Klima, Kurcova Selected to 41st American University Athletics Hall of Fame Class

The American University Department of Athletics and Recreation will honor the athletics achievements of two alumni student-athletes, women's basketball's Mary Klima, '98, and volleyball's Vendula Kurcova, '99, with induction into the Stafford H. "Pop" Cassell Hall of Fame. The 41st Hall of Fame class will be inducted on Saturday, February 6, 2010.

Klima was a standout member of American's 1998 WNIT team, the first women's basketball team in American history to ever reach the postseason. As the most prolific rebounder in university history, Klima leads the all-time list in career rebounds (881), single-season (304) and single-game (24). Additionally, Klima is the third-leading scorer in American history with 1,477 points in her career, and holds the second highest single-season total (533 in the 1997-98 campaign). Her 17.8 average points per game during the 1997-98 season is the third-highest average in school history. Klima shot an impressive 49.3 percent from the field in her career, placing her eighth on the all-time list.

Kurcova was a dominant force during her reign on the Eagles' volleyball squad from 1995-99. She led the team to back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association Championships in 1997 and 1998, the first conference titles in school history. Additionally, American earned the school's first ever appearances in the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Tournament during these seasons. Kurcova was a three-time Academic All-America pick, earning First Team honors in 1997 and Second Team recognition the following season. She was also a three-time All-CAA conference selection, earning First Team honors twice. Currently, Kurcova ranks fourth all-time in school history in kills (1,568), fifth in kills per game (3.50) and sixth in digs (942).

To kick off the events on February 6, 2010, Klima and Kurcova will be recognized at halftime of the American men's basketball game versus Lehigh at 2 p.m. in Bender Arena. Following the game, all Hall of Fame inductees and guests are invited to join alumni, coaches, donors and friends at the Athletics Auction and Reception at Mary Graydon Center. The main event will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails, followed by dinner and the 2010 Hall of Fame Induction and Dinner Ceremony.  Proceeds from the event will go to the Eagles Club to help support the scholarship and operational costs of the athletics department, directly benefiting American student-athletes.  

The Stafford H. "Pop" Cassell Hall of Fame was created in 1969. Sponsored by the Cassell Family, the Hall of Fame was established to recognize the achievements and contributions of individuals associated with American University Athletics and Recreation. The Hall of Fame's first induction class included basketball and football standout W. James Birthright and Bruce R Kessler, football, track and boxing star Joseph P. Carlo, and former Athletics Director, head coach, and three-sport athlete Hugo "Dutch" Schulze.

For more event information and to RSVP for the weekend's Hall of Fame festivities, please contact Megan Sturges, Assistant Director of Athletics Development by emailing sturges@american.edu or calling 202-885-3104.