Jan. 12, 2001

Photo Gallery | Miami Hall of Fame

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (www.hurricanesports.com) – Seven former University of Miami student-athletes, along with former Miami athletics director Sam Jankovich, comprise the latest inductees to the UM Sports Hall of Fame which will be formally inducted at a banquet to be held February 15.

Joining Jankovich, who served as Miami’s director of athletics from 1983 to 1991, will be Joe Grahe (baseball, 1987-89), Ros Riach (women’s tennis, 1984-87), Melinda Lyverse (women’s swimming, 1977-80), Eric Brown (men’s basketball, 1985-89), Craig Erickson (football, 1987-90), Russell Maryland (football, 1986-90), and John Noppenberg (football, 1937-39).

“The public is invited to help us celebrate the induction of one of the largest and finest classes of inductees in many years,” said Ken Lancaster, Vice President of the UM Sports Hall of Fame.

The inductees will be officially enshrined at a banquet on February 15 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (400 SE 2nd Avenue) in Miami. Tickets are $50 per person ($500 for a table of 10). Cocktails will be served beginning at 6:15 p.m. with dinner to follow at 7 p.m. For more information on the banquet, contact Kenneth G. Lancaster at 305-666-6000 or the University of Miami ticket office at 1-800-GO-CANES.

A closer look at this year’s inductees:

Eric Brown, Men’s Basketball, 1985-89

Few players have had the impact on a sport at Miami that Eric Brown did during the resurrection of Miami’s men’s basketball program from 1985-89. When Miami resumed play in men’s basketball in 1985, after a 14-year hiatus, Brown was the key player for the Hurricanes – a role he continued to fill throughout his UM career. Brown led the Hurricanes in scoring throughout his UM career, in addition to leading UM in steals one year and in rebounds in two seasons. The second-leading scorer in UM history, with 2,270 points, Brown holds UM career records for field goal percentage (.535) and free throw attempts (840). He remains a prominent member of the UM record book, ranking among the all-time leaders in field goals made in a season (255), free throws made (246) and free throws attempted (310).

Craig Erickson, Football, 1987-90

An eighth-place finisher in the Heisman Trophy balloting of 1990, Craig Erickson produced some of the most memorable performances in Miami football history during the Hurricanes’ dominant seasons from 1987-90. Starting the final 18 games of his career, spanning the 1989 and 1990 seasons, Erickson led the Hurricanes to the 1989 national championship in his first season as a starter. With Erickson as the starting quarterback, the Hurricanes were a remarkable 16-2 and captured bowl victories over Alabama (in the 1990 Sugar Bowl for the national title) and Texas (in the 1991 Cotton Bowl Classic). Erickson firmly etched his name among Miami’s elite list of great quarterbacks by passing for 6,056 yards and 46 touchdowns in his career while completing 55.9 percent of his passes. During his senior season of 1990, Erickson won the Johnny Unitas Award recognizing college football’s outstanding quarterback and placed second in the balloting for the Davey O’Brien Award. Erickson left UM the owner of single-game records for pass completions and yardage and total offense, along with single-season marks for attempts, completions, passing yards, total offense and touchdown passes thrown. Erickson went on to a career in the National Football League, playing with Tampa Bay (1992-94), Indianapolis (1995) and the Miami Dolphins (1996-99).

Joe Grahe, Baseball, 1987-89

One of the finest pitchers in the rich history of Miami baseball, Joe Grahe etched his name prominently in the Miami record book during his three seasons at UM after transferring from Palm Beach Junior College. Grahe, who came to UM from Lake Park, Florida, still holds the school record for complete games (11 in 1988 and 10 in 1989) in a season. Grahe also remains the all-time UM career leader in strikeouts with 433 and his 34 career victories still ranks eighth in UM history. Grahe pitched 23 complete games in his UM career, second all-time. His 460.2 innings pitched also is the most by any hurler in Miami history. Grahe set a school record that still stands with 194 strikeouts in the 1989 season, a season in which he set a new school record for fewest hits allowed by a starter with 124 and allowed only 64 earned runs. Grahe was the 1989 NCAA Eastern Region Tournament Most Valuable Player. Grahe was a second round draft pick of the California Angels in 1989.

Sam Jankovich, Athletic Director, 1983-91

He took over direction of the Miami Athletic Department amidst one of the school’s most successful eras, but Sam Jankovich did more than just oversee during an era in which Miami teams won six national titles. Jankovich, a fundraiser of the highest order, fostered impressive growth of UM’s athletics fundraising efforts during his tenure in Coral Gables. Miami teams won national championships in women’s golf (1984), baseball (1985), women’s tennis (doubles, 1986), men’s tennis (singles, 1987) and football (1987 and 1989) during Jankovich’s reign, but his lasting impact on UM athletics is felt in the area of fundraising. Jankovich was instrumental in a four-fold increase in annual gifts to UM athletics during his time as athletic director as the department’s annual gifts rose from $750,000 in 1982 to $3 million in 1990. Major facilities improvements also were a byproduct of Jankovich’s stewardship as the $1.1 million Knight Sports Complex was completed along with the Tom Kearns UM Hall of Fame Building, the Golden Cane Football Office Building, renovation of the Hecht Athletic Center, construction of the Ron Fraser Building for baseball, and additions to the Neil Schiff Tennis Center. Jankovich also was a force in the revival of UM’s men’s basketball program, overseeing the program’s rebirth in 1985 into a nationally competitive program. Jankovich was nationally recognized as one of the leading visionaries in college athletics, as exemplified by his appointment to president of the NCAA Division 1A Athletic Directors and his inclusion on the Executive Board of the College Football Association.

Melinda Lyverse, Women’s Swimming, 1977-80

A standout swimmer at every level of her career, Melinda Lyverse ranks among the finest swimmers ever to compete for the University of Miami. Throughout her career, Lyverse earned a reputation as a superior stroke technician and a swimmer who excelled in the “big meets”. When she completed her collegiate career in 1980, Lyverse had captured 19 All-American honors, third best in school history. An outstanding freestyle sprinter, Lyverse excelled as a member of Miami’s standout relay teams from 1977-80. During her collegiate career, Lyverse helped 12 Miami relay squads earn All-American honors. In 1978, Lyverse garnered seven top-16 finishes at the national championships meet, including three individual finishes and four relay finishes. A seven-time All-American in individual events, Lyverse also garnered three top-12 finishes at the national meet in 1978. Her best individual performance was a third-place finish in the 200-yard freestyle as a freshman in 1977. Lyverse is married to former UM sports information director Karl Schmitt.

Russell Maryland, Football, 1986-90

One of the most intimidating and dominating defensive linemen of his era of college football, Russell Maryland left a legacy of excellence that few will ever match. The first Miami player to win the coveted Outland Trophy (nation’s top interior lineman) in 1990, Maryland captured virtually every award in his grasp during his outstanding senior season. A consensus All-American in 1990, Maryland was a first-team All-America selection by Associated Press, United Press International, Kodak, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, The Football News, and The Sporting News. He also was the UPI’s selection as 1990 College Football Lineman of the Year. Maryland, who finished his UM career with 279 tackles, 25 tackles for losses and 20.5 quarterback sacks, was UM’s Jack Harding Most Valuable Player Award winner in 1990. Maryland, also an excellent student, was inducted into UM’s elite Iron Arrow fraternity before his graduation and was the first player chosen in the 1991 NFL Draft (by the Dallas Cowboys). A native of Chicago, Illinois, Maryland remains an active pro player for the Green Bay Packers. He also played for Dallas (1991-95) and Oakland (1996-99), winning three Super Bowls with the Cowboys.

John Noppenberg, Football, 1937-39

One of the greatest players of the early years of Miami Hurricanes football, John Noppenberg distinguished himself on the football field with his power and fearlessness. Nicknamed “The Mad Bull”, Noppenberg earned his reputation for toughness by seeking out opposing tacklers to punish as he ran with the ball from his fullback position. His 55-yard run against heavily favored Texas Tech in a 19-0 win in 1939 was described as one of the most brilliant plays seen in the early years of the Orange Bowl stadium and his game-winning touchdown in that contest was billed “the most important touchdown of the season”. Noppenberg’s 1939 performance earned the acclaim of his teammates, who honored him with the Frank O. Spain Award for the team’s most valuable player. He also earned a spot on that season’s All-Florida Team and the All-Southeast Team. A versatile player of the single-platoon era, Noppenberg played halfback and fullback for the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers in 1940 and 1941, also seeing some action with the Detroit Lions late in the 1941 season. An excellent all-around player, Noppenberg set school records at UM for yards gained by a fullback and earned special distinction for his punting prowess.

Ros Riach, Women’s Tennis, 1984-87

A three-time All-American, Ros Riach was one of the key figures in building the Hurricane women’s tennis program into a national title contender during the mid-1980s. Riach compiled a four-year doubles record of 80-14 (.851 winning percentage) while playing mostly with partner Cathy Richmond. Her career singles record was an impressive 80-41 (.661) at UM. A four-year qualifier for the NCAA Championships, Riach was captain of Miami’s 1985 team that finished second at the NCAA Championships and also was team captain of the 1986 squad that attained a No. 3 national ranking. Riach reached the doubles semifinals at the 1984 NCAA Championships and the quarterfinals in doubles at the NCAA tournaments in 1985 and 1986. In 1985, Riach was selected by the nation’s collegiate tennis coaches to the All-Star All-American Team. Following her graduation, Riach returned to UM to serve as head women’s tennis coach in 1989 and 1990. She is married to former Miami sports information director Rich Dalrymple, now the communications director for the Dallas Cowboys.