15 inducted into hall of fame

Ten men and five women were inducted into the Ohio State Sports Hall of Fame in ceremonies held on Friday. Plaques were presented to the inductees during halftime of the OSU-Pittsburgh game Saturday afternoon. Archie Griiffin, two-time Heisman winner and 1981 Hall of Fame inductee, said "it is great to be able to go back and recognize some of the great athletes from earlier classes." One hundred and seventy-seven athletes have been inducted since the Hall's creation in 1977. An athlete cannot be inducted until five years after the graduation of their class. The 1996 class includes three football players Jim Otis, Dick Fisher and Bob Shaw; track stars Lloyd Duff and Ralph Tyler; administrator Gladys E. Palmer; diving coach Vince Panzano; basketball player Don Grate; baseball player Ray Shoup; volleyball player Lisa Bettio; swimmers Marcie Ballard and L.B. Schaefer; diver Karen LaFace; golfer Meg Mallon; and gymnast Mike Racanelli. Dick Fisher said being inducted into the hall of fame "feels as good as scoring a touchdown against Michigan." Fisher was a member of the 1939 Big Ten championship team and was also the backfield coach the year Vic Janowicz won the heisman trophy. Jim Otis was a member of OSU's 1968 national championship team as well as an All-American fullback and OSU team MVP in 1969. Otis said this induction is one of the greatest honors he has ever received, but it still can't compare to running all over Michigan. Bob Shaw was an All-American and member of the 1942 national championship team. Lloyd Duff was All-American in the decathlon in 1946 and 1947. At one time, he was the American record holder in the 70-yard high hurdles. Duff said this induction is the "biggest thrill of his life". Ralph Tyler was the track captain and the NCAA outdoor long jump champion in 1944. Gymnast Mike Racanelli said this is a very special honor and it is made even more special because of his relatively young age compared to the rest of the group. Racanelli was the winner of the Nissen Award in 1990. The Nissen Award is presented annually to the best senior male gymnast in the nation. Swimmer L.B. Schaefer was a three time All-American in the backstroke between 1961 and 1963. He was the NCAA champion in the 100 and 200 meter backstrokes in 1962. Marcie Ballard was a six-time NCAA champion in the backstroke. Don Grate was an All-American forward on the 1944 basketball team. Diver Karen LaFace was NCAA diver of the year in 1987 after winning the national championship in the one-meter dive. She was also a member of the 1992 US Olympic team. Golfer Meg Mallon was all big ten twice in 1984 and 1985 and is currently on the LPGA tour. Lisa Bettio was selected to the Big Ten volleyball all decade team in the 1980's. Ray Shoup was a first team All-American outfielder in 1967 who also played on the 1966 national championship team. Vince Panzano is the current diving coach. He was the recipient of the Mike Peppe award as US diving's outstanding coach in 1989 and 1990. Gladys Palmer is credited with developing the rules of softball. In 1926 she created rules for softball which are known as the Palmer Code.