Last night at the Carpenter Center on campus, Long Beach State’s Athletics Department put a new twist on an old tradition, as they inducted seven new members into their Hall of Fame. The new members, who bring the Hall’s total number of members to 194, were honored in a ceremony in front of friends, family, fans, and, for the first time at a HOF ceremony, a large group of current student-athletes. Athletic Director Vic Cegles made the push to bring the event on campus, and requested that coaches alter their practice schedules to let the athletes come and soak in their university’s rich tradition.
In addition to the seven new Hall members, four athletes were recognized—awarded with the Bill Bovee Award For Dedication were Donovan Morris, and Cornel Williams; receiving the Lynn Hoyem Award For Leadership was Paul Lotman; and taking home the Todd Hart Award For Courage was 800m runner Paul Freitas. All of these current athletes quickly thanked the university, their coaches, and their families, and then humbly demurred to the seven Hall of Famers seated behind them. They were presented with their awards by four current athletes, including Morris and Nicole Vargas.
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