Oct. 1, 2003

Patrick Atwell, Quincy University Athletic Director, has announced the 2003 QU Sports Hall of Fame inductees. They are Laurie Massa, Class of 1976, Dr. Jim Daniels, Class of 1980; and Jerry Ellerman, Class of 1991. All will be inducted Saturday, October 4, at 7:00 p.m., during a dinner/awards program as part of QU’s Alumni Homecoming Weekend.

Massa is a Senior Associate Athletics Director at the University of South Carolina, a position she has held for over 10 years. She is the USC Women’s Administrator as well. Prior to coming to USC, she worked at Xavier for 17 years.

“It’s an honor to be named to the Quincy Hall of Fame,” said Massa. “It will be wonderful to go back for Homecoming and visit with a number of old friends.”

Laurie Massa ’76 was a three-sport athlete at Quincy University, participating in basketball, tennis, and volleyball. As a member of the Lady Hawk Basketball team, Massa played 54 games in four seasons, managing 207 field goals for 473 career points, placing her 6th all-time in scoring at that time. She was 5th in total games played, participating in 54 of 58 possible games, and was named Most Valuable Player and best offensive player her senior year (1975-76). Massa had the opportunity to play against the Russian Olympic Women’s Basketball Team in 1976 under the guidance of current QU softball coach Sharlene Peter (Massa remembers a woman from Russia being 7’2 ? Quincy lost by 56). Also a four-year letter winner on the tennis squad, Massa finished her playing career ranked 4th in career victories with 31 (31-22), with a record of 16-9 in singles play and 15-13 in doubles. Her 6-6 singles mark her senior year (1975-76) led the team, as did her 4-1 singles record her freshman year (1972-73) and her 4-0 singles record her sophomore campaign (1973-74). Massa also played 42 games of volleyball over four seasons at QU, which was the 5th highest total for games played at that time. She was named most valuable player her senior year (1975-76), finishing 2nd in the Top 15 for career services, with 226. Massa was also an Honored Intercollegiate Participant, an award given to those females who competed in three of the five intercollegiate sports for women. The award was no longer given after 1976.

Jim Daniels ’80 is being honored for his meritorious service to the University. Dr. Daniels has given countless hours of his time on a volunteer basis to treat and evaluate QU athletes in coordination with Erica Miller, head athletic trainer. He has also helped coordinate free physical exams for low-income families in the surrounding area, whose children are involved with QU’s National Youth Sports Program, a summer sports camp for disadvantaged kids. J.D., as he is more affectionately known by the athletes and coaches around campus, is always very visible at QU sporting events, tireless in his efforts to help those in need regardless of time or cost constraints.

Jerry Ellerman ’91 was a member of the Hawk football team for four years. Ellerman’s name is synonymous with the QU record book, as he currently holds seven school records, including points in a game- 30 vs. MacMurray in 1989, points in a season- 102 in 1989, touchdowns in a game- 5 vs. MacMurray in 1989, touchdowns in a season- 17 in 1989, kickoff return yards in a game- 230 vs. Illinois Wesleyan in 1990, punt returns in a season- 29 in ’89, longest punt return in school history- 59 yards vs. MacMurray in 1987. Ellerman is currently 2nd in career rushing touchdowns, with 23, and 4th all-time in rushing yards, with 1,935 and 5th all-time in rushing attempts, with 393. He was named Most Valuable Player in 1989 and team captain in 1990. Ellerman was named Honorable Mention All-America in 1989 after finishing 8th in the nation in points per game (10.2) and 5th in the nation in touchdowns scored (17). In addition, he helped the team to a ranking of 11th in the nation in rushing yards per game (266.5) and 13th in the nation in points per game (32.4) during the ’89 campaign.

For more information about the inductees or the QU Sports Hall of Fame, contact Ryan Dowd, QU Director of Sports Information, at 217-228-5475.