CMU Athletics Announces 2006 Hall of Fame Inductees

June 5, 2006

MOUNT PLEASANT - Six Central Michigan University athletic standouts have been chosen for induction into the CMU Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2006.

This year's honorees are: Dan Cronkright (baseball, 1982-85); Cathy Heator (softball, 1981-82); Sylvia Odum (women's basketball, 1982-85); Bernie Raterink (football, 1954-55); John Smith (track and field, 1965-68); and Kevin Vogel (wrestling, 1988-92).

The new inductees will be honored at the Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, Sept. 15, at the Mount Pleasant Holiday Inn, and then recognized at the CMU-Akron football game on Saturday, Sept. 16.

The CMU Athletics Hall of Fame began in 1984 and the current roster includes 131 members. Plaques honoring all the inductees are on display in Dan Rose Center.

"These six individuals have each added to the great tradition of Central Michigan University athletics," first-year Athletics Director Dave Heeke said. "All of the inductees are worthy of the honor and this will be another outstanding class."

To be eligible, the following must hold true for athletes: one becomes eligible 10 years after leaving school; one must earn two letters in one sport or one or more in two sports or brought recognition to the school by his or her athletic endeavors; and an outstanding career as an athlete must be continued in the individual's profession or occupation.

For induction as faculty/staff: a person becomes eligible five years after leaving his or her coaching position or athletic-related administrative position.

Following are thumbnail sketches of each new inductee:

Dan Cronkright --

Dan Cronkright

A four-year letterwinner, Dan Cronkright (Midland, Mich./Dow HS) was the team MVP for CMU's Mid-American Conference championship clubs in 1984 and '85. He was first team All-MAC and All-Mideast Region in 1985. At the time of his graduation, Dan held the school record for career doubles (38), extra base hits (62) and slugging percentage (.639), and season records for doubles (20) and extra base hits (31). He still ranks in the top 10 in each of those categories. Cronkright had a 19-game hitting streak at one point of his career.

Cathy Heator --

Cathy Heator

One of the top defensive infielders in school history, Cathy Heator (Coldwater, Mich./Coldwater HS) earned first team Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women All-America honors in 1982, joining teammate Linda Pagett that year as the first All-Americans in school history. A two-year letterwinner after transferring from a community college, Heator helped lead CMU to an AIAW National Championships appearance in 1982. That year she hit .295 with six doubles, two triples and two home runs. She tallied 22 RBI and walked a team-high 22 times.

Sylvia Odum --

Sylvia Odum

Guard Sylvia Odum (Flint, Mich./Flint Northwestern HS) led CMU to a pair of Mid-American Conference women's basketball championships in 1984 and '85. A first team All-MAC pick in 1984 and a second team selection in '85, Odum still ranks in four career and five season categories of the CMU record book. She led CMU in scoring (16.7), steals (104) and assists (117) in 1984 while setting a then Chippewa single-season record with 501 points. Odum is tied for CMU single game records with 36 points against Toledo in 1985 and nine steals versus Ohio in 1984. Her mark of 1,215 career points was a school record when she graduated and it currently ranks ninth. She tallied 292 career steals which still rank second.

Bernie Raterink --

Bernie Raterink

A third-team All-America selection by Williamson in 1955, Bernie Raterink (Zeeland, Mich./Zeeland HS) became the second CMU player to rush for 1,000 yards in a season when he picked up 1,044 that year. Raterink was named the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Association most valuable player and first team All-IIAC, along with earning team MVP honors in 1955. His 116.0 yards per game average stood as a school record for 12 years. Raterink's top single game effort was 213 yards against Eastern Illinois in 1955.

John Smith --

John Smith

A champion sprinter and hurdler, John Smith (Bay City, Mich./Bay City Central HS) was named the Interstate Intercollegiate Athletic Conference most valuable performer in 1968. That year he won league titles in the high hurdles, 100-yard dash, 220-yard dash and as a member of a relay team. Smith set five CMU varsity records, five CMU freshman records and numerous event, track and field house records throughout the Midwest. He won the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics district championships in the low and high hurdles and was invited to the national championships but did not go as the program lacked funds. During his career, CMU won four IIAC outdoor team championships and one indoor title.

Kevin Vogel --

Kevin Vogel

A three-time Mid-American Conference champion at 177 pounds, Kevin Vogel (Temperance, Mich./Bedford HS) compiled a 131-34-1 career record and his win total still ranks third in Chippewa annals. Of his victories, an incredible 50 percent (66) were by pin. The 66 pins still rank as the most in school history and he tallied a single-season record 28 falls during the 1989-90 campaign. Twice he was named the Most Outstanding Wrestler (1990, '92) at the MAC Championships and three times he was tabbed team MVP. Vogel rattled off 19 straight victories during the 1991-92 season and the 177-pounder's 40-15-1 record in 1989-90 ties for the second most wins in a season. Following his CMU career, Vogel was involved in USA Wrestling for several years, winning numerous international and national-level tournaments.

Central Michigan University Athletics

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