E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame Officially Inducts Five

Re-Watch the Ceremony | Photo Gallery.

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – It was a night of nostalgia, jubilation, and heartfelt reminiscences as Eastern Michigan University's E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame officially welcomed five former student-athletes into its hallowed ranks Friday, Oct. 27. The George Gervin GameAbove Center served as the backdrop for the induction ceremony, hosted by Tom Helmer, the play-by-play voice of EMU Athletics. Each inductee stepped into the spotlight, their impressive athletic achievements and profound impact on the university were celebrated and remembered.

The Class of 2023 includes exceptional athletes who have left an enduring mark at Eastern Michigan University. Eric Alejandro, a track and field champion that excelled in hurdles and represented Puerto Rico at the Olympics. Ryan Coleman, a women's basketball legend who rewrote records and earned All-American honors. Charles Gordon, a football star that shone as a defensive back on the 1987 championship squad and continued his success in the CFL. Natalie Hashimoto, a gymnastics standout who achieved numerous accolades, including a perfect 10. Camila Olaio, a volleyball sensation that earned All-MAC recognition and set records for aces and assists, leaving a lasting legacy.

The first inductee to grace the stage was Alejandro, a name synonymous with prowess in men's track & field. Graduating in 2008, Alejandro's journey through EMU was nothing short of legendary. With his striking achievements and accolades, he carved a lasting legacy. Competing for the EMU men's indoor and outdoor track & field teams from 2005-08, Alejandro was a three-time Mid-American Conference individual champion, securing gold in the indoor 60m hurdles and the outdoor 110m and 400m hurdles in 2008. His illustrious career also included membership in two MAC Championship 1,600m relay teams and a total of five MAC Championship titles. He was named the Most Valuable Performer at the 2008 MAC Outdoor Championships, highlighting his exceptional skills.

With two MAC Track Athlete of the Week awards and multiple All-MAC honors, Alejandro's prowess was well-acknowledged. Notably, he qualified for the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 400m hurdles. His excellence translated into four MAC Championship Teams and left a lasting mark in EMU's record books with appearances in the top-10 record books three times. Furthermore, Alejandro's journey extended beyond collegiate success as he represented Puerto Rico at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics, seizing gold at the Ibero-American Championships and Central American and Caribbean Games in the 400m hurdles. With two Silver Medals at the 2014 Ibero-American Championships and Central American and Caribbean Games and two World Championship semifinalist distinctions, Alejandro stands as a top-5 all-time Puerto Rican 400m hurdler.

The second honoree, Coleman, carved her name into the annals of women's basketball. Graduating in 2005, Coleman's journey was marked by a trail of records and achievements. She earned four varsity women's basketball letters from 2002-06, leaving a lasting legacy in the EMU and Mid-American Conference record books. Ranking among the top 20 scorers in the history of the MAC, Coleman made history as the second player in league history to amass 1,500 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists, and 200 steals during her career. Her impressive journey was adorned with Kodak/WBCA Honorable Mention All-American honors not once, but twice. A recurring recipient of MAC Player of the Week honors, she ranked third in conference history in this category. Coleman's name is synonymous with accolades, as she clinched First Team All-MAC honors three times and Second Team All-MAC honors once. Her impact reverberated through her leadership, as she was named to the MAC All-Tournament Team and earned MAC Tournament MVP honors in the 2003-04 season.

She added to her legacy with a triple-double, a rare feat in MAC history, and was the second in school history. Her versatility was showcased as she excelled in steals, where she was fourth in the MAC, averaging 2.6 thefts per game. As the MVP of prestigious tournaments like the Eagle Classic, USF Roundball Classic, and the Missouri Tiger Classic, Coleman's prowess extended beyond college. Her journey culminated with a free-agent contract with the WNBA's Detroit Shock, followed by a successful stint in the European Leagues for five years.

Gordon, a football sensation, took center stage as the third inductee. Graduating in 2001, Gordon's journey started in 1986 when he earned Special Mention to Sporting News Freshman All-America Head of the Class. An integral part of EMU's 1987 Mid-American Conference Championship Team, the first in program history, Gordon played a pivotal role in the team's historic victory in the California Bowl over San Jose State. His outstanding performance was aptly recognized, as he received Third-Team All-American by The Football News in 1987 and an honorable mention from the Associated Press in the same year. Gordon's excellence was consistently acknowledged with All-MAC honors for three consecutive years from 1987-89. Notably, he was named MAC Player of the Week against Bowling Green in 1987. Gordon's presence on the field was marked by interceptions, and he recorded a total of 12 career interceptions. In 1987, he created history with the second-longest interception return in Rynearson Stadium history. A versatile player, Gordon also led the team in punt returns three times, in 1987, 1988, and 1989, and recorded the third-longest punt return for a touchdown in EMU history in 1989, spanning an impressive 91 yards.

Gordon's journey extended beyond college, as he played seven years in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and earned the prestigious title of a CFL All-Star twice - as a CFL East All-Star in 1996 and a CFL West All-Star in 1994. Gordon's CFL journey included stints with the Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Roughriders, British Columbia Lions, and Montreal Alouettes. He was a member of the Lion's 1994 CFL Grey Cup Championship Team and was a nominee for the 1995 CFL Defensive Player of the Year as a member of the Lions. Gordon's excellence in the CFL is evident through his impressive statistics, averaging 8.5 interceptions per season, with four returned for touchdowns during his time in the CFL from 1994-96, culminating in a total of 39 career interceptions. His journey also took a further international turn as he was selected as the 70th pick of the 1997 World League Draft (NFL Europe) by the Amsterdam Admirals.

Hashimoto, a gymnastics sensation, was the fourth inductee, graduating magna cum laude in 2003. Her four-year journey as a member of the gymnastics team from 2000-03 was a saga of unbridled success. Hashimoto stands as the most decorated gymnast in program history, earning postseason Mid-American Conference distinctions every year. Her journey began with being named MAC Freshman of the Year in 2000. In the subsequent seasons, she continued to shine, claiming the conference's Gymnast of the Year honor in consecutive seasons, in 2001 and 2002, and eventually being named MAC Senior Gymnast of the Year in 2003. Hashimoto scored EMU's first-ever perfect 10 on the beam in 2000. Her dedication was reflected in the record books, as she broke the record for the best all-around score in program history, earning an impressive 39.725 as a freshman. Her brilliance extended to vault, where she scored another perfect 10 in 2001, also the first in EMU's history on the apparatus.

Hashimoto's impact extended to team success, as she was a member of the MAC All-Tournament Team for three consecutive seasons from 2000-02. Her academic prowess was reflected in her distinction as an Academic All-MAC honoree in 2003. Hashimoto's journey was marked by consistency, earning her the distinction of a four-time all-around NCAA Regional Qualifier. Her name is etched at the top of EMU's record books for the highest scores on floor, achieved in 2000, and bars, recorded in 2003, with an almost perfect score of 9.950 in both events. Notably, she owns the top seven scores in program history for vault and holds the program record in both beam and vault, scoring the only two perfect 10s in school history. In 2002, she scored a 9.900 on floor at the MAC Championships, earning the co-MAC floor title and aiding the Eagles in achieving a team program record of 49.425 on floor.

The final inductee, Olaio, brought her volleyball prowess to the spotlight, graduating in 2002. A four-time volleyball letter winner from 1998-2002, Olaio's journey was marked by exceptional contributions to the sport. Her career began with an All Mid-American Conference Honorable Mention in 1999, setting the tone for her remarkable career. Throughout her tenure, she received All-Tournament Team honors at prestigious events, including the EMU Classic, Tennessee Classic, and MVP at the Valparaiso Classic in 1999. Her career hit a high note in 2001, as she was named All-MAC Second Team and was awarded All-Tournament recognition at IUPUI.

In her senior year, Olaio's dedication and excellence came to fruition as she was selected as First Team All-MAC in 2002, along with earning All-Region Honorable Mention honors by the American Volleyball Coaches' Association in the same year. Her commitment to academics was evident as she received Academic All-MAC recognition three times in 1999, 2001, and 2002. Olaio's journey was marked by versatility and impact. She led the MAC in aces and assists per game during the 2002 season, setting the record for the most aces in a single season at EMU with an astounding 81 in 2002. Her name continues to shine in EMU's top-10 all-time records for assists, digs, and she holds the top spot for aces in her career, with an impressive tally of 239.

The induction of these five remarkable individuals into the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame was a testament to their unparalleled contributions and unceasing dedication to Eastern Michigan. Their athletic prowess, their determination, and their commitment to excellence left an indelible mark on the university's history and will continue to inspire future generations of student-athletes. As they stepped into the Hall of Fame, these inductees brought with them not just their achievements but the embodiment of the true spirit of Eastern Michigan University.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Related News

Related Videos