Photo by: Paul Trafecanty
CSUN Inducts 2018 Matador Hall of Fame Class
2/18/2018 4:40:00 PM | General
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. – On Sunday, February 18, CSUN inducted its newest class into the Matador Hall of Fame at a luncheon and ceremony at the Warner Center Marriott.
More than 300 Matador friends and family attended Sunday's event, which inducted new Hall of Famers Heather Hafner (Volleyball), Thor Lee (Soccer), Ofa Tulikihihifo (Basketball) and the 1984 Baseball Team.
CSUN President Dr. Dianne Harrison began the festivities by highlighting the rich and diverse history of this year's inductees as well as CSUN Athletics' recent academic and athletic achievements.
Harrison also highlighted the recent ground breaking of the Irv Zakheim Entrance Plaza at Matador Field as well as the upcoming renovations to the locker room facilities for men's volleyball and men's and women's soccer. She was followed by Athletic Director Dr. Brandon Martin, who told the room how the new Hall of Famers set the bar high as examples for current student-athletes and coaches.
"Today's ceremony is significant because it highlights the true leaders and pioneers in the rich history of CSUN Athletics," said Martin. "Today is also a celebration of the many memories, relationships and victories that many of our honorees have cherished over the years. As we highlight their noteworthy achievements, we thank them for their passion and the unwavering courage they exemplified as student athletes. Thor Lee, Ofa Tulikihihifo, Heather Hafner and the notorious 1984 national championship baseball team are true examples of comprehensive excellence."
But the show was stolen by the heartfelt messages shared by the inductees and their presenters.
A previous Matador Hall of Fame inductee in 2012, John Tronson introduced the day's initial honoree Thor Lee.
Lee, a defender in his playing days, led the Matadors to four consecutive CCAA championships from 1984-87. Playing for CSUN Hall of Fame coach Marwan Ass'ad, Lee set the school record for most assists in a season (10) as CSUN reached the 1987 NCAA Division II Championship match before dropping a 2-0 decision to Central Connecticut State. Lee was named first team All-American upon the conclusion of the 1987 season, marking the second time in his career that he was selected All-American (1986, second team).
"I played defense and if you look at all the programs and brochures on our team you won't see my name anywhere on those," said Lee during his induction speech. "I had so many great teammates and we had guys that scored goals but today is all about the defenders and those of you that play on the other side of the ball. We had as much pride and as much of a need to succeed as these sacred cows over here (pointing to Tronson)."
Former CSUN women's basketball head coach Tammy Holder sent a video message introducing Tulikihihifo who was then formally introduced by Tracie Field, a 1985 CSUN graduate. Field introduced Tulikihihifo with stories about how the former Matador great encouraged and inspired so many young athletes in the Northridge community. Tulikihihifo acknowledged her parents who did what they could to make sure she was able to receive a college education.
"My parents migrated from the islands of Tonga and we grew up in a big family, a family of eight, so we knew they weren't going to be able to pay for college for us," said Tulikihihifoi during her induction remarks. "They told us, although we won't be able to financially provide college for you, we will do whatever it takes to help you get a full scholarship whether it's academics or athletics. My parents took us to practices, but it was all the stuff after practice where the work really began and I really believe that all those inducted today did that, the extra stuff."
Among Tulikihihifo's many career accolades include being a four-time Big West Conference Tournament selection, the 2003 Big West Freshman of the Year in addition to the 2003 All-Big West Freshman team and WomensCollegeHoops.com Freshman All-American team. Tulikihihifo was chosen Big West Player of the Week four times during her career.
Next up, former CSUN tennis player Karen Ronney introduced Hafner, sharing a story of how they first met when Ronney was working as a reporter for the Daily Sundial, CSUN's student newspaper. Ronney's story included how her first Sundial assignment was interviewing Hafner and a life-long friendship has endured to this day.
Hafner, a four-year starter for the Matadors and coach Walt Ker from 1982-85, played for the NCAA Division II championship four times, winning the 1983 National Championship. She was a three-time first team All-American (1982, 1984, 1985) and earned NCAA All-Tournament Team accolades in 1983 and 1985 and fondly recalled her time at CSUN.
"I loved playing at Northridge, this was the best time of my life and I knew it as it was happening," said Hafner in her induction speech. "Northridge was the place where I really discovered myself and I also rediscovered my love for volleyball with the great players and the great program."
The NCAA Division II National Champion 1984 Baseball Team wrapped up the day, with 22 team members and coaches present. Head coach Bob Hiegert, another Matador Hall of Famer, reminisced on that special 1984 season before introducing all team members in attendance. Team captain and College World Series MVP Perry Husband then wrapped up the festivities with a speech highlighting how a "perfect storm of events" led to the magical 1984 season for the Matadors.
"It started with a bunch of crazy individuals, we had city boys, country boys, pretty boys and all kinds of individuals," said Husband. "We had absolutely zero chance of taking this group of individuals and bringing them together. But that's one of the things coach Hiegert and the other coaches were phenomenal at, and that is taking a group of boys and individuals and figuring out a way to make them men. I am a very proud member of this team and this university."
Throughout the day, the common theme of how each inductee's time as a Matador has impacted his or her life after college kept arising. From lifelong friendships, to lessons learned from teammates and coaches to how to overcome adversity, comprehensive excellence was present all around.
#GoMatadors
(2/19/2018) 2018 Matador Hall of Fame Ceremony
More than 300 Matador friends and family attended Sunday's event, which inducted new Hall of Famers Heather Hafner (Volleyball), Thor Lee (Soccer), Ofa Tulikihihifo (Basketball) and the 1984 Baseball Team.
CSUN President Dr. Dianne Harrison began the festivities by highlighting the rich and diverse history of this year's inductees as well as CSUN Athletics' recent academic and athletic achievements.
Harrison also highlighted the recent ground breaking of the Irv Zakheim Entrance Plaza at Matador Field as well as the upcoming renovations to the locker room facilities for men's volleyball and men's and women's soccer. She was followed by Athletic Director Dr. Brandon Martin, who told the room how the new Hall of Famers set the bar high as examples for current student-athletes and coaches.
"Today's ceremony is significant because it highlights the true leaders and pioneers in the rich history of CSUN Athletics," said Martin. "Today is also a celebration of the many memories, relationships and victories that many of our honorees have cherished over the years. As we highlight their noteworthy achievements, we thank them for their passion and the unwavering courage they exemplified as student athletes. Thor Lee, Ofa Tulikihihifo, Heather Hafner and the notorious 1984 national championship baseball team are true examples of comprehensive excellence."
But the show was stolen by the heartfelt messages shared by the inductees and their presenters.
A previous Matador Hall of Fame inductee in 2012, John Tronson introduced the day's initial honoree Thor Lee.
Lee, a defender in his playing days, led the Matadors to four consecutive CCAA championships from 1984-87. Playing for CSUN Hall of Fame coach Marwan Ass'ad, Lee set the school record for most assists in a season (10) as CSUN reached the 1987 NCAA Division II Championship match before dropping a 2-0 decision to Central Connecticut State. Lee was named first team All-American upon the conclusion of the 1987 season, marking the second time in his career that he was selected All-American (1986, second team).
"I played defense and if you look at all the programs and brochures on our team you won't see my name anywhere on those," said Lee during his induction speech. "I had so many great teammates and we had guys that scored goals but today is all about the defenders and those of you that play on the other side of the ball. We had as much pride and as much of a need to succeed as these sacred cows over here (pointing to Tronson)."
Former CSUN women's basketball head coach Tammy Holder sent a video message introducing Tulikihihifo who was then formally introduced by Tracie Field, a 1985 CSUN graduate. Field introduced Tulikihihifo with stories about how the former Matador great encouraged and inspired so many young athletes in the Northridge community. Tulikihihifo acknowledged her parents who did what they could to make sure she was able to receive a college education.
"My parents migrated from the islands of Tonga and we grew up in a big family, a family of eight, so we knew they weren't going to be able to pay for college for us," said Tulikihihifoi during her induction remarks. "They told us, although we won't be able to financially provide college for you, we will do whatever it takes to help you get a full scholarship whether it's academics or athletics. My parents took us to practices, but it was all the stuff after practice where the work really began and I really believe that all those inducted today did that, the extra stuff."Among Tulikihihifo's many career accolades include being a four-time Big West Conference Tournament selection, the 2003 Big West Freshman of the Year in addition to the 2003 All-Big West Freshman team and WomensCollegeHoops.com Freshman All-American team. Tulikihihifo was chosen Big West Player of the Week four times during her career.
Next up, former CSUN tennis player Karen Ronney introduced Hafner, sharing a story of how they first met when Ronney was working as a reporter for the Daily Sundial, CSUN's student newspaper. Ronney's story included how her first Sundial assignment was interviewing Hafner and a life-long friendship has endured to this day.
Hafner, a four-year starter for the Matadors and coach Walt Ker from 1982-85, played for the NCAA Division II championship four times, winning the 1983 National Championship. She was a three-time first team All-American (1982, 1984, 1985) and earned NCAA All-Tournament Team accolades in 1983 and 1985 and fondly recalled her time at CSUN.
"I loved playing at Northridge, this was the best time of my life and I knew it as it was happening," said Hafner in her induction speech. "Northridge was the place where I really discovered myself and I also rediscovered my love for volleyball with the great players and the great program."
The NCAA Division II National Champion 1984 Baseball Team wrapped up the day, with 22 team members and coaches present. Head coach Bob Hiegert, another Matador Hall of Famer, reminisced on that special 1984 season before introducing all team members in attendance. Team captain and College World Series MVP Perry Husband then wrapped up the festivities with a speech highlighting how a "perfect storm of events" led to the magical 1984 season for the Matadors.
"It started with a bunch of crazy individuals, we had city boys, country boys, pretty boys and all kinds of individuals," said Husband. "We had absolutely zero chance of taking this group of individuals and bringing them together. But that's one of the things coach Hiegert and the other coaches were phenomenal at, and that is taking a group of boys and individuals and figuring out a way to make them men. I am a very proud member of this team and this university." Throughout the day, the common theme of how each inductee's time as a Matador has impacted his or her life after college kept arising. From lifelong friendships, to lessons learned from teammates and coaches to how to overcome adversity, comprehensive excellence was present all around.
#GoMatadors
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