Jan. 11, 2007

BEAUMONT - The Lamar University Cardinal Hall of Honor, which annually recognizes former student-athletes, coaches and administrators for outstanding contribution to the university through athletics, will induct six new members at its annual induction banquet set for Saturday, January 20, 2007 at the University Reception Center on the Eighth Floor of the Mary and John Gray Library.

There will be a reception at 12:30 p.m. and the banquet will start at 1 p.m. Tickets are available for $25 and may be purchased at the banquet. Please make reservations by calling the Athletic Development Office at (409) 880-2319.

The 2006 induction class includes Louisa Bergsma (Women's Golf, 1989-93); Becky Brooks (Women's Track & Field, 1983-87); Don Heller (Men's Basketball, 1962-64); Barbara Hickey (Women's Basketball and Track & Field, 1988-92); Bill Kilgore (Football, 1964-67); and Johnny Ray Smith (Football and Track & Field, 1977-81).

Bergsma was a four-year letterwinner on the women's golf team from 1989-93. She helped Lamar win the 1993 Sun Belt Conference championship by claiming medalist honors. She was named honorable mention All-America in 1993, earned All-SBC honors in 1991 and 1992 and was named academic all-conference in 1991 and 1993.

A native of Roodeport, South Africa, Bergsma helped Lamar advance to the 1991 NCAA championship where the Lady Cardinals posted an all-time best eighth place finish. She placed 26th individually. She also qualified individually for the 1992 NCAA championship, where she placed 37th.

After a brief professional career on the Futures Tour, Bergsma returned to Southeast Texas and was the assistant professional at Babe Zaharias Golf Club (1994-97) and was the head professional at Wildwood Golf Club (1997-98). She was the Junior Golf Director for the Southern Texas PGA from 1999-05 and is currently the Director of Operations for the Southern Texas PGA, which is located at Cypresswood Golf Club in Spring.

Becky Brooke was a four-year letterwinner on the women's track and field team from 1983-87. She was an eight-time All-Southland Conference performer and won the 1986 SLC women's cross country race.

A native of Toronto, Ontario, Brooke won the 1,500-meter run with a 4:37.27 clocking and the 3,000-meter run (10:25.60) at the 1986 SLC Outdoor Championship. She won three events at the 1987 SLC Outdoor Championship and was named Outstanding Female Track Performer after compiling a meet-best 30 points. She won the 1,500-meters (4:35.58), 3,000-meters (10:07.16) and the 5,000-meters (17:50.39).

Brooke won three events at the 1987 SLC Indoor Championships, claiming the 1,000-yard run in a time of 2:24.09, the mile run (5:13.20) and the two-mile run (11:18.60). Her times still rank among the best all-time in school history. Outdoors, she ranks second in the 3,000-meters (9:54.59), third in the 1,500-meters (4:33.94) and third in the 5,000-meters (17:16.54). Indoors, her time of 10:58.00 in the two-mile run ranks second all-time.

A two-year letterwinner on the men's basketball team from 1962-64, Heller posted career averages of 15.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. He averaged 14.3 ppg in 1962-63 and 17.8 ppg in 1963-64. He scored a then-Lamar single-game record of 48 points against McNeese State on Feb. 12, 1964. He was named first-team All-SLC in 1964.

Heller helped Lamar win the 1963 Lone Star Conference championship with a 22-5 overall record and a 12-2 mark in LSC play. The Cardinals beat Arkansas State in the semifinals of the NCAA College Division tournament before falling in overtime to Southern Illinois in the championship game. A New York native, Heller helped Lamar win the inaugural Southland Conference championship in 1964 with a 19-6 overall record and a 7-1 mark in SLC play. The Cardinals again advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA College Division tournament where they lost to Abilene Christian and defeated Colorado College for third place.

Hickey was a four-year letterwinner on the women's basketball team for 1988-92 and also competed in the high jump for the women's track and field team. She helped the Lady Cardinals post an 87-31 record during her four-year career, claim the 1991 American South Conference championship and the 1992 Sun Belt Conference championship, and advance to the Elite Eight of the 1991 NCAA Tournament.

Hickey still ranks among the school's all-time leaders in several statistical categories. She ranks fourth on the all-time career scoring list with 1,370 points, third in field goals made (587), third in field goal percentage (.568), second in assists (300), third in steals (177), seventh in blocked shots (61) and third in games played (112). She averaged a career-best 15.4 ppg during the 1989-90 season and was named All-ASC in 1991 and All-SBC in 1992 after averaging 15.3 ppg.

A native of Orangefield, Hickey was a three-time conference champion in the high jump in 1989, 1990 and 1991, and was an NCAA Qualifier in the event in 1989 and 1990. She has the second-best high jump in school history, clearing 6-0 ¼, and is one of only two women in school history to clear 6-0. She holds the Ty Terrell Stadium record with a high jump of 5-10, which is also a Ty Terrell Relays record.

A four-year letterwinner on the football team from 1964-67, Kilgore helped the Cardinals with three straight Southland Conference championships from 1965-67. He was a two-time All-SLC selection in 1965 and 1967.

Kilgore finished his career as the most prolific pass catcher in school history, holding the all-time school record for career receptions with 119, receiving yardage (1,769) and touchdown receptions (15). Those numbers have stood the test of time as he still ranks second all-time in receptions, tied for second in touchdown receptions and third in receiving yardage.

A native of Mont Belvieu, Kilgore led the team in receptions for three straight years from 1965-67. He caught 39 passes for 509 yards and two touchdowns in 1965 and 34 passes for 549 yards and six touchdowns in 1966. He closed out his career with 44 receptions for 687 yards and seven touchdowns, which set new single-season school records in each category. His best game as a Cardinals was against Texas-Arlington in 1965 when he caught 10 passes for 150 yards. He signed on as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns in 1968.

Smith was a four-year letterwinner on the football team from 1977-80, earning first-team All-Southland Conference honors in 1980 and was a second-team selection in 1979.

In addition to being an outstanding defensive back, Smith was one of the best return men in school history. He ranks second all-time in school history in kickoff return yardage with 1,147 on 42 returns with two touchdowns. He ranks third all-time in punt return yardage with 440 yards on 59 returns with one touchdown. His total combined return yardage of 1,587 yards is the most in school history as is his 101 total returns. Smith's 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Stephen F. Austin in 1978 ranks as the second-longest in school history. He also had an 85-yard return for a touchdown against Baylor in 1980. He had an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown against Louisiana-Monroe in 1979.

A native of Cleveland, Texas, Smith was named Lamar's "Outstanding Defensive Back" in 1979, where he ranked nationally with six interceptions. He had two career interception returns for touchdowns, a 64-yarder against McNeese State in 1977 and a 42-yarder against Louisiana-Monroe in 1979.

Smith also ran on the Cardinals' track and field team, earning All-SLC honors in the 100-meter dash in 1980. He was drafted by Tampa Bay in the 11th round of the 1981 NFL Draft and played three seasons (1981-83) for the Buccaneers.