The newest class is in.
On Jan. 16, Saint Louis University Director of Athletics Doug Woolard announced the newest members of the Billiken Hall of Fame.
The induction ceremony will take place on Fri., Jan. 25 at the Missouri Athletic Club. A reception begins the event at 6 p.m. Dinner begins at 7 p.m.
The Hall of Fame was opened on Jan. 21, 1976, with the induction of 13 Billiken athletes and coaches. On April 8, 1979, four more SLU athletes were inducted.
The Billikens club, founded in 1991, is an athletic booster organization that continues to sponsor the Hall of Fame.
The eight new inductees are divided into three categories-Billiken Great-Pioneer, Billiken Great-Contemporary and Distinguished Alum-Contemporary.
Billiken Great-Pioneer
Vern and William Bradburn (Men’s Basketball) led the Billikens to a 31-8 record over three seasons, from 1924-26.
The forwards played on the same team since fifth grade. The pair proved to be a dominating duo, as one would pick up the slack for the other.
George A. Johnson (Football) was a four-year guard for coach Cecil Muellerleile’s teams from 1936-39. Johnson’s hard work was rewarded his senior year. A poll in the St. Louis Globe-Democrat ran a fan poll in 1939. Johnson was selected the area’s top guard, more than doubling the vote total of the runner-up.
After his career ended, Johnson continued to represent the University through his work in the St. Louis Public Schools.
Jim Murphy (Baseball) was a two-sport star for the Billikens on the soccer and baseball fields from 1965-67. Murphy was on the 1965 national championship soccer team and was a shortstop on the 1965 baseball team that advanced to the College World Series.
The next year, he started every soccer game for a team that advanced to the national quarterfinals. Murphy was voted SLU athlete of the Year in 1967.
He was admired for his work ethic, leadership, intensity and humor.
Billiken Great-Contemporary
Matt McKeon (Men’s Soccer) was named the Missouri Athletic Club National Player of the Year and was a first-team All-American as a senior in 1995.
McKeon recorded 46 points as a freshman in 1992 had the 12th-best total in the school’s history. He was named Great Midwest Conference Newcomer of the year for his efforts.
In 1995, he set the school record with 20 assists and recorded 54 points to rank fifth in SLU’s single-season standings.
McKeon was also selected first-team All Conference and Conference USA Player of the Year in 1995.
He ranks in the program’s top six in all three scoring categories, including a school-record 46 career assists.
Barry Orms (Men’s Basketball) was among the most athletic backcourt players, from 1966-68. He averaged 8.8 points a game and 4.5 rebounds a game and was named team MVP his senior year.
Orms’ desire, quickness and jumping ability led to Orms being drafted by the NBA’s Baltimore Bullets and being invited to try out with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, even though he didn’t play football in high school or college.
He started at guard for two seasons for the Bullets, along with Earl “The Pearl” Monroe. He later played in the ABA for the Pittsburgh Condors.
Denny Werner (Men’s Soccer) was a four-year starter from 1970-73. Werner was an integral part of a defensive unit that earned three national championships and played in four national title games.
The Billikens lost five games during Werner’s career and recorded 34 shutouts in 73 matches.
Distinguished Alum-Contemporary
John Eilerman (Men’s Soccer) played for four years from 1969-72. He played in four straight national championship games and the Billikens won three. Eilerman was difficult to defend because of his mix of speed and physical play. He earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting. In 1989, Eilerman was given the Billiken soccer program’s Alumni Achievement Award.
Bob Burnes Award
The 1978 Field Hockey team recorded a 28-5 record and finished fifth in the national tournament. It was the highest finish for a field hockey team in Billiken history. The team grabbed State and Region VI titles to advance to the national tournament.
The Billikens lost their first game in the tournament, but they rebounded to win the next four and capture fifth place. Karen Shearin led the squad with 23 goals.
SLU outscored its opponents 90-23 and recorded 18 shutouts. Playing for head coach Dr. Will van Beaumont were Lynn Dobelman, Ann Driscoll, Martha Gartland, Ann Hoffman, Jane Johnson, Ann Kerns, Roberta Kueshler, Claudia Lucera, Nancy O’Callaghan, Theresa Ruzicka, Theresa Sanders, Judy Schmidt, Shearin, Judy Smith, Tammy Suyematsu and Mary Torrence.
