CMU Adds Six to Hall of Fame
May 29, 2003
MOUNT PLEASANT - Six former Central Michigan University standouts will be inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2003.
New members will be: Rob Johnson (1970), track; Dean Kreiner (1998), baseball coach; Charles Markey (1974), football; Jeff Mills (1986), wrestling; Steve Papes (1970), baseball; and Beth (Bull) Spencer (1991), softball.
They will be inducted at the Hall of Fame banquet on Friday, Oct. 31, at the Comfort Inn and then honored at the CMU-Eastern Michigan football game on Saturday, Nov. 1.
This year's class will join the 113 members previously inducted into the Hall of Fame. The first CMU Athletics Hall of Fame class was inducted in 1984. Plaques honoring all the inductees will be on display at the Dan Rose Center.
 Dean Kreiner, Baseball, 1998  |
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"We'll be inducting another superb class into our Hall of Fame," said Herb Deromedi, Central Michigan University athletics director. "They've all been fine representatives of Central Michigan and we're thrilled to have a class of this caliber.
"I was an assistant when Charles Markey played, and watched Rob Johnson, Jeff Mills, and Steve Papes compete, and they were all tremendous. Of course, I watched Dean Kreiner's teams play for years and win numerous Mid-American Conference championships, and Beth (Bull) Spencer's accomplishments show she was one of the best we've ever had in softball."
 Charles Markey, Football, 1972 |
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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:
Outstanding competitor in the weights who has excelled for 34 years as head coach at nearby Clare High School ... finished sixth in the nation in the shot put to earn All-America honors in 1969 ... helped lead the Chippewas to IIAC championship in 1969 as the team captain ... captured indoor and outdoor conference shot put crown in 1969, placing second in the discus ... was named National "Coach of the Year" in 2002 by the National Federation of State High School Coaches Association ... his teams were 277-32-1 in dual meets, winning a state title in 2000 ... three-time "Coach of the Year" in Michigan ... lives in Clare.
 Jeff Mills, Wrestling, 1986 |
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The winningest baseball coach in Central Michigan University history, Dean retired after the 1998 season with a record of 516-282-4 for a winning percentage of .646 ... took teams to the NCAA regionals seven times in 14 years including four straight from 1985-88 ... his 1988 team set a school record for wins in a 47-15 season ... also was an assistant for 14 seasons and those teams under Dave Keilitz went 456-203 (.692) ... outstanding pitching coach who spoke at national conventions on the pickoff move ... three of his players as head coach reached the majors in Kevin Tapani, Shawn Hare, and Lee Gardner ... still active in coaching youth baseball ... has coached at international venues in recent years ... also played baseball for the Chippewas in the late 1950s ... resides in Mount Pleasant.
A diminutive running back who battled for playing time behind standout Jesse "Great" Lakes, Charles got his chance in 1972 and made the most of it by rushing for a school-record 1,513 yards ... that mark stood for 22 seasons until All-American Brian Pruitt went for 1,890 yards in 1994 ... his 290 rushing attempts that season was a record that also stood for 22 season ... sported a kickoff-return average of 30.0 yards ... named team MVP and Most Consistent Back ... named third team Little All-American by the Associated Press ... works for IBM Corporation and lives in Midland.
 Steve Papes, Baseball, 1978 |
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An All-American wrestler for Central Michigan University in 1986, Jeff was team Most Valuable wrestler twice and team captain once ... he helped guide the Chippewas to their first Mid-American Conference championship in 1986 ... won MAC titles in 1985 and '86 ... stills holds the season record for wins with 45 and is second in career wins with 132 ... was an incredible 45-5 at 150 pounds in 1985-86 and his career mark was 132-34-1 ... his winning percentage of .793 remains fourth ... his 20 straight wins is tied for first, too ... currently employed by the VanBuren Intermediate School District.
 Beth (Bull) Spencer, Softball, 1990 |
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An All-American baseball player on one of the top Chippewa teams ever, Steve was one of three brothers to play for CMU ... he was captain of the 1970 team that posted a remarkable record of 36-4, third best in the nation ... outstanding leader ... set school records for total bases (98), slugging percentage (.721), triples (eight), and extra base hits (25) ... had five errors in 40 games at first base ... still ranks second in triples for a season, fourth for career triples, and tied for ninth in slugging percentage in a season ... had a career average of .351 ... taught and coached at Hart High and Newaygo High for 32 years, winning seven league and two district titles in baseball ... he's retired now and lives in Newaygo.
An outstanding softball player for the Chippewas, Beth garnered All-Mid-American Conference honors four straight years (1987-90) and was a second team All-American in 1989 and a third team pick in 1990 ... also an all-region selection three times ... helped CMU advance to the College World Series in 1987 ... hit .358 with six triples and 25 stolen bases in 1989 and batted .344 with 11 triples and 34 stolen bases in 1990 ... still holds career record for at-bats (715) and triples (23), and is second in runs (134), hits (240), and stolen bases (98) ... she currently lives in Eaton Rapids where she works for the state of Michigan.