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Grantham, PA – Messiah College Athletics inducted three new members into the Hall of Honor on Friday, as
Chris Boyles '02, Christina (Vouriotis) Hutchinson '03, and Mike Shaker were honored at the West Shore Country Club in Camp Hill, Pa.
The trio was enshrined into the prestigious group with over 150 guests on hand—the largest attendance in the history of the Falcons' Hall of Honor inductions.
"We're extremely excited to have the opportunity to recognize this group of inductees," said Messiah College Director of Athletics
Jack Cole. "We have a long-standing tradition of athletics excellence, and Chris, Christina, and Mike made significant contributions to our history. We're honored to celebrate them."
The induction evening also included the recognition of this year's Senior Scholar-Athletes for Messiah College. The honor is a re-established initiative for the Falcons, and celebrates a male and female student-athlete from each the fall, winter, and spring seasons. At the conclusion of the 2013 spring season, a single male and female winner will be chosen from among finalists.
The Scholar-Athlete finalists were recognized by Dr. Kris Hansen-Kieffer, Messiah's Vice Provost and Dean of Students.
Both the Hall of Honor inductions and the Senior Scholar-Athlete recognitions are made possible through the Falcon Athletic Network (FAN).
"The Falcon Athletic Network has been an important piece of Messiah College Athletics in the last few years," said Cole. "We have a tremendous group of alumni and community supporters that care about investing into the experience of our student-athletes. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize both our athletic and academic achievements, and it is all made possible through the FAN."
Friday's banquet began with a welcome from Cole, which was followed by an invocation by for men's basketball player Pastor Dave Jones '72.
The first inductee on the evening was Boyles, a former men's track & field star for the Falcons.
Dale Fogelsanger, Messiah's head coach and Boyles' coach with his time at Messiah, introduced the former NCAA National Champion.
"Little did I know that back in 1998 our track & field program and my life would be forever changed," said Fogelsanger. "Chris arrived at Messiah and left an impact on our program that has carried throughout the years and to today. It was awesome to get to see him grow as a competitor and also a spiritual leader."
Messiah women's basketball assistant
Jodi Noble followed Boyles with her presentation of Hutchinson. Noble, the Falcons' first-ever female inducted into the Hall of Honor, was an assistant on head coach
Mike Miller's bench when "T" was in uniform.
"Christina was probably the best player to ever come through the women's basketball program," Noble said. "And she was also probably the most humble; she was willing to do whatever was asked of her and whatever was best for the team. She was also a fierce competitor, and that rubbed off her teammates."
Shaker was the final inductee on the evening, and was presented by former assistant coach, Steve Sassaman.
"Mike is someone that lived and coached with great enthusiasm", Sassamn said of Shaker, who is well-regarded as the father of Messiah men's basketball. "His leadership of the basketball program, as well as the creation of the Falcon Basketball Camps, is something that has impacted generations of people. He is truly committed to glorying God in all that he does, and that passion is something for which we'll always be appreciative."
The evening was concluded with comments by Messiah College President Dr. Kim S. Phipps.
"To our inductees tonight-- congratulations and thank you not only for what you accomplished during your careers, but also for the people you've now grown to be," Phipps said. "I truly believe that Messiah College has the best coaches and athletic administrators in all of NCAA Division III athletics, and we've been blessed to have many of the best student-athletes, too."
The weekend's festivities will continue on Saturday when the inductees will be recognized at the halftime of the men's basketball game vs. Alvernia. The game will be the second contest of a women's/men's double-header, with the women's game to start at 2:00 p.m. and the men's game to follow.
Check out some photos from the event!
Hall of Honor Banquet 2013 Gallery
