Photo Gallery

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri State University inducted its 2013 Athletics Hall of Fame Class during a special dinner and ceremony Friday night at the Show Me Center.

A crowd of approximately 300 was in attendance to honor the Kohlfeld Family (Friends of the Redhawks), Kathleen Hudson (Track & Field, 1979-1981, 1983), Dan Connolly (Football, 2001-2004), Miles Smith (Track & Field, 2004-2008), Eugene Amano (2000-2003) and the 1996 Volleyball Team. This year's class brings Southeast's Hall of Fame to a total of 81 individuals and 16 teams.

The Kohlfeld Family was the first to be inducted in the Friends of the Redhawks portion of the Hall of Fame. The Kohlfeld Family, along with their Beverage Distributing Company, has proved and supported countless events benefiting Southeast Athletics. The long-standing relationship began many years ago and has endured a mascot change, administrative changes and renaming of the booster club. The Kohlfeld Family is genuinely an essential part of the Redhawks Athletics family.

Hudson began her career at Southeast in 1978-79 and helped lay the foundation for the women's track and field program that has remained strong and extremely competitive for the past 35 years. During her time at Southeast, Hudson became an Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women two-time All-American in 1981. She ran on, and almost always anchored teams that broke 13 school records (nine in the mile relay, three in the 880 yard/800m medley relay, and one in the 400m dash).

Connolly was a four-year starting offensive tackle at Southeast and was a Second-Team All-Conference selection each of his four college seasons. He finished his career with 46-consecutive starts. As a junior, Connolly started every game at offensive tackle and allowed only one sack. He became the first Southeast football player to play in a Super Bowl when he suited up with the New England Patriots against the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI.

Smith was a five-time All-American in the 400m, earning the prestigious honors in 2005, 2006 and 2008. He was named the Ohio Valley Conference Male Track Athlete of the Year four times (2005 indoors, 2006 indoors & outdoors and 2008 indoors). Southeast enjoyed tremendous team success with Smith, winning OVC Outdoor Championships in 2005, 2006 and 2008. He won seven individual OVC Championships in his collegiate career and was named the 2006 OVC Athlete of the Championship at the OVC Indoor Track & Field Championships. Smith was also an elite competitor on the international stage. He ran for the United States National Team in the 2005 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland, where he won a gold medal with the 4x400m relay team.

Amano played every game in college, starting every contest from midway through his freshman year through his senior campaign. He began his career as a guard before transitioning to center as a junior. As a senior, Amano won the I-AA Dave Rimington Award, given annually to the top center in college football at each level of competition. He was also a First-Team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association, The NFL Draft Report and Football Gazette. Amano was named Second-Team All-Ohio Valley Conference his sophomore and junior seasons. He was a seventh-round draft pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2004. Amano spent nine seasons and played 124 games for the franchise.

The 1996 volleyball team was the first to go undefeated in conference play in the program's history. The team went 28-8 overall and a perfect 18-0 en route to its fourth-straight OVC championship. Southeast head coach Cindy Gannon was named OVC Coach of the Year and setter Tuba Meto was the league's Player of the Year. Four others, including Leanne Huffman, Theresa Sebacher, Erin Willrich and Angie Ashoff earned All-OVC honors. Southeast hosted Valparaiso in the NCAA play-in game and secured its first NCAA Tournament berth with a 3-1 win. Southeast later ended its season with a 3-0 loss at USC in the first round of the tournament. Southeast set seven team records which still stand today. Susie Thompson, Huffman and Sebacher all finished their careers with over 1,000 kills, marking the first time in NCAA history that had been done.

Members of the 2013 Hall of Fame Class will be introduced at halftime of Southeast's men's basketball game against Eastern Illinois Saturday. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m., CT.