June 23, 2003

BALTIMORE - The U.S. Lacrosse Board of Directors recently approved 10 nominees for induction into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. The 46th class will be inducted in a ceremony on Nov. 22, 2003 at The Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley, Md. Maryland graduate Bernard Ulman (class of '43) is among the inductees.

Ulman was one of the most well-known officials in the sport. He officiated for more than 20 years and also served in several leadership positions in the officiating ranks. Ulman, who was a midfielder at the University of Maryland from 1938 to 1943, also served as an NFL official for 15 years, officiating in Super Bowl I and Super Bowl IX. He passed away in 1986.

Here's a look at the other honorees:

John Cheek is one of the most prolific scorers lacrosse has ever seen. Cheek finished his career at Washington College with 212 goals. Cheek earned All-America honors three times, including first team honors in 1976 and 1977. He was named the Division II/III Player of the Year in 1976 and the Division II/III Attackman of the Year in 1976 and 1977. Cheek was a member of the U.S. team in 1978.

Aggie Bixler Kurtz is a 1962 graduate of Smith College who went on to play at the club level and played on U.S. touring teams that went to Great Britain in 1964 and 1970. She started the lacrosse program at Dartmouth College, coaching at the school from 1973 to 1986. She was a nationally rated umpire and also wrote two books about women's lacrosse.

Jane Miller led the University of Virginia to NCAA championships in 1991 and 1993 while serving as the school's head coach. She coached at the school from 1983 to 1995, compiling a record of 144-44. Miller also coached at Longwood College and Milton Academy. She is a 1972 graduate of Northeastern University and played for the U.S. team from 1972 to 1976.

Alison Hersey Risch was a standout player on the U.S. teams from 1961 to 1970, serving as the team captain from 1964 on. She played on U.S. touring teams that visited Australia, Great Britain and Ireland. An internationally-rated umpire, she has been officiating for 41 years and is still active at the Division III level.

Jerry Schnydman was a dominant face-off specialist and midfielder at Johns Hopkins. He was named an All-American three times, earning first-team honors in 1966 and 1967, and he helped the Blue Jays to the 1967 national championship. Schnydman was an assistant coach at Johns Hopkins from 1968 to 1978 and served as commissioner of the Baltimore inner city lacrosse leagues.

William Scroggs was one of the game's most successful coaches. After playing for three national championship teams at Johns Hopkins, Scroggs began his coaching career. He was an assistant for two more title teams at Hopkins and in 1979, became the head coach at North Carolina. Scroggs compiled a record of 120-37 in his 12 seasons, winning NCAA titles in 1980, 1981 and 1982.

Tom Sheckells had a distinguished career as a player and official. He was a three-time All-American at Army, earning first-team honors in 1964 and 1965. For 30 years he served as commissioner of the Capital Area Lacrosse Officials Association, and through his work as president of the Potomac Chapter of US Lacrosse, he helped develope the sport in the Washington area. He passed away in 2002. .

Joan Wagner is one of the most respected officials in the women's game. She has been officiating for over 30 years and served as an official at the World Cup in 1986, 1989 and 1993. She was also the head technical delegate for the 1997 World Cup. A 1963 graduate of Millersville University, she helped start a club team during her undergraduate days.

Merle "Mike" McCallister Werley was captain of the 1972 team at West Chester University and went on to play for several U.S. teams in the 1970s, serving as captain of the 1978 touring team. Werley has also coached high school lacrosse for three decades, serving as a coach at Baldwin, Conestoga and Springfield High Schools in Pennsylvania.