Albuquerque, N.M. — The University of New Mexico Alumni Lettermen’s Association has announced that four individuals: Tania Gooley (Volleyball), Ana Friganovic Kucelin (Tennis), La Vern Clark-Roberts (Track & Field), and Don Woods (Football) will be inducted into the UNM Hall of Honor on Thursday, November 6.
Along with the honorees, who will be officially inducted at the Hall of Honor induction dinner on Thursday, November 6 at the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque, the Alumni Letterman’s Association also announced its 2013-14 Athletic Department award winners. Jeremy Fishbein of men’s soccer was named Coach of the Year, Eva Sever Rus of women’s skiing was named Female Athlete of the Year, and Cameron Bairstow of men’s basketball was named Male Athlete of the Year.
Following are biographical sketches of all of the award winners.
Tania Gooley (Volleyball 1991-1994)
Athletic Accomplishments and Awards
•Three-time All-Conference selection (WAC)
•Three-time All-West Region Player
•Four NCAA Appearances (Sweet 16 1991)
•2000 Australian Olympic Team, placed 5th in Beach Volleyball
•UNM Hall of Honor Female Athlete of the Year 1995
•South Australian Sports Institute National Tour Coach 2005-2006
•FIVB Beach Volleyball World Tour 1996-2003
•Australian Beach Volleyball National Tour Champion and Most Valuable Player 2002
•Established “Tania Gooley Beach Volleyball School” in Adelaide, South Australia
Ana Friganovic Kucelin (Tennis 1996-2000)
Athletic Awards and Accomplishments
•First UNM women’s tennis player to qualify for NCAA Championships all four years
•Four-time All-Conference Selection (WAC and MWC)
•Two-time Academic All-American
•UNM record holder for singles wins
•UNM record holder for career wins
•UNM Hall of Honor Female Athlete of the Year 2000
La Vern Clark-Roberts (Track & Field 1988-1991)
Athletic Awards and Accomplishments
•Four-time All-American Long Jump, Triple Jump
•WAC Indoor Conference Champion Triple Jump 1991
•WAC Outdoor Conference Champion Long Jump, Triple Jump 1990
•WAC Outdoor Conference Champion Triple Jump, 1991
•UNM Long and triple jump record holder
•Canadian Junior National Team, former Canadian record holder in triple jump
Don Woods (Football 1973-1974)
Athletic Awards and Accomplishments
•Set season rushing mark for UNM Quarterbacks with 971 yards, 1973
•UNM Scoring Leader with 66 points, 1973
•Led Lobos in passing with 869 for 1,840 total offense, 1973
•UNM Football MVP, 1974
•Albuquerque/New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame Athlete of the Year 1974-1975
•Drafted by Green Bay Packers in 6th round of 1974 NFL Draft
•Set NFL rookie rushing record of 1,162 yards in only 12 games with San Diego Chargers
•1974 NFL Rookie of the Year
•1999-2000 New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
2013-14 Athletic Department Honorees
Jeremy Fishbein (Coach of the Year – Men’s Soccer)
Named Conference USA Coach of the Year, Conference USA Regular Season Champions, NCAA Post Season Appearance, NCAA College Cup (Final 4) Appearance.
Eva Sever Rus (Female Athlete of the Year – Women’s Skiing)
First team All-RMISA, RMISA Nordic Skier of the Year, RMISA Skier of the Week, NCAA Champion in 15K Freestyle, First team All-American in Freestyle, First team All-American in Classical, currently studying Physical Education (4.08 GPA).
Cameron Bairstow (Male Athlete of the Year – Men’s Basketball)
Second Team All-America by Sports Illustrated, Third Team All-America by NBC Sports, CBS Sports and Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America, First Team All-Mountain West Conference, United States Basketball Writers’ Association District Player of the Year, Member of the Naismith National Player of the Year Watch List, Oscar Robertson Trophy Finalist, Mountain West Scoring Champion, Mountain West Tournament Most Valuable Player, Mountain West All-Tournament Team, 49th pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, Academic All-Conference Team, Graduated from UNM with a degree in Exercise Science (3.22 GPA).
TICKETS: The awards dinner will be held on Thursday, November 6 at 6:30 pm at the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque. Tickets are $60 each or $600 for a table of 10. Call the UNM Alumni Lettermen’s Association at 925-5905 or click here to purchase tickets.
*Tim Herron (Golf) and Brian Urlacher (Football) were also selected as inductees for 2014 but due to scheduling conflicts they have decided to postpone their induction to a later date.