TicketsJuly 22, 2010
CINCINNATI - Olympic silver medalist David Payne, All-America point guard Steve Logan, six-time all-America swimmer Honza Vitazka, and the No. 2 all-time women's basketball scorer Valerie King headline the four-person class that is set to be inducted into the University of Cincinnati James P. Kelly Athletics Hall of Fame.
The enshrinement will take place as part of the annual Legion of Excellence gala, scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2010. The Legion of Excellence will also include the recognition of the top current student-athletes from each sport, as well as the bestowing of the Order of the Black Blazer and the Strubbe Distinguished Service Award.
"Our 2010 Class of Hall of Fame inductees again shows the quality, depth, and the accomplishments of our former student-athletes, said UC Director of Athletics Mike Thomas. "I look forward to being a part of the ceremonies this fall as we honor these individuals on their wonderful athletics careers as Bearcats."
Only three players have scored 2,000 or more points playing basketball for the University of Cincinnati. Valerie King (women's basketball, 2001-04) became the third player and second women's basketball player to accomplish that milestone during her four years on campus. She joined fellow 2,000-point scorers Oscar Robertson and Cheryl Cook during her senior season at UC. King, a Conference USA All-Decade Team selection, led her team to four consecutive postseason appearances, including two NCAA Tournaments. She holds school records in games played, 3-point field goal percentage, 3-point field goal attempts, field goal percentage, and free throw percentage. She holds single-game school records for scoring (46 points), 3-point field goals (8), and 3-point field goal attempts (17). In 2002 she was named a Basketball Times All-American.
"I am truly honored to be a part of the University of Cincinnati's Athletics Hall of Fame, King said. It was a privilege to wear a Bearcats uniform and represent such a great institution, and I will always carry great memories of my years spent at UC."
One of UC's most decorated student-athletes, Steve Logan (men's basketball, 1998-2002) was a consensus first-team all-America selection in 2001-02 and earned FOXSports.com and CNN/SI.com National Player of the Year accolades that season. A back-to-back Conference USA Player of the Year, Logan was the recipient of the 2002 Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award as the nation's top player six-foot tall or under and finished his career as the school's second-leading all-time scorer (1,985 points). He was a second-round pick of the Golden State Warriors in the 2002 NBA Draft and has played professionally in Poland and Israel.
"First of all, I want to give thanks to God Almighty. Without him none of this is possible," Logan said. "It is an honor to be inducted into the University of Cincinnati Athletics Hall of Fame. This acknowledgement is special to me and my family. I would like to thank coach Bob Huggins and the University for believing in me."
David Payne (men's track & field, 2001-04) won an Olympic silver medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, competing in the 110 hurdles and posting a time of 13.17 in the event. He was a two-time all-American in the 110 hurdles at UC, and currently owns two school records in both the 110 and 400 hurdles. Payne collected another silver medal in the 2007 Pan Am Games and was a bronze medalist in the 2007 and 2009 World Outdoor Championships.
"Attending the University of Cincinnati was a journey that is now leading me to achieve my dreams," said Payne. "Using the skills I learned from the University has prepared me to be a great man, athlete and a U.S. ambassador on the world stage. It was my pleasure attending as it is now accepting this overwhelming nomination into the University of Cincinnati Athletics Hall of Fame."
From 1997-99, Honza Vitazka (men's swimming & diving, 1997-99) rewrote the record books at Cincinnati. The six-time all-American was a member of the 2000 Czech Republic Olympic team. He specialized in the 200 and 400 individual medley and the 100 butterfly. Vitazka currently holds records at UC in the 200 IM, 400 IM, and the 200 butterfly, and six records with the Czech Republic National team. Vitazka earned his BA in finance and his MBA in four years at Cincinnati.
"It is a great honor for me to be selected into UC's Athletics Hall of Fame, Vitazka said. "I am very grateful for the opportunity I received from the school and especially from my coach, Monty Hopkins, to compete at the highest level. It is only because of my teammates, coaches, teachers, and the alumni that I was able to reach my dream goals. Being part of UC athletics gave me a tremendous jump-start into my post-athletic life. On a daily basis I take advantage of the discipline, teamwork, and competitive attitude I learned by being a Bearcat."