Varsity 'T' Hall of Fame adds 9

1/13/2005
  • Varsity-T-Hall-of-Fame-adds-9

    Bill Bronikowski
    • Bill Bronikowski
    Bill Bronikowski

    The University of Toledo Varsity "T" Hall of Fame will induct nine new members at its annual banquet on Feb. 11 at The Pinnacle in Maumee.

    Inducted will be:

    John Brandeberry, football coach, 1917. Brandeberry is generally recognized as the founder of the UT football program. Though the university had no playing field or athletic department at that time, Brandeberry put together a football team out of sheer will and determination. He recruited 13 players and paid for uniforms, a practice field, food and transportation for the team out of his own pocket. Brandeberry was a member of the UT faculty for 38 years, from 1915 until his death at age 59 in 1953.

    Bill Bronikowski, baseball, 1994-97. Bronikowski was one of the all-time great sluggers at UT. He ranks first in career home runs (30), sixth in RBIs (122) and seventh in total bases (288). He was named first-team All-MAC as a designated hitter in 1995 and 1997, and as a catcher in 1996. In 1996 he smacked a career-high 13 home runs and scored 45 runs. In 1997 he knocked in a career-best 44 runs. He was selected by the New York Yankees in the 1997 draft.

    Kimberly D'Angelo-Jones, women's basketball, 1993-97. D'Angelo was a vital part of women's basketball teams that went 100-25 and played in three NCAA tournaments. As a senior, D'Angelo averaged 11.5 points and 7.1 rebounds per game and was named honorable-mention All-MAC. In the 1997 MAC tournament, she tallied 32 points and 21 rebounds, which earned her a spot on the all-tournament team. D'Angelo is married to UT associate athletic trainer Brian Jones.

    Andy Fisher, men's basketball, 1986-1989. Fisher was a three-time Academic All-MAC selection, and earned first-team All-MAC honors as a senior in 1988-89. That season he led UT in points per game (12.9), free throw percentage (.837), rebounds per game (6.2), blocked shots (34), steals (58) and field goal percentage (.550). As a junior, Fisher averaged 9.9 points and 5.9 rebounds, and as a sophomore he averaged 13.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. Fisher ranks 18th in career scoring at UT with 1,273 points.

    Knuth
    Knuth

    Kim Knuth-Klaer, women's basketball, 1995-1999. Knuth is considered by most observers to be the greatest women's basketball player in UT history and one of the best ever in the MAC. Knuth was a two-time MAC player of the year (1997-98 and 1998-99), a three-time first-team All-MAC selection and the MAC tournament MVP in 1999. She was named honorable mention All-American by AP in 1998-99. Knuth was also named Academic All-American in 1997-98 and was a three-time Academic All-MAC. She is Toledo's all-time leading scorer (2,509 points) and is eighth in rebounds (779) fourth in assists (484) and first in steals (368). She led team in scoring as a sophomore (20.4), junior (22.0) and senior (25.4). Knuth, who is also the MAC's all-time leading scorer, played on NCAA tournament teams in 1996, 1997 and 1999. She married former Rocket football player Ryan Klaer following her graduation.

    Ryan Huzjak, football, 1993-1996. Huzjak was the quarterback on the Rockets' last undefeated team (11-0-1 in 1995). He was voted second-team All-MAC in 1995, and was a two-time Academic All-MAC selection. Huzjak holds UT career records for pass completions (600) and passing attempts (1,067), and is second in touchdown passes (52) and passing yardage (6,926).

    Ted Ossoff, men's golf, 1972-1975. Ossoff was a four-year letterman and a three-time first-team All- MAC selection, one of only two golfers in Rocket history to make All-MAC three times (the other is 2004 graduate Brad Heaven).

    Bob Rose, football, 1969-71. Rose was a defensive end on the 35-0 teams of 1969-71 that ranked No. 1 in total defense all three years. He earned first-team All-MAC honors in 1970 and 1971.

    Melvin Tucker, football, 1966-1968, and baseball, 1968. Tucker was a three-year letter winner in football and a one-year letter winner in baseball. In 1968, Tucker was the football team captain and was selected first-team All-MAC. He is the only UT baseball player ever to hit two grand slams in one game.

    The 2005 Varsity "T" Hall of Fame class will be introduced at halftime of both the men's and women's basketball games on Saturday, Feb. 12. The men's game vs. Northern Illinois is set for 4:30 p.m., with the women playing Ohio at 7.

    Tickets for the induction dinner can be purchased by calling (419) 530-2510.