EKU Athletics Hall of Fame

Big E Association

RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University Athletics Hall of Fame 2021 induction class features four distinguished individuals.
 
The class is scheduled to be enshrined inside the Perkins Building on Saturday, Sept. 25.  The Hall of Fame brunch will begin at 10 a.m.
 
The 2021 induction class includes: Joe Blankenship (football, 1962-65 & 1977-95), Amandine Faouzi (women's tennis, 2012-15), Sue Fetter (volleyball, field hockey, basketball, 1966-69) and Lorenzo Fields (football, 1986-91).

In addition to the induction of the 2021 class, the 2020 class will also be inducted.  That class includes: Mike Cadore (football, 1984-88), Jeff Cruse (baseball, 1984-87), Felecia (Hawkins) Hardy (women's track, 1994-98), Jack Hissom (baseball/men's basketball assistant coach, 1967-79), Arlando Johnson (men's basketball, 1991-95), Alvin Miller (football, 1977-80), Charles Mitchell (men's basketball, 1970-73) and Pat Stephens (men's golf player/coach, 1982-18).
 
Tickets for the Hall of Fame Ceremony are $30 and can be purchased online at EKUSports.com/2021HOF or by calling the ticket office at 844-3-GOBIGE.  Tickets will not be sold at the event.
 
Both groups will also be recognized during the Colonels' football game against Austin Peay later that day at 3 p.m.
 
The EKU Athletics Hall of Fame is organized and facilitated in coordination with the Big E Association, a group for all former student-athletes, managers, trainers, practice players, spirit squad members and staff/coaches to celebrate the long and successful history of EKU athletics.  All former student-athletes, managers, trainers, practice players, spirit squad members and staff/coaches are considered members of the Big E Association.
 
As an extension and arm of the Big E Association, the Worn Cleat Club has a long history at EKU and continues as the all-inclusive home for former EKU football student-athletes, managers, trainers and coaches.  Because of its more than 50-year history as a letter winner group, it is the only sport at EKU with its own overarching umbrella.  There are three main pillars to staying connected to EKU athletics for alums through the Big E Association including stay connected, stay engaged and encourage others to participate.  Complete information on the Big E Association can be found at EKUSports.com\BigE.
 
Additional Big E Association events will be announced soon.
 
Blankenship, who passed away in April, played and coached football at EKU.  A neck injury ended his playing career after the 1964 season.  In 1977 he joined the staff, coaching linebackers and special teams until 1995.  During that span, Eastern won two national titles, two national runner-up trophies, 11 Ohio Valley Conference Championships and made 16 appearances in the playoffs.  Blankenship retired as assistant coach in 1995 and retired as an assistant professor in health science in 2000.
 
Faouzi played four seasons for the women's tennis team from 2012 to 2015 and was a four-time first team All-OVC selection.  She began her stellar career by being named OVC Freshman of the Year.  Following a spectacular sophomore season Faouzi was named OVC Player of the Year.  She closed her career in 2015 with her second OVC Player of the Year honor.  During her four years, she compiled a magnificent 37-2 individual record and was a driving force in four OVC team championships.  She graduated with a perfect 4.0 grade-point average and was named an NCAA Academic All-American.
 
Fetter certainly could be considered a "pioneer" in the beginning of intercollegiate athletics for women.  She played three sports at Eastern from 1966 to 1969:  volleyball for legendary Hall of Fame coach Geri Polvino, field hockey under longtime physical education teacher and administrator Gertrude Hood and basketball for Millie Maupin.  Following her graduation in 1970 and a stint as a student teacher at Shawnee High School, she began a 27-year association with Ballard High School in Louisville.  Fetter started the girls' athletics program at Ballard, coaching every sport available for the girls which included tennis, golf, field hockey, track and junior varsity basketball.  She led Ballard to the state runner-up title in field hockey in 1985 and to the state semifinals in three other years.  She also had success coaching track, directing the Ballard girls to state titles in 1974 and 1977 and a runner-up in the state in 1975.  She received the National Association for Girls and Women's Sports Pathfinder Award in 1998.  In 2011 she was inducted into the Kentucky Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame.
 
Fields came to EKU in 1986 and took over the quarterback duties in 1987.  As a sophomore in 1988 he gained honorable mention All-OVC honors while setting an EKU single season record, which still stands, for highest pass completion percentage at 62.7 percent.  He threw for 1,463 yards and 10 touchdowns, and ran for an additional 418 yards and four TDs as Eastern finished 11-3 and made it to the NCAA semifinals.  Serving as co-captain and making second-team All-OVC as a junior, he threw for 1,377 yards and 13 TDs in directing the Colonels to a 9-3 record and a third straight appearance in the playoffs.  In the seventh game of the 1990 season, Fields suffered a season-ending injury against Tennessee State.  For his career, he threw for 3,719 yards and 31 touchdowns, while rushing for another 1,418 yards and 20 scores.
 
For more information on the EKU Athletics Hall of Fame, please contact Karl Park, Executive Director of the EKU Athletics Hall of Fame, at karl.park@eku.edu.