USI announces the 2024 Hall of Fame Class​​​​​​​

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Athletics is pleased to announce the selection of the 2024 USI Athletic Hall of Fame class that will be inducted during homecoming week in February. The class of six individuals and one team were selected by a nine-member USI Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.

Any Screaming Eagles fan was eligible to nominate student athletes or teams on the 10th anniversary of their last season of competition, or a coach/administrator who has been separated from USI Athletics for two years.

This year’s class includes Cris Brunson ’06 (Men’s Basketball 2001-05); Susan Ellsperman ’13 (Women’s Soccer 2009-12); Will (Billy) Harris ’04 (Men’s Basketball 1999-2004); Michael Jordan ’14 (Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field 2009-13); Jeffrey McClure ’14 (Men’s Soccer 2009-12); Ellen Young ’11 (Women’s Basketball 2008-11); and the 1982 NCAA Division II Elite Eight Men’s Soccer Team.

“I continue to be amazed by the number of outstanding student-athletes and teams this University has had,” said USI Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall.  “The Class of 2024 truly represents our growing tradition here at USI. The six individuals and one team that will be honored in February are truly worthy of this extraordinary honor. I know that the entire USI community is proud of this class and what it accomplished while at USI.”

In addition to the induction of the Hall of Fame Class of 2024, USI is inducting Ray and Cindy Bippus and Dave King into the Athletic Hall of Distinction for contributions to the success of the University’s varsity programs.

Reservations for the February 9 induction ceremony must be made in advance and on-line by clicking USI Athletic Hall of Fame Tickets. For more information, contact the USI Ticket Office at 812-465-1189.

2024 USI ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS
Cris Brunson, Men’s Basketball: A four-year starter at USI and remains among the Eagles’ top players all time (2001-05). Brunson ranks fifth all-time in scoring (1,562); second in career games (129); fifth in free throws made (317); second in three-pointers made (237); 10th in assists (304); and fourth in steals (132). He was the 2004 NCAA II Midwest Regional Most Outstanding Player; 2004 Elite Eight and Midwest Regional All-Tournament; three-time All-GLVC (honorable mention); and 2002 GLVC Freshman of the Year. Brunson also was a member of three NCAA II Midwest Regional teams; the 2004 NCAA II Midwest Regional Championship team; and the 2004 NCAA II runner-up squad.

Susan Ellsperman, Women’s Soccer: A four-year starter who was named College Sports Communicators Academic All-America in back-to-back years (2011, 2012) and four-time Academic All-GLVC performer. Ellsperman also was a four-time All-NSCAA All-Midwest Region (2009-12) and three-time All-GLVC (2010-12) recipient. She ranks among the all-time statistical leaders in USI Women’s Soccer, ranking third in points (68); and fourth in goals scored (23) and assists (22).

Will (Billy) Harris, Men’s Basketball: From 1999-2004, Harris was one of the most dynamic and popular Eagles, quietly moving into the top five all-time in scoring and top four in rebounding. The two-time All-GLVC and NCAA Division II Regional All-Tournament selection finished his career as the all-time leader in field goal percentage and helped the Eagles to the 2004 NCAA II national title game.

Michael Jordan, Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field: Jordan finished his career as a five-time All-American, earning one award in cross country, two in indoor track & field, and two in outdoor track & field. He owns the top three times in school history in the steeplechase and earned a total of eight All-GLVC honors and eight All-Midwest Region accolades. Jordan was the 2012 GLVC Cross Country Runner of the Year and the 2013 Midwest Region Outdoor Track Athlete of the Year in addition to winning a combined six GLVC titles. He also was named the GLVC Runner/Track Athlete of the Week a school-record 10 times.

Jeffrey McClure, Men’s Soccer: McClure, a two-time team captain, was an All-GLVC and All-Region selection after leading the Eagles to the post-season for the first time in a decade in 2012. The two-time Academic All-GLVC honoree had 73 points in 70 matches and finished his career sixth in goals, seventh in assists, and eighth points (program records for a defender). He set a program record with five assists in a win over the University of Illinois Springfield in 2011.

Ellen Young, Women’s Basketball: The three-time All-GLVC honoree finished with 1,607 points and 486 rebounds during her collegiate career. Young, the Division II Bulletin National Player of the Month in December 2009, finished her career as an Eagle ranked third all-time at USI in made three-pointers (150), third in three-pointers attempted (399), and third in free throw percentage (.780). She also was eighth all-time at USI with 1,249 points in a USI uniform and 24th in rebounding (380).

1982 Men’s Soccer (1st NCAA II Tournament Appearance): The 1982 Men’s Soccer Team won the fourth of six consecutive GLVC championships that season. The ’82 team also advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament as the top seed in the region, earning a first round bye. The team hosted the first-ever regional championship, recording the men’s soccer team’s first elite eight, missing the final four by a first half penalty kick. The Eagles finished the season ranked seventh in the country and produced two USI Athletic Hall of Fame honorees and the program’s first All-American and honorable mention All-American recipients.