Athletics Announces Newest Hall of Fame Class
8/28/2017 4:01:00 PM | General
Six Standouts to be Inducted into Hall in October
Mizzou Athletics Hall of Fame
COLUMBIA, Mo. – Six outstanding former University of Missouri athletic figures have been selected for induction into Mizzou's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. They will represent the 27th induction class since the Hall's inception in 1990.
The class will be formally inducted Fri., Oct. 20, in a ceremony and celebration to be held that evening at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Columbia (1225 Fellows Place). The group will also be recognized at the Mizzou Football Homecoming game the next day against Idaho. The Friday celebration is open to the public, and a limited amount of tickets are available for purchase for $40 by ordering online at TSFMizzou.com/HallofFame. Table sponsorships are also available.
The 2017 class is full of star-studded performers who have been among the best in Mizzou history in their sports. Here is a look at this year's inductees:
CLASS OF 2017
Mark Ellis – Wrestling (2007-10) [Native of Peculiar, Mo.]
Mizzou's only heavyweight national champion (2009) who was a two-time All-American and who helped guide the Tigers to three top-11 team finishes at the NCAA Championships.;
Tim Laudner – Baseball (1976-79) [Native of Brooklyn Park, Minn.]
All-Big Eight catcher for Mizzou who went on to a nine-year career in the Major Leagues, and was an American League All-Star in 1988 after he hit .318 in the 1987 World Series, helping the Minnesota Twins to a seven-game series win over the St. Louis Cardinals.;
Adrianne Perry – Gymnastics (2006-09) [Native of Columbia, Mo.]
One of the most dynamic and powerful tumblers in Mizzou Gymnastics history who was a two-time second-team All-American, a four-time individual qualifier for the NCAA Championship meet, and the program's first-ever Big 12 Conference All-Around champion (2008).;
Dennis Poppe – Football (1967-69)/Administration [Native of Anchor, Ill.]
First-team All-Big Eight safety for some very good Dan Devine teams, who went on to coach and serve in administration at Mizzou, before joining the NCAA national staff for a storied career that saw him serve 39 years, including a 26-year run as the tournament director for the College World Series.;
Rhea Taylor – Softball (2008-11)
Three-time NFCA All-American who was a key figure in helping elevate Mizzou's Softball program into one of the nation's elite. Led the Tigers offense and patrolled center field flawlessly as she helped MU reach the Women's College World Series three straight seasons (2009-11).;
Sean Weatherspoon – Football (2006-09) [Native of Jasper, Texas]
Two-time second-Team All-American linebacker who was a big factor in the resurgence of the Mizzou program into national prominence. Three-time first-Team All-Big 12 selection who became the first MU linebacker to be drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft (2010).
Mark Ellis – Wrestling (2007-10)
Two-time NCAA All-American, who won 2009 national title as a heavyweight during his junior season, becoming the first Tiger heavyweight to win a national title. Went 31-3 overall during his championship season. Also won All-American honors as senior in 2010, with a sixth-place finish in the heavyweight division to cap a 22-13 campaign. Helped Mizzou to three top-11 team finishes at the NCAA Championships, including an 11th-place showing in 2008, a seventh-place finish in 2009 and a 10th-place finish in 2010. Had a career record of 90-39 (.698), including a 16-11 mark as a freshman in 2007 and a 21-12 record in 2008. Is one of five Mizzou wrestlers to claim a national championship to this point, and his 30 career falls ranks as sixth-best in program history. Won the 2010 Mizzou Wrestling Ed Lampitt Total Tiger Award for his well-rounded academic and athletic success, as well as his outstanding citizenship and how he represented Mizzou. Also was named the team's Most Outstanding Wrestler in 2009.
Tim Laudner – Baseball (1976-79)
An outstanding catcher for Mizzou who went on to a long-time successful Major League Baseball career with the Minnesota Twins, eventually becoming an American League All-Star, while playing a key role for the Twins' 1987 World Series Championship. Was a first-Team All-Big Eight selection in 1979 and was a member of the All-Big Eight Tournament team in both 1977 and 1978. Led Mizzou in batting in 1979, checking in at .378 that season, tallying a team-best 65 hits, while also leading the team with 19 doubles, seven home runs, 54 runs batted in and 40 walks. Was a third-round selection by the Twins in the 1979 MLB Draft, and went on to play nine seasons in the majors that saw him become an A.L. All-Star in 1988, when he hit .251 with 13 home runs, 18 doubles and 54 RBI. Hit 77 career home runs while driving in 263 runs during his time in the majors, and had a single-season best homer total of 16 in 1987. Played a key role in helping the Twins to the 1987 World Series title over the St. Louis Cardinals, as he hit .318 in the series, with a double, home run and four RBI. Had an on base percentage of .444 in the 1987 Series and scored four runs as the Twins took the Series in seven games. His homer came in game two during a six-run fourth inning for the Twins, who won that game, 8-4.
Adrianne Perry – Gymnastics (2006-09)
Local athlete who became one of the most dynamic, exciting and powerful tumblers in Mizzou Gymnastics history. Was a two-time second-Team All-American, winning honors in both the all-around and the floor exercise. Was a four-time individual qualifier for the NCAA Championship meet. Took home the 2008 Big 12 Conference all-around championship, becoming the first Tiger in history to win the Big 12 all-around crown. Also won Big 12 individual event titles in 2008 and 2009 in the floor exercise. Was named the 2006 Big 12 Conference Gymnastics Newcomer of the Year.
Dennis Poppe – Football (1967-69)
Standout safety who went on to serve as a coach and administrator for MU Athletics, and later served a very distinguished longtime career with the NCAA. Was a first-Team All-Big Eight selection as a senior defensive back in 1969, as he led the Tigers with six interceptions on MU's conference championship team. Mizzou went 9-2 that season and reached the Orange Bowl, while finishing ranked sixth nationally. Missed two games in the middle of his junior season (1968) with a broken arm, but returned for the final stretch, and closed the season by returning an interception 47 yards for a touchdown against Alabama in Mizzou's 35-10 domination of the Crimson Tide in the 1968 Gator Bowl – a game in which 'Bama Coach Bear Bryant said it was likely the biggest whipping one of his teams had ever taken. Was a first-Team Academic All-Big Eight selection in 1969 who went on to serve as a graduate assistant coach, and later an assistant athletic director for Mizzou Athletics. Moved on to the NCAA national office, where he served in a number of prominent roles during a storied 39-year career from 1975-2014. Earned myriad of honors and awards during his time with the NCAA, and was perhaps most well-known for his efforts with college baseball, as he served as the primary liaison to the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee, while serving as the tournament director for the College World Series for 26 years, and was largely considered responsible for the tremendous growth of the CWS in Omaha, Neb. Retired from the NCAA as the Vice President for Championships and Alliances, and his duties included the conduct of various championships, primarily football and baseball, as well as the coordination of playing rules with the respective sport rules committees. He also served as staff liaison with the coaches associations, served on the President's Cabinet, worked with postseason football bowl licensing, and also monitored and coordinated legislative issues. Upon his retirement he founded Poppe Sports Management, and continues to serve as a consultant to the NCAA and the American Football Coaches Association.
Rhea Taylor – Softball (2008-11)
A key figure in helping elevate Mizzou's Softball program into one of the nation's elite during her four years under Coach Ehren Earleywine, and helped lead the Tigers to three-straight Women's College World Series (2009-11). Was a three-time National Fastpitch Coaches' Association All-American (second-Team in 2008, third-Team in both 2010 and 2011), joining pitcher Chelsea Thomas as the only three-time All-Americans in program history. Was a four-time NFCA Midwest All-Region selection, and is the only Tiger in history to achieve such a feat. Was also a four-time All-Big 12 Conference selection, and is one of only three Tigers in history to earn such distinction. Was one of the nation's most feared leadoff hitters during her time, as she perfected the art of the slap hit and used her blazing speed to reach base regularly to start Tiger rallies. Holds Mizzou career records in batting average (.402), hits (315), runs (234) and stolen bases (184), and developed into one of the best center fielders in the nation, as she used her elite-level speed to track down countless balls in the outfield that looked to be sure hits for opponents. Averaged an astonishing .452 at the plate as a junior in 2010, which is the Mizzou single-season record, and during that year turned in an 18-game hitting streak, which is the second-longest in program history. In addition, holds MU single-season records for hits (88), runs (64) and stolen bases (57) – all achieved during her freshman season of 2008, when she won the Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year Award. Named to the 2010 Women's College World Series All-Tournament team, and was twice a Big 12 All-Tournament team selection.
Sean Weatherspoon – Football (2006-09)
One of the top linebackers in Mizzou history who was a big factor in the resurgence of the program into the national landscape. Was a very visible, outstanding leader who was the face of the program with the public and media. Was one of the more beloved players at MU in the recent past, who was always serenaded at games with the chant of "Spoooooooon" whenever he made a play. Was a two-time second-Team All-American (2008, 2009) and was also a three-time first-Team All-Big 12 selection (2007-09). Won second-Team All-American, first-Team All-Big 12 and Butkus Award finalist honors for his senior season in 2009 when he had a team-best 111 total tackles, including 14.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks as a team captain. Earned his undergraduate degree from Mizzou in Interdisciplinary Studies, and was invited to the 2010 NFL Combine. Went on to become a first-round NFL Draft pick by the Atlanta Falcons, with the No. 19 overall selection, becoming the first Tiger linebacker to be a first-round pick. He was also the first Tiger linebacker drafted in any round since Bobby Bell in 1984 (4th round pick). Had an eye-popping junior season that put him on the national radar, when he tallied 155 tackles (2nd-most in MU single-season history), including 18.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks and three interceptions (two of which he returned for touchdowns) in 2008. Closed the 2008 season by earning Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP honors as he made 17 tackles and helped lead the Tigers to an overtime win over Northwestern to close out a 10-win season. Emerged in 2007 as a sophomore starter, when he started all 14 games for Mizzou's Big 12 North champs, and finished with a team-best 130 tackles, including 9.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. Finished his career with 413 tackles, which still ranks third on the Mizzou career chart, just two out of second and just 21 behind career leader James Kinney (434). His career tackles for loss total of 43.5 ranks as second-best on the MU charts (top among all linebackers) and is second only to former great Justin Smith (50.0).
The Hall's constitution and bylaws express its purpose – "…to recognize and honor those individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements and prestige of the University of Missouri in the field of athletics, and who have continued to demonstrate in their lives, the values imparted by intercollegiate athletics."
The current class will up the Hall's membership to 208 individuals and four teams. Inductees are honored in a display located in the main entrance at Mizzou Arena.
The general public is invited to submit nominations year-round by filling out the form here. For more information, please contact Chad Moller, Associate Athletic Director of Strategic Communications, University of Missouri, P.O. Box 677, Columbia, MO 65205.
