2007 Wall of Fame Class

Wednesday, January 3, 2007

"Walsh University to Induct Five into Athletic Wall of Fame"

Walsh University will induct five new members into its Athletic Wall of Fame.  The Wall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony will be held on Friday, January 26^th and Saturday, January 27th.  The dinner and induction ceremony will be held on Friday in the Barrette Business and Community Center, beginning with a reception at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner at 7:15 pm, with the induction ceremonies to follow.  Cost of the dinner is $15.00.  Please R.S.V.P. by calling 330-490-7035.  The 2007 class will also be presented on Saturday, at halftime of the women's (2 p.m.) and men's (4 p.m.) basketball games against the Cedarville University. 

Brittany Harmon (Women's Basketball, 1994-98, Badin HS) was a member of Walsh's first NAIA National Championship team in 1998. She averaged 15.3 points in '98, when Walsh went 29-5 and defeated Mary Hardin Baylor 73-66 in the NAIA Division II title game.  She was a first team All-Mid-Ohio Conference selection in '98 and was named to the NAIA National Tournament team.  Harmon was a second team MOC selection in 1997, when she averaged 11.8 points, and was honorable mention in '97, when she averaged 11.7 points.  Harmon, who played both guard and forward, scored 1,292 points and is sixth on the all-time scoring list.  She began the current season fourth in career free throws made (314), sixth in career assists (305), seventh in career field goals made (512), 10^th in career rebounds (66).  She played in 117 games.

Phil Marquart (Football, 1995-99, Green HS) is the second Walsh University Football player to enter the Wall of Fame.  Nate Falvo was the first inductee last year.  Marquart lettered four times at guard and was a member of Walsh's first team in 1995.  He was the first offensive lineman to earn All-Mid States Football Association honors, when he was named second team in 1997.  He was a first team selection in 1998 and was twice selected as a NAIA and MSFA Scholar-Athlete.  In 1998, he was also selected as a Co-SIDA Scholar-Athlete.  Walsh won 26 games in Marquart's four years and sported a 1,000 yard rusher each year.

Jane Pukys (Women's Tennis, 1987-89, Louisville HS) lettered three years for the Cavaliers after transferring from Grove City College.  Pukys compiled a 34-11 record at first singles and was the District 22 singles champion in 1987 and 1989.  Jane finished 14-4 as a sophomore, 13-3 as a junior and 7-2 her senior year.  Jane was a member of Walsh's 1989 District 22 Championship team.  She was also a fine doubles player, with records of 11-4 as a junior and 6-3 as a senior.  She was named as a NAIA Scholar-Athlete as a junior, and was also selected as Walsh's Co-Female Athlete of the Year in 1988. 

Jen (Swartz) Truman (Women's Softball, Volleyball 1994-98, Jackson HS) lettered eight times in two sports for the Cavs.  She earned four letters each in softball and volleyball.  On the diamond, at shortstop, Jen earned first team All-Mid-Ohio Conference honors for four straight years.  She hit .384 as a freshman, and .345 with eight doubles and 17 RBI as a sophomore.  In Jen's junior year, she batted .384 with 56 hits, four homeruns and 30 RBI.  Her senior year may have been her finest, as she hit .409, with 67 hits, 16 doubles, 34 RBI, and was selected as Walsh's Female Athlete of the Year.  She was also named second team NAIA All-America.  Truman was also named to the Great Lakes Region Team as a junior and senior.  At the time of Jen's graduation, she was the all-time leader in at bats, runs, hits, doubles, homeruns and RBI.  Jen was also a volleyball standout.  She earned first team All-MOC honors as a sophomore, junior and senior, and was named to the All-Freshman Team in her first year at Walsh.  Entering the 2006 season, Jen still ranked fourth in a single season in digs (661) and first in career kills with 2,093 and first with 2,236 career digs.

Bryan Whittaker (Men's Tennis, 1989-92, Lake HS) lettered four times, mostly at first singles for the Cavs.  Bryan was a two-time first team All-District 22 selection and was tabbed as Walsh's Co-Male Athlete of the Year in 1992.  Whittaker was 8-3 at first and second singles as a freshman.  The final three years Bryan played exclusively at first singles.  He finished 17-8 as a sophomore, 16-7 as a junior and 17-8 his senior year.  He posted a 58-26 career singles mark.  He was team MVP four times, and was a NAIA Scholar-Athlete in 1991 and 1992.  At the time of Brian's graduation, he was the all-time leader in wins at the first singles slot with 56, breaking the record of Dave Thomas (51). It is a record that he still holds today.