By Gail Wood
Friday, February 13 marks the 25th anniversary of the introduction of Saint Martin’s University’s annual Athletics Hall of Fame/Hall of Honor celebration.
The event is part of the Saint Martin’s Homecoming 2015 festivities scheduled throughout the weekend for alumni.
Inductees of the Hall of Fame/Hall of Honor are invited to a get-together on Friday that begins with a social hour at 6:00 p.m. at Marcus Pavilion. At 7:00 p.m., the celebration continues with four speakers reflecting on their experiences at Saint Martin’s.
The speakers – Vince Strojan ’68, George Parker ’71, Emily Shipman Thomas ’02 and Adolfo Capestany – are previous inductees into the University’s Hall of Fame/Hall of Honor. All inductees in attendance will receive a Saint Martin’s one-quarter jacket with the Hall of Fame/Hall of Honor logo. Family members of deceased inductees who attend the event will be recognized with certificates.
For Strojan, an NAIA All-American in the 1960s as a 6’3” guard, his induction into his school’s Hall of Fame has had a lasting impact.
“It’s always been kind of awkward for me to accept an individual award while playing a team sport,” Strojan said. “I think the one thing that makes it somewhat easier is that during my era, there were four or five others from my team who were inducted.”
When Strojan arrived at Saint Martin’s, the school was all male and enrollment was approximately 500 students. After earning NAIA All-American honors his senior year, Strojan was drafted by the Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association.
In a tryout with the Seattle SuperSonics, Strojan made it to the last cut. It came down to Strojan and Al Hairston.
“I played in their rookie camp. I thought I had made it, but they kept another guy over me,” said Strojan, who recently retired after selling Evergreen Paper Company, which he owned for 30 years.
Strojan and his former teammates still frequently get together with Jerry Vermillion, their former coach who has been inducted into Saint Martin’s Hall of Fame and lives on Hood Canal.
“Jerry had a way of getting the best out of you,” Strojan said. “There’s a sense of accomplishment, especially when you’re around your peers that you played with on the team.”
Thomas, a 2002 Saint Martin’s grad, was the first Saint Martin’s athlete to win a conference title in track. She still holds the school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and has the third-fastest conference time in the 2,000-meter steeplechase. She also set school records in the 10K, 5K and 3K.
Parker was an NAIA all-district selection in men’s basketball. He finished with 1,182 points, which ranked seventh in career scoring at Saint Martin’s all-time. Parker, who was inducted into the Saints’ Hall of Fame in 1997, led his team in points and rebounds.
Capestany has been the PA announcer for home basketball games for the Saints’ men’s and women’s teams since 1985, earning him the title of being the “Voice of the Pavilion.” He has also volunteered as the school’s sports information director for a decade and has been involved in many fundraising events over the years.
Capestany, who was inducted into Saint Martin’s Hall of Honor in 2014, has a long-time connection with the University. His uncle and aunt taught at Saint Martin’s University. In the 1970s, he started attending Saints basketball games as a young boy. Being inducted has been a special honor.
“For me, especially as a non-alumni, it’s very humbling,” said Capestany, who attended Western Washington University. “I do it because it’s a labor of love. I enjoy doing it.”
Capestany’s announcing career began in the early 1970s when he covered junior varsity basketball games at Olympia High School as a student. When a need opened at Saint Martin’s, he volunteered and has stuck with it ever since. Over the years, Capestany said, he’s watched some special moments in Marcus Pavilion.
“It’s very touching and humbling that they thought enough of what I do, which I feel is very small, to give me this honor,” Capestany said.
To learn more about the Hall of Fame/Hall of Honor and 25th anniversary events, click here.
