TERRE HAUTE, IN ? Five former athletes will be honored on Saturday, Feb. 16, when they will be inducted into the Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Fame.
George Chestnut, Brian Dorsett, Chris Hicks, Julie Koebcke and John Sherman Williams will become the 16th class inducted into the ISU Athletics Hall of Fame during ceremonies at the Ohio Street Building, 670 Ohio Street, in Terre Haute.
A reception to honor the inductees and current members of the Hall of Fame will begin at 10:30 a.m. with a brunch at 11:00 a.m. and the program beginning at 11:45 a.m.
The festivities will then move to the Hulman Center where the class will be introduced during halftime of the Indiana State-Illinois State Missouri Valley Conference game. That game begins at 2:00 p.m.
Tickets for the reception, brunch and program are $28.00 each and can be purchased by contacting Charlene Dabelow at (812) 237-4444. Tickets for the Indiana State-Illinois State basketball game are also available by contacting the ISU Ticket office at (812) 237-3737.
George Chestnut was a three sport athlete at Indiana State from 1930 to 1933. He was the top receiver and top defensive player for the football team during the 1932 season, the leading scorer and top rebounder for the basketball team during the 1931-1932 season and the 1932-1933 season, and a top pitcher for the baseball team during the 1933 season. During the 1931-32 basketball season, he was the fourth top collegiate scorer in Indiana.
Chestnut forfeited his senior season to play professional basketball for the Indianapolis Kautskys of the National Basketball League. John Wooden, who would eventually coach at Indiana State, was also on that team. Wooden was inducted into the Hall Of Fame in the Second Class. Chestnut died in Warren, OH, in 1983.
Brian Dorsett had an outstanding career as a catcher for the Indiana State baseball team and then played 14 seasons in the professional ranks. Dorsett led ISU in RBI (53), hits (65), at-bats (175), and home runs (13) in 1983. The 1983 Indiana State team won the Missouri Valley Conference championship.
He was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team and the All-Missouri Valley Conference Tournament team in 1983 along with being selected as a member of the All-NCAA Regional team. He was a second team All-Missouri Valley Conference selection in 1982.
“My freshman year was a very entertaining season,” Dorsett said. “I only had seven at-bats and was able to listen to all the veterans, especially Phil Thatcher, speak, or should I say ?trash talk' the opposing teams relentlessly.”
Dorsett was a 10th round selection of the Oakland Athletics in the baseball draft. He was a member of the California Angels, New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Pittsburg Pirates, Cincinnati Reds and concluded his professional career as a member of the Chicago Cubs. He was a two-time Triple-A MVP selection during his professional career.
Dorsett is currently president of Dorsett Mitsubishi in Terre Haute, IN, and was recently inducted into the Indiana Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame.
Chris Hicks was one of the best offensive linemen in Indiana State history. Hicks was the starting offensive tackle for three straight seasons (1973, 1974 and 1975), and was a key blocker for All-American Vincent Allen during Allen's senior season.
Hicks, himself, received All-American status during his senior season. He was named to the American Football Coaches Association first team and the Kodak All-American first team while also being named to the Associated Press Honorable Mention All-American team.
Hicks was a versatile lineman for the Sycamores, being able to play both the guard and tackle positions. He was also a leader on the team, serving as a co-captain during a pivotal period of ISU football successes on the field. Hicks was known for his execution and outstanding ability on the football field.
“I learned by attending ISU as a student-athlete that teamwork, perseverance, dedication, encouraging, mentoring, coaching, caring, and being humble were the attributes for my continued success,” Hicks said. “All of which are a result of my faith in God.”
Hicks is currently a member of the Indiana State University Alumni Association Board of Directors. He is also on several boards in the St. Louis, MO, area including the St. Louis County Economic Council, the St. Louis County Board of Zoning Adjustment, and Wellston Redevelopment Corporation.
Julie Koebcke was one of the most prolific members of Indiana State track and field teams. A three time All-American in Discus, Koebcke was also a five time champion in the Missouri Valley Conference, winning two titles in shot put and three in discus.
“I had a blast being on a team with so many wonderful and fun people,” Koebcke said. “Everyday was entertaining. Indiana State shaped me by giving me many opportunities and experiences, not only in athletics but also in my career of teaching. I received an excellent education and also got a wonderful opportunity to be part of a team.”
Koebcke was the MVC Outdoor Field MVP two straight seasons (1994 and 1995), was named All-MVC Indoor three straight years (1993, 1994 and 1995), and named All-MVC Outdoor for four straight years (1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995).
Not only was Koebcke an outstanding athlete, she was also an outstanding student being named to the MVC Scholar-Athlete first team four straight years (1992-1995). She was also named an Academic All-American, the 1995 NCAA Woman of the Year-State Winner, and a National Strength and Conditioning All-American.
Her most recent honor was being named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial team.
Koebcke has been teaching children with emotional disabilities at Sunnyside Middle School for 12 years.
John Sherman Williams had a stellar career on the hard court for the Indiana State University Sycamores. He holds the school record for consecutive starts (113) and for minutes played (4,107) while he is second in points scored (2,374).
Williams, a 6-foot-5 small forward, played at Indiana State from 1983-1986 and started every game during his four years. He was named the Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in 1983, named to the All-MVC second team in 1983 and 1984, and named to the All-MVC first team in 1985 and 1986. He was also an All-American selection in 1983, 1985 and 1986.
“I remember my freshman year when I got locked in the dressing room at Minnesota,” Williams said. “It was pretty funny. Indiana State did open up a lot of doors for me to coach and I have taken the values of hard work and team work with me.”
Williams says the most significant accomplishment while at ISU was beating Tulsa, and having a .500 record for the 1984-1985 season, when they were ranked.
He is currently coaching eighth grade boys basketball.
Williams joined former Sycamores Larry Bird and Carl Nicks as members of the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial team, which was announced last year. He now joins those two ISU legends as a member of the ISU Athletic Hall of Fame.
Tickets for the reception, brunch and programare $28.00 each and can be purchased by contacting Charlene Dabelow at (812) 237-4444. Tickets for the Indiana State-Illinois State basketball game are also available by contacting the ISU Ticket office at (812) 237-3737.
