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Saint Louis University inducted nine new members into the Billiken Hall of Fame on Jan. 30.
"Honoring those who have contributed significantly to the success of our athletic program is a tradition that we are proud and pleased to continue," said Doug Woolard, director of athletics. "A Hall of Fame induction is one of the highest forms of recognition one can achieve in any endeavor. The Billiken Club is honored to pay tribute to those who have meant so much to the University."
The nine new inductees are broken down into five categories. The honorees follow by category:
Joe Todd (men's basketball 1955-57 - deceased) - Todd was a three-year starter for the Billikens and garnered several honors throughout his career. He was named to the Jesuit All-America Second Team and the Missouri Valley Conference Second Team in 1957 after captaining a Billiken squad that earned the MVC title and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Todd also helped Saint Louis to the MVC title in 1955 and to trips to the NIT in '55 and '56.
Jason Boehlow (baseball 1989-92) - Boehlow was a key part of the revitalization of Saint Louis University baseball. As a senior in 1992, he helped the Billikens to their most wins in 15 years. He was named to the Great Midwest All-Conference First Team and All-Tournament Team that season when he led the Billikens in virtually every offensive category. When he graduated in '92, Boehlow owned 13 Saint Louis University records, and he remains in the Billikens' all-time top five in home runs (37), hits (205), doubles (51), extra-base hits (90), runs batted in (141) and total bases (377).
Mike Sorber (men's soccer 1989-92) - One of the most highly-acclaimed players to come out of the storied Saint Louis University men's soccer program, Sorber was named to the Great Midwest All-Conference First Team and Second Team All-Midwest in 1991 after helping the Billikens earn an appearance in the NCAA Final Four. He finished his career with 13 goals, 29 assists and five game-winning goals in 86 games. Sorber also was a 1992 finalist for the Missouri Athletic Club National Player of the Year and the Hermann Award. Following his career at Saint Louis, Sorber joined the U.S. National Team and started every match in the 1994 World Cup. He now plays for the New York Metro Stars of the MLS.
Julie Gering Zaber (field hockey 1987-90) - Zaber was the heart of the nationally ranked Billiken field hockey team, leading the Billikens in scoring every season of her four-year career. She still holds the Saint Louis mark for career points with 125, is second for career goals with 50 and is fifth for career assists with 25. Her 36 points in 1989 and 34 points in 1988 rank her fifth and seventh, respectively, on the Billiken's single-season points list. A two-time Midwest Region All-American and Midwest Independent All-Tournament team selection, Zaber led Saint Louis to a 57-33-6 mark in her four years as a starter.
Gene Baker (men's soccer 1964-65) - A two-year member of the Billiken men's soccer team, Baker was a starting fullback on Saint Louis' 1965 undefeated national championship team. Since his playing days ended, Baker has established himself as one of the top high school soccer coaches in the country. In his 31-year coaching career, Baker's Granite City High School teams have won 81 percent of their games and nine state titles. Selected as the "Best High School Soccer Coach in the USA" by author Michael D. Koehler, Baker was named National Soccer Coach of the Year in 1983 and 1989. He is a member of the Illinois High School, Granite City Sports and St. Louis Old-Timers' Halls of Fame.
Dr. Donald Brennan (men's soccer 1963-66) - Brennan was the starting goalie for Saint Louis University's undefeated national championship team in 1965, a season in which he allowed only 10 goals and was a part of seven shutouts. The seventh of those shutouts was a 1-0 blanking of Michigan State in the national championship match. He also was a co-captain and starter for the Billikens in 1966. Brennan is dean of Saint Louis University's Graduate School and has been a strong academic advocate for the athletic department. He also serves on the NCAA Athletic Advisory Committee.
Bill Hopfinger (baseball 1972-74) - A catcher for the Billiken baseball squad, Hopfinger continued to make vital contributions to the athletic department following his playing career. Starting as associate trainer as an undergraduate, Hopfinger was named head trainer upon graduation and used his connections with several pro teams in the area to maintain the training room. His relationship with the athletic department continued even when Hopfinger went into business for himself, as he has provided staff, equipment and funds to assist the training room for more than 20 years.
Bill Slattery (men's basketball 1952-55) - Slattery was a member of the Billiken basketball squad in the early 1950s, averaging 2.9 points per game as a senior in 1954-55, but is just as well known for his relationship with the program more than 40 years later. Slattery started, continues to oversee and personally participates in the Honorary Billikens Captain program. A joint venture of Saint Louis University and St. John's Mercy Child Development Center, the program honors one St. John's Mercy patient at mid-court of every men's basketball home game. Slattery also is a board member of St. John's Mercy Medical Center.
1972 Men's Soccer Team - Coach Harry Keough's fourth national title team, the 1972 Billikens brought home the national championship for the ninth time in the 14 years that the NCAA Tournament had been played. The '72 squad that defeated UCLA 4-2 in the title game compiled a 15-2-3 record and outscored opponents 62-12. The team featured two Hermann Trophy winners in Mike Seerey, who led the team in scoring and repeated as Hermann award winner in '72, and Dan Counce, who earned the honor in '73. Several members of this team have been active in shaping the St. Louis area soccer scene over the last 25 years, and the entire team contributed greatly to the national stature the men's soccer program enjoys today.
The Billiken Hall of Fame originally opened on Jan. 21, 1976, with the induction of 13 athletes and coaches. On April 8, 1979, a ceremony honored four more Saint Louis University greats. The Billiken Club, founded in 1991 as a comprehensive athletics booster organization, continues to sponsor the Hall of Fame. J. Kim Tucci chairs the Billiken Club Executive Committee, and Dan Leahy serves as the chairman of the Hall of Fame subcommittee. The Billiken Hall of Fame room is located in the Bauman-Eberhardt Athletic Center on the University's Frost campus.