Aug. 11, 2007

Greeley, COLO. - The University of Northern Colorado announces the Athletics Hall of Fame inductees for 2007. The 14^th induction class includes the 1997 football team as well as six individuals and will be honored during the Hall of Fame Weekend Nov. 9-10 on the campus of Northern Colorado.

Ed Dyer, Baseball, 1961-64

Ed Dyer posted a 32-8 record for the baseball team. He still ranks second in school history in career ERA and 10th in strikeouts, as well as second in single season strikeouts and sixth in innings pitched. Dyer was nominated by Coach Butler to play on the 1964 US Olympic Team. He won eight games in each of his four seasons for Colorado State College.

Karl Dodge, Track & Field, 1988-93

Karl Dodge ranks as the most accomplished thrower in school history. During his years with UNC, he was a two-time All-American (`92, `93) and three-time NCC discus champion. He still holds the school record in the discus. While competing for Northern Colorado, Karl was called to serve in Operation Desert Storm in the US Army as an infantry soldier. After returning from military service in Operation Desert Storm, he went on to earn his two All-American honors. Following his years with the Bears, he continued to compete internationally in Track & Field and the Strongman Highland Games. During his Highland Games years, he earned honors as a 7-time World Record holder and World Champion. To this day, he is still recognized as one of the greatest American athletes in the history of the Strongman Highland Games.

Billy Holmes, Football, 1994-97

Billy Holmes was a member of the back-to-back national championship football squads and was the leading rusher for each team with 1,074 in 1996 and 1,093 in 1997. He finished his career as the No. 1 all-time rusher in school history with 3,519 yards (including all postseason games) and ranks No. 2 on the Bears' all-time all-purpose yardage list with 4,703 yards. Holmes rushed for 3 touchdowns and a title game record 195 yards on 30 carries in the 51-0 win over New Haven in 1997 en route to 19 touchdowns for the year to set the single-season record (record has since been broken by both Adam Matthews and Vincent Jackson with 21 each). During the 1996 championship game, he scored on a 1-yard touchdown run as the Bears scored a 23-14 victory over Carson-Newman, rushing for 136 yards on 33 carries in the contest.

Jim Lord, Contributor

Jim Lord has served as the announcer for football, volleyball, men's and women's basketball for 31 years, as well as a member of the Blue & Gold Club Board of Directors for 25 years. He is currently the President of the Blue and Gold Club. Lord has also served as a statistician for the media relations department and has several times been the Master of Ceremonies for the Reverse Raffle, the athletic department's largest fund-raiser. He has won several awards for his volunteer work and there have been three scholarships at Northern Colorado created in his name.

Mandy Nilsen, Soccer, 1998-2001

Mandy Nilsen earned All-American in both 1999 and 2001. She was also a three-time All-Region selection, a four-time All-North Central Conference selection, a 2001 NSCAA/Adidas Scholar Athlete All-American and a four-time Conference Player of the Week selection. She continues to hold the school single season records in goals, assists and points and holds the career records for goals, assists, points and games played.

Stormie Wells, Volleyball, 1993-1996

Stormie Wells was a four-year letterwinner for the Bears. As a senior, she handled the setting duties and led the nation in assists. She helped lead the Bears to a 31-3 overall record and 17-1 mark in the NCC as a senior. Wells earned GTE/CoSIDA Academic 2nd Team All-American, All-NCC, Academic All-NCC, the Sportswoman of Colorado's Swede Johnson Spirit Award and the NCC's Ruth Marske Award in 1996. A double major in Business Marketing/Management and graduated with a 3.97 GPA. Wells also served as the first-ever chairman of the national SAAC (Student-Athlete Advisory Council). 

Along with the Hall of Fame Banquet on November 9, the Bears also have several other activities planned for boosters and fans alike. On August 15, the Bears will host the Union Colony Bank Fall Sports Kickoff at Nottingham Field at 5:30 p.m. On November 16, Northern Colorado athletics, with assistance from the Blue & Gold Club will host the Reverse Raffle Fund-raising Dinner. For more information on any of the three upcoming events, please contact the UNC Foundation at 800.568.5213 or 970.351.2034 or foundation@uncalumni.org.