Muskingum dedicates Sherman Field, honors newest HOF class and recognizes the 1955 football championship team during the 2005 Homecoming

NEW CONCORD, OHIO, October 15, 2005 - Muskingum College officially dedicated Sherman Football Field and honored the newest members of the Muskingum Athletic Hall of Fame and recognized the 1955 Ohio Athletic Conference football championship team during the Muskingum-Capital University Homecoming game on Saturday, October 15.

During a special pre-game ceremony, Muskingum President Anne C. Steele presided over the dedication and ribbon-cutting of the new ProGrass artificial surface on Sherman Field in McConagha Stadium. Through the help of some 55 alumni and friends, including many former football players, the turf project became reality.

At halftime, Muskingum's newest members of the Muskingum Athletic Hall of Fame were recognized: Jennifer Segner-Filtz '00 - Softball, John Wells (Posthumous) - Softball, Bob Gerhardstein '77 - Football, Paul Christopher '87 - Men's Golf.

Also at the half, Muskingum honored the 1955 Ohio Athletic Conference football championship team. The squad went a perfect 7-0 in league play and 8-0 overall en route to capturing Muskingum's ninth OAC football title.

Hall of Fame Class - 2005

JOHN WELLS (Posthumous)
Special Award, presented posthumously, exemplifies the SPIRIT of Muskingum College. Wells was assistant pitching coach for the Muskies for 10 years. He was instrumental to Muskingum’s 2001 National Championship, the first in college history. Wells and his coaching colleagues were named National Softball Coaching Staff of the Year by SpeedLine/NFCA in 2001.

BOB GERHARDSTEIN - Football - 1977
Gerhardstein, an offensive tackle, was a two-time first-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection (’75 & ’76) and helped lead Muskingum to the OAC championship in 1975. He was honored with the OAC’s Mike Gregory Award (most outstanding offensive lineman in the conference) in 1976.

JENNIFER SEGNER-FILTZ - Softball - 2000
Segner was one of college softball’s dominant pitchers from 1997 to 2000. The former All-American Muskie ended her career with 117 victories, the most ever by a Division III pitcher, and ranked 11th among pitchers in all NCAA divisions. Segner also holds the D-III career records for games started (140), victories in a season (40) and consecutive wins in a season (32).

PAUL CHRISTOPHER - Men's Golf - 1987
Christopher was a four-year All-Ohio Athletic Conference honoree and three-year Honorable Mention All-American. He qualified for the NCAA National Tournament three times and helped lead the Muskies to the OAC Team Championship in 1987.

IN THE PHOTO: Muskingum College President Anne C. Steele presided over a pre-game ribbon-cutting and dedication of Sherman Field before Muskingum's 2005 Homecoming Football game on Saturday, October 15. Donors to the new ProGrass Turf project and other dignitaries were invited to the field to participate. A plaque recognizing the donors was unveiled and installed prior to the game.

IN THE PHOTO: The 2005 Muskingum College Athletic Hall of Fame class was honored at halftime of the Muskingum College vs. Capital University Homecoming game on Saturday, October 15. Standing left-to-right are Jenn Segner-Filtz '00, softball; Jane Wells Sherman (for John Wells (posthumous, softball), Bob Gerhardstein '77, football; and Paul Christopher '87. men's golf.

IN THE PHOTO: At halftime of the 2005 Muskingum College vs. Capital University Homecoming game, Muskingum honored the 1955 Ohio Athletic Conference football championship team. The squad went a perfect 7-0 in league play and 8-0 overall enroute to capturing Muskingum's ninth OAC football title. Pictured are (left to right, front) Joe McDaniel, Gene Allison, Rudy Gerlach, Coach Ed Sherman, Dave Myers, Bill Thompson, Bob Geiger; (back) Doug Palmer, Roy Fehrman, Jack Lofstrom, Earl Pletcher, Bob Stokes, and Mike Fodor.