Hall of Fame

The Seattle University athletics department is honored to announce that five individuals and one team have been selected by the SU Athletics Hall of Fame Committee to be inducted into the Seattle U Athletics Hall of Fame during Homecoming weekend in February 2016.

Chris Coley (2004-2008) became the first Seattle University student-athlete to win an NCAA Division II individual national championship when he finished first in the 100 butterfly during the 2006 NCAA Division II Swimming and Diving National Championships. A four-time qualifier for the NCAA Championships, Coley (pictured above) still holds the school record in the 100 butterfly of 48.19 seconds set in March 2008. He was a two-time Academic All-American, a two-time winner of the Seattle U Male Student-Athlete of the Year Award, and also a winner of the Bill Fenton 101 Club Male Athlete of the Year Award.

Mandy Matzke (1996-2000) enjoyed one of the best careers in Seattle U women's basketball history, finishing with 1,258 career points (ninth all-time) and 685 career rebounds (eighth all-time). She played in 101 games for Seattle U. In her sophomore season, she averaged 15.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. After averaging 13.6 points and 8.3 rebounds in her junior year, she posted 17.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game in her senior season. She went 60-for-160 (.375) in three-point field goal attempts during her senior season.

Jean Merlino, '61, graduated from Seattle U with a bachelor's degree in journalism, and stayed with the school to work in several departments over the span of 28 years. She began her tenure in the publications office in 1966, working on academic-related pieces until 1977, when she began working with the women's basketball team on its media guide. Eventually, Merlino took over all athletics department publications. In 1985, she received the first Campus Service Award for outstanding service and dedication presented by the Alumni Association. She continues to contribute to the athletics department in several ways, including serving on the Hall of Fame Committee and the Diamond Club for baseball.

Don Ogorek (1957-1960), known as "The Ox", played 84 games for the Seattle University basketball team from 1957 through 1960, scoring 1,230 career points (20th all-time) and pulling down 694 career rebounds (13th all-time). After averaging 9.0 points and 6.3 rebounds per game in 1957-58, helping Seattle U reach the NCAA title game, he averaged 16.9 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in 1958-59 and 19.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in 1959-60. Those led to career averages of 14.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game. He helped Seattle U post a three-year record of 60-22 (.732).

Ashley Porter (Hallenbeck) (2004-2008) started every match of her collegiate career, finishing with 19 goals and a school-record 48 assists for 86 career points, seventh on Seattle U's all-time points list. Porter was a three-time First Team All-GNAC and three-time All-Far West Region selection. In 2006 she became the first Seattle University women's soccer player to earn NSCAA First Team All-America honors since 1994. While at Seattle U, the women's soccer team went 61-15-8 (.774), won the 2006 GNAC championship, and made three appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament, including advancing to the Elite Eight in 2004. A two-time Second Team Academic All-American, she was named Female Student-Athlete of the Year for 2007-08.

In 1968, the Seattle University baseball team posted a 25-8 (.758) overall record, highlighted by two victories over Washington and three wins over Seattle Pacific. Offensively, Bill Tsoukalas led the team with a .339 batting average and 19 runs batted in, followed closely by team MVP Steve Conklin, who batted .336 with 12 doubles, two home runs, 19 runs batted in, 24 walks (against just 11 strikeouts), and 14 stolen bases. On the mound, Jeff Lemon went 8-3 with a 3.76 earned run average and 72 strikeouts in 67 innings pitched. Terry Gibson went 6-1 with six complete games and a 0.98 ERA.

The 2016 Seattle University Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon will take place Saturday, Feb. 6, at noon in Campion. Registration for the luncheon will be available online soon at www.goseattleu.com/special-events.