April 7, 2009
Orlando, FL (www.UCFAthletics.com) - Orlando, FL (www.UCFAthletics.com) - In commemorating the 10 previous UCF Athletics Hall of Fame inductions, UCF Athletics Communications will run a series of archival flashbacks to the previous classes. Today's flashback is the 2001 class, which featured UCF athletics icons Mike Clark, Calvin Lingelbach, Tamika Coley and Jim Rudy.
Below is the press release written on Sept. 20, 2001.
Four inductees, including a third member of the Clark family, will be added to the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame when the 2001 class is introduced at a ceremony on campus November 2. The class will have a heavy basketball influence as men's basketball players Mike Clark and Cal Lingelbach and women's basketball player Tamika Coley will join former men's and women's soccer coach Jim Rudy as the Hall's newest members.
This is the fourth class of the UCF Athletics Hall of Fame, which was established to honor those individuals who through their demonstrated athletics achievement or service have distinguished themselves and the University of Central Florida. A selection committee comprised of former UCF athletes, alumni association members, Golden Knights Club members, and Hall of Fame members chose the 2001 class from a list of more than 100 nominees.
Clark will take his place in UCF history alongside his father Torchy and brother Bo who were a part of the inaugural Hall of Fame class in 1998. He played basketball for Torchy at what was then Florida Technological University from 1969-73, the first four years of the program. He was the cornerstone of the basketball program in its formative years, turning down offers to play Division I basketball elsewhere to start a Division II program at UCF. He led the team to a 67-25 record during his career and was the school's career scoring leader with 2,085 points until Bo followed in his footsteps and scored 2,886 points. He is currently second in career scoring, third in career scoring average, third in career assists, and third in career free throws made.
Coley finished her career in 1996 in fitting fashion by leading the team to a conference title and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She led the team in both points and rebounds each season she played and finished as the school's all-time leader in both categories. She scored 2,006 points, pulled down 1,211 rebounds and holds career records for field goals and free throws made. She is also fourth in career steals and third in scoring average. She earned first-team All-Trans America Athletic Conference (now Atlantic Sun) honors three consecutive years and was named TAAC Tournament MVP as a senior.
Lingelbach played basketball and baseball from 1973-78. He was a point guard on the basketball team and a utility infielder on the baseball team and is considered one of the best all-around athletes to ever play at UCF. On the hardwood he was known for his defense and his passing and he helped the team to its first two NCAA Tournament appearances. He is currently fifth in career steals and ninth in career assists. On the diamond he was known for his fielding abilities. His best season offensively came in 1978 when he hit .300 with two home runs, 18 RBI and 11 doubles.
Rudy coached the men's soccer team from 1975-87 and the women's team from 1981-87. He founded the women's soccer program and led it four post-season appearances in seven years and a 73-22-6, overall record. His teams advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament twice, including an appearance in the first NCAA championship game in 1982. His 1981 squad finished runner up in the AIAW, the forerunner to the NCAA. He coached nine All-Americans, including UCF Athletics Hall of Fame inductees Michelle Akers and Amy Allmann. He finished his career as the winningest coach in history of UCF's men's soccer program with a 129-58-18 record and one NCAA Tournament appearance. He coached three All-Americans on the men's side, including UCF Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Winston DuBose.