The Seattle University athletics department proudly congratulates six individuals as well as a two-year span of the men’s tennis program for their upcoming induction into the Seattle U Athletics Hall of Fame, as voted on this past fall by the SU Athletics Hall of Fame Committee.
Alex Chursky scored one of the most famous goals in Seattle U men’s soccer history, sending a header just inside the far post with three seconds remaining in regulation as the Redhawks defeated Incarnate Word in the quarterfinals of the 2004 NCAA Division II Men’s Soccer Tournament. Chursky was a four-time all-conference selection, including the 2003 Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year, and he is currently fourth on Seattle U’s all-time goals (32) and points (84) lists, as well as tied for fifth on the career assists list with 20.
John Dougherty has continually supported Seattle University athletics since he matriculated as a student in the 1960s, serving as student manager of the men’s basketball team. He cultivated the relationship between Seattle U Athletics and Vacation Internationale, the company he worked for until becoming Athletics Development Officer in 2007. Over the past seven years, he has continually exceeded fundraising goals, helping the various athletic programs receive the money they need to operate. Dougherty has brought back numerous alumni into the fold as supporters, and his devotion to the entire department is apparent in his efforts to support every team.
John Harbottle was a member of the Seattle University golf team in the early 1950s, helping the team to several key victories. Over a four-day span in May 1953, he helped Seattle U defeat Pacific Lutheran, Gonzaga, and Washington State. He was the team captain during his senior season and won 80 percent of his matches. He is a two-time winner of the Tacoma City Championship and 17-time winner of the Tacoma Country Club title. A multiple Pacific Northwest Senior Open and Washington State Senior Open champion, he was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame in 1997.
Erin Martin becomes the first Seattle U softball player to be inducted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame after a stellar career in the pitching circle. She holds the Redhawk career records for most wins (89), most strikeouts (477), most complete games (111), and most shutouts (36). During her career, she helped the team reach three NCAA Division II Softball Tournaments, pitching the Redhawks to the regional final in 2007. She was the GNAC Pitcher of the Year in 2008 after going 25-6 with a 2.17 earned run average, and she was named Seattle U’s Female Athlete of the Year in 2007.
Francis Saunders helped the Seattle U basketball team see success in the late 1950s, including as a part of the historic 1957-58 squad that reached the NCAA title game. Even though he was hurt during the 1957-58 season, he continued to play, using a protective mask and coming off the bench to make key baskets during Seattle U’s run through the tournament. Over his three-year career at Seattle U, he played in 85 games, averaging 8.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. After contributing 6.2 points and 2.9 rebounds per game in 1957-58, he enjoyed his best season in 1958-59, collecting 10.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.
Liane Swegle (Johnson) was Seattle University’s track and field team in the mid-1970s, representing the school even though she was the only one from Seattle U competing. As a freshman, Swegle finished second in the 880 yard run at the Women’s National Intercollegiate Track and Field Championships by just 6/10ths of a second. She was named Seattle U’s Athlete of the Year in 1974, beating out, among others, Frank Oleynick. At the AIAW Championships in both 1975 and 1976, she finished in third place in the 880. She still holds the school record in the 800 meter run with a time of 2:04.3.
The 1966-1967 (spring) men’s tennis teams were both coached by Cliff Hedger. In 1966, the team advanced to the NCAA Tournament and finished 14th in the country. The doubles team of Steve Hopps and Tom Gorman advanced to the round of 16. The team posted a 17-5 record during the 1966 season. In 1967, the team posted an 18-2 record, marking the best season the tennis team has had to that point. Gorman and Brian Parrott traveled to the 1967 NCAA Championships, with Gorman advancing to the round of 16 in singles and both players helping Seattle U finish in a tie for 20th place in the team standings.
The Fr. Francis Logan Hall of Fame Induction Luncheon and Ceremony will take place Sunday, February 8, starting at 12 noon at the Campion Tower Ballroom on campus. The newly-inducted Hall of Famers will also be recognized during halftime of the men’s basketball game the previous night, Saturday, February 7, against Utah Valley at KeyArena at Seattle Center.