SLIAC To Induct Second Largest Hall Of Fame Class In 2017

The 2017 St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Hall of Fame Class will be the largest since 2007 and includes Rachel Backes, Jeff Borengasser, Christina Day, Ricky Seaman, Katy Meyer, and Crystal Spinner.

Rachel Backes

Rachel Backes was not only one of the most successful players in Westminster College women's basketball history on the court but also a stand out in the classroom. Backes, who graduated from Westminster Summa Cum Laude in 2012 with a degree in Biology and was 2011-12 SLIAC Scholar Athlete of the Year. On the court, Backes still ranks in the top five in program history in points (1,203), assists (295), and steals (210). She was named the SLIAC Player of the Year as a junior and earned All-Conference honors all four years while being named to the All-Tournament Team three times including the Tournament MVP in 2012. In 2011, she became the first Westminster women's basketball player to receive All-American honors when she was named DIII News All-American Honorable Mention. Over her four years as a starter with the Blue Jays she helped them to a pair of SLIAC regular season titles and the program's first ever NCAA Tournament berth in the 2011-12 season. In addition, Backes was named Academic All-Conference three times, CoSIDA Academic All-District twice, and was a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Honor Society.

Jeff Borengasser is the lone coach in this year's SLIAC Hall of Class. Borengasser was at the helm of the Westminster College men's and women's tennis programs from 2004-10. He was named the SLIAC Coach of the Year five times during his tenure, totaling 116 combined wins between the two programs. As a men's coach Borengasser led the Blue Jays to six regular season titles including five straight while winning the SLIAC Tournament four times. As a women's head coach Borengasser guided his team to a pair of first place finishes, winning the SLIAC Tournament in 2006. Borengasser coached 40 First Team All-Conference members between the two programs including two SLIAC Newcomer and Player of the Year winners. His teams also had success academically, coaching 28 SLIAC All-Academic members and two CoSIDA Academic All-District selections.

Christina Day

The Principia College soccer programs are represented this year with selections from both the men's and women's programs. Christina Day becomes the third Panther women's soccer player to enter the SLIAC Hall of Fame. Day was one of the most prolific scorers in Panther and SLIAC history, accounting for 193 total points in just 82 games. Day tallied 83 goals over her four years (2003-06) and was named the SLIAC Newcomer of the Year in 2003 and SLIAC Player of the Year in 2006. She was also a four-time First Team All-Conference selection. Over her career, she helped the Panthers to an impressive 58-22-5 overall record and was part of the Panthers first trip to NCAA Tournament as a member of the 2004 team, which finished with a 16-4-1 overall record. As a senior Day ranked 15th in NCAA Division III in goals and 22nd in total points.

Ricky Seaman

Ricky Seaman becomes the second induction into the SLIAC Hall of Fame for the storied Principia men's soccer program. Seaman wrapped up his playing career as the Panthers all-time leading scorer with 46 goals and 15 points for 107 total points. Seaman was named NSCAA All-Midwest Region three times during his career and All-Conference all four years. With Seaman finding the back of the net the Panthers saw unmatched success on the field, advancing to the NCAA Tournament in 2007 and in 2009 achieving the program's highest ever ranking in the national poll. Seaman proved not just to be a goal scorer but a timely one, netting a school record 16 game winning goals including the lone goal in the 2007 SLIAC Championship game that gave the Panthers their second ever NCAA tournament appearance.

Katy Meyer

Webster University alum Katy Meyer becomes the third Gorlok women's basketball player to be honored by the SLIAC Hall of Fame. Meyer played for the Gorloks from 2007-11 and made an impact on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. Meyer was a finalist for the prestigious Josten's Trophy in 2011, one of just three finalists in conference history. She finished her career third on the program's all-time scoring list with 1,194 points and was named All-Conference all four years and the SLIAC Tournament MVP as a senior. Meyer still ranks first in program history in three-pointers, first in three-point percentage, fourth in rebounds, and sixth in scoring average. During her time at Webster she helped the program increase their win total each year, culminating with 17 wins as a senior and leading her team to just its third NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. In the classroom, Meyer earned SLIAC All-Academic honors three times and graduated with a degree in Political Science and Spanish. Meyer also spent time volunteering at a local shelter for battered women and worked at the International Institute, assisting refugees. Since 2014, Meyer has been teaching in Italy and continuing her basketball career, currently playing for a semi-professional team in Italy.

Crystal (Shelton) Spinner

Crystal (Shelton) Spinner is the second Gorlok volleyball player to enter the SLIAC Hall of Fame. Spinner made an immediate impact on the court for the Gorloks, earning First Team All-Conference honors all four years with Webster. She was also named the SLIAC Newcomer of the Year in 2004 and the Player of the Year in 2005. Spinner still holds Webster records for kills (1,785), and is second in both digs (1,649) and aces (155 while also ranking in the top ten in both career hitting percentage and block assists. She also holds the single season kills record with 526. With Spinner leading their attack, the Gorloks won two SLIAC regular season titles and two SLIAC Tournament titles, finishing with a 48-5 conference record. Spinner was named to the All-Tournament team all four years and picked up Tournament MVP honors in 2006 and 2007.