Eastern Michigan Athletics
E-Club to Induct Five into the EMU Athletic Hall of Fame
9/20/2023 10:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball, Football, Volleyball, Gymnastics, General, E-Club
Ceremony will be held Friday, Oct. 27, in the George Gervin GameAbove Center
Purchase Tickets to the Event
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University E-Club Alumni Chapter, the official varsity athletic letterwinners club, has announced the addition of five new members into the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame. The Class of 2023 will be honored at the Hall of Fame ceremony Friday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m.
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.
This year's class will mark the 47th anniversary of the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame with a dinner followed by a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The Class of 2023 will then be recognized during the EMU football game Saturday, Oct. 28, against Western Michigan University.
Reservations are $50 and include the dinner reception and ceremony. To register online using a credit card please click here and to get discounted football game tickets visit https://bit.ly/3sHT7dM.
Additionally, a limited number of hotel accommodations have been reserved at the Fairfield Inn (326 James L. Hart Parkway, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, P:734.482.0668) with an EMU rate of $119/night. When calling to make your reservation be sure to mention EMU Hall of Fame to receive the EMU rate or book online by Sept. 27.
The biographies for the Eastern Michigan University Athletics Hall of Fame 2023 inductees are below.
Eric J. Alejandro
Men's Track & Field: Graduated in 2008...Competed for the EMU Men's Track & Field indoor and outdoor teams from 2005-08...Three-time Mid-American Conference Individual Champion in the indoor 60m hurdles (2008) and the outdoor 110m hurdles (2008) and 400m hurdles (2008)...Member of two MAC Championship 1,600m relay teams (indoor 2007 and outdoor 2006)...Has a total of five MAC Championship titles...Named Most Valuable Performer at the 2008 MAC Outdoor Championships...Two-time MAC Track Athlete of the Week...Earned First Team All-MAC twice and Second Team All-MAC once...Qualified for the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 400m hurdles...Member of four MAC Championship Teams (indoor – 2006, 2007, 2008; outdoor – 2007)...Appears in EMU's all-time top-10 record books three-times (indoor – 200m hurdles; outdoor – 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles)...Represented Puerto Rico at the 2012 Olympics in London, England, and at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...2012 Gold Medalist at the Ibero-American Championships and Central American and Caribbean Games in the 400m hurdles...Two-time Silver Medalist at the 2014 Ibero-American Championships and Central American and Caribbean Games...Two-time World Championship semifinalist (Moscow 2013 and Beijing 2015)...Top-5 All-Time Puerto Rican 400m hurdler.
Ryan Coleman
Women's Basketball: Graduated in 2005...Earned four varsity women's basketball letters from 2002-06...Rewrote the EMU and Mid-American Conference record books, ranking in the top 20 in the history of the MAC in scoring and became just the second player in MAC history to record 1,500 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals in a career...Earned Kodak/WBCA Honorable Mention All-American honors twice...Was named MAC Player of the Week nine times, ranking third in conference history...Earned postseason honors all four seasons; First Team All-MAC three times and Second Team All-MAC once...Named to the MAC All-Tournament Team and earned MAC Tournament MVP honors in the 2003-04 season...Led the Eagles in points (16.9 per game), field goals (165), three-pointers (32), assists (4.1 per game), steals (2.1 per game), blocks (0.6 per game) and minutes (36.9 per game) in a career...Finished among the conference leaders in scoring, field-goal percentage, rebounds, blocks, steals and assists...Became just the third Eagle to record a career 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 200 assists...Collected the MAC's only triple-double of 2004-05, and just the second in school history, versus Western Michigan (2/12/05)...Ranked sixth in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (42.5) and 39th in points per game (17.9)...Ranked in the top-10 in four of the five MAC offensive categories, including second in scoring (17.9 ppg)...Collected 1,000th career point at Akron (1/5/05), 500th board at Western Michigan (1/15/05), and 200th assist against Northern Illinois (1/8/05)...Was fourth in the MAC in steals, averaging 2.6 thefts per game...Finished as the runner-up for the MAC Player of the Year...Named the MVP at the Eagle Classic, USF Roundball Classic and at the Missouri Tiger Classic...Signed a free agent contact with the WNBA's Detroit Shock (2006)...Went on to play professionally in the European Leagues for five years (2006-2010).
Charles Gordon
Football: Graduated in 2001...Four-year football letterman from 1986-89...Earned Special Mention to Sporting News Freshman All-America Head of the Class (1986)...Starting defensive back on EMU's 1987 Mid-American Conference Championship Team, the first in program history, and helped the team win the California Bowl over San Jose State...Named Third-Team All-American by The Football News in 1987 while also being named honorable mention Division I All-American by the Associated Press that same year...Earned All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors for three consecutive years (1987-89)...Earned MAC Player of the Week against Bowling Green (11/12/87)...Led the team in interceptions in 1987 and recorded 12 career interceptions...Recorded the second longest interception return in Rynearson Stadium history in 1987...Led the team in punt returns three times, in 1987, 1988 and 1989...Recorded third-longest punt return for a touchdown in EMU history in 1989 (91 yards)...Named in the 1980s EMU Football All-Decade Roster for Defensive and Special Teams...Went on to play seven years in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and was a CFL All-Star twice - CFL East All-Star in 1996 and a CFL West All-Star in 1994...Member of the Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Roughriders, British Columbia Lions, and Montreal Alouettes...Member of the Lion's 1994 CFL Grey Cup Championship Team...Nominee for the 1995 CFL Defensive Player of the Year as a member of the Lions...Averaged 8.5 interceptions per season with four returned for touchdowns in the CFL (1994-96)...Recorded 39 career interception in the CFL...Selected as the 70th pick of the 1997 World League Draft (NFL Europe) by the Amsterdam Admirals.
Natalie Hashimoto
Women's Gymnastics: Graduated magna cum laude in 2003...Four-year member of the gymnastics team (2000-03)...The most decorated gymnast in program history, earning postseason Mid-American Conference distinction in every year of competition...Named MAC Freshman of the Year in 2000...Claimed the conference's Gymnast of the Year honor in consecutive seasons (2001 and 2002) and was named MAC Senior Gymnast of the Year in 2003...Scored EMU's first-ever perfect 10 on beam in 2000...Broke the record for best all-around score in program history, earning a 39.725 as a freshman...In 2001, scored a perfect 10 on vault, also EMU's first on the apparatus...Member of the MAC All-Tournament Team for three consecutive seasons (2000, 2001, and 2002) and notched an Academic All-MAC distinction in 2003...Was a four-time all-around NCAA Regional Qualifier...Ranks at the top of EMU's record books for the highest scores on floor (2000) and bars (2003), recording an almost perfect score of 9.950 in both events...Owns the top seven scores in program history for vault...Holds the program record in both beam and vault, scoring the only two perfect 10's in school history...In 2002, scored a 9.900 on floor at the MAC Championships, earning the co-MAC floor title and aiding the Eagles to a team program record of 49.425 on floor.
Camila Olaio
Volleyball: Graduated in 2002...Four-time volleyball letter winner (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002)...Earned All Mid-American Conference Honorable Mention in 1999...Received All-Tournament Team honors at the EMU Classic, Tennessee Classic, and MVP at the Valparaiso Classic in 1999...Named All-MAC Second Team in 2001...Awarded All-Tournament recognition at IUPUI in 2001...Earned MAC Player of the Week honors (6/9/02)...Named MVP at the Montana State Tournament and Western Illinois Tournament; and selected to the Jacksonville All-Tournament Team in 2002...Selected as First Team All-MAC in 2002 while also earning All-Region Honorable Mention honors by the American Volleyball Coaches' Association that same year...Received Academic All-MAC recognition three times (1999, 2001, 2002)...Led the MAC in aces and assists per game during the 2002 season...Set the record for most aces in a single season at EMU with 81 in 2002...Ranks in EMU's top-10 all-time records for assists (4,031), digs (1,294), and holds the top spot for aces in career with 239.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University E-Club Alumni Chapter, the official varsity athletic letterwinners club, has announced the addition of five new members into the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame. The Class of 2023 will be honored at the Hall of Fame ceremony Friday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m.
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.
This year's class will mark the 47th anniversary of the E-Club Athletic Hall of Fame with a dinner followed by a ceremony at 6:30 p.m. inside the George Gervin GameAbove Center. The Class of 2023 will then be recognized during the EMU football game Saturday, Oct. 28, against Western Michigan University.
Reservations are $50 and include the dinner reception and ceremony. To register online using a credit card please click here and to get discounted football game tickets visit https://bit.ly/3sHT7dM.
Additionally, a limited number of hotel accommodations have been reserved at the Fairfield Inn (326 James L. Hart Parkway, Ypsilanti, MI 48197, P:734.482.0668) with an EMU rate of $119/night. When calling to make your reservation be sure to mention EMU Hall of Fame to receive the EMU rate or book online by Sept. 27.
The biographies for the Eastern Michigan University Athletics Hall of Fame 2023 inductees are below.
Eric J. Alejandro
Men's Track & Field: Graduated in 2008...Competed for the EMU Men's Track & Field indoor and outdoor teams from 2005-08...Three-time Mid-American Conference Individual Champion in the indoor 60m hurdles (2008) and the outdoor 110m hurdles (2008) and 400m hurdles (2008)...Member of two MAC Championship 1,600m relay teams (indoor 2007 and outdoor 2006)...Has a total of five MAC Championship titles...Named Most Valuable Performer at the 2008 MAC Outdoor Championships...Two-time MAC Track Athlete of the Week...Earned First Team All-MAC twice and Second Team All-MAC once...Qualified for the 2007 NCAA Outdoor Championships in the 400m hurdles...Member of four MAC Championship Teams (indoor – 2006, 2007, 2008; outdoor – 2007)...Appears in EMU's all-time top-10 record books three-times (indoor – 200m hurdles; outdoor – 110m hurdles and 400m hurdles)...Represented Puerto Rico at the 2012 Olympics in London, England, and at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil...2012 Gold Medalist at the Ibero-American Championships and Central American and Caribbean Games in the 400m hurdles...Two-time Silver Medalist at the 2014 Ibero-American Championships and Central American and Caribbean Games...Two-time World Championship semifinalist (Moscow 2013 and Beijing 2015)...Top-5 All-Time Puerto Rican 400m hurdler.
Ryan Coleman
Women's Basketball: Graduated in 2005...Earned four varsity women's basketball letters from 2002-06...Rewrote the EMU and Mid-American Conference record books, ranking in the top 20 in the history of the MAC in scoring and became just the second player in MAC history to record 1,500 points, 600 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals in a career...Earned Kodak/WBCA Honorable Mention All-American honors twice...Was named MAC Player of the Week nine times, ranking third in conference history...Earned postseason honors all four seasons; First Team All-MAC three times and Second Team All-MAC once...Named to the MAC All-Tournament Team and earned MAC Tournament MVP honors in the 2003-04 season...Led the Eagles in points (16.9 per game), field goals (165), three-pointers (32), assists (4.1 per game), steals (2.1 per game), blocks (0.6 per game) and minutes (36.9 per game) in a career...Finished among the conference leaders in scoring, field-goal percentage, rebounds, blocks, steals and assists...Became just the third Eagle to record a career 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 200 assists...Collected the MAC's only triple-double of 2004-05, and just the second in school history, versus Western Michigan (2/12/05)...Ranked sixth in the nation in three-point field goal percentage (42.5) and 39th in points per game (17.9)...Ranked in the top-10 in four of the five MAC offensive categories, including second in scoring (17.9 ppg)...Collected 1,000th career point at Akron (1/5/05), 500th board at Western Michigan (1/15/05), and 200th assist against Northern Illinois (1/8/05)...Was fourth in the MAC in steals, averaging 2.6 thefts per game...Finished as the runner-up for the MAC Player of the Year...Named the MVP at the Eagle Classic, USF Roundball Classic and at the Missouri Tiger Classic...Signed a free agent contact with the WNBA's Detroit Shock (2006)...Went on to play professionally in the European Leagues for five years (2006-2010).
Charles Gordon
Football: Graduated in 2001...Four-year football letterman from 1986-89...Earned Special Mention to Sporting News Freshman All-America Head of the Class (1986)...Starting defensive back on EMU's 1987 Mid-American Conference Championship Team, the first in program history, and helped the team win the California Bowl over San Jose State...Named Third-Team All-American by The Football News in 1987 while also being named honorable mention Division I All-American by the Associated Press that same year...Earned All-Mid-American Conference (MAC) honors for three consecutive years (1987-89)...Earned MAC Player of the Week against Bowling Green (11/12/87)...Led the team in interceptions in 1987 and recorded 12 career interceptions...Recorded the second longest interception return in Rynearson Stadium history in 1987...Led the team in punt returns three times, in 1987, 1988 and 1989...Recorded third-longest punt return for a touchdown in EMU history in 1989 (91 yards)...Named in the 1980s EMU Football All-Decade Roster for Defensive and Special Teams...Went on to play seven years in the Canadian Football League (CFL) and was a CFL All-Star twice - CFL East All-Star in 1996 and a CFL West All-Star in 1994...Member of the Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Roughriders, British Columbia Lions, and Montreal Alouettes...Member of the Lion's 1994 CFL Grey Cup Championship Team...Nominee for the 1995 CFL Defensive Player of the Year as a member of the Lions...Averaged 8.5 interceptions per season with four returned for touchdowns in the CFL (1994-96)...Recorded 39 career interception in the CFL...Selected as the 70th pick of the 1997 World League Draft (NFL Europe) by the Amsterdam Admirals.
Natalie Hashimoto
Women's Gymnastics: Graduated magna cum laude in 2003...Four-year member of the gymnastics team (2000-03)...The most decorated gymnast in program history, earning postseason Mid-American Conference distinction in every year of competition...Named MAC Freshman of the Year in 2000...Claimed the conference's Gymnast of the Year honor in consecutive seasons (2001 and 2002) and was named MAC Senior Gymnast of the Year in 2003...Scored EMU's first-ever perfect 10 on beam in 2000...Broke the record for best all-around score in program history, earning a 39.725 as a freshman...In 2001, scored a perfect 10 on vault, also EMU's first on the apparatus...Member of the MAC All-Tournament Team for three consecutive seasons (2000, 2001, and 2002) and notched an Academic All-MAC distinction in 2003...Was a four-time all-around NCAA Regional Qualifier...Ranks at the top of EMU's record books for the highest scores on floor (2000) and bars (2003), recording an almost perfect score of 9.950 in both events...Owns the top seven scores in program history for vault...Holds the program record in both beam and vault, scoring the only two perfect 10's in school history...In 2002, scored a 9.900 on floor at the MAC Championships, earning the co-MAC floor title and aiding the Eagles to a team program record of 49.425 on floor.
Camila Olaio
Volleyball: Graduated in 2002...Four-time volleyball letter winner (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002)...Earned All Mid-American Conference Honorable Mention in 1999...Received All-Tournament Team honors at the EMU Classic, Tennessee Classic, and MVP at the Valparaiso Classic in 1999...Named All-MAC Second Team in 2001...Awarded All-Tournament recognition at IUPUI in 2001...Earned MAC Player of the Week honors (6/9/02)...Named MVP at the Montana State Tournament and Western Illinois Tournament; and selected to the Jacksonville All-Tournament Team in 2002...Selected as First Team All-MAC in 2002 while also earning All-Region Honorable Mention honors by the American Volleyball Coaches' Association that same year...Received Academic All-MAC recognition three times (1999, 2001, 2002)...Led the MAC in aces and assists per game during the 2002 season...Set the record for most aces in a single season at EMU with 81 in 2002...Ranks in EMU's top-10 all-time records for assists (4,031), digs (1,294), and holds the top spot for aces in career with 239.
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