Six former Sycamores, three student-athletes and three former coaches, are to be inducted into the 20th Class of the Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Fame during the 2011 ISU Homecoming celebration.

The former student-athletes to be inducted into the Hall of Fame include cross country All-American Jessica Crowder-Wayton, All-American hurdler Aubrey Herring and All-American wrestler Jack Effner.  Along with these former student-athletes, former baseball coach Bob Warn, former wrestling coach Fran McCann and former football coach Dennis Raetz are to be inducted as well.

Wayton competed for ISU women's cross country and the women's track and field team from 2000 to 2005.  In her time at ISU, Crowder finished 47th at the 2003 NCAA Division I Cross Country National Championships.  The finish earned Crowder All-American status and to date remains the only member of the women's cross country in Sycamore history to be named an All-American.

"She was a big sweetheart. She was a hard worker," Angie Martin, former teammate and current ISU women's track and field head coach and 2010 Hall of Fame Inductee said. "She was very focused in every thing she did from academics to track to even her friends. She took good care at balancing everything in her life."

In addition, Wayton established Sycamore records in the 4K running in a time of 14:17 at the LaVern Gibson Championship Cross Country Course.  The time is also the course record.  She is the record holder for the 5K and 6K at 17:09 and 20:52, respectively and the LaVern Gibson course record holder in the 6K at 21:18.

Former track and field hurdler Aubrey Herring won the 2001 NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships in his tenure competing for ISU Men's Track and Field from 1997 to 2002.

Herring earned seven All-American recognitions and was unbeaten in the Missouri Valley Conference during his time at ISU, winning four 60m and 110m hurdles at indoor and outdoor conferences, respectively. 

Herring established records for both Indiana State University and the MVC.  He still holds the MVC Indoor Championship record in the 60m hurdles at 7.55 set in 2000, the 110-meter hurdle record at 13.47 set at the 2001 Outdoor Championships and the All-Time 110 meter hurdle record of 13.36 in 2001.

"He really made me a believer right from the beginning that he just had a unique talent not only at being a gifted athlete but his mental approach. He was just so confident, and because of what I witness, I was always confident in him. I just always expected him to be right at the top of the race and win," John McNichols, ISU men's track and field coach, said.

Not many remember the days when Indiana State had a wrestling team, however, Effner was a dominant force for ISU on the mat during his time at ISU from 1984-1986.

Effner competed at the NCAA Championships three times, finishing sixth in 1985 and fifth in 1986 and competing in the 142 pound weight class.  His efforts earned him All-American status, and his career total of 128 victories is third on the Indiana State All-Time list.

Former wrestling coach Fran McCann coached ISU wrestling from 1977 to 1984.  While at ISU, McCann established a 71-45-1 record and took the team to the NCAA Championships in 1982 where the team finished seventh.

McCann coached Indiana State All-Americans including the 1982 National Champion Bruce Baugmartner.  He also coached All-American wrestlers Bod Dickman and Jack Effner.

With a record of 94 wins in 17 years, Dennis Raetz is the winningest football coach in the history of Sycamore football. 

Under his leadership the Indiana State football team was ranked number one in the I-AA poll, winning nine consecutive games before losing in the I-AA playoffs in 1984.  The team made the I-AA playoffs once more under Raetz in 1983 with a season record of 8-2, advancing as far as the quarterfinals.

The Indiana State University baseball team saw great success under head coach Bob Warn.  The Sycamores won six Missouri Valley Conference championships (1979, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1989, and 1995).  The team also made six NCAA Tournament appearances and a College World Series appearance. 

In his time at ISU, 90 players made it into professional baseball with 21 going on to compete in the Major Leagues.

The six former Sycamores will be inducted formally into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct. 13.  They will also be recognized at the Homecoming game against Western Illinois University Saturday.