Montana State Billings Announces 2010 Athletics Hall of Fame and Distinction

BILLINGS, Mont. – The 21st Annual Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket Athletics Hall of Fame and Distinction is scheduled for Fri., Feb. 19, 2010, at the Hilton Garden Inn located at 2465 Grant Road in Billings.  The 2010 class includes four outstanding former athletes who all made an impact for the Yellowjackets during their careers.

The class features two women and two men.  Henry “Charley” Williams played football, baseball, basketball and track for the Yellowjackets from 1964-1967.  Dominic Washington played basketball from 1984-87 and was on the Yellowjacket Final Four team in 1987.  Natalie Visger also competed in basketball from 2000-2003 and Margot Merrill-Johnson participated in soccer and tennis from 2001-2005. 

With the addition of this class, the MSUB Hall of Fame and Distinction will increase to 130 members as it was created in 1990. 

The evening will begin with a social hour staring at 5:30 p.m., followed by a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m.  Following the meal, the Hall of Fame and Distinction induction ceremony will begin.  The cost for the event is $30 and is open to the public.  Reservations can be made by calling 406-657-2369.

On Saturday, Feb. 20, fans are encouraged to attend the MSUB basketball doubleheader beginning with the women’s game at 5:15 p.m. versus Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponent, Northwest Nazarene, at Alterowitz Gymnasium.  Following the women’s game (approximately 7:30 p.m.), the men will face nationally ranked Seattle Pacific.  Each of the 2010 Hall of Fame inductees will be introduced at halftime of the men’s game.

In addition, MSUB will have a special presentation at halftime of the men’s game as the Yellowjackets won their 1,000th men’s basketball game in school history earlier this season.  MSUB won at Alaska Fairbanks (82-68) on Jan. 7 for the 1,000th win in school history.  MSUB is 1004-895 all-time and 11-8 on the year.

Event sponsor Hilton Garden Inn is pleased to offer out-of-town guests a special room rate.  Reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at 406-655-8800 or toll free at 1-800-STAY-HGI.  Please mention the MSUB Hall of Fame and Distinction when booking your reservation.

Williams was a two-time All-Frontier Conference first team selection (1964-65) and was named the football team’s Most Valuable Player in 1964.  He ran sprints and was a long jumper for the 1966 track team and played on the 1964-65 basketball team and was team statistician in 1965-66.

Washington ranks second in assists in a season (258) and second in career assists with 457.  In addition, he ranks first in steals in a season (90 – 1986-87) and second (75 – 1984-85).  He also ranks second in career steals with 165. 

He was a member of the 1987 that reached the Final Four of the Division II NCAA Championship.  The Yellowjackets went 24-7 and 9-1 in league play.  The Jackets won both West Region games in Billings and then defeated Florida Southern (75-62) in the Elite Eight in Billings.  The Yellowjackets then headed to Springfield, Mass., where they lost to Gannon (PA) 61-55.

Visger set her own mark on the women’s basketball program as she ranks second in career free throw percentage (82.2) and third in career rebound with 796.  She was a 2000-2001 All-Pacific West Conference selection and was a 2002-2003 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District second team selection.

Merrill-Johnson also competed in multiple sports as she played both women’s soccer and tennis.  She ranks third in career goals (30) and scoring with 71 points.  She was a 2004 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America first team selection.  She ranks second in points in a season with 28 (11 goals and six assists).

In addition, she was named NCAAA Woman of the Year for Montana in 2005.