By Staff
MOUNT PLEASANT – Six Central Michigan University athletic standouts have been chosen for induction into the CMU Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2007.
This year's honorees are: Leonard Drake (men's basketball, 1974-77); Brock Gutierrez (football, 1993-95); Angie (Henderson) Montroy (volleyball, 1982-85), Dick Kirchner (wrestling coach, 1957-64); Bill Taylor (men's track and field/cross country, 1987-89); and Betsy Yonkman (women's basketball, 1983-86).
Drake, a native of Niles, played his high school basketball at Brandywine.
The new inductees will be honored at the Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday, Oct. 12, at the Comfort Inn, and then recognized at the CMU-Army football game on Saturday, Oct. 13.
The CMU Athletics Hall of Fame began in 1984 and the current roster now includes 137 members. Plaques honoring all the inductees are on display in Dan Rose Center.
"These six former Chippewas have quite a legacy at CMU," Athletics Director Dave Heeke said. "Not only did they succeed as individuals, but they were on very successful, championship teams. They are all deserving of this high honor."
To be eligible, the following must hold true for athletes
One becomes eligible 10 years after leaving school;
one must earn two letters in one sport or one or more in two sports or brought recognition to the school by his or her athletic endeavors;
and an outstanding career as an athlete must be continued in the individual's profession or occupation.
For induction as faculty/staff: a person becomes eligible five years after leaving his or her coaching position or athletic-related administrative position.
Drake was a key component of CMU's first two Mid-American Conference championship teams. He was a second team All-MAC selection in 1977. He ranked third in career scoring at the completion of his career and still ranks seventh with 1,338 points.
Drake shot .807 (226-of-280) from the foul line, which ranked second at the completion of his career and currently is seventh. He shot .878 (101-of-115) from the line in 1976, a mark that ranked third nationally that year.
He tallied 126 career steals, which ranks eighth in school history.
Drake may be best remembered by Chippewa fans for making two free throws with no time on the clock in Central's 77-75 victory over Georgetown in the 1975 NCAA tournament.
He was a part-time assistant coach for Central during its 1979 MAC championship season and head coach of the CMU men's team for four seasons and head coach of the women's program at Lamar for four seasons.
Drake spend 20 years as an assistant coach, 14 of those years at the Division 1 level.