By
Ayse Guner
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Inductees get opportunity to see old friends and teammates at ceremony
UA honored 12 former student-athletes and the 2000 Women's golf team at the 25th annual Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet on Friday night.
From now on, their names and athletic accomplishments will appear on plaques hanging at the McKale Memorial Center and on the walkways of Bear Down Plaza.
One of the athletes that attended the induction banquet was Damon Stoudamire, Portland Trailblazer guard and former UA basketball player.
Stoudamire, who was on the 1994 Final Four team, said he didn't think he would be selected for the induction and found out about the ceremony after he received an invitation from the UA.
"I wasn't really thinking about it," Stoudamire said. "Later being recognized is very honoring."
Stoudamire said he will enjoy his time while he stays in Tucson and plans to see "old faces" and friends.
Although he plays in the NBA now, Stoudamire hasn't forgotten about his days at UA.
"When you turn professional, you always talk about your college team," he said.
Stoudamire plans to play for eight more years in the NBA, "stay injury free" and then spend time with his family and friends.
Liz Washington, Stoudamire's mother, was also at the induction ceremony and said she is glad to see her son receiving an award from the UA.
"This is a joyous occasion for me," she said. "As he came to the college (UA), he didn't know (about college), but then he became a great student and improved very well."
Amy Chellevold, a former UA softball player, now the director of a marketing medical group, was also inducted into the hall of fame.
"This is the biggest honor an athlete and a coach can reach," Chellevold said.
Her mother, Karen Chellevold, accompanied her to the event.
"I am extremely proud of her as a mother," she said. "She loves the UA."
Chellevold was a member of the 1993 and 1994 NCAA Division I softball championship teams.
Steve McLaughlin, a former UA football player, said his induction was a great honor for him.
"To be back to the UA and being around all these people that I haven't seen for a long time, being part of UA football and the program are all something incredibly special," he said.
McLaughlin is third on the UA all-time scoring list and was the 1994 national kicker of the year.
Martin Keino, the 1994 NCAA cross country champion, said it is a great achievement to be recognized as an outstanding UA athlete.
In the future, he wants to be a world champion and attend the Olympics representing his home country of Kenya.
Some other former student-athletes also inducted to the UA Hall of Fame were Tony Bouie, Tedy Bruschi, Alixandra Creek, Laura Espinoza (Watson), Dale Frederick, Chris Mills, Michelle Oldham and Ed Vosberg.
The Woman's Golf Team, this year's NCAA champions, were also inducted into the Hall of Fame.
The UA Hall of Fame was established in 1976 and represents 16 sports teams.
Student athletes can be inducted to the Hall of Fame five years after their eligibility is completed.
