7 Players, 2 Iconic Teams Inducted Into CSU Hall of Fame

What’s one thing that all Colorado State University sports fans have in common? If you guessed "intense loyalty to their favorite teams and players," you nailed it.

The recent release of the 2019 Athletic Hall of Fame Class will have Ram fans itching to brush up on the history of some of CSU’s most extraordinary athletes. Who knows, maybe reading this list will inspire you to reminisce on some of your favorite sports moments at CSU as well.

1. Angie Gorton-Nelp

Women’s basketball star Angie Gorton-Nelp graduated in 2002 after receiving Academic All-Mountain West recognition, Mountain West defensive player of the year, All-District recognition, All-American recognition and Kodak honorable mention. After graduating, Gorton-Nelp went on to play professionally with the Colorado Chill.

2. Forrest Harvey

Track and Field master Forrest Harvey, “Frosty,” graduated in 1932. Harvey had All-American recognition, contributed to the team conference championship win in 1932, and then went on to win conference titles in 1933 and 1935. Harvey died in 1968.

3. Katie Lloyd

Katie Lloyd is the female track and field star to beat, as she remains at the top of the record board for the indoor pentathlon and second on the outdoor pentathlon board. Along with her plethora of other awards, she received two All-American honors and took seventh at the NCAA Championship. In total, Lloyd won four Mountain West Championships and then went on to graduate in 2008.

4. Kristin Schneider

Swimming sensation Kristin Schneider set four different school records while at CSU. Not only does she still hold the title in the 200-yard freestyle, but her records in the individual medley and backstrokes are still in the top five of all-time. Schneider received 25 All-Mountain West honors and six individual conference titles during her swimming career.

5. Jason Schulz

Jason Schulz may as well hold the title of 'discus king,' as he still holds his title as one of the greatest throwers in school history. Schulz earned All-American honors, placed in the NCAA Championships and ultimately received his fame in 2008 at the NCAA Midwest Regional. Schulz went on to graduate, leaving his track and field stardom with third-best throw in CSU discus history.

6. Jason Smith

7-foot, NBA basketball player Jason Smith began his hoops career at CSU. Right off the bat, Smith was named Mountain West freshman of the year, received first-team-all-conference as a sophomore and junior, and then left his college fame to join the NBA draft. After being a first-round pick by the Miami Heat, the Greeley-born Smith remains in the NBA to this day with the New Orleans Pelicans.

7. Dexter Wynn

Football fanatic Dexter Wynn not only received third-team All-American honors, but he played a large role on the All-Mountain West team for three seasons. After helping the Rams win conference championships in 2000 and 2002, Wynn was invited to play in the 2003 East-West Shrine game and continued his football career in the NFL for five seasons.

8. 1994 CSU Football Team (Featured in photograph above)

This hall-of-fame team was recognized as the second football team to be inducted and was coached by the legendary Sonny Lubick himself. This team scored many touchdowns while in the spotlight, like when they upset No. 6 Arizona, beat No. 22 BYU and ended the season 10-2 and ranked No. 16 in the nation. They also finished 7-1 in the Western Athletic Conference, making them the champions of the WAC. This successful status not only brought joy to the team and Ram sports fans, but helped Lubick achieve coach of the year in Sports Illustrated and marked the first 10-win season in CSU history.

9. 1999 CSU Women’s Basketball Team

This monumental team was the first women’s team to be inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame. The team finished with a record of 33-3, and ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press poll. Their coach, Tom Collen, earned the WAC Pacific Division coach of the year. As you can tell, it is no secret why this history-making team made the Hall of Fame.