2009 Hall of Fame Class

2009 HALL OF FAME CLASS

	DEE DEE (FORTMAN) JOHNSON, WOMEN'S TRACK & FIELD Dee Dee (Fortman) Johnson, who was a two-time NCAA qualifier for the UMKC track and field program, was selected as both the Mid-Con Indoor and Outdoor Athlete of the Year in 2000. During her career in Kansas City, Johnson won a total of eight Mid-Con events, six of which came in the long and triple jump events. She is still the UMKC school record holder in the indoor and outdoor triple jump and the pentathlon.
	MICHAEL JACKSON, MEN'S BASKETBALL Michael Jackson was the first UMKC men's basketball player in school history to be selected as the Mid-Con Player and Newcomer of the Year, as he earned the accolade during the same season in 2000. The three-time Mid-Con all-Conference selection (two-time first team) finished his career as the school record in career blocks (138), while also netting 1,443 career points.
	JULIE (NILL) WILSON, WOMEN'S BASKETBALL Julie (Nill) Wilson was a two-time NAIA Honorable Mention all-America selection from 1982-84, while also being a three-time NAIA all-District 16 selection (1981-84). Wilson also received the NAIA Frank L. Hesselroth Award, which was given for academic and community achievement as well as athletic endeavors.
	AMANDA RICE, SOFTBALL Amanda Rice of the UMKC softball program was a three-time First Team all-Mid-Con selection from 1999-2001. The catcher finished her career as the school record holder in hits (201), doubles (47), runs batted in (97) and home runs (14). She was also named to the Mid-Con all-Tournament team in 1999.
	ANGELO VASILESCU, MEN'S TENNIS Angelo Vasilescu of the men's tennis program was selected as the Mid-Con Player and Newcomer of the Year in 1999. The three-time First Team all-Mid-Con selection led the 'Roos to a pair of Mid-Con regular season titles (1999, 2000). He also guided UMKC to a pair of Mid-Con Tournament titles and NCAA Tournament berths, including the program's first ever NCAA appearance in 1999.
	BILL ROSS, FORMER MEN'S BASKETBALL & MEN'S GOLF HEAD COACH Bill Ross, a former men's basketball coach and men's golf coach for the 'Roos, was the first men's basketball coach in school history during the 1969-70 season. Ross, who was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, also coached the men's golf program for 35 years, where he guided the squad to a pair of Mid-Con runner-up finishes. Ross also recruited and coached GCAA Honorable Mention all-America selection and 2008 UMKC Athletics Hall of Fame honoree Robert Russell.
	VICTOR F. SWYDEN, SUPPORTER/FRIEND OF PROGRAM Victor F. Swyden, a former Kansas City councilman and UMKC supporter, headed a task force that guided the Kangaroos from NAIA to NCAA Division I in the 1980's. Swyden was also the receipent of the Golden Torch Award in 1993, which is one of the highest honors given by UMKC to an individual. Swyden is also the name sake of the Victor F. Swyden Athletics Training Facility, which opened in 1999.