JU Athletics Hall of Fame Inducts Five New Members

The Jacksonville University Athletics Hall of Fame inducted five new members at the annual Roger Strickland Hall of Fame Ceremony on April 21, 2012.The group spans the history of JU, led by Pembrook Burrows – a member of the Dolphins national runner-up team in 1970, racing legend Hurley Haywood, volleyball’s Tara (Burton) Kuk , Marit Foss from women’s soccer and Paul Runge from the baseball team.

“Every year our committee has a difficult task of narrowing down the field of candidates and I think this year’s class stands up to the test of being the best of the best at JU,” said Hall of Fame chairman Brad Neegard. “All of the honorees were legends in their arena and as our past chairman, Roger Strickland, always pointed out – They need to represent the University well during their time at JU, as well as after graduation.”

Paul Runge
Three-year member of the program (1977-79) … led the Dolphins in batting average (.365), runs (55), hits (65) and home runs (5) his senior season…drafted in the first round by the Atlanta Braves in 1979 … played eight seasons with the Braves (1981-88) … spent 10 seasons as a manager in the minor leagues …currently a minor league field coordinator for the Houston Astros.

Hurley Haywood
A benefactor to the University … inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2005… finished 18th in the 1980 Indianapolis 500….. represented the International Motor Sports Association in the International Race of Champions 4 times… excelled on the race track as the winningest driver at the 24 Hours of Daytona with 5 … a three-time winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans … one of the leaders behind the Brumos Automotive dealerships.

Pembrook Burrows
Played basketball from 1969-71 … was a starter on the legendary 1970 team that finished as the national runner-up to UCLA, going 27-2…formed one half of the 7-foot duo with Artis Gilmore… holds the season (.670, 132-197) and career (.646, 256-396) marks for field goal percentage … led team in field goal percentage in ’70 (.622) and ’71 (.670) … tied for first with a perfect shooting night (1.000, 9-9 vs. Biscayne 12-1-70).

Tara Burton
Volleyball star from 1997-1998 … was the Trans America Athletic Conference “Player of the Year” in 1998 while being named to first team all-conference and achieving academic all-conference honors … in that same year, she led the Dolphins with 385 kills (4.10 kpg), 217 digs, 27 solo blocks and 52 block assists … posted 65 career service aces … in 1997, led the team with a .267 hitting average … played professionally on the beach volleyball circuit and is coaching high school volleyball.

Marit Foss
Offensive leader for the Dolphins from 1997-2000 … collegesoccer.com 3rd Team All-America (2000) … NSCAA Regional 2nd Team All-America, twice in 1998 and 2000 … Soccer Buzz Regional All-America – 1st Team and 3rd Team, 2000 and 1999 respectively … tied for 4th all-time with three goals in a game … 3rd all-time with 16 goals in a season … 2nd all-time with 39 career goals … career leader in assists in a game (6) … 28 and 20 single season assists, 1st and 2nd all-time, 2000 and 1998 respectively … all-time leader in assists (70) … tied for 3rd all-time with 8 points in a single game … 52 and 44 Points in a Season, 1st and 2nd all-time, 1998 and 2000 respectively … all-time leader in career points (148) … business administration major in undergraduate studies with a GPA of 3.425 … received her bachelor’s and master’s degree from JU.