Six individuals, one team to join Southeast Hall of Fame

The 1999-2000 men's basketball team that earned the program's only NCAA Division I tournament berth will be among the inductees to the Southeast Missouri State Athletics Hall of Fame in February.

Individuals announced for induction Tuesday are Ron and Mary Hines (sports information, 1980 to 2009), Jim Hamby (assistant football coach, 1958 to 1968), Galen McSpadden (baseball, 1971 to 1974), Christine (Ridenour) Vanatta (cross country/track & field, 1982 to 1984) and Beverly Slaughter (track & field, 1981).

The 1999-2000 basketball team, in the ninth season after joining the NCAA Division I ranks, claimed the program's only Ohio Valley Conference regular-season and tournament titles to qualify for the NCAA tournament.

Southeast, under coach Gary Garner, went 24-7 for the most wins in a season during Southeast's Division I era. The then-Indians nearly pulled off a monumental first-round NCAA tournament upset but LSU rallied late to pull out a 64-61 victory in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Ron Hines helped bring publicity and notoriety to Southeast as the school's sports information director for 29 years. Alongside him was his wife, Mary, who spent more than 25 years assisting with statistics, media guides, game programs, posters and other publications. Mary passed away last week after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Ron Hines worked 851 consecutive men's basketball games, an all-time Division I record for an SID. He wrote and produced 21 award-winning publications, including four judged "Best in the Nation" by the College Sports Information Directors of America, and was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award from CoSIDA.

Hamby, after a four-year duty in the U.S. Air Force, accepted the assistant coaching position at Southeast under Kenneth Knox. Hamby taught both offensive and defensive line play as Southeast won MIAA championships in 1958, 1959, 1962 and 1967

Hamby coached three players who were drafted in the NFL: Frank Czaphla (Cleveland Browns), Glenn Schott (Denver Broncos) and Ken Iman (Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams). Hamby passed away Nov. 8, 1986.

McSpadden, a left-handed pitcher, was a four-year letterman at Southeast. He remains the only player in school history to lead Southeast in ERA, innings pitched, strikeouts and wins in back-to-back seasons (1973, 1974). He still ranks in nine of the school's single-season and career categories. His 12.14 strikeouts per nine innings led the nation in 1973 and is a school record, while his 1.47 ERA in that season ranks fourth. McSpadden boasted a 1.53 ERA, fifth-best in school history, as a senior.

McSpadden posted 18 career victories, notable because Southeast played only 91 games during his four years. He was a sixth-round draft pick, the highest in program history, and played parts of five seasons in the San Diego Padres organization. He is currently baseball coach and athletic director at Seward County Community College in Kansas.

Ridenour highlighted her athletic career at Southeast by winning the 1984 NCAA Division II women's cross country championship, leading her team to a third-place finish. She was a three-time Division II All-American in cross country and a two-time Division II national qualifier in track & field.

Ridenour set school records in the 1,500 meter, mile, 3,000 meter, 2-mile and 5,000 meter events. She is married to Southeast Hall of Famer Michael Vanatta.

Slaughter was one of the first great female athletes at Southeast. She held the long jump record at 20 feet, 5 inches for 17 years and still ranks third on the school's all-time long jump list. She was an All-American in 1981 and won numerous MIAA titles.

Southeast's 11th Hall of Fame Class will be inducted during a dinner and ceremony Feb. 8 at the Show Me Center that is open to the public.

The new inductees will also be recognized at Southeast's Hall of Fame men's basketball game Feb. 9 against Eastern Illinois.

A book commemorating the history of the Hall of Fame will be on sale beginning this year. The book, which is filled with photos, interviews, notes, accomplishments, achievements and other information, was written by Jane Cooper Stacy.

Southeast's Hall of Fame currently includes 71 individuals and 14 teams.