Tech announces 2012 Hall of Fame class

Courtesy of MTU Athletics

HOUGHTON, Mich. — Michigan Tech will induct six individuals and, for the first time, a team into its Sports Hall of Fame during induction ceremonies scheduled for Friday, Oct. 12.

The induction class of 2012 includes former women’s basketball player Allison Bailey, former football player Kurt Coduti, former men’s basketball player Sandy Johnson, longtime hockey historian and supporter Paul Kerttu, former football player Robert Peterson and former hockey player Bill Steele.

The team being inducted is the *1961-62 men’s ice hockey team* which won the 1962 NCAA National Championship. The first team in school history to win a national championship will be honored on the 50th anniversary of its title.

The ’62 Huskies put together a 29-3-0 overall record and won the WCHA crown with a 17-3-0 mark. The squad won 20 straight games to close out the year including wins over St. Lawrence (6-1) and Clarkson (7-1) in the national semifinals and championship held in Utica, N.Y.

The team and six inductees will join the 193 members already in the Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame, which was started in 1985.

Below is a brief biography of each of the individual inductees.

*Allison Bailey (Bottoms)*

Bailey was one of the best women’s basketball players in Michigan Tech history. The Ewen, Mich., native scored 1,561 points in 122 career games for the Huskies between 1997-2001, finishing her career as the school’s second-highest scorer. Bailey earned All-America Honorable Mention honors in 1999-2000, a season where she set school records for free throw attempts (167) and makes (137). She also earned All-GLIAC First Team honors and GLIAC Tournament MVP accolades that year as the Huskies finished 26-4 and hosted the NCAA Regional. In addition to scoring, Bailey’s career numbers rank among Tech’s top 10 in rebounds (603), field goal percentage (.507), free throw percentage (.748) and games played (122). The Huskies compiled an impressive 98-24 record (.803 winning percentage) during her four years in Houghton.

*Kurt Coduti*

Coduti, who lettered for the football team from 1989-92, was one of the most productive quarterbacks in school history. A four-year starter, Coduti threw for 5,297 yards and 45 touchdowns—second-most in school history upon his graduation. The two-time All-America Honorable Mention earned Academic All-America First Team honors in 1992. Coduti started at quarterback all four years, setting a Michigan Tech record for completion percentage (.587) and helping the Huskies to a 23-16 record over that span. The two-time captain led Tech to a 9-1 record his senior year in 1992, which was just the second nine-win campaign in school history.

*Sandy Johnson*

Johnson lettered for the men’s basketball team from 1961-65. He amassed 1,121 career points in 84 career games for a 13.3 points per game average. The Lansing, Mich., native wrapped up his career as Tech’s career-leading scorer with his 1,121 points—a mark that stood for 16 years before it was surpassed. Johnson was a member of the 1962-63 Tech team that amassed a 17-5 record and became the program’s first to win a conference championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament. The Huskies finished third at the NCAA Regional that season. Johnson earned All-NIC honors in 1963-64 and was Tech’s leading scorer in 1964-65. He served as team co-captain both seasons.

*Paul Kerttu*

Kerttu has been a Michigan Tech hockey supporter and historian spanning seven decades. The Detroit-area resident began following the Huskies in the 1959-60 season and has kept a scrapbook of Michigan Tech hockey every year since then including game summaries and game programs from every contest. Kerttu has collected more than 1,000 Michigan Tech game programs and 500 photos—many autographed—of Huskies players and coaches over the years. More than his collection, Kerttu held many other roles while traveling to all road games between 1980-2010. He provided color commentary on radio broadcasts for many years and helped the coaching staffs track plus-minus, ice time and line matchups. In addition to his volunteering, Kerttu has made significant financial contributions to the program. The west wing of the press box at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena is named in Kerttu’s honor.

*Robert Peterson*

Peterson earned four letters in football—two in 1941-42 and two more in 1946-47. The Ironwood, Mich., native’s collegiate career was interrupted by World War II. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served as a bombardier aboard a B-24 bomber. On his second mission over Nazi Germany, his plane was shot down and he was captured. Peterson spent 18 months in a German POW camp before returning home. He re-enrolled at Michigan Tech under the GI bill and played two more years for the Huskies. On the gridiron, Peterson served as the team’s quarterback, which at the time included all passing, kicking and punting. He played defense as well, serving as team captain of the 1946 team. After graduation, Peterson remained involved in Tech athletics. He helped organize hospitality for fans and alumni at Great Lakes Invitational hockey tournaments in Detroit and was involved in restarting the Detroit chapter of Michigan Tech Alumni.

*Bill Steele*

Steele starred on the ice from 1971-75, helping the Huskies to a WCHA title in 1974 and a national championship in 1975. The forward played in 145 career games and posted 65 goals and 86 assists for 151 career points. He finished his career ranked fourth on Tech’s all-time scoring list. The Toronto, Ont., native earned All-WCHA Honorable Mention in 1974-75. Steele, who served as assistant captain on the national championship team, helped the Huskies to a 100-49-5 record over his four years. He scored several of the most notable goals in school history including the final goal at Dee Stadium on Dec. 4, 1971; the overtime game winner in the 1974 national semifinal win over Harvard and the opening goal of the 1975 national championship game win over Minnesota. Steele returned to Michigan Tech and served as its director of athletic development from 2001-05 and is credited with creating the popular VIP Tailgate parties at Michigan Tech home football games.