Five Greats to Be Inducted Into Athletics Hall of Fame
6/21/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball, Men's Water Polo, Track, Women's Tennis, Hall of Fame
MALIBU, Calif. -- Olympians, All-Americans and a long-time administrator will be inducted into the Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame this fall, as the department announced the five honorees that will make up the class of 2017 today.
The inductees will include Vilma Charlton (women's track), Paul Faries (baseball), Angela Lawrence (women's tennis), Jesse Smith (men's water polo) and Michael Zapolski (administration).
The ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 15, in Firestone Fieldhouse. Check-in and a reception will begin at 5 p.m., with dinner and the awards presentation at 6 p.m. Tickets are $60 per plate and can be purchased online at this Eventbrite site.
"The annual Hall of Fame ceremony is always one of my favorite events of the year," said Pepperdine Director of Athletics Dr. Steve Potts. "We are very pleased to be able to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of these five outstanding alums, who contributed so much to the success and legacy of their programs and the department."
The Pepperdine Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1980. This year's group will join 120 individuals, 14 teams and eight special achievement recipients that have already been enshrined.
To be eligible for induction, nominees must have competed, coached for or rendered an extraordinary service to Pepperdine University Athletics. After a list of nominations was gathered, Pepperdine's Hall of Fame Committee made the decision on this year's inductees.
Here is more information on the newest Pepperdine Hall of Famers:
Vilma Charlton, Women's Track
Attended Pepperdine in the 1960s and earned bachelor's and master's degrees ... Attended Pepperdine prior to women's intercollegiate sports being added ... Ran at the 1964, 1968 and 1972 Olympics for her native Jamaica ... Won medals at the Pan American Games and Commonwealth Games ... Currently a fourth
Paul Faries, Baseball
Played four seasons (1984-87) ... An outfielder from Moraga, Calif. ... A 1987 All-American third team selection by the ABCA ... 1987 WCC co-Player of the Year ... Two-time All-WCC first team and once on the second team ... Batted better than .300 all four years as a Wave, including .350 as a sophomore, .356 as a junior and .348 as a senior ... Had career totals of a .341 batting average, 11 home
Angela Lawrence, Women's Tennis
Played four seasons (1995-96 through 1998-99) ... From Kingsgrove, Australia ... Pepperdine's second four-time All-American in the sport of women's tennis ... Made All-WCC singles twice and doubles three times ... Final national doubles rankings in top 10 all four years (#5 in 1996) ... Made quarterfinals of 1996 and 1999 NCAA doubles tournaments ... Was #25 in final 1999 singles rankings and #30 in 1998 ... Won doubles titles at the 1997 Riviera event and 1996 Rolex Regional ...
Jesse Smith, Men's Water Polo
Played for four seasons (2001-03, 05) ... From Coronado, Calif. ... Four-time All-American (2002, 2003 and 2005 first team, 2001 second team) ... Four-time All-MPSF first team ... Scored 213 career goals (#8 all-time when he finished, now #9) ... Led the team in goals in 2005 (51), 2003 (55) and 2002 (65) ...
Michael Zapolski, Administration
Spent 20 years as an administrator in the athletic department ... Graduated from Pepperdine in 1985, but started as the Sports Information Director in 1983 while he was still a student ... Promoted to Assistant Athletics Director in 1999 and to Associate Athletics Director in 2001 ... Had oversight of several teams and the athletic training, facilities,
