COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The University of Maryland Athletics Department and the M Club proudly inducted 10 alumni into the University of Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame Friday evening in a ceremony at the Riggs Alumni Center.
Men's basketball player Allan J. Bunge, wrestler and wrestling coach Curt Callahan, football player E.J. Henderson, men's lacrosse player Robert Ott, women's basketball player Marcia Richardson, softball player Kelly Shipman, men's diver Ron Squiers, women's track & field athlete Marita Walton, field hockey and women's lacrosse player Kay Ruffino Ward and longtime administrator Bill "Spider" Fry celebrated the prestigious honor and were officially inducted surrounded by family, friends, alumni and members of the athletics department.
The M Club also presented honorary M Club Awards to Stuart Bowers, Roland Desonier, Steve Leonard, James Morgan and Nicole Pollard for their longtime dedication to Maryland athletics. Thomas Norris was honored as Distinguished Citizen of the Year.
Longtime Maryland Football broadcast analyst Tim Strachan served as the Master of Ceremonies, while head wrestling coach Kerry McCoy and Director of Athletics Kevin Anderson welcomed the night's guests to kick off the evening.
Attendees were treated to stories, speeches and fond memories from the class of 2016, as each inductee had their moment on stage to reflect on their Terrapin careers.
“It is with immense pride that I accept this Hall of Fame Induction. I was completely overcome with nostalgia when I heard the news, Maryland has a very special place in my heart, and I often think of how my experiences here shaped my life. I owe so much to Maryland athletics for the opportunity, I was proud to show my husband and children around campus.” – Marita Walton
“This is truly amazing, congrats to all the other inductees. It truly is an honor that I never thought was possible. It's amazing to be the first softball players inducted into the Maryland Hall of Fame, I want to thank Maryland for all the opportunities it gave me” – Kelly Shipman
“I talk to my daughters all the time and tell them I was just a kid from Aberdeen. I just wanted to play football, hit hard and win some games. You never know what dream you will run into in life. Put your all into it, stay focused and let the chips fall where they may.” - E.J Henderson
Founded in 1982 by the M Club and developed as a collaborative effort with the Athletics Department, the Maryland Athletics Hall of Fame pays tribute to those superior Terrapin athletes, coaches and administrators who have made major contributions to the honor and fame of the University of Maryland, and have continued to demonstrate the positive values learned through competing in intercollegiate sports. Induction into the Hall of Fame represents the highest athletic honor the University can bestow.
Allan J. Bunge (Men's Basketball, 1957-60)
- First Team All-Conference 1957 and 1958
- 1960 First Team All-ACC men's basketball
- Drafted 1st Round (seventh overall) in the 1960 NBA Draft
- Pitched on Maryland's 1958 baseball team
Curt Callahan (Coach-Administrator-Athlete, 1966-70)
- Served the University of Maryland for over 33 Years
- Top assistant wrestling coach for 23 years
- Produced seven All-Americans & 25 ACC Champions
- NCAA Qualifier and two-time ACC Wrestling Champion
E.J. Henderson (Football, 1999-2002)
- Maryland's only two-time consensus All-American
- Chuck Bednarik Award winner (College Defensive Player of the Year 2002
- 2001 and 2002 ACC Defensive Player of the Year
- First Team All-ACC (2001 and 2002
- 2002 Butkus Award winner (Nations Top Linebacker
- 2002 Peach Bowl Defensive MVP
Robert Ott (Men's Lacrosse, 1976-79)
- Four-time All-American (Second Team 1979, Third Team 1976-1977, HM 1978)
- One of six four-time All-Americans in Maryland history
- First Team All ACC (1977 and 1978)
- Led NCAA in face-offs in 1976 and 1977
- Member of four ACC Regular Season Championship Teams and four NCAA Final Four Teams
Marcia Richardson (Women's Basketball, 1981-84)
- Starter on the 1982 Final Four Team and three ACC Championship teams
- 2005 ACC Legends Team
- ACC 50th Anniversary Team
- First Team All-ACC Tournament Team and Tournament Co-MVP in 1982
- Ranks No. 8 all-time in scoring (1,630) for Maryland
Kelly Shipman (Softball, 1996-1999)
- 1999 ACC Player of the Year...1997 ACC Tournament MVP 1997
- Four-time First Team All-Region selection
- First all-time in Maryland history in career wins (86), career ERA (1.02), strikeouts (1,037), shutouts (46) and complete games (128)
- Finished career as all-time leader in batting average (.309) and hits (212)
Ron Squiers (Men's Swim & Diving, 1961-64)
- 1963 1-meter diving NCAA Champion and All-American
- Four-time ACC Champion in 1-meter and 3-meter diving (1962 and 1964)
- University of Maryland's first All-American in swimming and diving
Marita Walton (Women's Track & Field, 1980-83)
- Six-time All-American in shot put (1980-1983) and discus (1980, 1982)
- U.S. Indoor Nationals Meet: Champion in Shot Put (1981 and 1982)
- ACC 50th Anniversary Outdoor Track Team & Penn Relays Wall of Fame (2007)
- Holds Maryland records in the indoor shot put (55' 11.75”) and outdoor shot put (55' 9”)
Kay Ruffino Ward (Women's Field Hockey/Lacrosse, 1982-85)
- Two-Time First Team All-American Lacrosse in 1984 and 1985
- Member US National Team 1985-87
- 1984 NCAA All-Tournament Team selection
- ACC 50th Anniversary Team
- Co-captain of field hockey and lacrosse teams in 1985
