Oct. 11, 2006

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Michigan State pitching coach Nikki Myers is one of even seven individuals who will be inducted into Florida Atlantic University's Athletics Department Inaugural Hall of Fame. The class was announced by Craig Angelos, FAU's athletics director, on Monday.

"It is an honor to be inducted into FAU's first ever Hall of Fame," Myers said. "It's a very nice surprise to be recognized for the accomplishments I achieved while I was there. I am looking forward to it, both the induction and the chance to go back and visit former teammates, coaches and campus."

Florida Atlantic University's Athletic Hall of Fame was founded to honor, pay tribute and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who, either through participation, support or interest, have made outstanding contributions in intercollegiate athletics and who have helped bring recognition, honor, distinction and excellence to the University. The first class represents individuals who were instrumental in the growth and development of not only their individual sport but the entire FAU athletics department. The 2006 inductees are (in chronological order): Whitney Kraft, Laurence Bensimon, Steve Traylor, Keith Foley, Noemi Lung, Yolanda Griffith and Nikki Myers.

"This is certainly a great honor," Spartan head coach Jacquie Joseph said. "I was always proud to have Nikki on our staff. Now everyone else knows the contributions she has made to our program, and the sport of softball."

Nikki Myers completed a four-year softball career at FAU and is the most highly decorated player in the history of the program, which began in 1995. While at FAU, Myers was a three-time Atlantic Sun Conference Player of the Year and was a four-time A-Sun Tournament MVP. She pitched in an NCAA Tournament contest each of her four seasons at Florida Atlantic, and earned NCAA All-Regional Tournament Team honors twice. Nationally, Myers was a two-time Second-Team All-American and was a top-10 finalist for the 2002 Softball National Player of the Year. She currently ranks fifth all-time in NCAA history with 1,376 strikeouts. Myers earned FAU's Female Athlete of the Year in 1999 and was the A-Sun's Pitcher of the Week 15 times and Player of the Week six times during her career. Since completing her collegiate career, she has played professionally for the Akron Racers (2004) and the Connecticut Brakettes (2006).

Five of the seven inductees, including Myers, are scheduled to attend the event in late October, as well as the football homecoming game scheduled for Saturday, October 28. For more information or to purchase tickets to the event, please contact the FAU Athletic Office at 561-297-3710.