WATERLOO - The Wilfrid Laurier University Department of Athletics and Recreation is proud to announce the addition of five individuals and a team to the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame.

On the evening of September 30th, Jon Graffi, Lorraine Hodds, Stacey McCoy and Cheryl Pounder were recognized for their performances as Golden Hawks. Also inducted to the Hall of Fame was Rick Zmich in the builder category and the 1995 Women's Soccer team.

Jon Graffi was a Linebacker from 1985-88 for the Laurier Football team. Graffi was Captain of a Golden Hawk team that made three Yates Cup appearances, including a victory in 1987. Graffi was also named an OUAA All-Star three-times, a Second Team All-Canadian and was team MVP in 1988. Following a successful playing career, Graffi joined the sideline as part of the Golden Hawk coaching staff. In 1990, 92, 95, 96 & 99

Lorraine Hodds was a midfielder for the Women's Soccer team from 1995-98, 2000. She proved to be an invaluable component to the Golden Hawk soccer team as she received numerous awards including: OUA First Team All-Star three times (1995, 96, 2000), CIS Second Team All-Canadian (1996), CIS First Team All-Canadian (1996), Golden Hawk MVP (2000-01). Hodds was a vital component in the Hawks national championship season in 1995.

Stacey McCoy was a stalwart for the Women's Volleyball team, a team captain and OUA All-Star in 1998 and 1999, she helped to revitalize the women's volleyball program. Coming into her second year with the program, McCoy helped to lead the team to their first trip to the playoffs in over nine years. Her leadership and athleticism played an integral role in the success of the women's volleyball program.

Cheryl Pounder was a member of the Golden Hawk women's hockey program in its infancy stage. During her years competing with the team she competed as a defenseman/centre. In her time as a player Pounder received many accolades as she was a four-time OUA All-Star and Golden Hawk Rookie of the Year in 95-96, and Golden Hawk MVP in 97-98. Pounder is also having a stellar career post-Laurier with the Canadian national team as she won five Gold Medals at the World Championships and as a member the historic 2002 Gold Medal winning team at the Salt Lake City Olympics.

The inductee in the builder category this year is Rick Zmich. Following a football collegiate career that saw him capture the Hec Crighton Trophy as the best player in the country in 1982 and leading the Ottawa Gee Gee's to the Vanier Cup in 1980, Rick Zmich would move his offensive mind to the sidelines of the gridiron. Leading the Hawks to the Yates Cup four times out of his nine seasons as head coach, this success was honoured in 1995 when he won the Frank Tindale Award as Coach of the Year in the country. Under his leadership he coached 18 All-Canadians, 80 League All-Stars, including a player that captured the Hec Crighton and Howard Mackie award, as well as a Russ Jackson award winner.

Being recognized as a team this year is the 1995 Golden Hawk Women's soccer team. The squad captured Laurier's second National Women's Soccer championship. The Hawks steamrolled their way into the playoffs on the heels of their 7-1-3 regular season record, with the only blemish on the season coming in a 2-1 loss to the McMaster Marauders. Roaring into the OWIAA playoffs, the Hawks would reel off two 2-0 victories, in the quarterfinals and semifinals. The Hawks would come out on top in the finals with a 4-0 downing of the Golden Gaels and would clinch a berth in the CIAU Championship as they claimed the provincial championship banner. The first two rounds of the CIAU Championships of 1995 saw the Hawks defeating UBC 201 and Carleton 5-0. The championship match pitted the Hawks versus the Dalhousie Tigers. It would be a vicious slugfest, where every inch of territory would not be given up easily, but as fate would have it the Hawks would stand victorious again when the final whistle sounded. Laurier 2 Dalhousie 1. Camila Vejvalka would be named tournament MVP. CIAU All-Canadians Gigi Cignini and Lorraine Hodds played pivotal roles in the championship run, and made the clutch plays when needed.

Since the inception of the Golden Hawk Hall of Fame in 1986, 99 athletes, 13 builders and 11 teams have been recognized for their performances and support of Wilfrid Laurier University Athletics.