hall of fame bios 10/16/04

The Southeast Missouri State University Athletic Hall of Fame will induct its third class today with a 2 p.m. ceremony at the Show Me Center. The inductees will also be recognized prior to tonight's football game with Eastern Kentucky at Houck Stadium. Eleven individuals and one team will make up the 2004 class.

Kelvin "Earthquake" Anderson

Anderson was a Division I-AA football All-American in 1992, leading the team in rushing in 1992, 1993 and 1994 with over 1,000 yards for a school-record three straight years. He is Southeast's career (3,392 yards) and single-season (1,371) rushing leader. Anderson went on to an all-star career in the Canadian Football League before retiring this year. The New Madrid County Central High School product ranks as the only player in CFL history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in eight straight seasons.

Lizz Barringer

Barringer was a four-time Division II track All-American in the heptathlon from 1986 to 1989, while also earning 1989 All-American honors in the long jump and hurdles. She was the 1989 Division II heptathlon national champion, placed 11th at the Division I national meet and was a U.S. Olympic Trials heptathlon qualifier 1988.

F.J. Courleux (deceased)

Courleux played football at Southeast from 1904 to 1907 and later returned to coach the Indians in 1915. He coached for 15 consecutive years, which is the longest tenure of any Southeast football coach, and he also served as basketball coach. He became athletic director in 1930 and was involved in the building of Houck Stadium and the first night football game.

John Diepenbrock

Diepenbrock was a football receiver from 1965 to 1968, leading the MIAA in receiving yardage in 1967 and 1968 while being voted team MVP in 1968. He had 110 career catches for 2,073 yards.

Bill McLane (deceased)

McLane ranks as one of the all-time great track athletes at Southeast, competing from 1934 to 1937. When he graduated in 1937, he held 27 school and/or MIAA records. He also played football.

Ryland "Dutch" Meyr

Meyr was a four-year starter at tackle in football from 1958 to 1961, being honored as a Little All-American in 1961. Three of the four teams he played on won MIAA championships. He served as an assistant coach from 1969 to 1977 and was part of five MIAA championships, then later compiled a 25-7 record as Cape Girardeau Central High School's head coach. The Chaffee native was also a member of Southeast's track team in 1962.

Rex Miller

Miller, who competed in cross country from 1955 to 1958, was Southeast's first cross country All-American, placing 24th in the 1957 NCAA championships for all divisions. He was undefeated for three years in the two-mile and was the MIAA mile and two-mile champion.

Dan Peiffer

Peiffer was a starting center in football from 1970 to 1973, being honored as the Indians' top lineman the final three seasons. He went on to play three years with the Chicago Bears and served as captain of the Bears in 1975.

Otto Porter

Porter, who played basketball at Southeast for just two seasons, averaged 27 points per game as a junior in 1979-1980 and 25.1 points per game as a senior in 1980-1981, after which he was named a second-team Division II All-American. The Scott County Central High School graduate's two-year scoring average of 25.8 points is the best ever in the MIAA, and he ranks as the 10th-leading scorer in Southeast history.

Rob Thomas

Thomas, who competed in track from 1981 to 1984, ranks as Southeast's only NCAA Division I national champion in any sport. He won the 1984 indoor 600-meters at the Division I meet, even though the Indians were a Division II team at the time. He was also a Division I All-American in 1982 and was a three-time Division II All-American. He was a U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in 1984 and a U.S. National Team member in 1985.

Steve Williams

Williams played both football as a punter and baseball as a catcher from 1981 to 1984. He holds Southeast's record for best punting average in a game with a 56-yard mark against Murray State in 1983. He was a baseball All-American in 1982 and 1983, and still holds Southeast's career home run record with 52. He played professionally in the Philadelphia Phillies organization, reaching the Class AAA level. He has been a longtime baseball coach at Cape Girardeau Central High School -- his alma mater -- leading the Tigers to a state championship.

1987 women's gymnastics team

The Otahkians won the USGF Division II national title under coach Bill Hopkins. The squad was led by All-American Diana Morris, who won four All-America awards at the 1987 national championships.