IUP Athletics released its list of inductees for the Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
The list includes four former IUP football players; two IUP golfers; two former IUP baseball players; one former women’s soccer player; one former women’s swimmer; one former women’s basketball player; and one former women’s cross county/track & field participant, bringing the total number of inductees to 291.
The Hall of Fame class will be inducted Saturday, Sept. 18 prior to IUP’s football game against Shepherd.
The full news release from IUP Athletics can be found below.
From IUP Athletics:
The Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Athletic Department announced its 12-member Hall of Fame Class of 2021. These 12 IUP greats represent eight different sports and comprise the department’s 25th induction class.
The IUP Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2021:
- Nicole Blaesser, women’s cross country/track & field, 2003-07
- Mike Borisenko, football, 1997-2000
- Ray Bosetti, baseball, 1958-60
- Bernard Bruns, baseball, 1964-66
- Jodi Frederick Houck, women’s basketball, 1996-2001
- Leander Jordan, football, 1996-99
- Frederick Joseph, men’s golf, 1989-2018
- Paul Kovell, football, 1987-90
- Dan Radakovich, football, 1977-80, 1985-present
- Sarah Romasco Burns, women’s soccer, 2006-09
- Gavin Smith, men’s golf, 2006-10
- Lisa Templin Hess, women’s swimming, 1992-96
“We are very excited to bring back our Hall of Fame induction class and celebration for 2021,” said IUP Director of Athletics Todd Garzarelli. “Through their successes and contributions, these 12 individuals have brought so much pride to our university, athletic department, and their respective sport programs, and they deserve to be celebrated this fall.
“This is truly an exceptional class and I look forward to welcoming each of them into our Hall of Fame in September.”
This year’s Hall of Fame Class will be formally inducted Saturday, September 18 prior to the IUP football game against Shepherd. This Class will be the the first to be inducted since 2019 due to the pandemic.
The new inductees bring the total to 291 former athletes, coaches and administrators who have made significant contributions to IUP athletics and have enhanced its image and reputation and are now enshrined in the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame.
Below are more details on the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2021.
Nicole Blaesser
Cross Country/Track & Field
2003-07
Cross country All-American in 2006 … Won 2006 NCAA East Region Championship … Three-time All-PSAC honoree (XC), best finish was second in 2006 … Four-time national qualifier in track … PSAC Top 10 honoree.
Mike Borisenko
Football
1997-2000
Consensus All-American as a junior … PSAC West Defensive Player of the Year in 1999 and 2000 … Two-time PSAC Top 10 award … Finished career as sixth-leading tackler in IUP history with 352 stops … Spent 2003 season with Hamilton Tigercats of the Canadian Football League.
Ray Bosetti
Baseball
1958-60
Team captain of the 1960 PSAC champions … First conference championship in program history … Team also won District 30 and Area 8 championships, advanced to NAIA World Series.
Bernard Bruns
Baseball
1964-66
Drafted in the 15th round of the 1966 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox … Program’s first pro baseball draftee … Played in minors in Boston organization for two seasons.
Jodi Frederick Houck
Basketball
1996-01
First team All-PSAC West selection as a sophomore … Graduated as IUP’s blocked shots record holder with 186 … Also left program as 11th-leading scorer (1,191 points) and fourth leading rebounder (807 rebounds).
Leander Jordan
Football
1996-99
Consensus first team All-American in 1999 as an offensive guard … Two-time All-PSAC West selection … Selected by Carolina Panthers in the third round (82nd overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft … Played 37 games in the NFL from 2000-06 with Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars and San Diego Chargers.
Fred Joseph
Golf
1989-2018
One of most successful coaches in collegiate golf history … In 27 years as a head coach, led team to 86 tournament wins, 13 PSAC titles, 22 straight regional tournament appearances and 14 NCAA championship appearances … Coached 15 All-Americans, 21 All-American Scholars, 13 PSAC golfers of the year and earned nine regional coach of the year awards.
Paul Kovell
Football
1987-90
Four-time All-PSAC West selection as a tight end, including first teamer as a junior and senior … Graduated as third-leading pass catcher in IUP history with 122 receptions, most among tight ends … Rookie free agent signee with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dan Radakovich
Football
1977-80, 1985-present
Tight end and student coach for the football program … Named 13th director of athletics at Clemson University on Dec. 1, 2012, overseeing football program’s national championships in 2016 and 2018 … IUP Distinguished Alumnus … Sports Business Daily Athletic Director of the Year in 2017 … Enshrined into Beaver County Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
Sarah Romasco Burns
Soccer
2006-09
Four-time first team All-PSAC selection … PSAC West Player and Rookie of the Year in 2006 … Holds records for most career points (170), goals (65) and assists (40) in program history … 170 career points is second all-time in conference history.
Gavin Smith
Golf
2006-10
NCAA Division II Individual National Champion in 2009 … Two time first team PING All-American … Three-time PSAC Golfer of the Year …. PSAC Freshman of the Year in 2007 …. Three-time all-region honoree … PSAC individual champion in 2007 and 2009 … NCAA regional tournament champion 2008 and 2010.
Lisa Templin Hess
Swimming
1992-96
Earned All-American honors in 1994, 1995 and 1996 … Earned all-conference honors at PSAC championship meet all four years … IUP record holder … Academic All-American … Four-time PSAC Scholar Athlete, six-time member of the Dean’s List
