The University of Missouri–St. Louis Department of Athletics has announced its 2016 inductees to the UMSL Sports Hall of Fame.
The class features four student-athletes, one team and one coach. The inductees include: Allyson DeFosset (softball), Josh Morgan (baseball), Dennis Spitzer (baseball), Dale Westerholt (baseball), the 1968-69 men’s basketball team and Denise Silvester (former volleyball coach).
ALLYSON DEFOSSET – Softball (2008-09)
Allyson DeFosset was a two-year standout in the circle for UMSL, graduating as the program’s all-time career strikeouts leader with 514, which still ranks second. As a senior in 2009, she set then single-season records with 298 strikeouts and 11 shutouts behind an ERA of 0.74, which still stands as the second-best in a single season. DeFosset pitched UMSL to the 2009 NCAA Tournament – the program’s first appearance in 20 years – and tossed a no-hitter in the UMSL Tritons’ opening round 1-0 victory over Ashland. For her efforts, she was named the 2009 GLVC Pitcher of the Year and the Daktronics Midwest Region Pitcher of the Year, while also picking up first team all-GLVC and first team all-region nods. DeFosset was also selected to the Daktronics All-American Third Team. Other career rankings at the time of her graduation included fourth in wins (38), fourth in shutouts (13) and eighth in complete games (32).
JOSH MORGAN – Baseball (2004-06)
Josh Morgan was a three-time All-GLVC selection and a two-time all-region honoree. At the time of his induction, he ranks third in career home runs (18), is tied for third in stolen bases (71), tied for seventh in triples (10) and ranks ninth in total bases (251). After earned second team All-GLVC honors in 2004, Morgan was a first team selection in 2005 and 2006, and was also tabbed the GLVC Pitcher of the Year as a senior in 2006. He was twice drafted by Major League Baseball, first as a 27th round pick in 2005 by the New York Yankees and then in 2006 as a 30th round pick by the Oakland A’s.
Dennis Spitzer – Baseball (1970-73)
A four-year member of the UMSL Rivermen baseball team, Spitzer helped UMSL to back-to-back World Series in 1972 and 1973, the program’ first two appearances. As a senior in 1973, he earned First Team All-Region honors, finishing the year with a then single season record of 68 strikeouts, which still ranks fifth. He also set a single season record with 14 strikeouts in a victory over Missouri-Rolla. As a junior in 1972, Spitzer recorded 67 strikeouts, which still ranks sixth on the single season charts. At the time of his induction, Spitzer ranks second in career strikeouts (220), fifth in wins (17), sixth in ERA (3.43) and seventh in innings pitched (196.2).
DALE WESTERHOLT – Baseball (1970-73)
A four-year member of the Rivermen baseball team, Westerholt helped UMSL to back-to-back World Series in 1972 and 1973, the program’s first two appearances. As a junior on the 1972 team, which was a 2010 UMSL Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Westerholt posted a 4-3 record on the mound with a 2.66 ERA. He ranked second on the team with 41 strikeouts in 44 1/3 innings. As a senior on the 1973 team, he set a then single season record with eight wins (which still ranks fourth), posting an 8-4 record with a 2.25 ERA. He tossed a then school record five complete games with a then school record two shutouts in 68 innings, while also recording 48 strikeouts. Westerholt’s 2-1 victory over Jacksonville State in the World Series gave UMSL the program’s first World Series win. At the time of his induction, Westerholt still ranks third in career ERA (2.87), seventh in career wins (16) and 10th in career strikeouts (131).
1968-69 Men’s Basketball Team
Under the direction of legendary head coach Chuck Smith, the 1968-69 men’s basketball team posted a 19-7 record, while also advancing to the NAIA Nationals by defeating Drury in overtime to claim the district title. The team was an offensive power, going over the century mark eight times and still owns several single season offensive records, including points per game (92.4), field goals made (964) and field goal percentage (50.8). The team scored 2,042 points during the season, which is still second-most all-time, and had an eight-game win streak midway through the season, which is third best in program history. Among Smith’s players are fellow UMSL Hall of Famers Jack Stenner, an All-American pick in 1968-69, and Greg Daust.
DENISE SILVESTER – Volleyball (1986-2003)
Denise Silvester is the longest-tenured volleyball coach in program history, serving on the sidelines from 1986-2003. She posted a career record of 403-250 (.617 winning percentage) and had 12 winning seasons in her 18 years. In her first season (1986), Silvester led UMSL to a 28-14 record and a second place finish in the MIAA after the team had gone 9-34 the previous year. For her efforts, she was named the MIAA Coach of the Year. In her second season (1987), Silvester led UMSL to a 49-4 record, a program-best win total. In 1991, she directed the program to its first NCAA Tournament appearance along with its first-ever top-20 national ranking. They finished with a 29-11 record, the second-most wins in a season. Silvester also took the 1995 team to the NCAA Tournament during their last year in the MIAA.
This year’s induction ceremony and banquet will be held on Feb. 5 at the St. Louis Hilton at the Ballpark beginning at 6 p.m. The inductees will also be introduced at halftime of the UMSL men’s basketball game on Feb. 6 against Illinois Springfield.
