EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024 has been announced. The latest class includes Tim Ernst, Talmadge Vick Sr., Krista McKendree, and Daryl Buente. The enshrinement ceremony is just over a week away and tickets are still available.
On November 9, 2024, the Class of 2024 will be enshrined in a reception at the Evansville Country Club. A reception will take place at 6:30 p.m. that evening before dinner and the program begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are available now for $150 and include dinner and drinks along with the program. You can register now at www.uealumnionline.com/HOF24.
Multiple sponsorship opportunities are available including a presenting sponsor, event sponsor, and table sponsor. Information on all three are available by clicking here.
Hall of Fame Reception Tickets and Sponsorships
Tim Ernst – Men’s Soccer
Tim Ernst played a pivotal role in one of the most successful periods that UE Athletics and the men’s soccer program had ever seen. Ernst opened his career in 1987 and was named to the Soccer America Freshman All-America Team. In the four seasons Ernst was with the program, the Purple Aces earned four NCAA Tournament berths, three MCC Championships, and an appearance in the Final Four in 1990.
Ernst continues to rank in the top ten in program history in career goals (31), career assists (24), and single-season assists (12 in 1990). The 2-time All-Mideast Region honoree garnered All-MCC accolades on three occasions. Ernst was the team captain of the 1990 Final Four squad and went on to play in the ISAA Senior Bowl in 1991. His career continued as he played for the Detroit Express indoor professional team for seven seasons.
Talmadge Vick Sr. – Football
One of the most talented football players to wear the Purple Aces uniform, Talmadge Vick Sr. was a pioneer, being one of the first African-American football players in program history. After opening his college career at Tennessee State A&I, Vick was drafted and served in the Army from 1952-55. Upon discharge, he attended UE and completed the 1958 season as the #$5 passer in the nation. Vick left the program holding numerous records including passing yardage, completed passes, completion, and longest touchdown pass (81 yards).
Following graduation, Vick had the opportunity to play at the professional level for the Chicago Cardinals, but chose to stay home and tend to his ailing father while serving as the head coach at Lincoln High School. He was the Chairman of the Really Concerned Citizens (RCC), which one a federal suit against the EVSC to desegregate each its schools. Vick went on to work for the EVSC for over 40 years as an administrator, teacher, coach, and counselor at all grade levels.
Vick was the recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2005, which is the highest honor that can be bestowed by the Governor of Indiana.
Krista McKendree – Women’s Soccer
Krista McKendree put the Purple Aces women’s soccer program on the map in a playing career that spanned from 1998 through 2001. She led UE to three NCAA Tournaments (1998, 1999, 2001) and garnered All-MVC First Team honors in each of her four campaigns. McKendree was the MVC Player of the Year in 2000 after being named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in the prior season.
She was chosen third team on the 2000 NSCAA/Adidas Women’s Soccer Division I All-America Team, becoming Evansville’s first All-American in women’s soccer. McKendree was chosen for the MVC Women’s Soccer All-Centennial Team in 2006. Following her playing career, McKendree served as the head coach for the Aces from 2008 through 2019 and led the program to a pair of MVC championships.
Daryl Buente – Equipment Manager
Daryl Buente was the Equipment Manager at UE from 1981 through 2019. He was the recipient of the 2011-12 John Sanders “Spirit of the Valley” Award and later earned the Athletic Equipment Managers Association Lifetime Achievement Award.
He began his time at UE as a student in 1968 before graduating in 1972. Buente was a student manager during his undergraduate work with the university. Throughout his career, Buente oversaw a large staff of student managers who assisted his work with all the Purple Aces athletics programs. His work included caring for equipment and uniforms at every home event, maintenance of certain UE playing facilities and much more.
