PACIFIC ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES 2010-11 INDUCTEES

Pacific Athletics Hall Of Fame Announces 2008-09 Inductees

Pacific Athletics Hall Of Fame Announces 2009-10 Inductees

For a list of all-time Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame inductees, click here.

Four individuals and one team were inducted into the University of the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame in annual induction ceremonies on April 23, 2011.

Established in 1982, the Hall of Fame welcomes John Gamble (Football), Sharon Kasser-Stephens (Volleyball), Bill Simoni (Contributor), Greg Wakeham (Volleyball), along with the 1998 women's soccer team. With this year's class, the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame will have honored 223 individuals and 22 teams in its 28-year history.

As part of the evening, the 2010-11 Pacific Tigers Student-Athletes of the Year Awards were also presented. The evening of celebration and recognition provided a unique opportunity for connecting Pacific's heritage of outstanding athletic alumni and Hall of Famers with the current generation of exceptional student-athletes.

Induction ceremonies and the annual awards banquet were held on Saturday, April 23, 2011, at the Alex G. Spanos Center on the Pacific campus. 

Following are brief biographical sketches of the 2010-11 Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.

John Gamble (1963)
John was a standout guard on the football field for the Tigers from 1961-62. He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round of the 1963 NFL Draft, and by the Denver Broncos in the 12th round of the 1963 AFL Draft. The All-American nominee and Outstanding Lineman of the Year in 1961, went on to earn his degree in education. Gamble is a Board Certified Counseling Psychotherapist, President/CEO of P&G Counseling & Education Institute and an entrepreneur. "At Pacific, I began a pathway that lead to success and fulfillment, embracing an array of life's lesson that went beyond the books," said Gamble. "It was an environment that nurtured my spirits as well as my mind, and a place in time of immense personal growth and change, experiencing a culture and character transformation."

Sharon Kasser-Stephens (1992)
Sharon had an outstanding career at Pacific, capped by an All-America season as a senior in 1991. She earned AVCA Second Team All-America honors and was a Volleyball Monthly All-America selection as well. She still ranks in Pacific's career top 10 for solo blocks (no. 7 - 95), career block assists (no. 10 - 317) and total blocks (no. 10 - 412). Stephens graduated with degrees in psychology and education. She is the owner of Sharon Stephens Productions, an event company, where she has coordinated the Pac-10 Men's Basketball Hall of Honor and Pac-10 Medal Award Banquet for the previous 10 years. After battling breast cancer in 2007-'08, Stephens got involved with Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and is the Sponsor Chair for the Race for the Cure.

Bill Simoni
The namesake of Bill Simoni Field, Pacific's home for Tiger softball, Bill has been synonymous with softball in the Stockton area since the 1940s. He has been involved with Pacific softball as a coach and supporter since the 1970s.  Simoni played high level fastpitch softball for 32 years, from his teens until 1973. In his career, Simoni pitched 12 perfect games and 45 no-hitters, with a fastball clocking in at 104 miles per hour in 1961.

Greg Wakeham (1997)
A distinguished volleyball career has helped Greg earn the first men's volleyball induction into the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame. He earned All-America honors in 1996 and 1997 and remains the Tigers' career kill leader with 1,949. He graduated with a degree in business administration. Greg is currently a residential real estate agent, assisting his clients with purchases, sales and leases, across Orange County. Greg and his wife, Laura, have four children. "Pacific provided the resources, encouragement and conviction to pursue and achieve a lifetime of success, for which I am truly grateful."

1998 Women's Soccer Team
The 1998 women's soccer team finished 15-3-3 and 7-0-2 in Big West Conference play, earning the school's first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament. The Tigers defeated Cal 2-1 in Stagg Stadium in the opening round, advancing to the Round of 32 -- becoming the first Big West soccer team to advance past the first round. The Tigers were led by head coach Keith Coleman, who earned 1998 Big West Coach of the Year honors. On the field, Natalie Dorr, the 1998 Big West Player of the Year, led the team with 14 goals including 8 game winners and 10 assists. The `98 Tigers were the first soccer team in Big West history to post an unbeaten conference season record (7-0-2).