SPRINGFIELD, IL --- The University of Illinois Springfield athletics department has announced the 2016 Hall of Fame Class, which will be the third class inducted since its inception in 2014. This years' class includes the 1993 men's soccer National Championship team, George Lidster (men's soccer), Audra (Roach) Wyant (volleyball), Manny Velasco (men's tennis), and Bob and Vickie Spencer (Friends of Prairie Stars).
"It is my pleasure to announce the third class of UIS Prairie Star inductee's," said interim Director of Athletics, Hayley Ross-Treadway. "Reliving the rich history of talent and support our program has had is so inpiring. Tremendous thanks is due to our Hall of Fame Advisory Committee in selecting this outstanding class of inductees and we look forward to celebrating them in deserving fashion in October."
1993 Men's Soccer National Championship Team
The third of three National Championship teams, the 1993 team was the last squad to bring an NAIA National Championship to Springfield, culminating the career of head coach Aydin Gonulsen. The 1993 team amassed a record of 21-4 en route to the schools third national championship in a six year span. In the '93 season, the Prairie Stars outscored their opponents 92-to-31 across the 25 game season, recording ten shutouts.
In post-season play alone, Sangamon State went 8-0, outscoring their opponents 26-to-6 and scored 15 goals in the four games at the national tournament, including a 4-3 win over Lynn University in the National Championship game.
The 1993 team was coached by
Aydin Gonulsen and assisted by
Joe Eck and
Milt Tennant and was comprised of: Cuneyt Barutcu, Bobby Bell, Greg Bryan, Patrick Chae, Jose Corona, Luis Diaz, Sel Eren, Bora Esenler, Jerrod Frey, James Hemingway, Curtis Hula, Greg Lipe, John Lochbaum, Pat Mann, Josep Masllorens, Jose Miranda, Rene Montero, B.J. Moore, Pat O'Fallon, John Ostrander, James Philips, Ron Sanlin, Mickey Tennant, Cihan Uslu.
George Lidster – Men's Soccer – 1982-84
Lidster was a member of the men's soccer program for three seasons, ranging from 1982-84. During his time as a Prairie Star, Lidster scored 16 goals and dished out five assists. In his time, he was named to 11 post-season teams, including being named an NAIA All-American in 1982. After the 1983 season, Lidster was named to the All-Illinois Team, which was comprised of all players from the NAIA and NCAA Division I, II, and III.
After his time on the field for Sangamon State, Lidster began his coaching career, where he soon became a legend at George Washington University of the Atlantic-10 conference.
Across the next 24 seasons, Lidster would become the all-time winningest coach at George Washington, racking up 201 career wins, including three NCAA tournament appearances. Twice he was named the A-10 Coach of the Year as he cemented his place in NCAA Division I history.
Audra (Roach) Wyant – Volleyball – 2003-06
From 2003-06, Audra Roach dominated the volleyball landscape for the Prairie Stars across the American Midwest Conference and the NAIA. A three-time NAIA Academic All-American, Roach excelled both on the court and in the classroom during her time at Illinois Springfield.
Roach was named to the AMC First-Team All-Conference in 2006 which was preceded by two nods to the honorable mention team in 2003 and 2004 and an All-Region Selection in 2005.
After her career came to a close, Roach left UIS with multiple career records, including being the first player to reach 1,000 career kills, ending her career with 1,257. She is also the all-time leader in solo blocks (192), block assists (249), and total blocks (441), while ranking second in matches played and fourth in attack percentage (.257).
Manny Velasco – Men's Tennis Coach – 1984-2014
Over the last 30 years, the name Manny Velasco and UIS tennis has become synonymous with one another. During his tenure at UIS, Velasco racked up over 400 career wins and saw more than 200 athletes compete as a member of the men's or women's tennis team.
As a player, Velasco won the Bolivian National Junior crown six times and competed at the US Open at Forest Hills. In 1972, Velasco was named the coach of the Bolivian National team.
During his time at the helm of UIS, Velasco was named the Great Lakes Valley Conference Coach of the Year on five occasions and was named the NAIA Coach of the Year in 1992. During his tenures, Velasco made 14 appearances in the NAIA National Tournament and brought home numerous NAIA Regional Titles.
Bob and Vickie Spencer – Friends of the Prairie Stars
Bob and Vickie Spencer made an impact on Sangamon State athletics that goes beyond the typical monetary donations. The duo made their biggest impact on the soccer program during the early years of the program, as they personally ran the concession stand at every home soccer game.
At the end of each season, the Spencer's would donate the entirety of their revenue back to the department, sometimes upwards of a couple thousand dollars.
Bob and Vickie made an impact on the soccer program at Sangamon State by donating their time and energy to the athletic department. The hours and effort cannot be measured but the impact they made spans decades as well as hundreds of athletes that now call SSU/UIS their home.
THINGS TO NOTE: The 2016 Hall of Fame ceremony will held on Saturday, October 8th at 7:00 pm in the Recreation and Athletic Center. For more information, please visit
uisprairiestars.com.
UIS athletics will also honor the 2016 Hall of Fame Class at the men's and women's soccer games on Friday, October 6th. Complimentary food and drinks will be provided for inductees and their family members in the VIP tent in the northeast corner of Kiwanis Stadium.
