In a year where CSU East Bay continues to celebrate 50 years of Pioneer Athletics, new members were inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame on May 5.

Marion Champion from volleyball, Antoinette Goode from women’s basketball, Jeff Southwick from men’s tennis, the late Dr. Charles Harmon “Doc” Brown as assistant coach of track and field and John Nelson as coach of men’s tennis were all inducted into the East Bay Hall of Fame, with Don Sawyer from football being selected as an athlete representative for the 2012 induction class.

The induction ceremony attracted both current and former Pioneer coaches and athletes to celebrate the newest class of inductees, bringing the total number of Pioneer Hall of Famers to 80.
Opening remarks from Director of Athletics Debby DeAngelis and University President Leroy Morishita began the ceremony with words of gratitude and appreciation towards the inductees.

The first inductee was Marion Champion, who was an outside hitter on the women’s volleyball team from 1998 to 1990. Champion helped guide the volleyball team to back-to-back NCAA Division III playoff appearances and a 55-17 overall record during her time with the Pioneers, holding team captain duties both years.

Champion’s presence is still felt in the record books as she ranks among the program’s career top 10 in kills with 786, digs with 660 and aces with 87.

The Hall of Famer was introduced to the podium by current women’s volleyball head coach Jim Spagle.

“Marion Champion, we all called her ‘champ.’ Never was there an athlete more appropriately named than Marion,” expressed Spagle while introducing Champion. “Marion, in my opinion, is the best volleyball player I have ever coached.”

Following Champion was the induction of Antoinette Goode, who spent four seasons from 1984 to 1988 as a center for the women’s basketball team.

Goode remains the Pioneers all-time leading scorer with 1,210 career points and still holds several records including the single game scoring standard, career blocks recorded and seemingly every rebounding mark in the book.

“I waited 23 years for this,” said Goode during her speech, attracting laughter from the attendees. “I’m glad I’m even alive.

“I am so honored, I have waited so long for this moment and it’s finally here.”

Don Sawyer was the next honoree who continues to keep the memory of Pioneer football alive having played the position of linebacker for then CSU Hayward for two seasons from 1966 to 1967.

Sawyer was a member of the Pioneers’ first winning football season. He also became the first Pioneer ever to sign a professional sports contract, signing with the Oakland Raiders in 1968.
Currently, Sawyer’s presence is still felt on campus as he serves as Chief of Staff to President Morishita.

After Sawyer was the induction of Jeff Southwick, tennis player from the years 1979 to 1983.

Southwick was a seven-time All-Conference and two-time All America selection who helped the Pioneer men’s tennis team to four straight All-NCAC titles. He helped the Pioneers to two third place finishes at national championships during his career, while reaching the semifinals in the NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament his senior year.

Brown was next to be honored, with his family members receiving his award on his behalf.

Brown served as the assistant head coach to the Pioneer track and field team in 1974 to 1992, guiding the men’s squad to the 1977 NCAA Division II National Championship.

Brown was a four-time Olympic coach, a 10-time coach to U.S. national teams and was a member and chair of several national and international sports science committees during over 40 years in coaching.

The last inductee of the night was John Nelson who served as head coach of the men’s tennis team from 1983 to 1988. Nelson earned four All-Conference selections and All-America honors as a player before returning to guide his alma matter to five NCAC championships.

Each season under Nelson, the team finished among top 10 in the nation, claiming third place at the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1983 and 1988.

The Athletics Hall of Fame was created in 1985 to give tribute and honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Pioneer Athletics.

Every two years, a new induction class is announced and this year’s Hall of Famers were a true reflection and accurate representation of the past 50 years of athletics of CSUEB.