Central Michigan University Athletics
Hall Of Fame Profile: Pam Stanley
11/11/2002 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Nov. 11, 2002
The Central Michigan University Athletics Department will induct a new class into its Hall of Fame this Friday, November 15. CMUCHIPPEWAS.COM will profile one inductee per day this week.
MOUNT PLEASANT -- Pam Stanley's intuition on the base paths allowed her to become one of the most decorated athletes in Central Michigan University history.
A three-time All-American and two-time Mid-American Conference "Player of the Year," Stanley created runs for the Chippewas.
"The more I coach, the more I realize the tremendous base running ability Stanley had," veteran coach Margo Jonker said. "She hit for an amazing average and when she would get a single, she would almost always turn it into a double by stealing second.
"Her real gift was getting from second to home. Pam would score on plays that a majority of people wouldn't be able to. She had speed but she also had a knack for reading where the hit was at and knowing if a fielder was going to be able to make a play on it."
Stanley earned first team All-American honors in 1991 and was a second team pick twice - 1990 and '92. The centerfielder was tabbed MAC "Player of the Year" in 1991 and '92.
The Brighton native currently lives in Grand Rapids. She will be inducted into CMU's Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, November 15, at The Comfort Inn. A social hour begins at 6 p.m., followed by the dinner and ceremonies at 7 p.m.
Also being inducted will be Jeff Bender (football), Mary Bottaro (field hockey coach), Denny McNamara (baseball), Dave Grauzer (basketball), and Gloria Neve (multi-sports).
Tickets cost $25 and are available by calling 989-774-3045.
Stanley still owns the top season batting average in CMU softball history, a lofty .404 (80-for-198) in 1991 and her 1992 mark of .389 ranks fourth. Her .377 career mark is tops in CMU history and ranks fifth in MAC annals.
She also holds school records for career hits (255) and stolen bases (112), and her first team All-America campaign in 1991 saw her set three season records that still stand - runs (52), hits (80), and stolen bases (46).
"Pam was a total player when you factor all her abilities in," Jonker said. "Her expectations were so high and she performed at a great level. Pam always came to play and everyone on the team enjoyed her feisty, fun, leadership personality. For many reasons, she was a major factor in sustaining the strong tradition of softball at CMU. The statistics were only a minor part."
