Athletics: Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Inductees

LAFAYETTE – The University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the Ragin’ Cajuns Lettermen Club executive board is proud to announce Melissa Coronado Abner, former United States Senator John Breaux, B.J. Ryan and Beryl Shipley as the 2016 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees.

 
 
The 2016 Hall of Fame class will be officially inducted during halftime of the Ragin’ Cajuns football game against Idaho on November 5, 2016.  Prior to the game, an autograph session will be held near the Alumni tent at 2 p.m.
 
The purpose of the UL Lafayette Athletics Hall of Fame is to give recognition to those athletes who have made a significant contribution to the good name of the University by demonstrating exceptional ability and sportsmanship on the playing fields, commendable scholarship in the classroom, high quality leadership on the campus, and who after leaving the University have established a personal reputation for character and citizenship in the community which they reside.
 
In 2015, new eligibility criteria for the UL Athletics Hall of Fame were passed to allow for nominations and selections of coaches and administrators as well as to make degree allowances for those that achieved greatness, but had extenuating circumstances.
 
The contributions made to the University and the sports of softball, tennis, baseball and basketball by this year’s inductees are undeniably astounding. 
 
Melissa Coronado Abner – Softball
– Four-year letterman from 1999-2002
– Two-time Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year (2001, 2002)
– Two-time First Team All-Sun Belt (2001, 2002)
– Three-time All-NFCA South Region (1999, 2001, 2002)
– Sun Belt Tournament Most Outstanding Player (2002)
 
B.J. Ryan – Baseball
– Two-year letterman from 1997-1998
– Sun Belt All-Conference Pitcher in 1998
– Sun Belt Tournament MVP in 1998
– Drafted by Cincinnati Reds in 1998
– Two-time MLB All-Star (2005 and 2006)
 
John Breaux – Tennis
– Four-year letterman from 1961-1964
– 1962 Gulf States Conference Singles Champion
– 1962 Gulf States Conference Doubles Champion
– Served as team captain
– 1995 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Achievement Award in 1995
 
Beryl Shipley – Men’s Basketball
– 293-126 Record, .699 Winning Percentage (1957-1973)
– Four-time Gulf States Conference Coach of the Year
– One-time Southland Conference Coach of the Year
– Six seasons in the top 20 poll, two in the top 10 poll
– 2014 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
 
"Our goal is to remind each new generation of athletes of the tradition they must uphold and the ideals that they should strive for while they are wearing the UL Lafayette uniforms," said Ragin’ Cajuns Lettermen Club President Ken Meyers (UL Baseball ’88-’92). "As a continued supporter of Ragin’ Cajuns Athletics and the University – from a past player, a benefactor, a fan and a mentor – this year’s class epitomizes the integrity and character of the University." 
 
The Ragin’ Cajuns Lettermen Club Alumni Chapter is comprised of men and women who lettered in athletics while they were students at SLI/USL/UL Lafayette.  The Ragin’ Cajuns Lettermen Club Alumni Chapter is a constituent chapter of the UL Lafayette Alumni Association and it retains close ties to the Athletic Department.

Athletic Network Footnote by Ed Dugas:
(taken from original announcement)

Please join the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Athletics Hall of Fame
and the Ragin’ Cajuns Lettermen Club as we congratulate this year’s inductees: