Five Added To EIU Athletic Hall Of Fame
Monday, November 12 2012
CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois added five new members to its Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday night following the Panthers football victory over Southeast Missouri. Entering the Hall of Fame for the Class of 2012 are former athletes Audra Frericks, Matt Marzec and Kyle O'Brien, former swim coach Ray Padovan and friend of athletics Johnie Meisner.
LISTED BELOW ARE SHORT BIOS ON THE TRACK & FIELD & CROSS COUNTRY INDUCTEES
KYLE O'BRIEN (Danville, Ill./Schlarman HS) was a stand out member of the EIU cross country and track teams from 2001-03. O'Brien was a three time OVC Athlete of the Year winning the award one time in each sport. He was the OVC Male Athlete of the Year after winning Athlete of the Year honors in cross country in 2002, indoor track in 2003 and outdoor track in 2003. He was a first team All-OVC selection in cross country in 2001 and was the OVC individual champion in cross country in 2002. O'Brien helped the Panthers win back-to-back OVC cross country titles in 2001 and 2002. In track he was an eight time indoor and outdoor champion in the 3K, 5K and 10K. He currently owns the third fastest EIU 10K and sixth best 5K. A transfer from Danville CC, O'Brien has been previously inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
JOHNIE MEISNER will be inducted as a Friend of Athletics based on his long time service to the EIU athletic department as a volunteer. Meisner assisted coach Maynard 'Pat' O'Brien as a graduate student in the late 1970's and later authored a biography on Coach O'Brien. He began volunteering with the hosting of track meets at EIU in the early 1970's and has continued as a volunteer official at both EIU and IHSA State Meets. He compiled the first Blue of EIU Track & Field, an 'official' history of record holders/best performances. He founded the Lincoln Track Club which serves youth in the central Illinois community. Meisner befriended Walt Crawford, a former EIU distance runner who contracted ALS. He served as a financial benefactor for Walt Crawford.
LISTED BELOW ARE SHORT BIOS ON THE TRACK & FIELD & CROSS COUNTRY INDUCTEES
KYLE O'BRIEN (Danville, Ill./Schlarman HS) was a stand out member of the EIU cross country and track teams from 2001-03. O'Brien was a three time OVC Athlete of the Year winning the award one time in each sport. He was the OVC Male Athlete of the Year after winning Athlete of the Year honors in cross country in 2002, indoor track in 2003 and outdoor track in 2003. He was a first team All-OVC selection in cross country in 2001 and was the OVC individual champion in cross country in 2002. O'Brien helped the Panthers win back-to-back OVC cross country titles in 2001 and 2002. In track he was an eight time indoor and outdoor champion in the 3K, 5K and 10K. He currently owns the third fastest EIU 10K and sixth best 5K. A transfer from Danville CC, O'Brien has been previously inducted into the NJCAA Hall of Fame.
JOHNIE MEISNER will be inducted as a Friend of Athletics based on his long time service to the EIU athletic department as a volunteer. Meisner assisted coach Maynard 'Pat' O'Brien as a graduate student in the late 1970's and later authored a biography on Coach O'Brien. He began volunteering with the hosting of track meets at EIU in the early 1970's and has continued as a volunteer official at both EIU and IHSA State Meets. He compiled the first Blue of EIU Track & Field, an 'official' history of record holders/best performances. He founded the Lincoln Track Club which serves youth in the central Illinois community. Meisner befriended Walt Crawford, a former EIU distance runner who contracted ALS. He served as a financial benefactor for Walt Crawford.