Southeast to recognize athletes at hall of fame dinner

Southeast Missouri State University will welcome several new members to its hall of fame tonight as the athletics program recognizes the accomplishments of past players and supporters.

The hall of fame includes 76 individuals and 15 teams. The 2014 inductees include Eugene Amano, Dan Connolly, Kathleen Hudson, Miles Smith, the Kohlfeld family and the 1996 volleyball team.

* Amano was an offensive lineman at Southeast, playing for the football team from 2000 to 2003. His football playing time continued when he was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2004. Amano had a nine-year career for the Titans.

* Connolly is another Southeast football player to spend time in the NFL. An offensive tackle while in college, he played in the Super Bowl for the New England Patriots. His memorable 71-yard kick return in 2010 set a record in the NFL for the longest kick return by an offensive lineman.

* Hudson was a member of the track and field team from 1979 to 1981 and 1983. In addition to individual accomplishments, she was on relay teams that broke 13 records at Southeast.

* Smith was a five-time All-American and found much success as a track star at Southeast. He was the conference track athlete of the year four times and set several school records. Smith earned a gold medal with the USA 1,600-meter relay team during the 2005 World Championships.

* Longtime supporters of the university, the Kohlfeld family and its distribution company will be recognized.

* Also to receive recognition is the 1996 volleyball team. The team was the first to finish the season undefeated.

The hall of fame ceremony is an opportunity to recognize the contributions of many to Southeast athletics. Many of tonight's inductees were regularly covered on the Sports pages of the Southeast Missourian. We watched them develop as athletes, and we're pleased to extend our congratulations to each on this momentous achievement.