Bolivar, Mo. – SBU athletics is excited to announce the Hall of Fame Class of 2025. This years' inductees include Garry Brandt, coach that led the Bearcat football team into the new era, Natalie (O'Keefe) Goatley, a former track and field high jumper and 2x National Champion, Fanni Varga, a former tennis player and 4x MIAA Player of the Year, and Corey McElhaney, current coach of the SBU cross country & track and field teams coaching two National Champions and over 50 All-Americans.
 
These four will be inducted into the SBU Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, October 10^th following the alumni dinner on homecoming weekend. Their celebration will continue on Saturday as they will join the parade and be recognized during the Homecoming football game. More details to come at a later date.
 
As well, their names will be added to the long list of Hall of Fame members online and at the location in the front lobby of the Meyer Sports Center. An interactive touch screen will also be available showing these Hall of Fame members and all before them.
 
2025 Hall of Fame Class
 
Garry Brandt – Head Football Coach (1983-87)

• First SBU Football Coach in new era; revamped the program after 40-year hiatus
• Led team to back-to-back winning seasons (1986, 87)
• Led team to first National rankings in NAIA Division II; as high as #3 in 1987
• NAIA District 16 Coach of the Year (1986)
• Coached 2 SBU Hall of Famers (Lester Baker & Kevin Patterson)
• 5x NAIA All-American Honorable mentions
• 12x NAIA 1^st-Team All-District Awards
• Coached the first ever game at Plaster Stadium in 1985
• Rostered 107 players in first year as a program in 1983
   

Natalie (O'Keefe) Goatley – Track and Field/Women's Basketball (2013-17)

• 2x Indoor NCAA National Champion – High jump (2016,17)
• 2x MIAA Student Athlete of the Year (Ken B. Jones Award) – 2016,17
• 3x NCAA Indoor All-American (2014,16,17)
• 2x NCAA Outdoor All-American (2015,16)
• 2x NCAA Elite 90 Award (2016,17)
• CoSIDA 1^st-Team Academic All-American
• 3x MIAA Champion
• 2x USTFCCCA Indoor Field Scholar Athlete of the Year
• Among 9 finalists for NCAA Women of the Year (2016-17)
• Holds SBU Indoor High Jump record

 
Fanni Varga – Tennis; Player (2012-15), Coach (2017-21)

• 4x MIAA Player of the year (2012,13,14,15)
• 2x Individual ITA All-American (2014,15)
• 2x Doubles ITA All-American (2014,15)
• 2x CoSIDA 2^nd Team Academic All-American (2014,15)
• 2x Individual ITA Fall Regional Champion (2012, 13)
• 3x Doubles ITA Fall Regional Champion (2012,13,14)
• ITA Regional Freshman of the Year (2012)
• MIAA Freshman of the Year (2012)
• 1x Final Four Appearance
• 2x Elite 8 Appearances
• 2017 ITA Assistant Coach of the Year (Men)
• 2017 ITA Regional Assistant Coach of the Year (Women)
• 2018 ITA Regional Coach of the Year (Men)
• 2x MIAA Coach of the Year (Men – 2018,19)
• 2021 GLVC Coach of the Year (Men)

 
Corey McElhaney – Head Cross Country/Track & Field Coach (2007-Present)

• Coached two NCAA Individual National Champions
• More than 50 All-Americans
• 5x NCAA Elite 90 Representatives (award handed out to the athlete with the highest GPA competing at NCAA Nationals)
• 1x CoSIDA Academic All-American of the Year
• 5x CoSIDA Academic All-Americans
• Women's XC tied for highest GPA in the Nation (2018-19)
• Regional Women's Cross-Country Coach of the Year (2015)
• Women's Cross Country Regional Champions (2015)
• 5x Conference Coach of the Year (4 MIAA, 1 GLVC)
• 5x Cross Country Conference Championships (4x MIAA, 1 GLVC)
• 6x Cross Country teams qualified for NCAA National Championships
• 2023-24 SBU Life Beautiful Award Winner
• Coached 5 SBU Hall of Famers