The Slippery Rock University Athletic Hall of Fame will induct its 35th class Saturday, prior to The Rock’s home football game with Mercyhurst.
The event begins with a social hour at 01:30 p.m. at the Robert M. Smith Student Center ballroom, followed by dinner and induction ceremonies at 02:30 p.m.
The class will also be introduced at halftime of the football game.
This year’s induction class includes football players Paul Baroffio (1981) and John Sikora (1993), Andi (Rose) Barrett (2007) in women’s track and field, Stephen Walker (1977) of men’s track and field, wrestler Gerald Johnson (1983), men’s basketball player Cee Russell (1992) and men’s soccer player Matt Thompson (1998).
Baroffio was an All-American offensive lineman in 1979 and a two-time All-PSAC and All-ECAC player.
Barrett was a six-time All-American, five-time PSAC MVP, 15-time PSAC champion, SRU and PSAC record holder in seven events.
Johnson was a two-time regional champion and PSAC champion wrestler at 126 pounds, winning 98 matches in three years.
Russell is the SRU basketball career record holder in assists, steals and total games played.
Sikora was a two-time All-American defensive lineman, two-time first team All-PSAC selection and two-time Arena Football League champion.
Thompson was a two-time All-PSAC selection as a player, three-time PSAC Coach of the Year as coach of SRU’s men’s soccer program. He is the second winningest coach in program history.
Walker was two-time PSAC champion in the 110-meter hurdles and three-time NCAA national championship qualifier. He went on to become a pilot in the U.S. Navy.
SRU’s 1998 football team will receive special recognition as well. That team finished 12-2 and lost to third-ranked Carson-Newman in the Division II semifinals.
The 1968 baseball team will also receive special recognition. Its 16-1 record marks the best winning percentage in program history.
Tickets for the induction ceremony are $50 and can be ordered by calling Tracy Allison in the SRU Foundation at 724-738-2182.