"We are pleased to continue the tradition of honoring those who have contributed significantly to the success of our athletic program," 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 13 new inductees are broken down into five categories. The honorees follow by category:

Billiken Great -- Pioneer

• Elmer "Beno" Best (football 1937-38) -- Best was a two-year letterman for the Billikens and served as team co-captain in 1938. An outstanding downfield blocker, Best led Saint Louis to a 5-4-1 record in 1937.

• Dick Weber (football 1939-42) -- A multi-position athlete, Weber was among the leaders in the Missouri Valley Conference in passing, rushing and kicking. He was selected as an Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American in 1941. Weber led the Billikens and was ranked 15th in the nation in total yards (1,022) in 1941.

Billiken Great -- Contemporary

• Shane Battelle (men's soccer 1991-94) -- A Hermann Trophy finalist in 1993, Battelle garnered many honors during his career. He was an NSCAA/Umbro First-Team All-American and MAC Player of the Year nominee in 1993. Battelle was named to the Soccer America Freshman All-America Team in 1991 and was a three-time Great Midwest Conference First-Team selection. In addition to collegiate competition, Battelle competed on the U.S. National "B" Team in 1993 and was a member of the Columbus Crew in 1995.

• David Burns (men's basketball 1979-81) -- Burns earned honorable mention All-America honors following the 1980-81 season and was named to the Metro Conference First Team. A Basketball Weekly All-Midwest selection in 1979-80 and 1980-81, Burns is ranked 15th all-time at the University in career points (1,049). He is first on the all-time career scoring average list with a 19.4 points per game average over 54 games. Burns was drafted in the third round of the 1981 NBA draft by New Jersey.

• Mark Demling (men's soccer 1970-73) -- Demling played on three national championship teams and started as a freshman for the Billikens. He served as the team captain for the 1972 national championship team. Following graduation, Demling entered the NASL and competed for the San Jose Earthquakes, where he was named NASL Rookie of the Year. He played professionally until 1981.

• Dawn Elser (women's basketball and softball 1985-89) -- Elser was an outstanding two-sport athlete at the University in women's basketball and softball. An Academic All-America selection in softball, Elser holds 11 records on the diamond. She is first all-time with 99 runs, 30 doubles, 16 triples, six home runs and a .314 batting average. Elser also holds single-season marks in hits (44), doubles (11) and runs (31). She was a three-time team MVP. During her basketball career, Elser established the career assists record with 389 and is second all-time in single-season assists with 123.

• Brian McBride (men's soccer 1990-93) -- One of the most storied athletes in Saint Louis University soccer history, McBride set school records in total goals (72) and points (184) during his four-year career. He was a Hermann Award finalist and runner-up for the MAC Player of the Year award. McBride is a member of the MLS' Columbus Crew, where he is a two-time Eastern Conference All-Star. He represented the United States as a member of the 1998 World Cup Team and scored the only U.S. goal in the 1998 World Cup.

• Nora McLaughlin Carr (women's swimming 1977-80) -- Carr has the distinction of being the first female athlete at the University to be named an All-American. She earned the honor in the 50-yard butterfly in 1980. When she graduated in 1980, Carr held 11 school records. She graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English.

• Ed Neusel (men's soccer 68-70) -- Neusel was a member of two national championship teams in 1969 and 1970. He was co-captain of the 1970 team and anchored a defense that set an NCAA record for allowing only four goals. Neusel was an alternate on the 1972 U.S. Olympic Team and was runner-up for Rookie of the Year with the St. Louis Stars in the NPSL.

Distinguished Alum -- Pioneer

• John Waller Jr. (men's basketball 1940-41, football 1940-42) -- Waller earned two letters in football and one in basketball while a student at Saint Louis University. Upon graduation, Waller became a lawyer and argued a case in front of the Supreme Court in 1952. He is the president of the Bank of Sullivan.

  Distinguished Alum -- Contemporary

• Vince Drake (men's soccer 1964-68) -- Drake carried the soccer skills he displayed in college to the high school coaching ranks and has established himself as one of the top high school coaches in the nation. Drake was named National Coach of the Year in 1994 and 1998 by the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. He has a career record of 533-201-76 and is a 10-time league coach of the year. He was inducted into the St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame in 1994.

• Marco Molinari(men's tennis 1978-82) -- Molinari earned four letters in tennis while completing his degree in business administration. Molinari played No. 1 singles and doubles when Saint Louis competed in the Metro Conference. At the time, he held the record for the most wins in school history. Molinari is the vice president of sales and marketing for Goodyear's North American operations, the company's largest division.

Bauman Sportsmanship Award

• John Krey Stephens -- Stephens is a lifelong supporter of Billiken basketball and a past president of the Billiken Tip-off Club.

Bob Burnes Award

• 1952 Men's Basketball Team -- The 1952 men's basketball team knocked off Kentucky 61-60 to win the Sugar Bowl Title and went on that season to compile a 22-9 record. The win total is tied for fourth-best all-time at the University. Four members of the team were named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference teams, and two were named honorable mentions. Team members included Ray Steiner, Bob Koch, Lou McKenna, Ray Sonnenberg, Fred Kovar, Jerry Koch, Tom Lillis, Tom Russell, Pat Partington, Jack Shockley, Kevin Harrington, Joe Devich, Helm Lillis, Dick Boushka, Bob Klostermeyer, Dan Sheehan, Wayne Ortmann, John Neumann, Bill Koeneman and Norm Schaulat.

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