Colorado State University Athletics
Five set to join CSU Hall of Fame
9/5/2007 12:00:00 AM | General
"Each of these individuals distinguished themselves on a national scale in competition, while representing Colorado State University," he said. "They reflect the pride, history and tradition that are so vital to our program."
The group includes former wrestler Ron Day, track and field stars Bob Barry and Liz (Toman) Certain, former football All-American Anthony Cesario, and two-sport star Jack Upton, who led the nation in hitting as a senior for the Rams baseball team.
Kowalczyk also said the school's organization for former athletes has undergone a name change, becoming the Varsity Athletes Club.
"In contacting our former student-athletes as well as current members of our staff, we felt that `Varsity Athletes Club' provided more recognition and exposure for the organization."
The inductees will be honored during CSU's annual Varsity Athletes Club and Hall of Fame Banquet Oct. 12 at the Hilton of Fort Collins. A reception takes place in the atrium of the hotel from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with the banquet to follow. Reservations are available by calling 970-491-4666. The inductees will also be honored the following day during the Rams football game with Air Force, which begins at 3:30 p.m.
2007 Hall of Fame Biographies Anthony Cesario (Football) • Four-year letterwinner from 1995-98. • Cesario was a three-year starter as an offensive lineman. • He started the final 37 games of his career. • First-team all-conference performer in 1998. • In 1998, was one of 12 finalists for the 1998 Lombardi Award. • Named first-team All-American as a senior in 1998, and was a second-team selection as a junior. • Was drafted in the third round of the 1998 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars and played several years in the NFL.
Ron Day (Wrestling) • Won two Skylilne Conference wrestling individual championships and finished second once during his three-year varsity career. • As a senior in 1956, he finished second in the NCAA Wrestling Championships, and also earned All-American honors with his runnerup finish, and finished fourth as a junior in 1955. • Was also a high school state champion at Fort Collins High in 1952.
Bob Parry (Track & Field) • Four-year track letterwinner from 1972 to 1976. • Four times competed in the NCAA Track and Field Championships, and twice earned All American honors. • During his career, Parry set 11 CSU Records, has retains a 30-year-old school record he set in the 400-meters. • Finished 5th in NCAA in 1975 and 6th in 1976 to earn All-American honors. • In 1976 won a national title in the U.S. Track and Field Federation championships.
Liz Toman (Track & Field) • Participated in NCAA Indoor Track and NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in 2000. • Finished 6th nationally in discus outdoors in 2000. • Became the first female track and field athlete in school history to qualify for the NCAA championships in three different events in the same year: discus, shot put, and high jump. • Participated in NCAA Indoor Track Championships in 2001, finishing 4th in shot put. • Participated in NCAA Outdoor track in 2001, finishing 2nd in the discus. • Three-Time All American, who set six school records during her career. • Named MWC Female athlete of the Year in 2001, taking first place in the discus, shot put, and 2nd in high jump in the conference meet. • Awarded CSU's Mencimer and Virginia K. Frank Awards in 2001 for top female athlete and top female scholar athlete. • Four-time MWC outdoor champion, and 10-time MWC All-Conference award winner.
Jack Upton (Football, Baseball) • Was a two-year letterwinner in football in 1977 and '78. • Earned varsity letter awards in baseball in 1978 and '79. • Named the winner of the Merrill-Gheen Award as a senior as the top male scholar. • As a junior in baseball, led Rams in every hitting category, and finished 18th in the nation in batting average. • Also in 1978, Upton set the school record for most RBI in a season. • For two consecutive years, he was the team's leading hitter. • As a senior in 1979, he led the nation in hitting with a .506 average, second highest mark in NCAA history at that time. • Named All- League, and All-District in 1978 and '79, and second-team All-American as a senior. • Set or tied 7 CSU batting marks and 2 conference records. • Drafted by the Chicago Cubs, and played in their farm system and earned All-Star honors.
