DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The newest inductees into the Embry-Riddle Athletics Hall of Fame were announced by Assistant Athletic Director John Mark Adkison on Wednesday. The 2013 Hall of Fame class will include Dr. Steve Sliwa, Georgi Beloretchki, Stewart Craig, Katrina Morgan and Harold Pierson . The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, Feb. 2 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Walk Village. The five inductees will also join booster club members for dinner on Feb. 1 and will be recognized at the basketball game later that evening.



DR. STEVEN SLIWA (Distinguished Member • ERAU President • 1991-98)
Dr. Sliwa will be the first person to be inducted into the ERAU Athletics Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member. The youngest university president in the United States at the time, Dr. Sliwa was Embry-Riddle's President from 1991-98.

Sliwa, the University's third president, is best known for creating an entrepreneurial environment and for developing strategic partnerships with industry. These partnerships included a joint venture with FlightSafety International; a partnership with Cessna Aircraft Company; a technology alliance with IBM; and an exclusive educational partnership with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He also spearheaded a $100+ million capital expansion program, which included an $11.5 million congressional line-item appropriation. In addition, new academic and research programs were created at his direction to respond to structural changes in the industry while increasing market share in the University's core programs.

Sliwa also recognized the importance that intercollegiate athletics played in enhancing the overall student experience. ERAU's athletics program, which began two years before his appointment as university president, but flourished during his tenure.

ERAU Athletic Director Steve Ridder noted that Sliwa helped facilitate a commitment to building the athletics program in the right way at a time when the athletics program faced elimination. Ridder and Sliwa, along with his leadership team, developed a strategic plan to move the athletics program to the next level of being one of the best NAIA programs in the country. The plan, which was endorsed by the Board of Trusteees, involved investing in four areas of growth, including on-campus facilities, additional sports, increase in scholarships and operational dollars and shoring up the infrastructure by creating full-time coaching positions and adding key support in the areas of Sports Information, Sports Medicine and the Athletic Business Manager position.

“Dr. Sliwa was the one who really introduced the word passion to our program,” Ridder said. “He talked about making a difference in young people's lives and a lot what our mission is today is an extension of his vision for the program.”

The Sliwa family's support of Eagle baseball also extended to Dr. Sliwa's parents. In 1994, Ken and Shirley Sliwa began their friendship with the Eagles' baseball program and became two of the program's most dedicated fans. Their passion for the sport of baseball and the young men that played for Embry-Riddle was undeniable. Although they have both passed away, their legacy still lives on through the Ken & Shirley Sliwa Memorial Fund and Embry-Riddle's baseball facility that bears the family name, Sliwa Stadium.

Sliwa's impact on the success of the athletics program continues today, more than 14 years since his departure from the university. He and his wife Nancy continue to be avid supporters of the athletics program and as loyal Eagle fans, they often take time out of their busy schedules to catch the Blue and Gold in action.

In 2007, the Sliwas donated $157,500 to ERAU's baseball program. The donation went to Dr. Sliwa's parents' endowment as well as scholarships, recruiting, sports operations, equipment and upgrades to Sliwa Stadium.


“Steve's vision for the Embry-Riddle athletic program during his presidency was, like most of his endeavors, unconstrained. His leadership, assembly and support of the best team, and attention to detail has helped catapult ERAU's athletic program as a premier program in college sports. His commitment after his formal involvement never ended. Steve graciously supported ERAU's athletics programs, especially the baseball program as it was so important to his parents, He hired student-athletes as interns into his business, giving the real life experience beyond the classroom. He invited student-athletes into his home to share meals and support their endeavors. He found time in his busy schedule to meet up with the teams from all sports, not only in Florida, but in their travels around the nation. Often he invited entire teams into his business making their athletic trip an educational experience.”
Steve Nordlund
Embry-Riddle Chief Information Officer (1990-98)

“The vision Steve had and the willingness to take risks in investing in a robust student athletic program (at an aeronautical university of all places), during a time when the institution had some serious conflicting needs, took real guts and leadership. Even I was skeptical! In spite of considerable opposition, Steve pressed ahead with his plans, convinced us all that a strong athletic program would spark real growth opportunities for ERAU, and lo and behold, he was right!”
Paul E. McDuffee
Embry-Riddle Vice President for University Relations (1991-95) and Aviation Training (1995-01)


“Steve was successful at building a quality athletic program while keeping education at the forefront. I remember Coach Ridder suspending several key basketball players due to poor performance in the classroom. This decision was supported by Steve and as you know, very few coaches or administrators in the country follow this policy today. The integrity of the university was always at the forefront. The athletics program grew dramatically during the Sliwa years, both in terms of new sports and success on the playing fields.

“Even after Steve left the university, I always felt that because of him and his vision and his ability to influence chance, Embry-Riddle was a better institution.”
Ken Wooten
Daytona Beach News-Journal Corporate Controller (1991-00)




GEORGI BELORETCHKI (Men's Tennis • 2001-02)
Beloretchki is the first tennis player to be inducted into the ERAU Athletics Hall of Fame. He was a student-athlete on the men's tennis team from 2001-02 and was an assistant coach from 2003-05, serving under both former head coach Scott Linn and current head coach Dave Paschal.

As a player, Beloretchki, who hails from Sofia Bulgaria, played at the top spots in the Eagles' singles and doubles line-ups. He compiled a 27-25 singles ledger, but doubles competition was the true strength of Beloretchki's game as he closed out his career with a 48-19 doubles record, which places him tied for 15th on the Eagles' all-time doubles wins list.

In the fall of 2001, Beloretchki teamed up with Juriaan de la Beij for a fourth-place finish at the ITA/NAIA National Tournament. The following year, Beloretchki partnered with Nicolas Bousquet and the tandem swept the ITA Florida Regional tournament on the way to a third-place national championship finish.

In the fall of 2003, a change in the NAIA eligibility rules brought Beloretchki's collegiate career to an abrupt end. It was not the end of his involvement with the tennis program, however, as he stayed on as an assistant coach for three more seasons, helping the Eagles to three conference and regional championships and an NAIA National Tournament semifinal appearance in 2005.

Although he was unable to compete in his junior season, Linn opted to nominate Beloretchki for the ITA Arthur Ashe Award for Leadership and Sportsmanship, given to individuals who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements. While he was unable to play a single point in team competition, Belorechki's character and value to his team was very much in evidence and he was honored with the Arthur Ashe Award, one of the most prestigious in college tennis.

Beloretchki garnered many other honors during his time with the Eagles. He became the first ERAU men's tennis player to earn All-America recognition, as he was a second team selection in 2001 and a first team honoree in 2002. The program's first ITA All-American, he was also named to the All-Conference roster, was an Academic All-Conference selection and was the recipient of the team's MVP and Player's Player awards.

Beloretchki's legacy at Embry-Riddle resulted in a men's tennis award being named in his honor. The Beloretchki award is presented annually to a student-athlete from the men's tennis team who exemplifies the student-person-player ideal.

Beloretchki graduated with honors from ERAU with a degree in Aviation Business Administration in 2004 and he remained at Embry-Riddle to work on his MBA in Aviation with concentration in Finance, which he completed in 2007. He returned to his native Bulgaria in 2009 to work for Bulgarian Airways Group. His tenure with the company has included stints in finance, business and fleet analysis, as well as being the Chief Financial Officer of Aircompany Tatarstan in Kazan, Russia. He currently works with Bulgarian Airways Group coordinating projects related to fleet restructuring.


“Georgi changed the culture of the Embry-Riddle Men's Tennis Program when he arrived in the Spring of 2001. He immediately stepped into the program and embraced the opportunities (or challenges) the players faced each and every day. Early on, Georgi said very little but always led by example in the classroom, he never said more than what needed to be said to get his teammates going in the right direction. His teammates always respected him. As Georgi spent more and more time with them, he taught them how to be champions with the highest level of integrity.

“As the Head Coach, Georgi made me better as well. Georgi challenged me to bring my best every day, because he expected nothing less from his teammates and coaches. He was always extremely respectful, took on any and every challenge I put in front of him or the team, and was passionate about Embry-Riddle Tennis.”
Scott Linn
Embry-Riddle Head Tennis Coach (2000-04)

“Georgi is a great friend, a great tennis player, a great teammate and leader. Even when times were tough, such as when he had to end his career as a student-athlete early because of new NAIA rules, he stayed strong and helped all of us. I am not sure there was a better example of courage, commitment and dedication. After being told he wouldn't be able to compete with us anymore, he continued to come to all our games and practiced with us as if he were competing himself. As a very competitive person, I can assure you that Georgi was hurting inside from not being able to compete, yet he continued to support the team and do everything he could to make sure we were all going go get better.”
Alexandre Beaux
Embry-Riddle Men's Tennis (2000-03)

“For me Georgi represents a role model and is a person that inspires one to be the best one can be. I came in as an individual and I left after four year in the ERAU tennis program as a teammate. Georgi is partly responsible for taking this program to a higher level and a higher standard. I can recall so many situations where Georgi held himself and the rest of the team to a higher standard, leading by example every step of the way. I can only hope to transmit to you the feelings of gratitude and respect I have for this man and this tennis program that I truly believe changed who I am.”
Costin Coreanu
Embry-Riddle Men's Tennis (2002-05)

“A great story that summarizes Georgi's character and impact on ERAU tennis is after being ruled ineligible for his senior year due to rule changes from the NAIA, Georgi was still nominated and won the ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award. This award is the highest sportsmanship award granted by the ITA, the winners are flown to and honored at the U.S. Open. For someone to win this is a great honor; however, for someone to win this award nationally and not be eligible for competition but still be a valuable team member speaks volumes.”
Dave Paschal
Embry-Riddle Head Tennis Coach (2005-present)




STEWART CRAIG (Men's Soccer • 1995-98)
Craig was a member of ERAU men's soccer team from 1995-98, anchoring the Eagles' back line as a central defender. Craig, who was the team captain for three of his four seasons in the Eagle uniform, helped put ERAU men's soccer on the map, bringing the program from the bottom of the conference and laying the foundation for the success the men's soccer team has enjoyed to date.

Originally from Derby, England, Craig is the first ERAU men's soccer student-athlete to earn recognition for his performance on the field. He was named to the All-Conference roster in each of his four seasons and was a four-time honorable mention All-American honoree.

Craig ended his career on a high note, leading the Eagles to the 1998 conference championship, which ERAU won in Craig's final game at the Embry-Riddle Soccer Stadium. While his primary responsibility was to shore up the Eagles' defense, Craig was also a factor offensively, finishing with 26 points on 11 goals and four assists in his four-year career. He currently ranks seventh all-time in the ERAU record books in games played with 75.

Craig also excelled in the classroom and was named an Academic All-Conference selection four times and an NAIA All-America Scholar Athlete on three occasions. He graduated from Embry-Riddle with a degree in Aviation Business Administration in 1999 and is now the owner of Fashion Sushi in Marbella, Spain.

“I inherited the captaincy of the team from Stew in 1999. By then he had imprinted his personality as a winner in all aspects onto the squad. He transformed the mentality of the team from conference also-rans into conference favorites within his tenure and I believe that he is the reason that Embry-Riddle soccer was able to rise to national prominence from such humble beginnings.
“The highest compliment I can pay Stew as a player is that still to this day he would walk onto any of the teams that have followed his tenure. His playing ability was second to none but his strength of personality is what really set him apart. His willingness to lead through tough times and set himself and his teammates' goals and standards at the time and for future student-athletes to try and match was outstanding.”
Phil Jones
Embry-Riddle Men's Soccer (1999-02)


“Stewart made me feel very welcome at Embry-Riddle when I arrived. We spent a lot of time together on and off the field. At the time we both had similar circumstances. We had to work all day in Records and Registration on campus to help pay our living expenses and we rarely could afford to fly home to our families. Looking back, it's amazing how great of a time we had at Embry-Riddle considering our financial circumstances! Stewart really appreciated the opportunity he had been given and he made the most of it. In my opinion he was the complete package - student, athlete and person. Academically Stewart was in a different class. Everything came naturally to him in the classroom. He was the smartest player on our team without question.”
Dan McNally
Embry-Riddle Men's Soccer (1996-99)

“Stew is a man of character and integrity. He holds the highest moral standards and does the right thing for the right reason. I would trust Stew in any situation to uphold the highest standards of personal conduct and demeanor. He is not afraid of criticism and takes it as personal challenge. One of his outstanding traits is task persistence. He will delve into the challenge completely and persist until the task is completed.”
David Gregson
Embry-Riddle Head Men's Soccer Coach (1994-present)

“Both on and off the field, Stewart exhibited a very sharp sense of humor and was quick-witted; he seemed to make people relax in tense situations without losing focus. Stewart had maturity beyond his years and was the person who kept everything in perspective for his younger teammates. I was lucky enough to play on the same team as Stewart and I am a much richer person for that experience.”
John Haworth
Embry-Riddle Men's Soccer (1997-01)
Embry-Riddle Asst. Men's Soccer Coach (2002-03, 2008-present)



KATRINA MORGAN (Women's Soccer • 2003-06, Women's Cross Country • 2007)
Only the second female to be inducted into the ERAU Athletics Hall of Fame, Morgan was a four-year letterwinner on the Embry-Riddle women's soccer team and closed out her career on the soccer field as one of the most decorated student-athletes in program history. A four-year starter, the Burien, Wash. native captained the squad for three seasons, leading the Eagles to four regional tournament appearances and a regional championship and national tournament appearance 2004. She was a two-time All-Florida Sun Conference and All-Region selection and received honorable mention All-America honors twice, closing out her career with 22 goals and 13 assists.

A two-time Embry-Riddle Champions of Character Scholarship recipient, Morgan, who graduated with a 4.0 grade point average in Applied Meteorology, was also an Academic All-Conference selection and NAIA All-America Scholar Athlete and in 2006, she was honored as ESPN The Magazine's College Division Player of the Year.
 
With an additional year remaining in her academic career, Morgan was recruited to the cross country team in the fall of 2007. She competed in five meets, finishing among the Eagles' top five on four occasions. Her seventh place overall finish at the FSC/Region XIV Championships afforded her All-Conference and All-Region honors.

Morgan came to Embry-Riddle on an Air Force ROTC scholarship, serving as a battalion commander before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force on May 4. She was awarded the General Spruance Scholarship twice, was the recipient of the 2008 ERAU Chancellor's Award and in 2007, she was selected as one of only 45 cadets nationwide to attend Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training. She is currently a Captain in the U.S. Air Force flying C-17 airlift missions

Despite a hectic athletic and academic schedule, Morgan still found time to give back to the community coaching free soccer clinics for area youth, participating in ERAU's Halloween carnival for local kids and the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Volusia County mentoring program, and organizing a volunteer group from Air Force ROTC to volunteer at Habitat for Humanity.


“There isn't a coach in the country that wouldn't jump at the chance to have an alumnus like Katrina Morgan as a representative of his/her team. She left such a positive imprint that still has influence on our program. Not only was she clearly a talented player, but she represented a laundry list of admirable traits along the way. Strong character, discipline, teamwork, leadership, work ethic, commitment, balance, integrity, and humility are all part of who Katrina Morgan is. A testament to Katrina, I didn't have to be her coach to see these qualities in her. I believe Embry-Riddle and our athletic department would be proud to have her as only the second female inducted into our Hall of Fame.”
Samantha Baggett Bohon
Embry-Riddle Head Women's Soccer Coach (2007-present)

“It was not by accident that Katrina was a winner of the Champion of Character award and it is also not by accident that my daughter, Amanda, hails Katmo as one of the most outstanding young women she has ever had the pleasure of playing soccer with. As my Amanda has often told me, 'If I had to go to war, the only person I would want beside me would be Katmo'.
Over the years I have kept in touch with Katrina, marveling at the continued success of such an unassuming young woman. She now flies the huge military transport planes, a job that she loves. She shared with me that she gets to bring the soldiers home from overseas, and this is especially important to her… seeing the looks on their faces knowing they are going home to their loved ones.”
Judith Rees
Embry-Riddle Director of Procurement Services

“When Katrina was about to graduate, I sent my nomination of her for the prestigious Chancellor's Award, which she received, to the Chair at the time stating that without reservation I could honestly say Katrina was the most outstanding student in every respect, as a scholar, as an athlete, as a soldier, and as a person, that I have ever had pleasure to know. I still stand by that statement. I am confident that Katrina will lend her special talents and prove to be an invaluable representative of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University throughout her entire career. There is certainly no one more deserving of the induction into the ERAU Athletic Hall of Fame.”
Richard K. Snow, Ph.D.
Embry-Riddle Associate Professor of Applied Aviation Sciences

“As you consider Katrina's candidacy, I ask you look beyond the glamour statistics such as goals and assists because although she did well in those categories, it is not where you will find her most indelible impact on our program. It was not Katrina's role to put up big numbers and even if she had, measuring her against those statistics would be a tremendous disservice. Katrina's biggest role in out program, and the way she will be most remembered by her teammates and coaches, comes down to leadership. I've been coaching women's college soccer for 22 years and I can say without hesitation that Katrina Morgan is the best leader I've ever seen and it was an absolute privilege to watch her guide our team.
She didn't have bad days. She chose to have great days. She chose to be positive and enthusiastic. She was a leader and she knew it and she chose to affect people in an excellent way.”
Dan Blank
Embry-Riddle Head Women's Coach (1998-06)

“Katmo is the hardest working person I have ever met and she takes extreme pride in everything she does. The words “I can't” were not part of her vocabulary. Her dedication to the team was directly reflected in her fitness, whether it was the first day of preseason or the first day of summer, Katmo was preparing to win. The attitude she exudes everyday is one of pure happiness and determination. She was always smiling, encouraging others and appreciating every little thing life had in store for her. She didn't take anything for granted and, as an upperclassman, she wanted to teach her younger teammates to have the same outlook. I learned a great amount from observing Katmo during my first two collegiate years and if I was half the captain she was I would say that's more than I could hope for.”
Sarah Hirst
Embry-Riddle Women's Soccer (2005-08)



HAROLD PIERSON
Pierson played on the Eagles' basketball team as a guard from 1999-2003 and has been touted as one of the most exciting players to don the Blue and Gold. As a freshman, he played a key role in the Eagles' run to the 2000 NAIA national title.

A member of ERAU's elite 2,000-point club, Pierson graduated with 2,298 points and is currently second all-time on ERAU's career list in scoring. He is the Eagles' all-time leader in made field goals (846) and holds the program's single-season records for scoring average (23.4 ppg), field goals made (263) and field goals attempted (542). He is also listed among the Eagles' career top 10 in scoring (3rd, 17.1 ppg), made three-pointers (5th, 253), three-point field goal percentage (5th, .391), free throws made (5th, 353), free throw percentage (6th, 778) and steals (4th, 220).

Pierson's career was also littered with numerous honors and awards, including being named to the All-Florida Sun Conference first team three times. After being named the Florida Sun Conference Rookie of the Year as a freshman, Pierson earned honorable mention All-America recognition as a sophomore, was a third team selection as a junior and was named first team All-American in his senior year.

Pierson graduated from Embry-Riddle with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration in 2003. He played briefly in the professional ranks in Ireland and the ABA and currently works as a Fire Fighter Engineer for the Orlando Fire Department. Pierson still remains involved in the game of basketball and serves as a coach/player for the Orlando Fire Department Olympic Basketball team, as well as a volunteer coach for Triple Double Basketball Academy. He is also actively involved in the community as a mentor of men and women in Central Florida that have an interest in joining the Fire Service and as part of the Orlando Fire Department's Empowering Committee, he participates in seminars to help increase the number of minorities in the Department.

“Harold exceeds the criteria for this honor, as he is such a quality person. He had many outstanding opportunities to continue his basketball career professionally. However, his real passion has always been to serve others. His decision to become an Engineer/Fire Fighter for the Orlando Fire Department should not come as a surprise to those close to him, as this was one of his lifelong dreams that he could impact people's lives in such positive and well-serving manner. Harold was an outstanding teammate, respected and well-liked by all. His leadership ability, humbleness and teachable spirit was among the highest of all players who have played at ERAU.”
Steve Ridder
Embry-Riddle Head Men's Basketball Coach (1991-present)

“Most don't remember, but in the summer of 2000, Harold tore his ACL. I remember the sinking feeling that summer entering my senior year when I heard that we just lost your best playmaker. But Harold surprised us all that fall. He underwent surgery to repair the ACL, rehabbed every single day, and only missed a few games to start the season. His return in the less than 6 months was remarkable in and of itself, but considering we went wire-to-wire #1 in the nation and Harold was named Honorable Mention All-American, I would say that comeback was incredible. It was a testament to his passion for the game, his teammates, and his school.”
Kyle Mas
Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball (1997-01)
ERAU Hall of Fame, Class 2011

“I'm proud to have played all three of my years at Embry-Riddle with Harold, but I'm even more proud of the man he's become (Firefighter, husband, father and friend). HP is a quiet, humble man that always kept his nose clean, worked hard and could be counted on by all of his teammates. Whether we need him to score 25 points, swipe a handful of steals or dive on the floor for a loose ball late in the game, Harold would always deliver for the team. In my humble opinion, HP is extremely deserving of being inducted into the Embry-Riddle Athletic Hall of Fame.”
Ryan Rothrock
Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball (1999-02)

“Statistics only tell part of Harold's impact on Embry-Riddle basketball. He raised the bar for elite basketball players in the program. And he did so while fitting into Coach Steve Ridder's student-person-player philosophy.
“A shooting guard with terrific athletic skills, Harold was an immediate impact player. His talent was at a different level, and I have no doubt there were plenty of NCAA coaches who asked why they weren't able to successfully recruit Harold out of Orlando Boone High School. The answer might be that Harold Pierson was a perfect fit for Embry-Riddle: A team player with exceptional individual skill, a young man who brought into a true student-athlete environment and someone who wanted to be a part of a winning program on and off the basketball court.”
Sean Kernan
Daytona Beach News-Journal

“Harold as they say in sports 'was worth the price of admission'. His leadership was second to none and was a big reason Embry-Riddle grew into a national NAIA powerhouse. Harold was an outstanding teammate and positive role model for the Eagles. He had an outstanding career and in my opinion was one of the finest players in Embry-Riddle history.”
Bo Clark
Flagler Head Men's Basketball Coach