Coconino News

The Northern Arizona University (NAU) announced the 2022 Lumberjack Athletic Hall of Fame Class, marking a return to its induction ceremonies after a three-year break. The class comprises individuals from NAU's cross country and track & field history, an All-American football player who played in the NFL, and a championship volleyball team.

Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Marlow expressed enthusiasm about the new inductees. "The 2022 Lumberjack Athletic Hall of Fame class showcases the wide variety of excellence across all sports at Northern Arizona University," he stated. He added that welcoming these individuals back to campus would serve as inspiration for current students.

This year's inductees will be honored during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on September 23rd and recognized at the NAU Football Hall of Fame Game against Idaho on September 24th at Walkup Skydome.

The Lumberjack Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1981 to honor those who have made significant contributions to NAU Athletics. This year's selection was made by a revamped committee including eight previous Hall of Famers among its thirteen members.

Eligibility criteria for nomination include former student-athletes, coaches, and staff whose careers concluded at least five years ago, with student-athletes having competed for a minimum of two years at NAU. Teams can be nominated based on extraordinary accomplishments like NCAA or conference championships.

Among this year's honorees is Eric Heins, who served as Director of Track & Field and Cross Country from 2007-2016. His tenure included leading NAU men to their first-ever team National Championship in 2016 and accumulating numerous Big Sky Conference Championships.

Diego Estrada is recognized for his achievements in cross country/track & field from 2008-2013, earning ten All-American honors—the most by any male athlete in these disciplines at NAU—and competing in the Olympics while still attending the university.

Kristi Klinnert, another inductee, excelled between 1989-1993 with twelve individual Big Sky Championships and three All-American honors. Her performance helped lead her team to one of its best finishes historically.

Charlie Brown made an impact as a football wide receiver from 1968-1969 before being drafted into the NFL by the Detroit Lions. His records stood strong over decades, reflecting his outstanding contributions during his short stint at NAU.

Finally, the 2015 Volleyball Team broke records during their season with a school-record winning streak and secured an NCAA Tournament berth after sixteen years under head coach Ken Murphy's leadership. Key players included Janae Vander Ploeg and Payton Bock among others.