New CU Hall of Fame Class Announced

While it took Columbia University Athletics 155 years to induct its first class to the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame, it took just two to induct the second one. This October, Columbia Athletics will hold a special ceremony in Low Library to induct 18 former student-athletes, two former head coaches, two past teams, one former staff member, and two special individuals to the hall.

“The history of the Columbia athletics program has included some of the best and brightest in the world, and we are so proud to continue honoring the men and women who have helped shape the rich tradition of Columbia Athletics,” Dr. M. Dianne Murphy, director of intercollegiate athletics, said in a press release. “These teams and individuals have made significant contributions to the University and are truly deserving of this honor.”

The second class will be inducted at a black-tie ceremonial dinner in the rotunda of Low Library on October 2 and recognized at halftime of the Columbia-Princeton football game on October 4.

Among the former student-athletes being inducted are rowing Olympian Stacey Borgman, BC ’98, former NBA head coach and first-round draft pick Walt Budko, CC ’48, New York Giants team physician and National Football Foundation Trustee Russell Warren, CC ’62, and former NFL players Marty Domres, CC ’69 and Bruce Gehrke, CC ’48.

Andy Coakley, deceased former coach of the Columbia baseball team will be inducted as a coach from the Heritage Era. Coakley, for whom Columbia’s Andy Coakley Field was named until last season, coached the Columbia team while Lou Gehrig played.

Other inductees include Irv DeKoff, former head coach of the Columbia fencing team, the 1950-51 men’s basketball team, and the 1983 men’s soccer team, which was the top-ranked team in the nation and the NCAA runner-up.