FORT MYERS, Fla. – Six iconic individuals who wrote their place in FGCU athletics history with excellence on the field, court, and course will be inducted to the FGCU Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2023, the school announced.
Women's basketball's Kate (Schrader) Bruce, baseball's Richard Bleier and Casey Coleman, two-sport star (softball and volleyball) Cheyenne Jenks, softball's Carmen (Paez) Jimenez, and golfer Derek Lamely make up the second class in the FGCU Hall of Fame, having done their part in the Green & Blue's first decade of existence to pave the way for the success the current Eagles are enjoying.
The FGCU Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony is Friday, Jan. 20. Register by Jan. 16 to support our Class of 2023!
For tickets to the 2023 FGCU Hall of Fame induction ceremony, see below.
Bleier, Coleman, Bruce, Jenks, Jimenez, and Lamely join the inaugural FGCU Hall of Fame class – the 2012-13 "Dunk City" men's basketball team, Chris Sale, Brooke Youngquist Sweat, Dr. Ben Hill Griffin III, Dr. Bill Merwin, Duane Swanson, Sr. – as FGCU recognizes the generational impact honorees have made on the university.
"Each of our honorees, like Chris and Brooke, have been special members of our pioneers' era who not only have brought tremendous recognition to their University but have created a mindset for those who have followed that they can achieve at the highest levels," said FGCU Director of Athletics Ken Kavanagh.
Bleier was a key component of the Eagles' inaugural Division I baseball program in 2008. A junior that season, Bleier was a First-Team All-ASUN selection and became FGCU's first-ever ASUN Pitcher of the Year as a junior, going 7-1 with a 2.09 ERA and 76 strikeouts over 90.1 innings in 2008. Bleier, a 2021 inductee to the ASUN Hall of Fame, was a sixth-round pick of the Texas Rangers in 2008 and is still pitching in the MLB with the Miami Marlins.
Bruce starred at Florida Gulf Coast University for legendary head coach Karl Smesko, earning Division II All-America honors while helping the Eagles women's basketball team to a 34-1 record and the 2007 NCAA Division II National runner-up finish. Despite playing just two seasons at FGCU, she finished as the program's all-time leader in points, field goals made, free throws made and free-throw percentage. She is currently the head women's basketball coach at IUPUI.
A local product via Mariner High School in Cape Coral, Coleman made FGCU history by becoming the baseball program's first major league player when he made his debut with the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 2, 2010. A 15th-round selection in the 2008 MLB Draft by the Cubs, Coleman was an integral part of the 2008 FGCU team that posted a 38-15 record and won the ASUN regular-season title in the program's first season in Division I. Pitching amidst a starting rotation that also included Bleier, Sale and current Seattle Mariners pitching coach Pete Woodworth. Unfortunately, they were in the Division I transition years and not eligible for the ASUN or NCAA post-season.
A native of nearby Naples and NHS, a two-sport star at FGCU, and a 2020 ASUN Hall of Fame inductee, Jenks (who also played on the Eagles' volleyball team) was an Easton First-Team All-American in 2008-09 on the softball diamond - FGCU's first ever in any sport. She was unanimously voted the ASUN Softball Player of the Year after a senior season that saw her hit .473 with 23 home runs and 73 RBIs. Jenks notched 146 kills and 231 digs in a senior season that saw the Eagles win their second-straight ASUN regular season championship.
Jimenez was inducted to the ASUN Hall of Fame in 2019, was a semifinalist for the NFCA Softball Player of the Year award in 2008, and was named ASUN Player of the Year after posting a .425 batting average with 22 home runs, 68 RBI, and 76 runs scored. A year prior as a junior, Paez led the nation with 28 home runs and 80 RBIs – which were both NCAA Division II records – en route to being named Division II National Player of the Year.
A member of FGCU's inaugural team, Lamely became the first former FGCU golfer to win on the PGA Tour after capturing the 2010 Puerto Rico Open by two strokes. In the process, Lamely was the first PGA Tour rookie to earn a victory in over two seasons. Lamely also won on the Nationwide Tour (now the Korn Ferry Tour) the year prior, defeating Rickie Fowler in a playoff. Lamely competed as a member of the Green & Blue during the NAIA era when the Eagles were not eligible for the postseason.
Bruce, Bleier, Coleman, Jenks, Jimenez and Lamely will be honored at halftime of FGCU's men's basketball game against Kennesaw State on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023. The induction ceremony will be held on Friday, Jan. 20, 2023, and will be open to the public with tickets now on sale for $50 each. The ceremony will be held in the Cohen Student Union Ballroom, with a reception and dinner beginning at 6 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony.
2023 FGCU ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE BIOGRAPHIES
Kate (Schrader) Bruce – Basketball
Named 10th head women's basketball coach in in IUPUI history in May 2022 ... All-time winningest head coach at Walsh (OH) University (same institution where Coach Smesko commenced his head coaching career), compiling a 134-43 (.757) record over her six-year tenure, including four straight NCAA Tournament berths, and a 28-5 mark that culminated in the program's first-ever Sweet 16 appearance in the 2021-22 season … Bruce's .757 winning percentage ranks among the nation's best over the past six years, and she also guided Walsh to an impressive 100-25 mark (.800) in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference … Played one season professionally for the Perrik Jumpers in Holland before returning to FGCU as graduate assistant coach in 2008 and then served as an assistant coach in 2009-10, helping her alma mater to a 50-12 overall mark and 34-6 record in the Atlantic Sun Conference while earning back-to-back WNIT berths … Later held assistant coaching stints at Youngstown State (2010-13) and Ohio University (2013-16) before taking over the Walsh program in 2016 … In two seasons as a player, Bruce earned honorable mention All-American honors after a 2006-07 season after she led FGCU in scoring (15.1 points per game) and rebounding (7.2 rebounds per game) … Bruce scored 20 or more points in nine games and had seven games with at least 10 rebounds … Bruce's 453 points scored in 2006-07 was the second-highest single-season total at the time at FGCU, and her 215 rebounds are the third most in a season … Schrader finished the season with a .551 field goal percentage that set a single-season mark and was the 23rd-best among all Division II players.
Kate (Schrader) Bruce
"It is such an unbelievable honor to be inducted into the FGCU Athletics Hall of Fame. Women's basketball has a tradition of excellence; there have been many remarkable players throughout our program's history. To be inducted representing the program is truly a blessing. I am grateful I had the opportunity to play for and coach alongside Karl Smesko. He's been an incredible mentor. I have so many amazing memories with my teammates during my time at FGCU and my experience helped shape me into who I am today. I am thankful for the Eagle community and what being a part of this remarkable family has meant and continues to mean to me."
Coach Karl Smesko
"Kate had an amazing two seasons for us, leading us all the way to the national championship game her senior year. Kate was competitive and relentless. She would outwork her opponent every possession. She was a very smart player who picked things up quickly, which serves her well now in her role as a coach. I am really excited for Kate to receive this recognition."
Richard Bleier – Baseball
Made MLB debut in 2016 with the New York Yankees before being traded to the Baltimore Orioles in 2017 … Owns a 14-6 record with a 3.06 ERA with 171 strikeouts with 308 appearances in his career through 2022 … Debuted with a 1.96 ERA over 23 innings with the Yankees in 2016 before posting 1.99 and 1.93 ERAs over the next two seasons in Baltimore … Traded to Marlins in 2020, and posted a 2.63 combined ERA and helped lead Miami to an NLDS appearance … Went 2-2 with a 3.55 ERA, 32 strikeouts and 10 walks in 55 appearances in 2022 … Earned ASUN Class of 2021 of Hall of Fame honors due to his excellence at FGCU … Unanimous selection for the Atlantic Sun Conference Pitcher of the Year and All-Conference first team in 2008 … Named to the All-PING!BASEBALL third team … Selected to the watch list for the Roger Clemens Pitcher of the Year Award … Made 12 starts on the year and compiled four complete games, finishing with a 7-1 record and a team-best 2.09 ERA … Recorded 76 strikeouts, good for second on the team, while allowing a team-low 17 walks in 90.1 innings on the mound… Finished with an average of 7.57 strikeouts per nine innings with a 4.5 strikeout-to-walk ratio … Was named to the All-South Region second team as a sophomore in 2007, recording an 8-2 record with a 3.60 ERA in 85.0 innings … Was among the national leaders in wins and strikeouts, fanning 84 batters while walking just 18 … Went 2-1 as a freshman in 2006, going 2-1 with one save … Notched a 2.10 ERA with 34 strikeouts and just eight earned runs in 34.1 innings pitched ... Bleier's career winning percentage of .810 (17-4) is an FGCU program-best while he ranks fourth in both complete games (6) and ERA (2.70) while ranking eighth with 17 career wins ... During his Eagles career, he made 46 appearances with 26 starts and had 181 strikeouts in 209.2 innings pitched.
Richard Bleier
"It's a great honor to be recognized by FGCU, as none of what I've accomplished would have been possible without the help and guidance of the coaching staff. Dave Tollett, Rusty McKee, and Dan Roszel all helped in my development as a player and human. To the fans, former teammates, and personnel that made this happen, thank you!"
Coach Dave Tollett
"Richard was our first true Friday night guy. He was a great reason why we won the conference our first year in Division-I. He started with us and worked his way to being one of the top pitchers in the conference before he was drafted as a junior. He has had a great pro career, and he has kept finding a way to keep pitching and doing what he does – throwing that change up and two-seam fastball for strikes. He has always thrown strikes, and the big thing about winning a championship is that you have to have that guy who can go out every Friday night and do the job."
Casey Coleman – Baseball
Played for four years in MLB, competing in 58 games with the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals, with an 8-13 record, a 5.72 ERA and 123 strikeouts over 177.2 innings pitched … A part of the first family to have three generations of pitchers reach the major leagues …Father, Joe, played from 1965-79, making the 1972 All-Star Game as a member of the Detroit Tigers … Grandfather, Joe, was named an All-Star in 1948, highlighting his 10-year career (1942-55) … Casey and his father also become the eighth father-son combination to have played for the Cubs but the first father-son pitching combination to appear for the team, as Joe was a member of the organization in 1976 … Played a combined 433 games in the major league, minor league and internationally with an 81-68 record in 1,291.1 innings pitched and owns composite professional career marks of 976 strikeouts and a 4.11 ERA along with 40 saves and three complete games … Went 16-6 on the mound with 171 strikeouts from 2006-08 , helping lead FGCU to a 119-49 record over that span … Split time at second base, shortstop and third base, and hit .318 with 98 runs scored, 156 hits, 26 doubles, nine triples, eight home runs and 97 RBIs … Despite only playing three seasons, Coleman still ranks among the top 10 in three FGCU career categories - triples (9, 4th), saves (6, 9th), and wins (16, 10th)….He was recently elected to the ASUN Conference Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
Casey Coleman
"It's an honor to be inducted into the FGCU Athletics Hall of Fame. There are so many people to give thanks to for helping me achieve this. Most of all I'd like to thank my family for always supporting me no matter what. I'd like to thank Coach Toe and Coach McKee for the amazing opportunity and always pushing me to get better. I came to FGCU wanting to build something special with the great people of the university and SWFL community. I'm very thankful to be a part of the Eagle family."
Coach Dave Tollett
"Casey was, in 2008, the best two-way player in the country. He would play shortstop and second base, hit anywhere from No. 2 to No. 5 I the order and was a vital offensive threat. But on the mound, he was really, really special. He was just as good on Friday night, but if you threw him then he would be too sore to play in the field. So we threw him Sundays or Tuesdays and he really gave us a chance to win a lot of big mid-week ballgames. The mid-week schedule in Florida is relentless, and there are no gimmes. Casey was a guy who kept us in it every time he was out there in that position."
Cheyenne Jenks – Softball/Volleyball
Named First-Team All-American as a senior in 2009 – FGCU's first ever in any sport – unanimously chosen ASUN Player of the Year, hitting .473 with 23 HRs and matching her own ASUN record of 73 RBI ... Was unanimous All-ASUN First Team selection as a junior helping the Eagles to a share of the 2008 regular-season championship, posting a .398 average with 16 home runs, a .738 slugging percentage, and 73 RBI, which set an ASUN record (tied for third in the nation) ... A two-sport star, was key contributor to back-to-back ASUN regular-season volleyball championships in 2007 and 2008 and combined 72-14 record in her three seasons ... Eagles were combined 215-42 in her four seasons on the diamond ... Inducted into the ASUN Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
Cheyenne Jenks
"Thank you to my coaches, teammates, and FGCU athletics for allowing me to be myself, and just play! I am feeling incredibly honored to be a part of the FGCU Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023!"
Coach David Deiros
Without question, Cheyenne is the best athlete I've ever coached. Whether on the court, pitch, or diamond, she excelled at everything. It was really gratifying to watch her set ASUN records that still stand today."
Coach Dave Nichols
"Cheyenne was a coach's dream. Hard-working, focused, and calm under pressure. She was detail oriented with great ball control. All she ever did was help you win! I loved coaching her, and I have nothing but respect for her grit and toughness. She was a special athlete!"
Carmen (Paez) Jimenez – Softball
A top 25 finalist for USA Softball National Player of the Year in 2008, named ASUN Player of the Year and FGCU's Female Student-Athlete of the Year after leading the nation with a .638 on-base percentage with a .425 batting average, 22 HRs (fourth in the nation), 68 RBI, 76 runs scored, and an ASUN record 84 walks (fifth-most in NCAA history) ... Her .928 slugging percentage ranked her second in the country ... Was selected the NCAA Division II National Player of the Year and an All-American as a junior in 2007 when she set the NCAA Division II record of 28 home runs while driving in 80 runs ... The Eagles were a combined 110-23 in her two seasons ... Inducted into the ASUN Hall of Fame Class of 2019.
Carmen (Paez) Jimenez
"I hope that when a little girl walks up to the FGCU softball field, she realizes she is stepping foot on blood, sweat, and tears. I hope she is inspired and falls in love with the sport. Past softball players have spent their career training and living on that field. I was one of them. One thing that I want all of those little girls to understand, awards are not just handed out to anyone, they are earned."
Coach David Deiros
"Carmen was the best pure hitter to ever wear the Green and Blue. Her prodigious power was only topped by her competitive ferocity and boundless generosity to her teammates."
Derek Lamely – Golf
First former FGCU golfer to win on the PGA Tour, capturing the 2010 Puerto Rico Open in his rookie season … Won by two strokes over Kris Blanks, finishing with at a then-tournament-record 19 under par … Lamely's course-record 63 in the third round at Trump International Golf Club-Puerto Rico vaulted him into contention … Became first rookie to win on the PGA Tour since Marc Turnesa won the 2008 Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open … Started on 10th tee in final round, and had to watch for more than two hours to see if he would win or become part of a sudden-death playoff … Prior to Lamely's victory, the last person to tee off on No. 10 in the final round and win on the PGA Tour was Keith Clearwater at the 1987 Colonial Invitational … Earned $630,000 with his victory along with PGA TOUR playing privileges through 2012 … After his stint at FGCU, Lamely turned pro and won the Iowa Open in 2004 … Won the 2008 Waterloo Open Golf Classic, the largest golf tournament in the state ... Joined the Nationwide Tour in 2009, and won the Nationwide Children's Hospital Invitational in a playoff over Rickie Fowler … Lamely began the final round eight strokes behind the leader, but his final round of 6-under 65 was enough to force a playoff … Finished fourth on the Nationwide Tour money list in 2009 and earned his 2010 PGA Tour card … Was a member of the inaugural FGCU men's golf team, joining as a junior in 2000-01 after transferring from McNeese State.
Derek Lamely
"What a cool honor, especially starting the golf program and wanting to leave a lasting impact for it to be a school more guys want to play for! Coach Suttie helped me try and reach my full potential playing and winning on the PGA Tour. I truly couldn't have done it without him and FGCU."
Coach Doc Suttie
"Derek Lamely was the most competitive golfer I have ever coached. He didn't know how to lose, because most times he never did. He was a great leader, and he made our team play better just to keep up with him. No one worked harder than Derek. He went on to win on the PGA Tour, which I expected him to do. In addition to this, he is a good person and he loves his relationship with Florida Gulf Coast University."
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Tickets for the 2022-23 FGCU Basketball season are on sale now and can be purchased by going online to www.FGCUTickets.com or calling 866-FGCU-TIX. Group tickets can also be purchased for 10 or more people – making a memorable evening for families, businesses, or other organizations.
E.A.G.L.E. CAMPAIGN
IT TAKES A TEAM to achieve our newest goal - a $10 million campaign to address student-athlete needs in continued academic success, life skills, mental health, nutrition, and strength and conditioning as well as departmental needs in facility expansion and improvement as well as mentoring and leadership training for coaches and staff. The name embodies our mission and the purpose of the E.A.G.L.E. Campaign - Eagle Athletics Generating Lifetime Excellence. Join Our Team and pledge your gift today to help the Eagles of tomorrow!
#FEEDFGCU
FGCU Athletics sponsors events in November and April to benefit the FGCU Campus Food Pantry (https://www.fgcu.edu/adminservices/foodpantry) and the Harry Chapin Food Bank (www.harrychapinfoodbank.org), FGCU Athletics' charities of choice. For more information, including how to make a contribution, please visit https://www.fgcu.edu/adminservices/foodpantry and utilize the hashtag #FeedFGCU to help raise awareness.
ABOUT FGCU
FGCU teams have combined to win an incredible 93 conference regular season and tournament titles in just 15-plus seasons at the Division I level. Additionally, in just 11-plus seasons of D-I postseason eligibility, the Eagles have had a combined 45 teams or individuals compete in NCAA championships. In 2022, the men's golf team became the first program to earn an at-large berth to the NCAA Tournament. Eight FGCU programs have earned a top-25 national ranking in their respective sport - including women's basketball (No. 20, 2021-22), beach volleyball (No. 20, 2022) and both men's soccer (2018, 2019) and women's soccer (2018) as four of the most recent. In 2016-17, the Green and Blue posted a department-best sixth-place finish in the DI-AAA Learfield Directors' Cup and top-100 showing nationally, ahead of several Power-5 and FBS institutions. In 2018-19, the Eagles had an ASUN and state of Florida best seven teams earn the NCAA's Public Recognition Award for their Academic Progress Rate in their sport. FGCU also collectively earned a record 3.50 GPA in the classroom in the fall 2020 semester and has outperformed the general University undergraduate population for 26 consecutive semesters. The past five semesters (Fall 2019 – Spring 2022) saw another milestone reached as all 15 programs achieved a 3.0-or-higher cumulative team GPA. The Eagles also served an all-time high 7,200 volunteer hours in 2017 - being recognized as one of two runners-up for the inaugural NACDA Community Service Award presented by the Fiesta Bowl.
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