Elmhurst's Bluejay Backer Hall of Fame was established in 1980 to recognize outstanding Elmhurst student-athletes and coaches.

Members are chosen by the Bluejay Backer Executive Committee and are inducted at Homecoming each year. Today, Hall of Fame members include 101 athletes, seven coaches, three teams (Elmhurst's national champion and national runner-up volleyball squads), and two special-recognition inductees.

Student-athletes become eligible for induction five years after graduation or the completion of their final year of eligibility. Nominations may be submitted throughout the year to Executive Director Paul Krohn.

Hall of Fame Members

2006
Staci Barton, Class of 2000
Ryan Knuppel, Class of 2001
Jenni Markanich, Class of 2001
Bill Sir+, Class of 1964

2005
Rob Carmichael, Class of 1987
Elvis McCarter, Class of 2001
Phil Wojnicz, Class of 1999

2004
Guy Nardulli, Class of 1996
Sarah Hawkins, Class of 1999
Deb Hughes, Class of 1999
Mike Husslein, Class of 1999

2003
Hal Warheim, Class of 1953
Chris Danko, Class of 1999
C.C. Arends, Coach*
Dr. James Cunningham, Administration+
Dr. Audrey Wagner*+, Class of 1950

2002
Larry Illingworth, Class of 1959
Lindsay Barich, Class of 1983
Sara Dolan, Class of 1997
Kent Jones, Class of 1997

2001
Steve Malin, Class of 1981
Ellen Hamilton, Class of 1989
Frank Trentadue, Class of 1996
Dan Yusko, Class of 1996
Wendall Harris, Coach*

2000
Chuck Purdom, Class of 1972
Kurt Fenton, Class of 1987
Bill Guderley, Class of 1989
Anna Baughman Bullman, Class of 1994
Simeon Henderson, Class of 1995

1998
Boyd Bender, Class of 1962
Cheryl Ruyak, Class of 1980
Tom Bailey, Class of 1984
Jack Lamb, Class of 1993

1997
John Tritt, Class of 1972
1987 NCAA Division III National Runner-Up Women's Volleyball Team
Joe Klim, Class of 1991
Laurie Hesson Anderson, Class of 1992
Vince Doran, Class of 1992
Charles Woods, Class of 1992

1996
John "Moon" Holden, Class of 1933*
Denny Hotle, Class of 1965
Bruce Cowman, Class of 1976
Karin Fox, Class of 1988
Scott Wright, Class of 1988

1995
John Dabrowski, Class of 1990
Laura Marchant Egly, Class of 1990
Gail Williams True, Class of 1990

1994
Ralph Cooper, Class of 1964
Tom Foote, Class of 1981
Elonza Sherman, Class of 1982
George Johnson, Class of 1982
Tina Conti Grant, Class of 1984
Jim Veverka, Class of 1988

1993
Jeff Quinn, Class of 1984
Tom Newton, Class of 1987
Therese Dorigan, Class of 1988
Michelle Greaves Rathbun, Class of 1988
Melanie Hollander Moore, Class of 1988
Tom Beck, Coach

1992
Jim Kirby, Class of 1985
Bill Blechschmidt, Class of 1985
Karen Kinsella, Class of 1986
Sharon Forgue, Class of 1986

1991
1985 National Championships Volleyball Team
Shelli Swaim, Class of 1986
Sue Birdsey Hempe, Class of 1986

1990
Mike Jorgensen, Class of 1981
Doug Mullaney, Class of 1984
Al Hanke, Coach

1989
Max Pepmeier, Class of 1949
1983 National Championships Volleyball Team
Cathy Dulkowski, Class of 1984
Bill Walton, Coach

1988
Irv Camerer, Class of 1937
John Czwornog, Class of 1978
Tom Gaucius, Class of 1978
Tom Ludwig, Class of 1980

1987
Michael Papoccia, Class of 1974
George Donald, Class of 1982
Steve Finch, Class of 1982

1986
Dave Whitfield, Class of 1975
John Morocco, Class of 1978
Rich Williams, Class of 1979

1985
Otis Davis, Class of 1932
Don Kolkmeier, Class of 1955
Frank Burdi, Class of 1979
Rick Green, Class of 1980
Ron Wellman, Coach

1984
Don Jepsen, Class of 1938
Don Seiler, Class of 1951
Rich Dziemiela, Class of 1976

1983
Harold Grote, Class of 1955
Greg Goebel, Class of 1976
Earl Wilcek, Class of 1978

1982
Guenther Ahlf, Class of 1947
Richard Stanger, Class of 1958
Ken Spiroff, Class of 1964
Charlotte Scott Bell, Class of 1972

1981
Eldred Strobel, Class of 1938
Himeo Tsumori, Class of 1948
Ed Bodnam, Class of 1957
Glen Pomrehn, Class of 1964
James Schultz, Class of 1970
Walter Schousen, Coach

1980
Oliver "Uncle Pete" Langhorst, Class of 1930
Carl Kerber, Class of 1933
Armin Dreusicke, Class of 1934
Frank Vertovec, Class of 1937
Don Cash, Class of 1941
Jack Van Voorst, Class of 1942
Robert Bizer, Class of 1945
Larry Tilly, Class of 1952
Pat Lira, Class of 1956
Joel Herter, Class of 1959
Tom Riess, Class of 1964
Dave Ek, Class of 1966
Jim Peters, Class of 1970
Steve Filipski, Class of 1971
Cal Saunders, Class of 1973
Bill Simpson, Class of 1975

*Inducted Posthumously
+Special Recognition Inductee