The Heidelberg University “H” Association is pleased to announce the 24th class of inductees into its Athletic Hall of Fame. Mark Chrislip ’76 (basketball), Christopher Dillon ’93 (football), Bill Dufur ’90 (basketball), Anthony M. “Tony” Munafo ’57 (football) and Jesse Williams ’30 (baseball, football, basketball) have been selected to join the list of hall of fame members that dates back to 1985. Joining the list of honoree in 2009 will be John Abbott who will be awarded as an honorary member of the “H” Association for his lifetime service to the athletic department.
The Hall of Fame induction activities will take place over homecoming weekend in October. The honorees will be recognized during halftime of Heidelberg’s homecoming football game versus Baldwin-Wallace College Oct. 24 and will be officially inducted later that evening at a banquet in the Great Hall on Heidelberg’s campus. Heidelberg kicks off with the Yellow Jackets at 1:30 p.m. at Frost Kalnow Stadium. The banquet begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the formal induction ceremonies. The banquet is $30 for adults and $10 for children under 11. To register contact the athletic department at (419) 448-2020 or download a registration form and mail it to the athletic department.
The purpose of the Heidelberg University Athletic Hall of Fame is to recognize Heidelberg University men and women who have distinguished themselves in the field of athletics, either by virtue of their performance on athletic teams representing the college, or by meritorious effort in behalf of athletics either as an undergraduate or in years after leaving the college. Click here to fill out a nomination form for a derserving candidate.
Chrislip, a Seville, Ohio native and Cloverleaf High School graduate, was one of the main reasons that Heidelberg was able to rebuild their basketball program during his time he spent as a Student Prince. With a career point total of 1,071 as a guard, he became just the fifth player in the program’s history to cross the 1,000 point plateau. A three-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection and a two-year captain, Chrislip knew how to lead his team, on and off the court. More importantly, Chrislip has taken his success from the court and applied it to MC&A Corp. where he currently is the owner and CEO of the company. He and his wife, Kathy, reside in Libertyville, Ill.
A four-year starter, Dillon was a tremendous asset to the Heidelberg offensive line from 1989-1992 and garnered All-OAC First Team and an All-American Third Team honors. The Gallipolis, Ohio native and Gallia Academy High School graduate also had the privilege of experiencing the first ever collegiate football game played on German soil between Heidelberg and Otterbein in 1992. His success reigned supreme following his time at the Berg as he was a part of a USFTL Flag Football team, where his squad finished third in 2001 and second in 2000. Currently he serves as the president and owner of the Carriage Group Lending, LLC. He and his wife, Natalie, have three children, twins, Zachary and Amelia, and Christian. The Dillon family currently resides in Stow, Ohio.
Dufur originally hails from Chardon, Ohio and concluded his time at the Berg with numerous accolades. In his final campaign he was tabbed the OAC’s Mike Gregory Award winner, which recognizes the league’s most valuable player. He was also named to the Don Hansen’s Basketball Gazette All-American Third Team. Dufur is the lone Heidelberg men’s player to earn the conference’s top honor, as well as earn All-American recognition. His top honor in the league, as well as in the nation, went along with his nod on the National Basketball Coaches Association’s Great Lakes Region First Team and the OAC First Team. He amassed 1,293 career points, which ranks ninth all-time and holds the school record for consecutive made free throws (40). Dufur is married to the former Mindy Gorsuch, a 1990 graduate. The couple resides in Mount Vernon, Ohio, with their three daughters, Morgan, Katelyn and Jessica.
Anthony M. Munafo is a well rounded and gifted individual, who not only had many achievements as a guard on the offensive line, but also in the Korean War. During his tenure at the Berg, Munafo became just the eighth player at the time to earn All-American honors and also has a ring for the team’s OAC championship during the 1956 campaign. Since his years at the Berg, Munafo has gone on to be a well respected high school football coach. His coaching resume includes 22 years as the head coach at Huron High School where he amassed a record of 153-64-7, en route to claiming nine conference championships and not to mention undefeated seasons in 1969, 1970 and 1976. Munafo is a native of Cleveland, Ohio and a graduate of Holy Name High School. He and his wife, Betty, have four children, Guy, Tony Jr., Marjorie and Marc. Anthony joins his son, 1995 inductee Tony Jr., in the hall of fame.
Williams took part in baseball, football and basketball during his time at Heidelberg. He earned three varsity letters on the baseball diamond and served as a team captain in his senior year. Perhaps even more impressive than playing three sports while attending college, Williams was the Aurora business manager, a Kilikilik anonymous gossip columnist for two years, President of the Excelsior Society and was in charge of their intramural program. Williams lived in Tiffin for almost a century before his passing at the age of 96 in 2004. He graduated from Columbian in 1926 and was a varsity letter winner in football and basketball as a senior. Williams and his wife, Evelyn, married in 1934 and have three sons, Richard, ’58, Jim and Bob, ’70.