UMKC Announces Eighth Athletics Hall of Fame Class
12/16/2015 1:19:00 PM | General, Athletics
(Kansas City, Mo.) – UMKC Athletics announced the 2015-16 Hall of Fame class on December 4, 2015. It is the eighth class in Missouri-Kansas City history, with six individuals and one team making up the group.
Joining the Hall of Fame this year is Carrie (McCann) Gabriel (women's track and field and cross country, 1997-2000), Chazny Morris (women's basketball, 2006-10) and Eric Parrish (men's soccer, 1996-99) from the modern era; Dave Smith (men's basketball, 1969-73) from the early era; Geoff Masanet (track and field/cross country, 1997-2002) in the coaches category; Linda Lawrence in the friend/contributor category; and the 2000 men's track and field squad in the team category.
The official induction and dinner will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, January 29, 2016 at Pierson Auditorium on the UMKC campus. For tickets, please contact Cassie Molitoris at (816) 235-6170 or molitorisc@umkc.edu by Monday, Jan. 25th, 2016. The cost per ticket is $50, or $350 for a table of eight.
Inductees will also be recognized during halftime of the men's basketball game on Saturday, January 30. The 'Roos will play Chicago State at 2:05 p.m at Municipal Auditorium. Tickets to the games can be purchased by calling 844-UMKC-FAN or by going to www.UMKCKangaroos.com/tickets.
Modern Era
Carrie (McCann) Gabriel – Women's Track and Field and Cross Country (1997-2000)
She was a four-time Mid-Con Champion in the 800-meters, winning three times outdoors (1998, 1999, 2000) and once indoors (1999). She still holds the school record both indoors (2:12.06) and outdoors (2:11.94) in the 800-meter run. McCann was also part of two 4x400 relay conference championships (1999, 2000). She was a second-team All-Mid-Con selection in 1998 as a cross country runner as well...She was also a three-time Academic All-Mid-Con selection (1997, 1998 and 1999)… She was a part of four team championships, two indoor track conference titles (1997, 1999), and two outdoor track conference crowns (1999, 2000).
Chazny Morris – Women's Basketball (2006-10)
She was the 2009 Summit League Player of the Year, and is UMKC's all-time leading scorer with 1,806 points. Morris was a first-team All-Summit League selection in both 2009 and 2010, while earning second-team honors in 2008. She was named Summit League Newcomer of the Year in 2007 as well as to the All-Newcomer Team. She was a two-time Summit League Player of the Week as well. She ranks second in field goals made, three-pointers made (231), free throws made (357) and scoring average (15.3). She is sixth in rebounding (633), three-point field goal percentage (.373) and steals (185), while sitting fourth in blocks (118) and seventh in free throw percentage (.778).
Eric Parrish – Men's Soccer (1996-99)
He was a first-team All-Mid-Con selection in 1998 and a second-team All-Mid-Con pick in 1997. He was also a three-time Academic All-Mid-Con selection (1997, 1998 and 1999). He ranks third in school history in games played (75), 10th in goals (15), 13th in assists (7) and 12th in points (37). He scored the UMKC Goal of the Year against Tulsa in 1998, while also being named team MVP that season. The 1999 team of his senior season has the highest win percentage in school history (.647), as well as the longest win streak in school history at six.
Early Era
Dave Smith – Men's Basketball (1969-73)
Smith was an NAIA All-District 16 first-team selection in the 1972-73 season, and earned NAIA All-American honorable mention honors that same season, making him the first All-American in UMKC history. He won the Jack Gant Outstanding Athlete Award, and was the team captain. He then served as an assistant men's basketball coach for eight seasons under Hall of Famer Darrell Corwin, as well as a dual role as Sports Information Director for a year. Since his days at UMKC, he has been the Executive Director of the Kansas City YMCA, served as President of the Kansas City, Missouri School Board, and as the President of the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kansas City.
Coaches
Geoff Masanet – Track and Field/Cross Country (1997-2002)
He was the Mid-Con Indoor Men's Coach of the Year in both 2000 and 2002, the Men's Outdoor Coach of the Year in 2000, the Women's Outdoor Coach of the Year in 2000 and the Women's Cross Country Coach of the Year in 1999. His teams won both the indoor and outdoor titles for the men in 2000, and the outdoor title for the women in 2000 as the head coach. As an assistant he was part of the 1997 and 1999 women's indoor titles and the 1999 women's outdoor title. He was also part of the 1999 men's outdoor crown. He became the head track and field coach in 2000, and served until 2002, while serving as assistant track and field coach and head cross country coach from 1997-99. In cross country, his teams had runner-up finishes on the men's side three times, while taking second on the women's side twice.
Friend/Contributor
Linda Lawrence
A 42-year employee of UMKC, Linda has been the financial aid liaison for UMKC athletics since the NAIA days. As one of the most important positions related to institutional control, she is responsible for following all bylaws related to the monitoring and awarding of athletic scholarships. Lawrence goes above and beyond, being proactive in her studies of the NCAA rules and regulations as it relates to financial aid; providing student-athletes and the athletics department proper information on the ever-changing NCAA rules and how it will affect the student-athletes' future. Her invaluable information and advice gives all students the best opportunities to secure the means that will allow them to receive a quality education that culminates in a degree. A long-time season ticket holder for both men's and women's basketball, she is an avid fan, and huge supporter of student-athlete success, both on and off the playing field.
Team
2000 Men's Track and Field
The 2000 team was the Mid-Con Indoor and Outdoor team champions. They finished with 157.5 team points indoors, the second most in school history, and a school-record 251.5 points outdoors. They won six events indoors and eight events outdoors, both were the most in a single championship in school history. They had the Coach of the Year both indoors and outdoors in Geoff Masanet, as well as the Newcomer of the Championship in Deandre Free. The team boasted eight individuals that won conference titles in Free, David Davis, Matt Voelker, Geoff Gladish, Jeremy Combs, Grant Dennis, Willie White and Doug Fredrick. The distance medley relay won indoors and the 4x400 relay team won outdoors as well. Six individuals from that team are already in the UMKC Athletics Hall of Fame.
