Oct. 10, 2007

Allendale, Mich. - Grand Valley State will induct six individuals into the GVSU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2007. The 2007 Hall of Fame class will be inducted at the Hall of Fame banquet on Friday, Oct. 12, at the Kirkhof Center and then honored during halftime of the Grand Valley State-Indianapolis Homecoming game on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. New members will include: Erin Burgess (Kalamazoo, Mich/Christian), softball; Todd Jager (Montague, Mich.), athletic training; Kristy Kale (Jackson, Mich./), volleyball; Isaiah Lipsey (Southfield, Mich.), football/baseball; Melissa Smith-Richardson (Columbus, Ohio), track/cross country; Brent Wichlacz (Sterling Heights, Mich.), Men's Basketball.

This year's class will join the 86 members previously inducted into the Hall of Fame. The first GVSU Athletics Hall of Fame class was inducted in1986. Plaques honoring all inductees are on display at the GVSU Fieldhouse arena.

"We are inducting another outstanding class into our Hall of Fame," said GVSU athletics director Tim Selgo. "These six individuals were outstanding representatives of Grand Valley State."

The following are thumbnail sketches of each 2007 inductees.

Erin Burgess

Softball

Erin Burgess concluded her career as one of the most prolific softball players in Laker history. Burgess, who was a four-year letterwinner for the Lakers on the diamond, ranks in the top 10 in nine career categories and seven single-season categories. Burgess, a shortstop, started 208 of 210 games played during her career. In the Laker career annals, Burgess ranks first in doubles (52), second in RBIs (162) and total bases (355), fourth in batting average (.383) and hits (241), fifth in assists (371) and seventh in at bats (628) and walks (61). She was named the 1998 GLIAC Freshman of the Year, and was a three-time All-GLIAC honoree. Erin was 2001 GLIAC All-Academic selection and was a 2001 Verizon Academic All-American First-Team honoree. Grand Valley State was 194-42-2 during her career with three NCAA DII Great Lakes Regional appearances and one GLIAC Championship.

Todd Jager

Athletic Training

Todd Jager was the head athletic trainer at Grand Valley State in job title, but everyone associated with Laker athletics, inside and out, knew he was much more. Friend, caregiver, mentor and teacher are just a few words that begin to describe Todd. He was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the GVSU athletic training department that oversees more than 500 student-athletes. On an individual basis however, he did so much more for those surrounding and associated with Grand Valley State. Todd was a wonderful husband and father, in addition to being a tireless worker. He volunteered his services to numerous groups and organizations, always lending a helping hand. Todd was a well-respected professional in athletic training and he mentored a large number of students that are now performing the tools of the trade learned from him. Todd lost a 19-month battle with brain cancer January 18, 2007.

Kristy Kale

Volleyball

Kristy Kale established herself as one of the all-time great volleyball players at Grand Valley State. Known for her toughness on the court, Kale was a key contributor in the building of the Laker volleyball program under Deanne Scanlon. Kristy played in 129 matches and 452 games during her career. Kale holds the GVSU career record for assists (5,441) and assists per game (12.04). In addition, she also tallied 999 digs, 291 kills, 183 block assists and 33 solo blocks during her career. Kale currently ranks second and third on the single-season list for assists, recording 1,637 assists in 2000 and 1,630 in 1999. Kristy was a two-time All-GLIAC and All-Great Lakes Region selection during her career. She led Grand Valley State to a 31-4 record during her senior season. The Lakers won the NCAA DII Great Lakes Regional crown and advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. GVSU also claimed the 2000 GLIAC regular season and tournament titles. Kale was named to the AVCA All-American Second-Team in 2000.

Isaiah Lipsey

Football

Isaiah Lipsey was a two-sport performer at Grand Valley State, earning three varsity letters in both football and baseball during his collegiate career. Lipsey ranks 10th on the Laker career rushing list with 2,584 yards, while his total of 3,204 career all-purpose yards is 11th on the career chart. His 1,013 rushing yards in 1989 led the squad and ranks 10th on the single-season list. Lipsey's 6.1 career yards per carry mark is third in the Laker records books. In addition, Isaiah rushed for 19 TDs and caught 62 passes for 660 yards and three scores in his football career. GVSU won two conference titles (1989-1990) and advanced to the NCAA DII Playoffs on both occasions. Lipsey's 212-yard outing versus Winona State is the seventh-best single-game total, while his 204 rushing yards at Lubbers Stadium against California (Pa.) ranks eighth. Lipsey was a three-time All-GLIAC performer, earning second-team plaudits as a junior and first-team as a senior. In 67 career baseball games, Lipsey hit .274 with 29 hits, 24 runs scored, 12 RBI and 20 stolen bases.

Melissa Smith

Track/Cross Country Melissa Smith is one of the most decorated track/cross country student-athletes in Grand Valley State history. Smith, who set records in multiple events nine times during her career, is the current record holder in both the 5K (18:00) and 6K (21:27) in cross country, while also holding the outdoor 800-meter record (2:05.30) and being a part of the 4x400 record-setting relay. Smith was the 1998 and 1999 GLIAC Cross Country individual champion, while also claiming the 1999 Great Lakes Regional Cross Country individual title. Melissa was an eight-time GLIAC Champion in track & field, including being named the 2000 GLIAC Outdoor Athlete of the Meet after winning four (400, 800, 1500 and 3000) individual titles. Smith was a five-time NCAA DII All-American. She finished third in both the 1999 indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships in the 800. Smith then became GVSU's first cross country All-American when she finished 14th at the 1999 NCAA Championships. Melissa closed her career with a fourth-place finish at the 2000 outdoor championships in the 1500 and a sixth-place finish as a member of the 4x400 relay team. Smith finished eighth in the 2000 Olympic Trials in the 800.

Brent Wichlacz

Men's Basketball

Brent Wichlacz made the most of his career at Grand Valley State after joining the Laker men's basketball program as a walk-on. Wichlacz, who played in 113 career games for the Lakers on the hardwood, was a member of two teams that advanced to the NCAA DII Great Lakes Regional Championships, and won one GLIAC regular season and tournament title. Brent ranks fifth in career three-pointers made (169), seventh in career points (1,437), steals (146) and blocked shots (62). He is also 15th in career assists (214). Wichlacz led the team in scoring (20.4 ppg), rebounding (7.3 rpg), assists (68) and blocked shots during his senior campaign. He led the team in three-pointers and rebounding as a sophomore. Brent still holds the Grand Valley State single-game scoring record of 47 points versus Hillsdale College in 1993. Wichlacz, who guided GVSU to a 79-37 mark during his career, was a Basketball Gazette and a NCAA DII Honorable Mention All-American as a senior.