Football | 9/10/2024 4:55:00 PM

September 10, 2024-All-Americans, school record holders and a national runner-up team make up this year's induction class into the Emporia State Athletic Hall of Honor.  Six individuals and one team will join a group of 239 former student-athletes, coaches and administrators and 22 teams who have distinguished themselves, the University and their professions through their athletic achievement. 

This year's class will be inducted at the Hall of Honor Luncheon at 11:00 a.m. in Webb Hall of the ESU Memorial Union on Friday, October 4. The public is invited to attend and reservations can be made at esuhornets.com starting September 12. They will then be recognized at halftime of the Hornet football game against Northeastern State on Saturday, October 5.

2024 ESU ATHLETIC HALL OF HONOR INDUCTEES
Chester Bluette, Track & Field 1968-71. Chester Bluette was an All-American as part of the Hornets 4x400m relay team at the 1969 NAIA Indoor National Championships. He was a co-captain and a two time RMAC champ in the 440 intermediate hurdles. He competed in four events to help the Hornets win the 1970 RMAC Conference Championship, running in the 100, 440 hurdles, 4x100 and 4x440 relay.  The Kansas City, Kan. native had the second fastest 440 hurdles time in school history at the time. His track career was cut short after a near fatal car accident at the end of his sophomore year. He graduated from Emporia State with a BSE degree in chemistry before earning MS, Ed.D, and Ed.S degrees in Curriculums and Instruction. He would have a distinguished career as an educator and coach in East St. Louis, Mo.

Bill Cowan, Baseball, 1968-1971. Bill Cowan was an All Area and honorable mention All American in 1969 and 1971. He pitched on two NAIA World Series teams in 1969 and 1970 and missed going to three straight World Series when the Hornets were eliminated in the 1971 regional final. His statistical mark on the program record book is significant. His 121.0 innings pitched and 168 strikeouts in 1971 and 342 strikeouts in his career still stand as Emporia State records over 50 years following his graduation. At the time of his induction he is still in the Hornet top five for single season and career games started, single season and career wins, and career innings pitched. The Reading, Kan. native signed with the Kansas City Royals in 1971 and pitched for one year. After baseball he had a long career in teaching, coaching, and athletic administration that included coaching football, basketball, and baseball at Olpe and Belle Plaine, Kan. 

Tyler Eckenrode, Football 2009-12. Tyler Eckenrode led Emporia State to a 10-2 record and Kanza Bowl Championship his senior year. He was an Don Hansen All-Region and second-team All-MIAA performer. He finished his career 637 of 1078 for 8,031 yards and 60 touchdowns and was 276 of 430 for 3,742 yards and 29 touchdowns this season - all Emporia State records at the time. His five touchdown passes against Texas A&M-Kingsville broke Kanza Bowl record and tied the Emporia State school record. The Houston, Texas native ended his senior season ranked ninth in MIAA history in single season passing, touchdown passes, and total offense and was ranked seventh in the MIAA in career passing and tenth in total offense.

Katie Mona, WTF/XC 2008-12. Katie Mona was a three-time All-American in the 800m for Emporia State. She is the Hornet record holder in the indoor mile run at 4:48.55 and outdoor 800m at 2:10.99, ranks second in the indoor 800m at 2:10.75, outdoor 1500m at 4:29.00 and indoor 3000m at 9:47.15. The Lenexa, Kan. native held the school record in 3000m from 2012-22. She was a ten time MIAA Champion indoors and outdoors combined with two each in the indoor mile, indoor 3000m and indoor distance medley relay and one each in the indoor and outdoor 800m, and outdoor 1500m. She was an Academic All-District selection.

Laura Patrick, Women's Basketball 2012-14. Laura Patrick was a unanimous first-team All-MIAA selection for the Lady Hornets. She earned Daktronics All-Region honors and was a D2Bulletin honorable mention All-American as a senior in 2013. She led Emporia State to back to back MIAA Tournament titles. She was named to the Central Regional All-Tournament Team as she took the Lady Hornet to their third straight Sweet 16. The Hutchinson, Kan. native ended her career ranked fifth in three point field goals made with 175 and was the leader among two year players for Emporia State. She made 92 three-pointers as a senior to rank third on the Lady Hornets single season list. She was named ESU Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2013-14.

Josh Schuler, Track & Field 2007-11. Josh Schuler is the Emporia State record holder in the 100m at 10.26 and 200m at 20.75 outdoors and 60m indoors at 6.71. He was an eight-time All-American in the sprints and a three-time national runner up. He finished second in the 100m and 200m at the 2011 NCAA Outdoor Championships and the 2010 NCAA Indoor Championships. He was a three-time MIAA Champion. The Dallas, Texas native was the top scorer on 2011 Hornet team that finished fourth in the nation.

1980 Women's Cross Country Team The Hornets finished the season as the National Runners-up at the first official NAIA Women's Cross Country National Championships. Sophomore Lesha Wood led Emporia State with a fourth place individual finish for Coach Bill Tidwell's squad.

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