2024 Hall of Fame inductees honored over weekend
HUNTINGTON, Ind. – This past Saturday the Huntington University athletic department had the honor of inducting two former athletes and a team into the Forester Athletic Hall of Fame as part of the annual men's basketball Ness Bros. Hall of Fame Classic.
Joe Beah ('87) was honored for his significant contributions to the Huntington University soccer program during the years of 1983-1987.
Joe was one of the key cogs in turning the men's soccer program around in the mid1980s. After winning just two games his first year, the Foresters got steadily better each year, which included a 16-5 record in his final campaign. Sixteen wins remain the third most wins in program history.
Joe played three years for Hall of Fame coach Joe Harding who described Joe as an outstanding player with a high soccer IQ. Coach Harding also praised his unselfish play and particularly noted his leadership on and off the field that greatly shaped team culture and unity.
It was Joe's versatility coupled with his work rate and determination that made him such a unique player. While Joe scored his fair share of goals during his collegiate career, he was also called on to be the defensive stopper at times. His ability to command the center of the park was what set him apart as one of the program's best midfielders to play the game.
Joe garnered three Mid-Central All-Conference badges. He was also a two-time NAIA All-District 21, NCCAA All-District and NSCAA All-Midwest honoree during his time in Forester green. He capped off his stellar career as an NCCAA All-American.
His senior season saw Joe and his teammates win a conference regular season championship and an NCCAA District 3 championship. Huntington went on to finish fourth at the NCCAA National Tournament. They were ranked in the NAIA Top 25 all season, and also claimed the first or second spot in the NCCAA national rankings throughout the fall.
Joe graduated from Huntington in 1987 with degrees in computer science and accounting.
Dalton Combs ('17) was honored for his significant contribution to the Huntington University baseball program during the years of 2013-2017.
Dalton's jersey was retired during homecoming weekend this past fall. He is one of only a handful of Foresters to be honored in this way for his impact on the HU baseball program.
Dalton saved some of his best for last as the linchpin to Huntington's success in his final season in Forester green. As a senior, Dalton helped guide his team to 35 wins, which proved the second most wins in a season at the time. Coach Mike Frame's squad finished atop the regular season league standings and went on to win the conference tournament to earn an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament where they went 2-2.
Dalton, a two-time All-Conference honoree, led the team in hitting his final two seasons which included cranking out 72 hits and posting a .402 batting average as a senior. He finished with 199 base pokes for his career which included 73 for extra bases. He also racked up 110 RBI over the course of his four years.
Dalton graduated from HU in 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. After graduation, Dalton was drafted by the San Francisco Giants. He is currently playing in the Frontier League for the Trois-Rivieres Aigles.
The 1991 women's basketball team was honored for the legacy they left on the Huntington University basketball program during the 1990-91 season.
Coach Lori Culler's squad won a program record 27 games, a record for most wins in a season that still stands today, against just four losses. The Foresters dominated the opposition by outscoring opponents on average by 13.6 points per contest.
Huntington went undefeated in league play with an 8-0 record to be deemed the conference champions. Four members of the squad in Kim Hickman, Tina Hinrichsen, Heidi Hosler and Joanne Miller were named First Team All-Conference.
In addition to being the conference champs, the Foresters were also the NCCAA District 3 champions and went on to win the NCCAA National Championship, topping Tabor 67-60 in the final game. Tina and Joanne were voted to the All-Tourney Team with Joanne also garnering tournament MVP honors and being named an NCCAA Second Team All-American.
Coach Culler was the easy pick for NCCAA National Coach of the Year in addition to being tabbed the NAIA District Coach of the Year and the MCC Conference Coach of the Year.
Members of the 1991 team include Heather Carter, Steph (Ezra) Watts, Robin Felver, Angel (Hershberger) Robertson, Kim (Hickman) Sellers, Tina (Hinrichsen) Elliott, Heidi (Hosler) Lawson, Melanie (Morehouse) Mason, Joanne (Miller) Green, Cindy (Schweikhardt) Brooks, Teresa (Schweikhardt) Knepple (student manager), Beth Goldsmith (assistant coach) and Lori Culler (head coach).
The Huntington University Foresters compete in 18 intercollegiate sports for men and women. In the past decade, Huntington has produced 160 NAIA All-America honors and 567 All-America Scholar Athlete honors. Huntington University is a comprehensive Christian college of the liberal arts offering graduate and undergraduate programs in more than 70 academic concentrations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Huntington among the best colleges in the Midwest.