‘61 title team returns to reminisce, celebrate By Brandon Thompson Staff Writer
In the course of 50 years, many things happen: children are born, loved ones pass on, careers are built and more things are forgotten than remembered. For the 1961 Cameron Aggie football team, one moment stays clear in their minds: the Junior College National Championship. According to athletic director Jim Jackson, homecoming at Cameron is a celebrated week of events students look forward to throughout the year, but this year, a group of men, most of whom are over the age of 70 now, will use homecoming to reflect on past accomplishments and share stories
with friends they have not seen in decades. The 1961 National Champion CU football team, known then as the Cameron Agricultural College, was honored at half time of the women’s homecoming game. Close to thirty members of the team, along with families of some deceased players, represented a diverse group of men who won the national title 50 years ago. Jackson said some players from the team flew in from across the country while others flew in from Canada. “There are about four or five local Lawton guys that played on that team still living here,” Jackson said. “The rest are living in places like Chicago, Wisconsin, Washington, Pennsylvania and Canada.”
After the game, players and family members were invited to a banquet held in the McMahon Centennial Complex. An informal setting, the banquet allowed players to share stories about their experiences while playing football for CU. Jackson served as master of ceremonies for the event and said he thought the banquet allowed the players an opportunity to reminisce with old friends and share memorable stories. The stories from the players recounted their experience in the Junior College National Championship game played at the Rose Bowl Stadium on Dec. 9, 1961. According to the Junior Rose Bowl program from that game, Cameron Agricultural College was a hard-hitting team loaded with talent. The talent included players like 2011 Aggie Athletics Hall of Fame inductee and All-American Bob Kelley, who often played on both sides of the ball in critical situations. Kelley was described in the Junior Rose Bowl press information book as a deceptive, tireless runner, earning him the title of one of the greatest freshman running backs in Cameron’s history. According to the aforementioned program, CU’s team played the 1961 title game in front of a crowd reaching close to 40,000 fans. Fans attending the game could enter for $2 and buy their own box seats for $3.50. The Aggies won by a score of 28-20. Members of the 1961 team who have not returned to campus in several years will see several changes.
Ironically, in 1961, Cameron Agricultural School had just built the new student union at a cost of $250,000. At the time, Cameron was considered a rapidly growing junior college. Although the campus they visit now is different, when listening to the 1961 national championship
team speaks of their experience, one can tell these former players still consider Cameron home. Jackson said events like this are important for the school, and honoring the players during homecoming is a great way to show the university’s appreciation for their efforts.