San Diego Hall Of Honor Inductees

SAN DIEGO HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES

2024 - Stan Washington, San Diego
Stan Washington ended his collegiate career at San Diego in 1974 as the program's career scoring leader with 1,472 points, a record that stood until 2008. His record for career assists of 451 remained until 1996, as well. Washington is considered perhaps the greatest pure scorer in Torero program history. He remains at or near the top of multiple USD career statistical categories including single-game assists (14 - tied for first), single-season field goals (229 - second all-time), single-season points per game scoring average (19.2 - second all-time) and career field goals (621 - third all-time). He accomplished these feats while playing in the era before three-point shooting and when freshmen could not play on the varsity squad. A three-time All-American, Washington was drafted by the Washington Bullets in the fourth round of the 1974 NBA Draft, becoming the first Torero to be drafted in the NBA Draft in program history. He was inducted into USD's Hall of Fame in 2010.

2023 - Sherri Stephens, University of San Diego
The longest-tenured head coach in San Diego women’s tennis history, Sherri Stephens spent 38 years at the helm of the program, accumulating 444 victories, taking the Toreros to 14 NCAA Tournaments and guiding USD to a WCC title in 2012. She retired at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, completing an illustrious coaching career at the helm of the USD program. Stephens was named the WCC Coach of the Year four times, coached the Toreros to a final top-25 ranking eight different times and had USD in contention for a conference crown nearly every season, finishing in the top-three 31 times with 19 runner-up performances. At the individual level, Stephens helped six athletes tally 13 total All-America honors, including Zuzana Lesenarova, who was a four-time All-American from 1997-2000, and the 1999 NCAA singles champion.

2020 - Hank Egan, University of San Diego
Hank Egan was head coach for the University of San Diego’s men’s basketball team from 1984 to 1994. He compiled an overall record of 156-126 and his 1986-87 West Coast Conference championship team still owns the best USD single-season record of 24-6 overall, including 13-1 in league play. That team advanced to the NCAA Tournament, dropping a hard fought 62-61 decision to Auburn. Having earned a reputation as one of the top defensive coaches in the country during his collegiate tenure, Egan received WCC Coach of the Year honors following back-to-back seasons in 1985-86 and 1986-87. His 1986-87 team ranked No. 1 in the nation in field goal percentage defense (.401). Egan was a coach for nearly 45 years. He closed out his outstanding coaching career after five years as assistant coach with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers. With former Torero Mike Brown ’92 at the helm, the Cavaliers finished with the NBA’s best record the past two seasons; combined for a five-year mark of 272-138 (66.3 winning percentage); and advanced to the NBA playoffs in each season, including reaching the NBA Finals in 2006-07. Egan joined the Cavaliers after spending the 2002-03 season as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors whose head coach was USD alumnus and former player Eric Musselman ’87. Prior to that, Egan spent eight seasons as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs and helped guide the club to an NBA Championship in 1999. During his tenure, the Spurs compiled a 403-221 (.646) record; earned five Midwest Division titles; made seven trips to the NBA Playoffs and held the NBA’s best record four times.Egan began his coaching career in 1966 as an assistant coach at the Air Force Academy. In 1971, he was named the head coach at Air Force where he remained until joining USD in 1984. Additionally, Egan was a coach during the 1984 Olympic trials and scouted for the 1984 Olympic basketball team. Egan is a 1960 graduate of the Naval Academy, earning a degree in engineering.

2019 - Ali Cox, University of San Diego
Ali Cox was walking across the heart of the USD campus during transfer orientation back in 1998. Tables were spread across the walkway at the Alcala Bazaar with clubs recruiting prospective participants when Toreros women’s rowing coach Leeanne Crain leaped out of her chair at the sight of the 6-foot-tall Cox. Crain gave her spiel, Cox, who had never rowed in her life, took the bite and thus were the seeds sewn for a future Olympian. Cox became the first USD rower to earn All-West Coast Conference honors three times. While at USD, she lifted her game to the international level and was in the women’s 4s at the Under-23 World Championships in Denmark. Just one year after graduating from USD, Cox won a gold medal in the women’s 8s at the 2002 World Rowing Championships. It was the Americans’ first gold in women’s 8s at the World Champs since 1995. In the 2004 Athens Olympics, Cox rowed in the Americans’ silver-medal-winning 8s boat. While Cox didn’t have rowing experience when she jumped into the sport, she was blessed with athleticism and an insatiable competitive instinct. She earned 11 varsity letters at Turlock High in Turlock, Calif., softball and tennis being her specialties. Early in her rowing career as a Torero, Cox developed a motto: Pain is temporary, but results are forever. Cox majored in Communications at USD and earned a minor in Marketing Business. She retired after the 2004 Olympics and developed a marketing agency, Ali Cox & Company Marketing. Out of the sport for six years, Cox returned to international rowing in 2010. While Cox didn’t earn Olympic gold, competing against rowers a decade younger she rowed on the U.S. team that won gold at the Samsung World Cup in Lucerne, Switzerland in 2011. Cox is married with two children, sons William, 3, and Ford, 22 months. She lives in Turlock and still owns her own marketing agency.

2018 - Christine Enger, University of San Diego
Christine "Chris" Enger arrived at Alcala Park in 1989-90 and made an immediate impact on the USD women's basketball program. The 6'4" center was one of the best centers in the nation. She earned First Team All-WCC honors and was selected the WCC Freshman of the Year. Following her freshman year, she was chosen to compete in the 1990 Olympic Festival. By the time she finished her career in 1993, Chris had accumulated a long list of athletic and academic honors. For her Torero career she was a three-time First Team All-WCC selection; a two-time selection to the WCC All-Academic Team; a four-time WCC Scholar-Athlete, and a member of the 1993 WCC All-Tournament Team after leading the team to its first NCAA Tournament berth. Additionally, she was team captain for the 1992-1993 season. At the time of her graduation, the USD women's basketball record section was filled with Chris' accomplishments. Enger's game was defense, her specialty was blocking shots. In her rookie campaign she set USD records for blocks in a game (12, vs. Gonzaga) and rebounds (24, vs. Portland), both still WCC records. She left USD as the all-time leader in career rebounding (831) and blocked shots (372) and was third all-time in scoring (1,187 points). She also held single season records for rebounding (278, '92- '93), rebounding average (9.9, '92- '93), field goal percentage (.580, '89-'90) and blocked shots (137, '92-'93). Chris led the nation in blocked shots her senior year with 137 (4.9 per game) and her career average of 3.88 blocks per game ranked first for a number of years in the NCAA record books. After graduation in 1993 with a degree in English, Chris earned her teaching credential from USD while a graduate assistant for the Toreros. She would then play four years of professional basketball in Ipswich, England. During her four years in England she had the opportunity to go into schools and sports centers around Suffolk introducing and coaching basketball to over 500 boys and girls ages 8-18. Most of the kids had zero to no experience in the sport and some schools didn't even have baskets. Enger was inducted into USD's Chet and Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. In 2010 she was one of nine former Toreros honored on the commemorative 25th Anniversary Team of 50 student-athletes to celebrate 25 years of the West Coast Conference sponsoring women's athletics.

2017 - John Cunningham, University of San Diego
John "JC" Cunningham began his USD career in 1962 when he was hired by former Athletic Director Phil Woolpert to be the freshmen basketball coach, assistant varsity basketball coach, and director of intramurals. He assisted baseball coach Mike Morrow in 1963 and took over the program in 1964. During the next 35 years he directed the Toreros baseball team to 843 victories, 16 winning seasons, and four NCAA regional appearances, including trips to the College World Series in 1971 and 1978. He was named the WCC Coach of the Year twice (1993 & 1998). Forty-seven of his players signed professional contracts with ten advancing to the Major Leagues. In 1988 school officials honored him by renaming the baseball field "Cunningham Baseball Stadium". In 1991 his peers voted him into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In 2003 he was inducted into USD's Chet and Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame and in 2005 received the prestigious ABCA's Lefty Gomez Award, amateur baseball's top award for service to the sport of baseball. In 2013 with the grand opening of Fowler Park and Cunningham Field, USD retired JC's uniform number (#33). Cunningham played baseball and basketball at the University of San Francisco where in 1959 he was named USF's "Athlete of the Year" and was an honorable mention selection on the Catholic All-America basketball team. The highlight of his basketball career, however, came in 1960 while serving in the U.S. Army. After being named to the All-Army and All-Service basketball teams, Cunningham was a participant in the U.S. Olympic Basketball Team tryouts. He would go on to sign a professional baseball contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization. From 1965-78 Cunningham organized, managed and coached a franchise in the California Collegiate Baseball League Ð one of the best summer collegiate leagues in the country at the time. During those years he won over 300 games and eight league titles.

2016 - Susie Erpelding Barosso, University of San Diego
Susie Erpelding Barosso excelled on the basketball floor as well as in the classroom during her time at the University of San Diego (1995-2000). Following her final campaign in 2000, she was the program's all-time leading scorer with 1,510 points, and was the only Torero at the time (women or men) to have cracked the 1,500 point plateau. During her senior year (1999-2000) she set a school record with 510 points, averaging 17.0 points per game, and propelled the Toreros to the West Coast Conference Tournament title and appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She was named to the 2000 All-WCC Tournament Team after leading USD to wins over LMU, Santa Clara and Pepperdine. She scored a then school-record 37 points against Portland on February 19, 2000. A three-time All-WCC First Team performer, she led the team in scoring for three straight years (1997-2000). She capped off her career by being named the 2000 West Coast Conference Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year. She was a First Team ESPN the Magazine Academic All-American in 1998, and a Third Team selection in 2000. A two-time WCC All-Academic Team selection, she was also a four-time WCC Scholar-Athlete. A motivated and hard-working individual, Susie twice was named a National Strength and Conditioning All-American (1998 & 2000). She earned her undergraduate degree from USD in Sociology (1998), and followed up with her Master's degree in 2000 (Counseling). In April of 2008, she was inducted into USD's Chet and Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010 she was one of nine former Toreros honored on the commemorative 25th Anniversary Team of 50 student-athletes to celebrate 25 years of the West Coast Conference sponsoring women's athletics. From San Diego, she prepped at Our Lady of Peace (where her jersey, No. 31, is retired). After suffering a knee injury during a CIF semi-final game her senior year at OLP, Susie sat out her first year at USD (1995-96). She is in her 11th year serving as color analyst for home USD women's basketball internet broadcasts.

2015 - Scott Thompson, University of San Diego
Scott Thompson turned in an outstanding basketball career for the Toreros and played a key role in guiding the University of San Diego to two NCAA Tournament appearances and two West Coast Conference Championships (1984, 1987). The 7-footer was the team's starting center all four years during his illustrious career at Alcala Park. During his senior year he started all 30 games in leading the Toreros to a school-best 24-6 mark; a WCC championship 13-1 record; a perfect 14-0 home record; and to an NCAA Tournament berth. The Toreros won a school record fourteen consecutive games and finished the season ranked No. 1 in the nation in field goal percentage defense (.401). He averaged 15.9 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game on his way to earning the West Coast Conference Player of the Year honor. He scored a career-best 31 points (at Utah) and grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds (vs. LMU). Additionally he collected his second straight team Most Valuable Player award. The program's only 3-time All-West Coast Conference First Team selection, Thompson also earned WCC Freshman of the Year honors in 1983-1984 after helping lead the Toreros to the league title and to their first NCAA Division I Tournament appearance. Over his career Scott played in 113 games, starting the final 105 games he played in, with the team going a combined 77-36 (.681 winning percentage). He finished with a field goal percentage of .541 (567-1048) and free throw percentage of .728 (241-331). In the USD Torero Division I record book following his final season in 1987, Scott was first in blocked shots (183), second in rebounding (740) and third in scoring (1,379 points). He was inducted into USD's Chet and Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000.

2014 - Jose Luis Noriega, University of San Diego
Jose Luis Noriega, a four-time NCAA All-American, was the first USD student-athlete to achieve that status. Although he fell short of his goal of winning an NCAA Singles Championship during his time at USD, Noriega accomplished just about everything else possible in college tennis. His four-year cumulative record was 138-30 (100-15 in singles; 38-15 in doubles), and his overall record in ITA Grand Slam events was an amazing 34-10. During his senior year, he advanced to the NCAA Singles Championships Semifinals. He captured two Grand Slam titles - the 1992 Rolex National Collegiate Indoor Championships and the 1989 DuPont Intercollegiate National Clay Court title. He led USD to two West Coast Conference Championships (1989 & 1990) and two NCAA Team Championship appearances (1989 & 1990). In his junior campaign, he advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals, won his second West Coast Conference Singles Championship, received the Region VIII Head/Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship award, and at the NCAA Tournament, received the national Rafael Osuna Sportsmanship Award. As a sophomore, he won the WCC Doubles title with teammate J.R. Edwards and was runner-up in singles. He was the WCC Singles Champion and Doubles Champion with Dave Stewart as a freshman and was named the 1989 Volvo Tennis/Rookie Player of the Year. Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Noriega was one of his country's best junior players. He capped off his junior career by winning the 1987 South American Junior Championships. During his USD tenure, he also won back-to-back Peruvian National Clay Court titles (1989 & 1990) and represented his country for the first time in Davis Cup competition (1990-91). A 1992 USD graduate with a degree in Business, he was inducted into USD's Chet and Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007.

2013 - Petia Yanchulova, University of San Diego
Petia Yanchulova made a huge impact on the Torero volleyball program during her playing career between 1996-1999. The 5-11 outside hitter from Sofia, Bulgaria was a two-time AVCA first team All-America selection, a two-time District VIII first team pick, a two-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year and a two-time WCC first team selection. All of these honors came during her final two years (1998 and 1999). During her four years on the USD volleyball team, Yanchulova guided the Toreros to the WCC Championship twice (1997, 1998) and to the NCAA Tournament each year with the team reaching the second round three times. She was named WCC Defender of the Year in 1999, a WCC second-team member twice (1996, 1997), and the WCC Freshman of the Year in 1996. A two-time team MVP, she also was named second team District VIII All-Academic and was a two-time WCC All-Academic selection. She is USD's all-time leader in kills (1,892), digs (1,341), and attack attempts (4,295). Yanchulova competed professionally in the Beach Volleyball World Tour with sister Lina Yanchulova-Taylor. The two represented their home country of Bulgaria in the Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004 Olympics. Yanchulova then played indoor volleyball in Europe from 2008-2010. Atop her tremendous volleyball accolades, Yanchulova has served as a coach to the Coast Volleyball Club and various beach volleyball camps and clinics. She returned to USD in 2011 as a volunteer coach with the Toreros finishing with a record of 28-5, a national ranking of No. 21, and a second round appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She was inducted into the USD's Chet and Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

2012 - Thomas Burke, University of San Diego
Thomas F. Burke served as Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of San Diego for 28 years. He arrived in 1973 as dean of students, and played a major role in building a strong student affairs division from the ground up. He put his stamp on the university by helping shape the identity it enjoys today on a national level. With athletics under his watch, he guided USD's move up to the NCAA Division I collegiate ranks and membership in the West Coast Conference in 1979. Under his leadership, USD was able to build a successful athletic program while maintaining the academic integrity of the university's educational mission. He worked closely with the development of the Sports Banquet, USD's single largest fund-raising event for athletics; he was President of the West Coast Conference Executive Cabinet from 1983-1994; and he played an important role in seeing a dream become a reality with the opening of the Jenny Craig Pavilion in October, 2000. He was inducted into USD's Chet and Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame in 2005.

2011 - John Wathan, University of San Diego
John Wathan attended the University of San Diego between 1968-70 where he played both baseball and basketball. An All-American catcher in 1970, Wathan batted .430 with 39 RBI and was named the team's Most Valuable Player. His career batting average of .347 ranks seventh all-time among USD players. He was inducted into USD's Chet and Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994, and recently was named to USD's All-Decade Team for the 1960s. Wathan was drafted out of USD as the fourth overall pick in the 1971 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals, where he spent his entire professional baseball career. Wathan played for 15 years, including 10 with the Royals from 1976 to 1985 where he played in 860 games, averaging a career .261 batting average with 21 home runs and 261 RBIs. His best season came in 1980 when he played in 126 games and had a .305 batting average. Wathan was a member of the Royals' World Series teams in 1980 and 1985 and still owns the modern day record for stolen bases by a catcher with 36 in 1982. After he retired, Wathan became the manager for Kansas City's AAA Omaha Royals farm club before he was named Royals manager on August 27, 1987. He managed five seasons in Kansas City, having two winning seasons in 1988 and 1989 and finishing second in the American League Western Division both times. Wathan currently works for the Royals as a special assistant to the director of player development. Was also inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.

2010 - Zuzana Lesenarova, University of San Diego
Zuzana Lesenarova became the first NCAA Division I Champion in the history of the University of San Diego when she won the 1999 NCAA Women's Singles Tennis Championship. A three-time West Coast Conference Player of the Year and three-time WCC All-Academic selection, Lesenarova shared 1999 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) National Player of the Year honors with James Blake of Harvard. Lesenarova, who was a four-time ITA All-American, spent most of the 1999 season ranked No. 1 in the nation and won three of the four collegiate grand slam events that season. She also earned No. 1 national rankings in both singles and doubles in 2000. As a Torero, she finished with an overall record of 202-55 (139-25 in singles and 63-30 in doubles). Lesenarova, who played in the 1999 U.S. Open, was inducted into the University of San Diego's Chet & Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame on May 2, 2009.

2009 - Bernie Bickerstaff, University of San Diego
A point guard for two seasons at USD (1964-1966), Bernie Bickerstaff was team captain and MVP his senior year. Named USD head coach in 1969, he was an assistant to legendary coach Phil Woolpert for three years (1966-69). His 1972-1973 squad that finished with a 19-9 record and his own four-year mark of 55-49 highlighted his USD coaching career. Bickerstaff was inducted into USD's Chet & Marguerite Pagni Family Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994. After USD, he joined the Washington Bullets as an assistant coach. As the top assistant in 1978, the Bullets won the NBA Championship. Hired by the Seattle Supersonics in 1985 as head coach, Bickerstaff led the team to the NBA playoffs three times and was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1987. After Seattle, Bernie served as head coach and held high ranking administrative roles with the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards and Charlotte Bobcats. With over 30 years of coaching & administrative experience in the NBA, Bernie is currently an assistant coach with the Chicago Bulls.