BGSU Athletics To Recognize 13 Members Of Cast Of Honor
September 12, 2011 | General
Bowling Green, Ohio – The Bowling Green State University Department of Athletics has announced the creation of the Cast of Honor, recognizing the jerseys of 13 former student-athletes who have excelled in competition. The jerseys of these 13 student-athletes will be hung in the athletic venue in which their sport competes.
Three #3 jerseys in hockey will be honored as that number was worn by Ken Morrow, Rob Blake, and Garry Galley. In men's basketball, the jerseys of four former student-athletes will be honored in #7 Wyndol Gray, #30 Howard Komives, #33 Antonio Daniels, and #55 James Darrow. In football, four jerseys will also be honored in #7 Erik White, #8 Cris Shale, #9 Dave Preston, and #31 Brian Leaver. In women's basketball, #43 Jackie Motycka will be honored and in volleyball, #1 Linda Popovich will be honored.
These 13 student-athletes will join with five who have already had their jerseys honored throughout the history of Bowling Green Athletics – #42 Nate Thurmond (men's basketball), #29 Paul Miles (football), #9 George McPhee (hockey), #19 Nelson Emerson (hockey), and #19 Brian Holzinger (hockey).
“Honoring the jerseys of a few of our select greats helps recognize their outstanding accomplishments,” Director of Athletics Greg Christopher said. “The jerseys that we honor will be a permanent reminder to our current student-athletes of the people before them who helped create a legacy. We look forward to working with our first cast members to bring them back and honor their accomplishments.”
The criteria for selecting the 13 student-athletes who would be included in the Cast of Honor was extensive. The nominee must have received his or her undergraduate degree from BGSU or, in the event of early pursuit of a professional career, must have been a student in good academic standing and made significant progress towards a degree. The candidate must have been at least 10 years removed from graduation and be a member of the BGSU Athletics Hall of Fame, and must have exceptional athletic qualifications such as national award recognition, All-American status, and/or conference player of the year status. Finally, personal conduct, character, integrity, and community and University standing were considered.
An eight-person committee was charged with choosing which jerseys to honor and fans were encouraged to submit nominations online at BGSUFalcons.com or through e-mail or letters. The committee consisted of BGSU Director of Athletics Greg Christopher, Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Communications Jason Knavel, Director of Major Gifts Jane Myers, former BGSU Director of Athletics and former Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jim Lessig, former editor of the Toledo Blade Tom Walton, former BGSU Alumni Director Larry Weiss, former BGSU Director of Athletics Ron Zwierlein, and former tennis student-athlete Karen Driftmyer-Drenth, representing the Former Athlete Advisory Committee.
While honored jerseys will be hung immediately in the venue in which his or her team competes, each former student-athlete will be honored as they are able to return to campus throughout the next few years. The phrase Cast of Honor was chosen as a group of falcons are known as a “cast”.
Biographies are listed below for each of the 13 newly honored athletes as well as the five who have previously had jerseys honored.
#3 Ken Morrow (Hockey)
Ken Morrow made his presence felt early on the campus of Bowling Green State University, playing in every game as a freshman. Upon the conclusion of his freshman season, he was named to the All-CCHA team. Morrow was then selected as the CCHA Player of the Year for the 1978-79 season. He was named to the 1980 26-man Olympic roster, and went on to make history as a defenseman for the “Miracle on Ice”. After Morrow's gold medal in the 1980 Olympic games, he was drafted by the New York Islanders, helping them to their first ever Stanley Cup championship in 1980. Morrow and the Islanders went on the win the Stanley Cup the next three seasons as well. During his illustrious career, Morrow was a part of much success—three NCAA tournament appearances, four Stanley Cup champions, and an Olympic gold medal.
#3 Rob Blake (Hockey)
Rob Blake was one of the top defensemen in the National Hockey League, and may also be the finest blue-liner in BGSU's hockey history. Blake earned second team All-CCHA honors in 1988-89, helping the Falcons into the CCHA Championships for the eighth consecutive season. The honors poured in for Blake following his final season as a Falcon, as he was named the CCHA's Best Offensive Defenseman, earned First Team all-league honors, and was named to the CCHA All-Tournament team. He also added the BGSU Team MVP award to that list. The top honor that season, though, came when Blake was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. Drafted in the fourth round of the 1988 draft, Blake was the recipient of the Norris Trophy, given to the NHL's top defenseman, in 1998. He was also a member of Team Canada for the winter Olympics in 1998. In 2001, Blake won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. The following season, Blake became the third Falcon icer to win Olympic gold, when Canada took gold in Salt Lake City.
#3 Garry Galley (Hockey)
Garry Galley was one of the top collegiate players during his three years at BGSU. Galley played a big role in the Falcons winning Central Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season titles in each of his three seasons. BGSU compiled a 66-16-6 (.767) league mark during his three years, while qualifying for the NCAA Tournament twice. Galley was an integral part of the 1984 team, which took home Bowling Green's first and only National Championship. Galley was named to the all-tournament team at the national tournament in Lake Placid, N.Y. and went on to play in the NHL. He played for both Los Angeles and Washington in addition to helping lead Boston to the Stanley Cup Finals.
#33 Antonio Daniels (Men's Basketball)
Antonio Daniels was named the MAC Freshman of the Year following the 1993-94 season. His contributions to the Falcons didn't stop after his freshman season though, as he was named MAC Player of the Year following the 1996-97 season. Daniels led the Falcons to the Mid-American Conference regular season championship in 1996-97 as well. Following his senior season, Daniels was drafted fourth overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies. He has bounced around the NBA, contributing to successful seasons with the Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle Supersonics, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Hornets, and is currently with the Philadelphia 76ers.
#30 Howard Komives (Men's Basketball)
Howard “Butch” Komives had as much success as any Falcon has ever had on the basketball court. Teaming up with Nate Thurmond, Komives helped lead the Falcons to back-to-back MAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in 1962 and 1963. In each of his three seasons, Komives led the Falcons in scoring. During the 1963-64 season, Komives led the NCAA in scoring, at 36.7 points per game. Komives was drafted by the New York Knicks with the 13th overall pick of the 1964 draft. He averaged 10.2 points per game over his ten-year career with the Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Buffalo Braves, and Kansas City-Omaha Kings.
#55 James Darrow (Men's Basketball)
James Darrow was one of the best scorers in Bowling Green State University history. Ranking fifth all-time with 1,740 points, Darrow led the Falcons to their first ever NCAA Tournament berth in 1959. In 1960, Darrow's 29.4 scoring average landed him on the All-America team, as well as a spot as an alternate with the U.S. Olympic team. Darrow's career average of 24.1 points per game ranks him second in BGSU history, behind only Howard Komives. Darrow was drafted in the fifth round of the 1960 draft by the St. Louis Hawks.
#7 Wyndol Gray (Men's Basketball)
Wyndol Gray made his mark on BGSU basketball as early as his freshman year, when he set the freshman Ohio collegiate scoring record and was selected to the All-Ohio team. After a year with the Great Lakes NTS, Gray returned to BG in 1944 as a Naval V-12 trainee. That season, he was named All-Ohio, as well as a first team All-American. Gray was a part of the first Boston Celtics team in 1946, while also playing with the St. Louis Bombers and Toledo Jeeps.
#7 Erik White (Football)
Erik White led the Falcons during back-to-back successful seasons, leading BGSU to MAC titles and bowl berths in 1991 and 1992. White was named both the MAC's Offensive Player of the Year and first team all-conference in both of those seasons. He finished his career with 6,072 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, completing 515-of-950 career tosses.
#9 Dave Preston (Football)
Dave Preston is the all-time leading rusher for the Falcons with 3,423 career rushing yards. As a sophomore, Preston was a first team All-MAC selection and received honorable mention All-America honors. Injuries plagued Preston's junior season, yet he still made an impact as a second team All-MAC performer. He completed his career with 39 touchdowns, the most in school history at that time and currently the second-most at Bowling Green. Preston was drafted by the New England Patriots, and went on to play for the Denver Broncos.
#43 Jackie Motycka (Women's Basketball)
Jackie Motycka is one of the most recognizable names in BGSU women's basketball history. Her 2,122 career points ranks second all-time at BGSU, behind only Lauren Prochaska. Motycka is one of only two players to be named a first team All-MAC selection in all four seasons. Motycka was twice Mid American Conference Player of the Year. She led the Falcons to an unprecedented three NCAA Tournament berths during her time with the Orange and Brown.
#1 Linda Popovich (Volleyball)
Linda Popovich is one of the best student-athletes to ever attend BGSU. On the court, as a setter, she was a three-time All-MAC selection. Popovich was the MAC Freshman of the Year in 1986, MAC Player of the Year in 1989, as well as second team All-Mideast in 1989. Popovich never missed a match during her successful career at Bowling Green.
#31 Brian Leaver (Football)
Brian Leaver was an All-American kicker who left BGSU with many career records. He set the school career marks for points (247), extra points made (115), and extra points attempted (118), while tying the career record for field goals made at 44. As a senior, Leaver was an All-America pick by both the Associated Press and Football News.
#8 Cris Shale (Football)
Cris Shale became the most decorated football player in BG history following the 1990 season, when he was named to five different All-America teams. He was honored on the first team by the Associated Press, Football News and the American Football Coaches Association, and second team by the UPI and Sporting News. For the Associated Press honor, Shale was invited to appear on the Bob Hope Christmas Special and be introduced as an All-American in front of a national television audience. In the 1990 season, Shale set four MAC records, including season (46.77) and career (43.09) punting average. Three of his games that season topped the Bowling Green record book for punt yardage in a game. Shale was drafted in the 10th round by the Washington Redskins in the 1991 NFL Draft.
#42 Nate Thurmond (Men's Basketball)
Nate Thurmond was an All-American center on two Mid-American Conference Championship basketball teams at Bowling Green and went on to be named one of the top 50 players in NBA history. In college, Thurmond was a three-time unanimous first-team All-MAC selection and is the only player in history to lead the league in rebounding three times. His name is littered throughout the Bowling Green record book, ranking first in career rebounds and 18th in career scoring. He averaged 17.0 rebounds per game during his collegiate career. He went on to play 12 seasons with the Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 15 points and 15 rebounds per game over his 964-game career. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star and was voted to the NBA's All-Defensive team five times. Thurmond was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1985 and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. His jersey number, 42, was retired by the Warriors and the Cavaliers.
#29 Paul Miles (Football)
Paul Miles was possibly the best running back to play in the Mid-American Conference up to the time of his graduation in 1974. Miles was the career rushing leader in the MAC following his senior year and his total of 3,239 yards is still ninth on the MAC list and second in BGSU history. Miles, who had a career average of 108 yards rushing per game, was just the third running back in NCAA history to record three seasons of better than 1,000 yards while he finished his career ninth on the NCAA's yardage list.
#9 George McPhee (Hockey)
George McPhee was the nation's top hockey player during the 1982 season, and thus was rewarded with the Hobey Baker Award following that season. McPhee had stints in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets, playing five seasons with the New York Rangers. McPhee burst on the scene as a Falcon in 1978-79, leading the team and the CCHA in scoring with 88 points as a freshman. To this day, that remains a BG scoring record for rookies, and it earned him the honor of CCHA Rookie of the Year. A two-time team captain, McPhee earned All-American and All-CCHA honors as a senior. McPhee was the first in a long line of Hobey Baker Award winners to play in the CCHA.
#19 Nelson Emerson (Hockey)
Nelson Emerson was one of the top offensive players to ever play on the collegiate level. He ended his career sixth on the all-time NCAA career scoring list with 294 points, 24 more points than any player in school history and the most ever by a player in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. One of three players in school history to earn All-American honors twice, Emerson is the BG career leader in points. Emerson played with Winnipeg and St. Louis during his time in the NHL, while playing with Peoria during his stint in the International Hockey League.
#19 Brian Holzinger (Hockey)
Brian Holzinger capped a stellar BGSU career by being named the 1995 recipient of the Hobey Baker Award. Holzinger's long list of accolades also includes the 1994-95 CCHA Player of the Year award. He finished his career with 102 goals and 185 points. A three-time Academic All-CCHA choice, he also earned Academic All-District honors. He was a unanimous First Team All-CCHA pick as a senior, and was an all-league second-team selection as a sophomore, after scoring 57 points to lead the team. Holzinger, a sixth-round selection by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, played professional hockey for Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Columbus in the NHL. In 2001, Holzinger was named to the CCHA's All-Decade Team for the 1990s.
Three #3 jerseys in hockey will be honored as that number was worn by Ken Morrow, Rob Blake, and Garry Galley. In men's basketball, the jerseys of four former student-athletes will be honored in #7 Wyndol Gray, #30 Howard Komives, #33 Antonio Daniels, and #55 James Darrow. In football, four jerseys will also be honored in #7 Erik White, #8 Cris Shale, #9 Dave Preston, and #31 Brian Leaver. In women's basketball, #43 Jackie Motycka will be honored and in volleyball, #1 Linda Popovich will be honored.
These 13 student-athletes will join with five who have already had their jerseys honored throughout the history of Bowling Green Athletics – #42 Nate Thurmond (men's basketball), #29 Paul Miles (football), #9 George McPhee (hockey), #19 Nelson Emerson (hockey), and #19 Brian Holzinger (hockey).
“Honoring the jerseys of a few of our select greats helps recognize their outstanding accomplishments,” Director of Athletics Greg Christopher said. “The jerseys that we honor will be a permanent reminder to our current student-athletes of the people before them who helped create a legacy. We look forward to working with our first cast members to bring them back and honor their accomplishments.”
The criteria for selecting the 13 student-athletes who would be included in the Cast of Honor was extensive. The nominee must have received his or her undergraduate degree from BGSU or, in the event of early pursuit of a professional career, must have been a student in good academic standing and made significant progress towards a degree. The candidate must have been at least 10 years removed from graduation and be a member of the BGSU Athletics Hall of Fame, and must have exceptional athletic qualifications such as national award recognition, All-American status, and/or conference player of the year status. Finally, personal conduct, character, integrity, and community and University standing were considered.
An eight-person committee was charged with choosing which jerseys to honor and fans were encouraged to submit nominations online at BGSUFalcons.com or through e-mail or letters. The committee consisted of BGSU Director of Athletics Greg Christopher, Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Communications Jason Knavel, Director of Major Gifts Jane Myers, former BGSU Director of Athletics and former Mid-American Conference Commissioner Jim Lessig, former editor of the Toledo Blade Tom Walton, former BGSU Alumni Director Larry Weiss, former BGSU Director of Athletics Ron Zwierlein, and former tennis student-athlete Karen Driftmyer-Drenth, representing the Former Athlete Advisory Committee.
While honored jerseys will be hung immediately in the venue in which his or her team competes, each former student-athlete will be honored as they are able to return to campus throughout the next few years. The phrase Cast of Honor was chosen as a group of falcons are known as a “cast”.
Biographies are listed below for each of the 13 newly honored athletes as well as the five who have previously had jerseys honored.
NEW HONOREES
#3 Ken Morrow (Hockey)
Ken Morrow made his presence felt early on the campus of Bowling Green State University, playing in every game as a freshman. Upon the conclusion of his freshman season, he was named to the All-CCHA team. Morrow was then selected as the CCHA Player of the Year for the 1978-79 season. He was named to the 1980 26-man Olympic roster, and went on to make history as a defenseman for the “Miracle on Ice”. After Morrow's gold medal in the 1980 Olympic games, he was drafted by the New York Islanders, helping them to their first ever Stanley Cup championship in 1980. Morrow and the Islanders went on the win the Stanley Cup the next three seasons as well. During his illustrious career, Morrow was a part of much success—three NCAA tournament appearances, four Stanley Cup champions, and an Olympic gold medal.
#3 Rob Blake (Hockey)
Rob Blake was one of the top defensemen in the National Hockey League, and may also be the finest blue-liner in BGSU's hockey history. Blake earned second team All-CCHA honors in 1988-89, helping the Falcons into the CCHA Championships for the eighth consecutive season. The honors poured in for Blake following his final season as a Falcon, as he was named the CCHA's Best Offensive Defenseman, earned First Team all-league honors, and was named to the CCHA All-Tournament team. He also added the BGSU Team MVP award to that list. The top honor that season, though, came when Blake was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. Drafted in the fourth round of the 1988 draft, Blake was the recipient of the Norris Trophy, given to the NHL's top defenseman, in 1998. He was also a member of Team Canada for the winter Olympics in 1998. In 2001, Blake won the Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche. The following season, Blake became the third Falcon icer to win Olympic gold, when Canada took gold in Salt Lake City.
#3 Garry Galley (Hockey)
Garry Galley was one of the top collegiate players during his three years at BGSU. Galley played a big role in the Falcons winning Central Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season titles in each of his three seasons. BGSU compiled a 66-16-6 (.767) league mark during his three years, while qualifying for the NCAA Tournament twice. Galley was an integral part of the 1984 team, which took home Bowling Green's first and only National Championship. Galley was named to the all-tournament team at the national tournament in Lake Placid, N.Y. and went on to play in the NHL. He played for both Los Angeles and Washington in addition to helping lead Boston to the Stanley Cup Finals.
#33 Antonio Daniels (Men's Basketball)
Antonio Daniels was named the MAC Freshman of the Year following the 1993-94 season. His contributions to the Falcons didn't stop after his freshman season though, as he was named MAC Player of the Year following the 1996-97 season. Daniels led the Falcons to the Mid-American Conference regular season championship in 1996-97 as well. Following his senior season, Daniels was drafted fourth overall by the Vancouver Grizzlies. He has bounced around the NBA, contributing to successful seasons with the Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs, Portland Trail Blazers, Seattle Supersonics, Washington Wizards, New Orleans Hornets, and is currently with the Philadelphia 76ers.
#30 Howard Komives (Men's Basketball)
Howard “Butch” Komives had as much success as any Falcon has ever had on the basketball court. Teaming up with Nate Thurmond, Komives helped lead the Falcons to back-to-back MAC Championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in 1962 and 1963. In each of his three seasons, Komives led the Falcons in scoring. During the 1963-64 season, Komives led the NCAA in scoring, at 36.7 points per game. Komives was drafted by the New York Knicks with the 13th overall pick of the 1964 draft. He averaged 10.2 points per game over his ten-year career with the Knicks, Detroit Pistons, Buffalo Braves, and Kansas City-Omaha Kings.
#55 James Darrow (Men's Basketball)
James Darrow was one of the best scorers in Bowling Green State University history. Ranking fifth all-time with 1,740 points, Darrow led the Falcons to their first ever NCAA Tournament berth in 1959. In 1960, Darrow's 29.4 scoring average landed him on the All-America team, as well as a spot as an alternate with the U.S. Olympic team. Darrow's career average of 24.1 points per game ranks him second in BGSU history, behind only Howard Komives. Darrow was drafted in the fifth round of the 1960 draft by the St. Louis Hawks.
#7 Wyndol Gray (Men's Basketball)
Wyndol Gray made his mark on BGSU basketball as early as his freshman year, when he set the freshman Ohio collegiate scoring record and was selected to the All-Ohio team. After a year with the Great Lakes NTS, Gray returned to BG in 1944 as a Naval V-12 trainee. That season, he was named All-Ohio, as well as a first team All-American. Gray was a part of the first Boston Celtics team in 1946, while also playing with the St. Louis Bombers and Toledo Jeeps.
#7 Erik White (Football)
Erik White led the Falcons during back-to-back successful seasons, leading BGSU to MAC titles and bowl berths in 1991 and 1992. White was named both the MAC's Offensive Player of the Year and first team all-conference in both of those seasons. He finished his career with 6,072 passing yards and 39 touchdowns, completing 515-of-950 career tosses.
#9 Dave Preston (Football)
Dave Preston is the all-time leading rusher for the Falcons with 3,423 career rushing yards. As a sophomore, Preston was a first team All-MAC selection and received honorable mention All-America honors. Injuries plagued Preston's junior season, yet he still made an impact as a second team All-MAC performer. He completed his career with 39 touchdowns, the most in school history at that time and currently the second-most at Bowling Green. Preston was drafted by the New England Patriots, and went on to play for the Denver Broncos.
#43 Jackie Motycka (Women's Basketball)
Jackie Motycka is one of the most recognizable names in BGSU women's basketball history. Her 2,122 career points ranks second all-time at BGSU, behind only Lauren Prochaska. Motycka is one of only two players to be named a first team All-MAC selection in all four seasons. Motycka was twice Mid American Conference Player of the Year. She led the Falcons to an unprecedented three NCAA Tournament berths during her time with the Orange and Brown.
#1 Linda Popovich (Volleyball)
Linda Popovich is one of the best student-athletes to ever attend BGSU. On the court, as a setter, she was a three-time All-MAC selection. Popovich was the MAC Freshman of the Year in 1986, MAC Player of the Year in 1989, as well as second team All-Mideast in 1989. Popovich never missed a match during her successful career at Bowling Green.
#31 Brian Leaver (Football)
Brian Leaver was an All-American kicker who left BGSU with many career records. He set the school career marks for points (247), extra points made (115), and extra points attempted (118), while tying the career record for field goals made at 44. As a senior, Leaver was an All-America pick by both the Associated Press and Football News.
#8 Cris Shale (Football)
Cris Shale became the most decorated football player in BG history following the 1990 season, when he was named to five different All-America teams. He was honored on the first team by the Associated Press, Football News and the American Football Coaches Association, and second team by the UPI and Sporting News. For the Associated Press honor, Shale was invited to appear on the Bob Hope Christmas Special and be introduced as an All-American in front of a national television audience. In the 1990 season, Shale set four MAC records, including season (46.77) and career (43.09) punting average. Three of his games that season topped the Bowling Green record book for punt yardage in a game. Shale was drafted in the 10th round by the Washington Redskins in the 1991 NFL Draft.
FIVE PREVIOUS HONOREES
#42 Nate Thurmond (Men's Basketball)
Nate Thurmond was an All-American center on two Mid-American Conference Championship basketball teams at Bowling Green and went on to be named one of the top 50 players in NBA history. In college, Thurmond was a three-time unanimous first-team All-MAC selection and is the only player in history to lead the league in rebounding three times. His name is littered throughout the Bowling Green record book, ranking first in career rebounds and 18th in career scoring. He averaged 17.0 rebounds per game during his collegiate career. He went on to play 12 seasons with the Warriors, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 15 points and 15 rebounds per game over his 964-game career. He was a seven-time NBA All-Star and was voted to the NBA's All-Defensive team five times. Thurmond was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 1985 and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History in 1996. His jersey number, 42, was retired by the Warriors and the Cavaliers.
#29 Paul Miles (Football)
Paul Miles was possibly the best running back to play in the Mid-American Conference up to the time of his graduation in 1974. Miles was the career rushing leader in the MAC following his senior year and his total of 3,239 yards is still ninth on the MAC list and second in BGSU history. Miles, who had a career average of 108 yards rushing per game, was just the third running back in NCAA history to record three seasons of better than 1,000 yards while he finished his career ninth on the NCAA's yardage list.
#9 George McPhee (Hockey)
George McPhee was the nation's top hockey player during the 1982 season, and thus was rewarded with the Hobey Baker Award following that season. McPhee had stints in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets, playing five seasons with the New York Rangers. McPhee burst on the scene as a Falcon in 1978-79, leading the team and the CCHA in scoring with 88 points as a freshman. To this day, that remains a BG scoring record for rookies, and it earned him the honor of CCHA Rookie of the Year. A two-time team captain, McPhee earned All-American and All-CCHA honors as a senior. McPhee was the first in a long line of Hobey Baker Award winners to play in the CCHA.
#19 Nelson Emerson (Hockey)
Nelson Emerson was one of the top offensive players to ever play on the collegiate level. He ended his career sixth on the all-time NCAA career scoring list with 294 points, 24 more points than any player in school history and the most ever by a player in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. One of three players in school history to earn All-American honors twice, Emerson is the BG career leader in points. Emerson played with Winnipeg and St. Louis during his time in the NHL, while playing with Peoria during his stint in the International Hockey League.
#19 Brian Holzinger (Hockey)
Brian Holzinger capped a stellar BGSU career by being named the 1995 recipient of the Hobey Baker Award. Holzinger's long list of accolades also includes the 1994-95 CCHA Player of the Year award. He finished his career with 102 goals and 185 points. A three-time Academic All-CCHA choice, he also earned Academic All-District honors. He was a unanimous First Team All-CCHA pick as a senior, and was an all-league second-team selection as a sophomore, after scoring 57 points to lead the team. Holzinger, a sixth-round selection by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft, played professional hockey for Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Columbus in the NHL. In 2001, Holzinger was named to the CCHA's All-Decade Team for the 1990s.
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