BUY HALL OF FAME TICKETS
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (August 22, 2019) – Northern Arizona University Athletics is proud to announce the members of the 2019 NAU Athletics Hall of Fame Class, which will be honored on Friday, Sept. 13 at the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony beginning at 5:30 p.m. MST at the High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff.
Included in the 2019 NAU Hall of Fame Class are former football standout Zach Bauman (2010-13), former NAU hockey coach and program founder Dr. Gerald Caple, volleyball's Maggie Barrera and the 2003 Cross Country Team.
The 2019 NAU Athletics Hall of Fame Class will also be recognized during the Hall of Fame Football Game on Saturday, Sept. 14 vs. Western New Mexico at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome.
"Leaders, innovators, extreme competitors and icons are all represented in the 2019 NAU Athletic Hall of Fame Class," NAU Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
Mike Marlow said. "NAU and the Lumberjack athletic family remain grateful for the historic contributions they have all made to NAU Athletics. We are pleased to now honor their accomplishments in perpetuity by induction into the Hall of Fame."
The Northern Arizona University Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1981 to honor those persons who have made outstanding contributions to NAU Athletics.
Its purpose is to perpetuate the memory of those persons who have brought distinction, honor and excellence to Northern Arizona University while contributing to the welfare of their community, their profession or the university. Additionally, outstanding teams whose records of achievement have brought honor to the university and its programs shall be so honored by induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame.
Student-athletes, athletic teams and coaches become eligible for Hall of Fame induction five years after competing or serving at Northern Arizona University.
A current employee of the university who has 20 years of service at NAU and has made a valued and sustained contribution to the success of a specific or overall athletics program is eligible for Hall of Fame induction.
To nominate a former student-athlete or coach, please submit a Hall of Fame nomination form to Randy Press at
Randy.Press@nau.edu or mail to NAU Athletics Hall of Fame, c/o Randy Press, 1 Skydome Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86011.
2019 NAU Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Class
2003 Men's Cross Country
The 2003 Men's Cross Country team captured the 2003 Big Sky Championship and went on to finish in third place overall at the 2003 NCAA Championships. Travis Laird led the Lumberjacks to the title by claiming the individual Big Sky Championship with a time of 25:24 over the 8,000 meter course. The Lumberjacks third-place finish at the 2003 NCAA Championships marked the third top-three national finish for the Lumberjacks in program history. Ron Mann was named 2003 Big Sky Coach of the Year, marking the fifth time he received the honor over a six-year stretch.
Zach Bauman, Football, 2010-13
All-time leading rusher in NAU Football history with 5,132 yards from 2010-13. He also holds two of the top three marks for most rushing touchdowns in a single season with 15 in 2011 and 14 in 2010. He finished his career as one of only nine players in FCS history to amass a total of four 1,000-yard rushing seasons, including 1,456 yards in 2013. For his career, Bauman tallied 6,136 all-purpose yards – which still ranks as the top total in NAU history. Was a first-team All-Big Sky selection for three consecutive seasons (2011-13). Leads NAU with 43 career rushing touchdowns.
Maggie Barrera, Volleyball, 1998-01
Top-10 in a number of categories in school history including kills (3rd – 1,406), kill average (2nd – 3.62 per set), attacks (4th – 3,429), block solos (T8th – 81) and service aces (9th – 108)…Fourth best kill average (4.38) in a season…Third-most block solos in a season (45) and tied for fifth-most total blocks (137)…Seventh best block average (1.26) in a season…Two of top-10 highest single match kill totals (32, T5th and 30, 8th)…One of five players with at least six solo blocks in a match…Three-time All-Conference player (first team in 2000, second team in 1999 and 2001)…Big Sky Tournament MVP in 1999 when NAU won the Big Sky Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for first time in school history…Became first player to receive both Big Sky Tournament MVP and Regular Season MVP (2000)…NAU's Female Athlete of the Year for 2000-01 as a senior.
Dr. Gerald Caple, Ice Hockey, 1971-91
Dr. Gerald Caple established the Lumberjack club hockey program in Flagstaff, Arizona in 1971 while teaching at NAU as a chemistry professor. For more than a decade, Dr. Caple organized, advised, managed and coached the fledgling NAU hockey team, spending countless hours and untold amounts of money in order to develop and build the 'Jacks into a highly competitive collegiate hockey program. This success of NAU Hockey under Dr. Caple's tutelage directly led Northern Arizona to elevate the program to NCAA Division I status in the 1981-82 season. The NCAA Lumberjacks played five seasons as an NCAA D-I Independent squad. The most notable members during NAU's NCAA tenure were former Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings Jimmy Peters, who served as NAU's Head Coach, as well as players Greg Adams (New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Dallas Stars, Phoenix Coyotes and Florida Panthers) and Bob Beers (Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders). The Lumberjack club hockey program was resurrected in 1991 and soon became a member of the fledgling ACHA. Still working as a distinguished faculty member of NAU's Chemistry Department at that time, Dr. Caple was consulted for his guidance and advice. His off the ice promotion of NAU Hockey established the foundation of NAU Hockey that is still celebrated and enjoyed today with Men's D-II and D-III hockey teams. Caple was inducted in the American Hockey Coaches Association (ACHA) Hall of Fame in 2018.
