Feb. 8, 2006

Chicago, Ill.- The University of Illinois at Chicago Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is proud to announce the induction of eight special individuals into the UIC Athletics Hall of Fame this Friday, February 10th.

The Class of 2006 includes:

Sanford Horn (Men's Gymnastics, '57 Navy Pier)

Greg Fiala (Football, '69)

Gerald Scherrer (Golf and Hockey, '69)

John Kantarski (Hockey Coach, 1967-1982)

Richard Knar (Men's Basketball, '87)

Brett Davis (Baseball, '91)

Claudine Borkovec-Boettger (Volleyball, '91)

Sara Jackson (Women's Tennis, '00)

The eight honorees will be inducted at the 2006 UIC Athletics Reunion and Hall of Fame Banquet on Friday at Room 73 Banquet & Expo Center in Hillside, Ill.

The inductees will also be recognized at halftime of the UIC-Loyola men's basketball game this Saturday.

Space for the 2006 UIC Reunion and Athletic Hall of Fame Banquet is limited due to the expectation for the event to sell out and confirmations will be handled on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations and contributions can be directed to Samantha De Maria, Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Relations, at (312.996.5633) or demaria@uic.edu.

UIC ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2006

Claudine Borkovec-Boettger - Volleyball 1988-1990

A two-year letterwinner after transferring to UIC from the College of DuPage, Borkovec-Boettger made a significant mark on the volleyball team during her three seasons. An All-North Star Conference Second Team selection in 1990, Borkovec-Boettger led the Flames with career-bests in kills (414) and digs (514) as a senior. Her 514 digs as a senior remain the most in school history.

She finished her career with 654 kills and 1,002 digs. As a junior she proved to be a versatile performer, playing outside hitter, defensive specialist and setter during a year in which she led the team with 52 service aces to propel the Flames to a North Star Conference Tournament title. She was also part of the 1988 North Star Regular Season Championship team.

Borkovec-Boettger remains in the school's 20-20 Club for kills and digs, notching a 24-kill, 32-dig performance against Southern Illinois on September 14, 1990. She posted a 33-dig showing earlier that month against Wichita State that shares the school record for digs in a single match.

Brett Davis - Baseball 1988-1991

Davis etched his name all over the UIC record books as a late-inning standout on the mound from 1988-1991. The Flames' career leader in saves (30), earned run average (2.68), and appearances (112), Davis also set single-season school records for saves (14) and appearances (33) in 1989. He also ranks in the school's top ten in career wins (21), career winning percentage (.618), and career strikeouts (175), as well as single-season ERA (1.37 in 1988) and single-season wins (8 in 1988).

A four-time All-Mid-Continent Conference pitcher, Davis helped guide UIC to a Mid-Continent Blue Division crown and a Mid-Con Tournament title in 1990. As a senior in 1991 he made the All-Mid-Continent Conference First Team by leading the Flames with a 6-3 record, a 3.94 ERA, 56 strikeouts and seven saves, all without starting a single game.

Greg Fiala - Football 1966-69

A four-year mainstay on the football team from 1966 through 1969, Fiala proved to be one of UIC's best tacklers during his tenure. While not one of the team's fastest players, he was undoubtedly one of UIC's hardest-working athletes from the practice field to Soldier Field. Leading the team in tackles as a senior, the hard-hitting Fiala left a huge impression on each and every opponent he brought down. One of his most memorable moments on the gridiron at UIC was during the 1968 homecoming game against UW-Milwaukee, when the then-junior defender forced the Panthers to turn the ball over on downs with four tackles after UW-Milwaukee had first-and-goal on UIC's seven-yard line.

Fiala now resides in Naperville with his beautiful wife, Mary.

Sanford "Sandy" Horn - Men's Gymnastics 1956-57

Horn shined as one of the most decorated and versatile performers in UIC gymnastics history during his two seasons at Navy Pier. Talented in seven different events, Horn was a two-time letterwinner and helped Navy Pier to the prestigious Midwest Open title in 1956, overcoming defending NCAA champion Illinois. Horn captured the 1957 Midwest Open still rings title, along with a still rings victory at the Central AAU meet. In 1957 Horn earned the team's Most Valuable award, finishing the season as the squad's high scorer and serving as the team's sole representative at the NCAA meet. He competed in numerous national and international competitions and helped innovate the Olympic Cross with his trademark "Horn Cross" that earned him numerous honors on the still rings.

After his collegiate studies, Horn worked two years in the engineering industry before moving on as a counselor at Proviso East High School. During his six years at Proviso East he served as a coach on the gymnastics team along with UIC legend Bill Roetzheim, leading the Pirates to three IHSA State Championships and numerous individual titles.

Following his tenure at Proviso East, Horn moved on to Evanston Township High School as a counselor for 27 years, spending three years coaching gymnastics. Horn remains a contributor to the sport as a ranked and active high school and college gymnastics judge.

Sara Jackson - Women's Tennis 1996-1999

One of the greatest tennis players in UIC history, Jackson left a huge mark on the program during her four-year career on the courts. Jackson was the first player in UIC history to amass 80-plus victories in both singles and doubles action. Her 81 singles wins ranks as the third-best victory total in school history, while her 80 doubles wins is the second-most ever at UIC. The Elk Grove, Ill., native was a four-time All-Midwestern Collegiate Conference honoree and the 1996 MCC Newcomer of the Year, helping UIC capture three MCC titles and earn the program's first-ever berth to the NCAA Tournament in 1999. Jackson's leadership and talent helped pave the way for UIC's current streak of nine consecutive league championships and seven straight NCAA bids.

Despite having her life cut tragically short in a vehicle accident in 2002, Jackson's spirit remains well-remembered at UIC. The Sara Jackson Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the life of Sara and is awarded annually to the UIC women's tennis player who best epitomizes the character that Sara displayed not only at UIC, but throughout her life.

John Kantarski - Hockey (Coach) 1967-1982

The founder of the UIC ice hockey program, Kantarski served as the team's first head coach in 1966-67. During his 16-year tenure at the helm, Kantarski compiled a record of 187-155-6, the only head coach with a winning record in the history of the program. In 1979 Kantarski guided UIC to a third-place finish at the NCAA Division II Ice Hockey Championships. He helped UIC transition to NCAA Division I status in his final season, wrapping up a celebrated career in which he developed five All-Americans.

Following his coaching career, Kantarski moved into the corporate education realm. He returned to the collegiate environment in 1988 as an Associate Director of Admissions for a local private college, moving on to a career in adult education with the Keller Graduate School of DeVry University in 1994. He now serves as a Regional Manager overseeing multiple DeVry locations in the north and northwest suburbs.

Gerald Scherrer - Hockey & Golf 1966-69

A two-sport standout who competed for four seasons on the golf team under Dick Rader and two seasons on the hockey team under fellow 2006 Hall of Fame inductee John Kantarski, Scherrer played a big part on two straight undefeated golf squads in 1968 and 1969. During his four years on the links he was part of over 100 team victories to a mere one defeat, helping UIC qualify for back-to-back NCAA Tournaments in 1968 and 1969. He won medallist honors in the Illinois and Lakeland Tournaments in 1969 and was part of a huge North Central Invitational victory in 1968. He was also a part of the 1967-68 hockey team that posted a outstanding 12-5 mark.

Following his career at UIC, Scherrer went on to teach and coach at Lincoln Junior High School in Mount Prospect, where he has had a successful career for the past 35 years. He has traveled the globe and continued to cultivate his passion for golf by competing in numerous amateur tournaments. He has been married to his lovely wife, Ermalynn, since 1969.