Jan. 17, 2008

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara Athletics Department will induct seven new members into its Hall of Fame at a banquet on April 26, 2008, Athletics Director Gary Cunningham announced Thursday.

The 1967 UCSB men's swim team, men's tennis player Don Gaynor, men's water polo player Larry Mouchawar, women's basketball players Erin Alexander and Amy Smith, women's volleyball player Roberta Gehlke, and men's soccer player Rob Friend comprise the 2008 class of inductees.

"We are very excited about the new group of inductees to our Hall of Fame," said UCSB Athletics Director Gary Cunningham. "Each new member is an important part of the Gaucho athletic heritage and is well-deserving of inclusion. It should be a great event."

Coached by Rick Rowland, the 1967 Gaucho swim team won the NCAA College Division team championship. Gaynor, along with his partner and Hall of Fame member Lee Reid, won the NCAA College Division doubles tennis title in 1964 and was the runner-up in 1963. Mouchawar was a four-time All-American and is the school's all-time leading goal scorer. Alexander and Smith were all-conference players who helped lead the UCSB women's basketball program to prominence in the mid-1990s. Each is among the program's all-time statistical leaders in numerous categories. Gehlke was a three-time All-American who led UCSB to four NCAA Tournament appearances. Friend was an All-American, remains the Gauchos' single-season record holder for goals, and helped the program to its first NCAA men's soccer tournament ever.

In addition to the induction festivities, all new and current members of the Hall of Fame will be presented with a members only UCSB Hall of Fame windbreaker. The windbreaker, which will be emblazoned with a special Hall of Fame logo, will be presented by the Gaucho Athletics Association.

Donn Bernstein, UCSB's former Sports Information Director and a member of the Hall of Fame, is scheduled to emcee the event.

The banquet, which will be part of the All Gaucho Reunion weekend, is scheduled for Saturday, April 26, 2008, in the Thunderdome. The Phil Womble Hall of Champions dedication will precede the Hall of Fame event at 4 p.m. in the Intercollegiate Athletics (ICA) Building. A social hour will kickoff the Hall of Fame inductions at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m., and inductions will begin so thereafter.

For information about the ceremony, interested parties are asked to contact Hazel Ando at 805-893-8320 or Hazel.Ando@athletics.ucsb.edu.