The Inaugural CUSA HOF Class was announced and no team or person from UofL was included!!!!
C-USA Announces Inaugural Hall of Fame Class
July 08, 2019
DALLAS – As part of its 25th season celebration, Conference USA announced today its inaugural Hall of Fame Class. The 25-person class is comprised of 20 student-athletes, three coaches and two administrators.
“We are very pleased to honor this outstanding group for their many lasting contributions to their universities and to Conference USA,” said Judy MacLeod, Conference USA Commissioner. “They have provided many outstanding achievements and memories and we are proud to recognize their lasting legacy to our conference.”
The inaugural C-USA Hall of Fame class features student-athletes and coaches from 13 different sports. Eleven of the eligible schools (those who were members of C-USA prior to the summer of 2013 for this class) are represented. Five different schools (Cincinnati, Houston, Rice, Southern Miss and UAB) lead the way with three representatives in the inaugural group.
Criteria to be eligible for the Hall of Fame includes the following:
*A minimum of two years played for student-athletes, minimum five years served for
coaches/administrators (coaches/administrators in current roles are eligible)
*Student-athletes are only eligible five years after their last C-USA competition
*Considerations for student-athletes will be based on but not limited to All-America selections and
national honors, C-USA superlative awards, academic standing and off-the-field contributions
*Considerations for coaches/administrators will be based on contributions to C-USA as a whole
A Committee has been put in place to select nominees and the league’s Athletics Directors serve as the voting panel for the C-USA Hall of Fame.
In the future, the C-USA Hall of Fame class size will be a minimum of one inductee and a maximum of five inductees per year.
Initial nominees not selected in this class will remain on the ballot for future years.
INAUGURAL CONFERENCE USA HALL OF FAME CLASS
Athlete School Sport
Courtney Blades Southern Miss Softball (1999-2000)
Arnau Brugues Tulsa Men’s Tennis (2006-09)
Torie Bowie Southern Miss Track & Field (2009-12)
-2011 and 2012 C-USA Field Athlete of the Year
-Two-time NCAA long jump champion, winning indoors and outdoors in 2011. She holds the school records for the long jump and was also NCAA runner-up outdoors in 2012
-Post collegiate career, she competed for USA in the 2016 Summer Olympics, winning silver medal in 100-meter, bronze medal in 200-meter dash and a gold medal as a member of the 4x100-meter relay team
Jon Busch Charlotte Men’s Soccer (1994-96)
Chris Douglas-Roberts Memphis Men’s Basketball (2005-08)
-Consensus First Team All-American in 2008, honorable mention All-American in 2007
-2008 C-USA Player of the Year and two-time first team All-C-USA selection (2008, 2007)
-Led Memphis to the National Championship game in 2008 and NCAA Elite Eight in 2007 and 2006
-Won three regular season and three postseason C-USA Championships
Jarett Dillard Rice Football (2005-08)
-2008 First Team All-American; 2007 Honorable Mention All-American; 2006 Second Team All-America
-Three-time First Team All-C-USA (2008, 2007, 2006); 2005 All-Freshman team
-Remains the FBS all-time leader in touchdown catches with 60
-Still holds the FBS record with a touchdown catch in 13 consecutive games
-Key part of Rice’s first bowl team in 45 years during the 2006 season and Rice’s first bowl victory in 54 years in 2008
Jake Gautreau Tulane Baseball (1998-2001)
Tyler Henderson Tulsa Volleyball (2009-12)
Deanna Jackson UAB Women’s Basketball (1998-02)
Chandi Jones Houston Women’s Basketball (2000-04)
Case Keenum Houston Football (2007-11)
-2001 and 2009 Sammy Baugh Award winner (top Division I quarterback)
-2011 and 2009 C-USA Most Valuable Player; 2008 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year; 2007 C-USA Freshman of the Year; 2001 and 2009 First Team All-C-USA; 2008 Second Team All-C-USA; 2007 C-USA All-Freshman Team.
-Led Houston to two C-USA Championship Games and four bowl appearances.
-Remains the FBS career leader in pass completions (1,546), passing yards (19,217), passing touchdowns (155), games with 300+ passing yards (39), seasons passing for 5,000+ yards (3), seasons passing for 4,000+ yards (3, (tied with four others), total yards (20,114) and touchdowns responsible for (178).
Michael Kogan Tulane Men’s Tennis
Kenyon Martin Cincinnati Men’s Basketball (1997-00)
-2000 Consensus National Player of the Year
-Only three-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Year; 2000 C-USA Player of the Year; Two-time First Team All-C-USA (2000, 1999); Second Team All-C-USA in 1998; C-USA Male Athlete of the Decade (1995-
2005)
-Led Cincinnati to No.1 ranking majority of 1999-2000 season; Key part of four consecutive NCAA teams
-Post collegiate career, was C-USA’s only No. 1 overall NBA draft selection and played 14 years in the NBA
Graeme McDowell UAB Men’s Golf (1999-2002)
Yulia Pakhalina Houston Swimming & Diving (2001-03)
Anthony Rendon Rice Baseball (2008-11)
Brooke Tull TCU Women’s Golf (2002-04)
Dwyane Wade Marquette Men’s Basketball (2001-03)
-2003 C-USA Player of the Year; Two-time First Team All-CUSA (2003, 2002)
-In 2003, led Marquette to its only C-USA regular season title and C-USA’s first Final Four appearance; was named Midwest Regional MVP after recording a triple-double in defeating No. 1-ranked Kentucky.
-Post collegiate career, was the No. 5 overall pick in the NBA Draft and has played 15 seasons in the NBA
DeAngelo Williams Memphis Football (2002-05)
-2005 First Team All-American; 2004 Second Team All-American
-One of two players to be named C-USA Offensive Player of the Year three times (2005, 2004, 2003); 2005-06 C-USA co-Male Athlete of the Year; Three-time C-USA First Team All-C-USA selection (2005, 2004, 2003); 2002 C-USA All-Freshman team; C-USA All-Decade team member (1995-2004)
-Led Memphis to three straight bowl games (2005, 2004, 2003), including their first bowl in 32 seasons
-Remains C-USA’s all-time leader in rushing yards (6,026), currently fifth in FBS history
-Post collegiate career, was a first round NFL draft pick and played 11 seasons, twice leading the league in TDs
Kevin Youkilis Cincinnati Baseball (1998-2001)
-Two-time Second Team All-American (2001, 2000)
-Two-time First Team All-C-USA (2001, 2000), one-time Third Team All-C-USA (1999); member of C-USA All-Decade team (1995-2004)
-Led Cincinnati to a school record 35 wins during the 2000 season
-Post collegiate career, was an 8th round pick in the MLB Draft; played 10 major league seasons, making three All-Star games and winning two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox
COACHES
Person School Sport
Jeff Bower Southern Miss Football (1995-2007)
-Led Southern Miss to five first place finishes and three outright championships in 12 seasons in C-USA
-Guided Southern Miss to winning records in all 12 seasons in C-USA, making 10 bowl appearances, including a pair of Liberty Bowl victories as league champion (1999, 1997); had 14 straight winning seasons at USM
-Three-time C-USA Coach of the Year (2003, 1999, 1997); C-USA Football Coach of the Decade (1995-2004)
-Post coaching career, served three years as a member of the CFP selection committee (2018, 2017, 2016)
Wayne Graham Rice Baseball (2006-2018)
-Inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012; Won 1,173 career games and the 2003 National Championship
-Led Rice to the College World Series in its first three seasons in C-USA (2008, 2007, 2006) and six times total.
-In 12 seasons in C-USA, won the regular season and/or postseason tournament championships 11 times, totaling 9 regular season titles and 7 postseason crowns
-Led Rice to the NCAA Championship in his first 11 seasons in C-USA (23 consecutive from 1995 to 2017)
-Five-time C-USA Coach of the Year (2012, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006)
Bob Huggins Cincinnati Men’s Basketball (1995-2004)
-1997-98 National Coach of the Year; Three-time C-USA Coach of the Year (1999-2000, 1998-99, 1997-98); C-USA Men’s Basketball Coach of the Decade (1995-2004)
-Won a share of eight C-USA regular season championships (five outright) and four postseason C-USA Championships (2004, 2002, 1998, 1996)
-Led Cincinnati to the NCAA Championship in each of his 10 seasons in C-USA, advancing to the Elite Eight in 1996
-UC compiled a 123-33 (.788) C-USA record in his 10 seasons and a 259-70 overall record during this period; UC was ranked in the Top 25 for 138 of 184 weekly polls, earning Top 10 rankings 77 times and holding down the No. 1 spot 15 times
ADMINISTRATORS
Person School
Gene Bartow UAB Men’s Basketball Coach/Athletics Director
-Inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009
-Founded the UAB Men’s Basketball program and served as head coach for 18 seasons until he retired in 1996, following the Blazers first season in Conference USA
Mike Slive C-USA Commissioner (1995-2002)
-Became the first Commissioner of Conference USA when the league began in 1995
C-USA Announces Inaugural Hall of Fame Class
July 08, 2019
DALLAS – As part of its 25th season celebration, Conference USA announced today its inaugural Hall of Fame Class. The 25-person class is comprised of 20 student-athletes, three coaches and two administrators.
“We are very pleased to honor this outstanding group for their many lasting contributions to their universities and to Conference USA,” said Judy MacLeod, Conference USA Commissioner. “They have provided many outstanding achievements and memories and we are proud to recognize their lasting legacy to our conference.”
The inaugural C-USA Hall of Fame class features student-athletes and coaches from 13 different sports. Eleven of the eligible schools (those who were members of C-USA prior to the summer of 2013 for this class) are represented. Five different schools (Cincinnati, Houston, Rice, Southern Miss and UAB) lead the way with three representatives in the inaugural group.
Criteria to be eligible for the Hall of Fame includes the following:
*A minimum of two years played for student-athletes, minimum five years served for
coaches/administrators (coaches/administrators in current roles are eligible)
*Student-athletes are only eligible five years after their last C-USA competition
*Considerations for student-athletes will be based on but not limited to All-America selections and
national honors, C-USA superlative awards, academic standing and off-the-field contributions
*Considerations for coaches/administrators will be based on contributions to C-USA as a whole
A Committee has been put in place to select nominees and the league’s Athletics Directors serve as the voting panel for the C-USA Hall of Fame.
In the future, the C-USA Hall of Fame class size will be a minimum of one inductee and a maximum of five inductees per year.
Initial nominees not selected in this class will remain on the ballot for future years.
INAUGURAL CONFERENCE USA HALL OF FAME CLASS
Athlete School Sport
Courtney Blades Southern Miss Softball (1999-2000)
Arnau Brugues Tulsa Men’s Tennis (2006-09)
Torie Bowie Southern Miss Track & Field (2009-12)
-2011 and 2012 C-USA Field Athlete of the Year
-Two-time NCAA long jump champion, winning indoors and outdoors in 2011. She holds the school records for the long jump and was also NCAA runner-up outdoors in 2012
-Post collegiate career, she competed for USA in the 2016 Summer Olympics, winning silver medal in 100-meter, bronze medal in 200-meter dash and a gold medal as a member of the 4x100-meter relay team
Jon Busch Charlotte Men’s Soccer (1994-96)
Chris Douglas-Roberts Memphis Men’s Basketball (2005-08)
-Consensus First Team All-American in 2008, honorable mention All-American in 2007
-2008 C-USA Player of the Year and two-time first team All-C-USA selection (2008, 2007)
-Led Memphis to the National Championship game in 2008 and NCAA Elite Eight in 2007 and 2006
-Won three regular season and three postseason C-USA Championships
Jarett Dillard Rice Football (2005-08)
-2008 First Team All-American; 2007 Honorable Mention All-American; 2006 Second Team All-America
-Three-time First Team All-C-USA (2008, 2007, 2006); 2005 All-Freshman team
-Remains the FBS all-time leader in touchdown catches with 60
-Still holds the FBS record with a touchdown catch in 13 consecutive games
-Key part of Rice’s first bowl team in 45 years during the 2006 season and Rice’s first bowl victory in 54 years in 2008
Jake Gautreau Tulane Baseball (1998-2001)
Tyler Henderson Tulsa Volleyball (2009-12)
Deanna Jackson UAB Women’s Basketball (1998-02)
Chandi Jones Houston Women’s Basketball (2000-04)
Case Keenum Houston Football (2007-11)
-2001 and 2009 Sammy Baugh Award winner (top Division I quarterback)
-2011 and 2009 C-USA Most Valuable Player; 2008 C-USA Offensive Player of the Year; 2007 C-USA Freshman of the Year; 2001 and 2009 First Team All-C-USA; 2008 Second Team All-C-USA; 2007 C-USA All-Freshman Team.
-Led Houston to two C-USA Championship Games and four bowl appearances.
-Remains the FBS career leader in pass completions (1,546), passing yards (19,217), passing touchdowns (155), games with 300+ passing yards (39), seasons passing for 5,000+ yards (3), seasons passing for 4,000+ yards (3, (tied with four others), total yards (20,114) and touchdowns responsible for (178).
Michael Kogan Tulane Men’s Tennis
Kenyon Martin Cincinnati Men’s Basketball (1997-00)
-2000 Consensus National Player of the Year
-Only three-time C-USA Defensive Player of the Year; 2000 C-USA Player of the Year; Two-time First Team All-C-USA (2000, 1999); Second Team All-C-USA in 1998; C-USA Male Athlete of the Decade (1995-
2005)
-Led Cincinnati to No.1 ranking majority of 1999-2000 season; Key part of four consecutive NCAA teams
-Post collegiate career, was C-USA’s only No. 1 overall NBA draft selection and played 14 years in the NBA
Graeme McDowell UAB Men’s Golf (1999-2002)
Yulia Pakhalina Houston Swimming & Diving (2001-03)
Anthony Rendon Rice Baseball (2008-11)
Brooke Tull TCU Women’s Golf (2002-04)
Dwyane Wade Marquette Men’s Basketball (2001-03)
-2003 C-USA Player of the Year; Two-time First Team All-CUSA (2003, 2002)
-In 2003, led Marquette to its only C-USA regular season title and C-USA’s first Final Four appearance; was named Midwest Regional MVP after recording a triple-double in defeating No. 1-ranked Kentucky.
-Post collegiate career, was the No. 5 overall pick in the NBA Draft and has played 15 seasons in the NBA
DeAngelo Williams Memphis Football (2002-05)
-2005 First Team All-American; 2004 Second Team All-American
-One of two players to be named C-USA Offensive Player of the Year three times (2005, 2004, 2003); 2005-06 C-USA co-Male Athlete of the Year; Three-time C-USA First Team All-C-USA selection (2005, 2004, 2003); 2002 C-USA All-Freshman team; C-USA All-Decade team member (1995-2004)
-Led Memphis to three straight bowl games (2005, 2004, 2003), including their first bowl in 32 seasons
-Remains C-USA’s all-time leader in rushing yards (6,026), currently fifth in FBS history
-Post collegiate career, was a first round NFL draft pick and played 11 seasons, twice leading the league in TDs
Kevin Youkilis Cincinnati Baseball (1998-2001)
-Two-time Second Team All-American (2001, 2000)
-Two-time First Team All-C-USA (2001, 2000), one-time Third Team All-C-USA (1999); member of C-USA All-Decade team (1995-2004)
-Led Cincinnati to a school record 35 wins during the 2000 season
-Post collegiate career, was an 8th round pick in the MLB Draft; played 10 major league seasons, making three All-Star games and winning two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox
COACHES
Person School Sport
Jeff Bower Southern Miss Football (1995-2007)
-Led Southern Miss to five first place finishes and three outright championships in 12 seasons in C-USA
-Guided Southern Miss to winning records in all 12 seasons in C-USA, making 10 bowl appearances, including a pair of Liberty Bowl victories as league champion (1999, 1997); had 14 straight winning seasons at USM
-Three-time C-USA Coach of the Year (2003, 1999, 1997); C-USA Football Coach of the Decade (1995-2004)
-Post coaching career, served three years as a member of the CFP selection committee (2018, 2017, 2016)
Wayne Graham Rice Baseball (2006-2018)
-Inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012; Won 1,173 career games and the 2003 National Championship
-Led Rice to the College World Series in its first three seasons in C-USA (2008, 2007, 2006) and six times total.
-In 12 seasons in C-USA, won the regular season and/or postseason tournament championships 11 times, totaling 9 regular season titles and 7 postseason crowns
-Led Rice to the NCAA Championship in his first 11 seasons in C-USA (23 consecutive from 1995 to 2017)
-Five-time C-USA Coach of the Year (2012, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006)
Bob Huggins Cincinnati Men’s Basketball (1995-2004)
-1997-98 National Coach of the Year; Three-time C-USA Coach of the Year (1999-2000, 1998-99, 1997-98); C-USA Men’s Basketball Coach of the Decade (1995-2004)
-Won a share of eight C-USA regular season championships (five outright) and four postseason C-USA Championships (2004, 2002, 1998, 1996)
-Led Cincinnati to the NCAA Championship in each of his 10 seasons in C-USA, advancing to the Elite Eight in 1996
-UC compiled a 123-33 (.788) C-USA record in his 10 seasons and a 259-70 overall record during this period; UC was ranked in the Top 25 for 138 of 184 weekly polls, earning Top 10 rankings 77 times and holding down the No. 1 spot 15 times
ADMINISTRATORS
Person School
Gene Bartow UAB Men’s Basketball Coach/Athletics Director
-Inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009
-Founded the UAB Men’s Basketball program and served as head coach for 18 seasons until he retired in 1996, following the Blazers first season in Conference USA
Mike Slive C-USA Commissioner (1995-2002)
-Became the first Commissioner of Conference USA when the league began in 1995
