2018 CSUN Hall of Fame Class Inducted Sunday
2/17/2018 9:13:00 AM | General
NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -- The 2018 Matador Hall of Fame class will be inducted this Sunday, Feb. 18 with festivities getting underway with a reception at 11 a.m. The 2018 class, which includes a national championship team and three outstanding individuals, will also be recognized during a halftime ceremony during Saturday's CSUN-Cal Poly women's basketball game which tips off at 4 p.m.
Heather Hafner (women's volleyball), Thor Lee (men's soccer), Ofa Tulikihihifo (women's basketball) and the 1984 baseball team will be inducted in an afternoon ceremony at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills.
"CSUN Athletics has an incredibly rich history and we're honored to induct these proud Matadors into the Matador Hall of Fame," said Dr. Brandon E. Martin. "Heather Hafner, Thor Lee, Ofa Tulikihihifo and the 1984 CSUN Baseball Team are very deserving of this honor and we're excited to celebrate them in February."
Heather Hafner, CSUN Women's Volleyball (1982-85)
Hafner was a four-year starter for the Matadors and coach Walt Ker from 1982-85. During her four years at CSUN, the Matadors played for the NCAA Division II championship four times, winning the 1983 National Championship. Hafner was a three-time first team All-American (1982, 1984, 1985) and earned NCAA All-Tournament Team accolades in 1983 and 1985.
"Cal State Northridge was the perfect school for me," said Hafner. "I loved being a part of the women's volleyball team and I am grateful to my teammates, coaches and the CSUN administration for making it possible. I am beyond honored to become a member of the Hall of Fame."
The 1985 Matadors won 21 consecutive matches which still stands as a school record. Following a perfect 12-0 conference season, Hafner was named CCAA Most Valuable Player. In addition to being named conference MVP, she was also named to the All-CCAA team in 1982, 1984 and again in 1985. Hafner still ranks fourth in CSUN history with a .340 hitting percentage and also ranks in the single season top 10 in both hitting percentage and solo blocks.
Following her CSUN career, Hafner went on to play 12 seasons on the Women's Professional Beach Tours (WPVA & AVP).
She joins Angela Brinton Collins, Rosemarie Finnigan Rahn, Diana Hoffman, Mary Perry and Mary Jane Smith-Waldman as former CSUN women's volleyball players in the Hall of Fame.
Thor Lee, CSUN Men's Soccer (1984-87)
Thor Lee, who lettered for the CSUN men's soccer team from 1984-87, helped lead the Matadors to four consecutive CCAA men's soccer championships from 1984-87.
"First of all, I want to thank CSUN and the Hall of Fame Committe for this special honor," said Lee. "I'm proud to join many of my former teammates in the Hall of Fame and I appreciate the efforts of all the past players and coaches that I was blessed to compete with.
"I am most proud of our team's legacy of winning and entertaining our fan base which galvanized the Valley support of the CSUN program," added Lee.
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).
As a senior is 1987 he tallied nine goals to go with 10 assists for a total of 28 points. In his four-year career, Lee played in 86 matches, scoring 17 times. He also recorded 12 career assists for a career total of 46 points.
Lee joins Ass'ad, Joey Kirk, Michael McAndrew, Jose Perez and John Tronson as former CSUN men's soccer players in the Hall of Fame.
Ofa Tulikihihifo, CSUN Women's Basketball (2002-07)
Ofa Tulikihihifo was a member of the CSUN women's basketball program from 2002-07. She is only four student-athletes in the history of the Big West Conference to be named first team All-Conference four times.
"I am humbled by this nomination and this prestigious award that follows my athletic career," said Tulikihihifo. "I would like to thank everybody who helped make this happen."
A four-time Big West Conference Tournament selection, Tulikihihifo was named 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.
Tulikihihifo concluded her Matador playing career as CSUN's all-time leading scorer and ranks 22nd in Big West history (1,632 points). She is also the school record holder for career field goals (655). Tulikihihifo is second in school history in career rebounds (838), second in career scoring average (16.2), fourth in career minutes (3,174), and fourth in career steals (94).
In 101 career appearances, Tulikihihifo scored in double figures 83 times and grabbed double-digit rebounds 38 times. She charted 34 double-doubles and two triple-doubles. Upon graduation, Tulikihihifo played professionally in Europe for six seasons.
She is just the second CSUN women's basketball player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Patricia De La Riva who was inducted in 2001.
The 1984 CSUN Baseball Team
The 1984 CSUN baseball team reached the pinnacle of their sport, winning the Division II National Championship to give the Matadors their second national title in program history. Under the guidance of CSUN Hall of Famer Bob Hiegert, the 1984 Matadors featured a talented mixture of hitting, pitching and defense en route to national acclaim.
The 1984 team finished 46-21-1 overall, at the time setting the CSUN record for wins in one season and winning percentage (.684). During the memorable '84 season, the Matadors set 29 team and individual records while averaging an impressive 8.1 runs per game. Hiegert was named NCAA Division II Coach of the Year and District 8 Coach of the Year following the season.
In six College World Series games, CSUN scored 10 or more runs five times, eventually defeating Florida Southern to win the National Championship. Individually, Mike Solomon led the team in batting with a .401 average on the year (10th all time in team history) while Perry Husband led the team in at bats with 262 (Ninth in team history). Jim Walker threw the most innings ever in team history with 169.0 over 25 games and tied for the most wins (14) and starts (21) in CSUN history. Five Matadors were selected in the 1984 MLB Draft (Husband, Solomon, Walker, Dave Williams and Jose Dominguez).
"The 1984 Matador fall baseball program started with one of the most talented teams to date in the CSUN baseball program," said Hiegert. "Completing a very competitive fall season the "84" team learned to play together and were ready to compete. The Matadors set 29 individual and team records during the regular season finishing 46-21-1 and a NCAA Division II National Championship. This should have been enough, but this team was also the first CSUN team to travel and compete internationally, playing games against four Japanese college baseball institutions in Tokyo, Japan. The '84 Matadors proved to be great representatives for baseball at the both the NCAA level and international level.
"On behalf of the 1984 NCAA Champions, I wish to thank the CSUN Hall of Fame Committee and the Intercollegiate Program for this honor," Hiegert added.
The Matador Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills on Sunday, February 18, 2018, with the event starting at 11:00 a.m. and the program beginning at 12:00 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (818) 677-4837
#GoMatadors
Heather Hafner (women's volleyball), Thor Lee (men's soccer), Ofa Tulikihihifo (women's basketball) and the 1984 baseball team will be inducted in an afternoon ceremony at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills.
"CSUN Athletics has an incredibly rich history and we're honored to induct these proud Matadors into the Matador Hall of Fame," said Dr. Brandon E. Martin. "Heather Hafner, Thor Lee, Ofa Tulikihihifo and the 1984 CSUN Baseball Team are very deserving of this honor and we're excited to celebrate them in February."
Heather Hafner, CSUN Women's Volleyball (1982-85)
Hafner was a four-year starter for the Matadors and coach Walt Ker from 1982-85. During her four years at CSUN, the Matadors played for the NCAA Division II championship four times, winning the 1983 National Championship. Hafner was a three-time first team All-American (1982, 1984, 1985) and earned NCAA All-Tournament Team accolades in 1983 and 1985.
"Cal State Northridge was the perfect school for me," said Hafner. "I loved being a part of the women's volleyball team and I am grateful to my teammates, coaches and the CSUN administration for making it possible. I am beyond honored to become a member of the Hall of Fame."
The 1985 Matadors won 21 consecutive matches which still stands as a school record. Following a perfect 12-0 conference season, Hafner was named CCAA Most Valuable Player. In addition to being named conference MVP, she was also named to the All-CCAA team in 1982, 1984 and again in 1985. Hafner still ranks fourth in CSUN history with a .340 hitting percentage and also ranks in the single season top 10 in both hitting percentage and solo blocks.
Following her CSUN career, Hafner went on to play 12 seasons on the Women's Professional Beach Tours (WPVA & AVP).
She joins Angela Brinton Collins, Rosemarie Finnigan Rahn, Diana Hoffman, Mary Perry and Mary Jane Smith-Waldman as former CSUN women's volleyball players in the Hall of Fame.
Thor Lee, CSUN Men's Soccer (1984-87)
Thor Lee, who lettered for the CSUN men's soccer team from 1984-87, helped lead the Matadors to four consecutive CCAA men's soccer championships from 1984-87.
"First of all, I want to thank CSUN and the Hall of Fame Committe for this special honor," said Lee. "I'm proud to join many of my former teammates in the Hall of Fame and I appreciate the efforts of all the past players and coaches that I was blessed to compete with.
"I am most proud of our team's legacy of winning and entertaining our fan base which galvanized the Valley support of the CSUN program," added Lee.
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).
As a senior is 1987 he tallied nine goals to go with 10 assists for a total of 28 points. In his four-year career, Lee played in 86 matches, scoring 17 times. He also recorded 12 career assists for a career total of 46 points.
Lee joins Ass'ad, Joey Kirk, Michael McAndrew, Jose Perez and John Tronson as former CSUN men's soccer players in the Hall of Fame.
Ofa Tulikihihifo, CSUN Women's Basketball (2002-07)
Ofa Tulikihihifo was a member of the CSUN women's basketball program from 2002-07. She is only four student-athletes in the history of the Big West Conference to be named first team All-Conference four times.
"I am humbled by this nomination and this prestigious award that follows my athletic career," said Tulikihihifo. "I would like to thank everybody who helped make this happen."
A four-time Big West Conference Tournament selection, Tulikihihifo was named 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.
Tulikihihifo concluded her Matador playing career as CSUN's all-time leading scorer and ranks 22nd in Big West history (1,632 points). She is also the school record holder for career field goals (655). Tulikihihifo is second in school history in career rebounds (838), second in career scoring average (16.2), fourth in career minutes (3,174), and fourth in career steals (94).
In 101 career appearances, Tulikihihifo scored in double figures 83 times and grabbed double-digit rebounds 38 times. She charted 34 double-doubles and two triple-doubles. Upon graduation, Tulikihihifo played professionally in Europe for six seasons.
She is just the second CSUN women's basketball player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, joining Patricia De La Riva who was inducted in 2001.
The 1984 CSUN Baseball Team
The 1984 CSUN baseball team reached the pinnacle of their sport, winning the Division II National Championship to give the Matadors their second national title in program history. Under the guidance of CSUN Hall of Famer Bob Hiegert, the 1984 Matadors featured a talented mixture of hitting, pitching and defense en route to national acclaim.
The 1984 team finished 46-21-1 overall, at the time setting the CSUN record for wins in one season and winning percentage (.684). During the memorable '84 season, the Matadors set 29 team and individual records while averaging an impressive 8.1 runs per game. Hiegert was named NCAA Division II Coach of the Year and District 8 Coach of the Year following the season.
In six College World Series games, CSUN scored 10 or more runs five times, eventually defeating Florida Southern to win the National Championship. Individually, Mike Solomon led the team in batting with a .401 average on the year (10th all time in team history) while Perry Husband led the team in at bats with 262 (Ninth in team history). Jim Walker threw the most innings ever in team history with 169.0 over 25 games and tied for the most wins (14) and starts (21) in CSUN history. Five Matadors were selected in the 1984 MLB Draft (Husband, Solomon, Walker, Dave Williams and Jose Dominguez).
"The 1984 Matador fall baseball program started with one of the most talented teams to date in the CSUN baseball program," said Hiegert. "Completing a very competitive fall season the "84" team learned to play together and were ready to compete. The Matadors set 29 individual and team records during the regular season finishing 46-21-1 and a NCAA Division II National Championship. This should have been enough, but this team was also the first CSUN team to travel and compete internationally, playing games against four Japanese college baseball institutions in Tokyo, Japan. The '84 Matadors proved to be great representatives for baseball at the both the NCAA level and international level.
"On behalf of the 1984 NCAA Champions, I wish to thank the CSUN Hall of Fame Committee and the Intercollegiate Program for this honor," Hiegert added.
The Matador Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills on Sunday, February 18, 2018, with the event starting at 11:00 a.m. and the program beginning at 12:00 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (818) 677-4837
#GoMatadors
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