OLYMPIA, Wash. – In recognition of The Evergreen State College’s 40th anniversary, the Evergreen State College has announced the inaugural class of the Recreation and Athletics Hall of Fame.  The first four, who will be formally inducted on May 18, are Sarah Applegate ’92, Mike Denoyer ’75, Pete Steilberg and Willi Unsoeld.

The inaugural class was chosen specifically to embody the history of recreation and athletics at Evergreen. These four individuals left unique legacies and it is fair to say that the recreational and athletic opportunities at Evergreen would not be the same, or even existent, without their footprints.

From taking on the administrative role of forming a recreational and intercollegiate athletics program at Evergreen to being a member of the founding faculty to providing countless students with a once-in-a-lifetime experience to being the first ever All-American in school history, these four represent what we hope recreation and athletics will be at Evergreen for the foreseeable future.

Sarah Applegate ’92, MiT ’95 – The first All-American in school history, she swam for the Geoducks while earning both her undergraduate and graduate degreees at Evergreen.  Currently the librarian at River Ridge High School in Lacey, she was awarded a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching grant to study school libraries in Finland.

Mike Denoyer ’75 – Among the first graduates in Evergreen history, owns and operates Grand Canyon Expeditions, offering expeditions down the Colorado River for many years.

Pete Steilberg – Considered by most to be the father of recreation and athletics at The Evergreen State College.  Former director of recreation and athletics and cross country coach. Retired in 1999.

Willi Unsoeld – Founding faculty member at The Evergreen State College. Part of first American expedition to summit Mount Everest, reaching the peak on May 22, 1963. Died in an avalanche during a winter climb of Mount Rainier in March 1979.

For information regarding the Evergreen Recreation and Athletics Hall of Fame, including how to nominate future honorees, visit http://evergreen.edu/athletics/halloffame/.