July 21, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue has announced the selection of six former student-athletes to join the Athletic Hall of Fame next fall, bringing its total membership to 49 since its inception in 1994.
The class of 1999 includes a former Major League Baseball player, a former National Football League player, a former National Basketball Association Rookie-of-the-Year, an NCAA wrestling champion, an All-America volleyball star and one of Purdue's first great quarterbacks.
A formal induction and dinner are scheduled for Nov. 5 at the Purdue Memorial Union Ballroom. Tickets will go on sale in August at the Purdue Athletic Ticket Office. Public presentation will take place during halftime of the Purdue- Wisconsin football game on Nov. 6 in Ross-Ade Stadium. Tickets will be available to the general public for both the dinner and the football game.
There is a five-year waiting period from the time a former athlete, coach or administrator leaves Purdue before he or she may be nominated.
A permanent Athletic Hall of Fame plaza area is located on the outdoor concourse between Mackey Arena and the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility, near the message board on Northwestern Avenue. The display consists of a series of granite obelisks, flags and lighting.
The 1999 Hall of Famers in alphabetical order are:
Bernie Allen - Bernie's selection was based on his status as a six-time letterwinner at Purdue. A Most Valuable Player honoree in both baseball and football made him a unique student-athlete in the Boilermaker record books. Following his college career, Bernie played Major League Baseball for 12 seasons.
Bob DeMoss - Bob's selection was based on his remarkable achievements as a player, coach and administrator at Purdue. He holds the distinct honor of being the first in a long line of great quarterbacks at Purdue when he joined the Boilermakers in 1945. He served as an assistant football coach for 20 years before taking the helm as the head coach from 1970-72. After coaching, Bob worked in the Purdue athletic department for 21 years, most recently holding the title of Assistant Athletic Director.
Jim Everett - Jim's selection was based on his excellent career as a Purdue football player and as a professional football player. The two-time Most Valuable Player led the Boilermakers to the Peach Bowl in 1984 and led the entire nation in total offense a year later. Jim also went on to play in the NFL for several years, including two seasons in which he earned Pro-Bowl honors.
Paul Hoffman - Paul's selection was based on being a letterwinner in men's basketball from 1944-47. As a four-year starter at the forward position, he received three All-Big Ten selections and two Most Valuable Player awards. He played professionally in the NBA helping the Baltimore Bullets to the 1947-48 World Championship and earned the league's first Rookie-of-the-Year honor. In 1956, he returned to Purdue to coach the baseball team for four seasons.
Marianne Orr - Marianne's selection was based on her accomplishments as a volleyball standout from 1982-85. Being a first-team All-American, two-time All-Big Ten selection, two- time Big Ten player of the year and team Most Valuable Player all demonstrate why she is considered one of the greatest Boilermaker athletes of all time.
Joe Patacsil - Joe's selection was based on his achievements as a four-year letterwinner in wrestling. Capturing the 1950 National Championship at 128 pounds, as well as earning All-America honors four times, and being the Big Ten champion in 1949 and 1950, serve as prime examples of his status as an outstanding Boilermaker.