Lindenwood Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics Brad Wachler announced the 2020 induction class for the Lindenwood Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday afternoon. Seven individuals and one team comprise the 2020 class, which will soon take its place among the University's all-time greats. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Lindenwood Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, previously scheduled to be held in October, will be postponed until a later date.
The seven individuals to receive this prestigious honor are Andrew Bradbury, Michael Coursault, Graeme Hossack,
Jim Lange, Travis Mears, Christopher Mileski, and Ryan Nicklas. The 2015 Lion Line team will also be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Bradbury spent two seasons as a member of the Lindenwood wrestling team, donning the black and gold during the 2003-04 and 2004-05 campaigns. Bradbury earned All-American status in each of his two seasons for the Lions, claiming back-to-back national titles at 125 pounds. In 2005, Bradbury guided Lindenwood to the second team title in program history, while also helping the Lions claim top honors at the prestigious National Dual Championships.
Coursault was a member of the Lindenwood men's lacrosse team for four seasons from 2006-09. Coursault played in 56 games for the Lions, accumulating 133 goals and 50 assists during his career for a 3.27 points per game average. Coursault earned All-American honors three times, twice achieving first-team status. In addition, Coursault was a three-time first-team all-MCLA performer and served as team captain for Lindenwood from 2007-09.
Hossack was a four-year member of the Lindenwood men's lacrosse team, leading the Lions from 2012-15. Hossack was a ground ball machine for Lindenwood, ranking fifth all-time in NCAA history by collecting a staggering 452 ground balls during his career. As a senior in 2015, Hossack established a new Lindenwood single-season record with 153 ground balls. Hossack was a first-team All-American in 2015, becoming the program's first All-American during Lindenwood's NCAA era. Hossack was a four-time first-team all-conference selection and was a two-time winner of the ECAC Specialist of the Year award.
Lange was a four-year starter for the Lindenwood men's lacrosse team from 2004-07. Lange concluded his career in 2007 as the program's all-time leading scorer, eclipsing 200 career points. Lange was a four-time all-conference performer, and was selected as a MCLA All-American in 2005. Lange captained the Lions for three seasons, helping lead the team to three straight conference championships and three consecutive appearances in the MCLA National Championship Tournament.
Mears was a member of the Lindenwood shotgun sports team from 2005-10, helping lead the Lions to ACUI Collegiate National Championships in each season during the program's historic stretch of 15 consecutive National Championships. Mears had three top-ten finishes at the ACUI Collegiate National Championships, including a second-place finish in 2009. Mears won the overall individual National Championship in 2010. In all, Mears amassed seven individual Collegiate National Championships. Mears was a four-time honoree as a National Scholastic Shooting Champion.
Mileski served as the head coach of the Lindenwood cycling program for six seasons from 2009-14 and was the second head coach in the program's history. Mileski was at the helm of the cycling program during the 2014 USA Cycling Collegiate Road National Championships as the Lions finished second overall as a team and boasted their first-ever individual national champion. Mileski has dedicated over two decades to the sport of cycling and helped to lay the foundation for the program at Lindenwood.
Nicklas was a four-year starter for the Lindenwood men's volleyball team from 2003-06, finishing his career as one of the most decorated players in program history. Nicklas guided the Lions to a 112-33 record during his time on the court, twice leading Lindenwood to the NAIA National Championship Match in 2005 and 2006. The Lions won four consecutive conference championships during Nicklas' tenure. Nicklas was a two-time All-American, receiving the honor during the 2005 and 2006 seasons, and was a three-time all-conference performer. Nicklas accumulated 1,157 kills and 462 blocks as a Lion.
The 2015 Lion Line is remembered for winning the program's first-ever national championship in the open jazz division. At the time, the national title for the Lions was the sixth in program history, with each of the previous five trophies coming in the open hip-hop division. Lindenwood was the last of 13 teams to perform during the finals at the UCA and UCA College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships. The Lions proved that the best was saved for last, earning the best score of the group, en route to the title.