33rd Induction Class of PLU Athletics Hall of Fame

The Pacific Lutheran University athletic department will induct eight individuals into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 6 as members of the 33rd induction class. The purpose of the Athletics Hall of Fame is to honor and preserve the memory of those athletes, coaches, athletic staff members, and others who have contributed in an outstanding and positive way to the promotion of the Pacific Lutheran University athletic program.

Those entering the Hall of Fame will be football players Aaron Binger, Casey Carlson, and Chad Barnett, women’s basketball’s Becky Binger (Franza), cross country and track & field’s Maree George and Ryan Reed, and swimmers Bethany Graham and Mary Ann Kahler (Carr).

Saturday, April 6, 2024
Social hour – 5:00 PM
Dinner and program – 6:00 PM
$35.00
Olson Auditorium and Gymnasium
on 124th Street South, Tacoma, WA 98447

The Inductees:

Aaron Binger (Football: 2000-2003)
Binger was a four-time All-Conference selection and the NWC Offensive Player of the Year in 2003. Binger holds the school record for career rushing yards (3,101) and ranks second in career scoring (344). Binger helped the Lutes win 28 games over his four seasons, winning a conference title in 2001 and making two NCAA postseason appearances.

Becky Binger (Franza) (Women’s Basketball: 1998-2002)
Binger was a four-time All-Conference selection for the Lutes, earning First Team honors in three of her four seasons on campus. Binger ranks third all-time in career steals (193) and assists (423) while ranking 10thall-time in scoring with 1,052 points. Binger helped the Lutes win three conference titles and make three trips to the NCAA Tournament, including two trips to the Elite Eight. Over her four seasons, the Lutes compiled an 85-22 record, including a 58-8 mark in conference play.

Casey Carlson (Football: 2000-2003)
Carlson was a two-time First Team All-Conference selection and a consensus All-American as a senior in 2003. Carlson led the nation in forced fumbles as a senior, earning NWC Defensive Player of the Year and NCAA West Region Defensive Player of the Year honors. Carlson closed his career second on the all-time sacks list with 36 and was the PLU Male Athlete of the Year as a senior. Carlson helped the Lutes win 28 games on the gridiron, earning a conference title in 2001 and making two trips to the NCAA Tournament.

Chad Barnett (Football: 1990-1993)
Barnett was a four-time All-Conference selection for the Lutes and finished his career with still standing school records for career touchdowns (57) and career scoring (346). Barnett helped the Lutes finish second in nation in 1991 before guiding the team to the NAIA National Championship as a senior in 1993. Barnett was a Second Team All-American as a senior and finished his career with a 41-6-1 record on the gridiron, winning two league titles.

Ryan Reed (Cross Country/Track & Field: 1998-2002)
Reed was a three-time All-American for the Lutes and won a pair of Northwest Conference titles on the track in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Reed finished runner-up at the NWC cross country championships as a senior in 2001, ending the year as an All-American after placing 10th at the national meet. On the track, Reed was an All-American in both 2001 and 2002 in the 3,000-meter steeplechase, finishing runner-up in the event at the 2002 national championships and winning the NWC crown in the steeplechase both seasons. Reed still holds the school record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase and ranks seventh all-time in the 1,500-meters.

Maree George (Cross Country/Track & Field: 1996-2000)
George was a six-time All-American for the Lutes. George won seven NWC titles on the track, including the 1,500-meters, 3,000-meters, and 5,000-meters during the 2000 season while also earning NWC Outstanding Athlete of the Meet honors. George was an All-American in the 10K three times, including a third place finish in 2000 and was also an All-American in the 5K in 2000. In cross country, George finished runner-up in both 1998 and 2000 NWC Championships. George was the NCAA West Region Champion in 1998 before finishing fifth overall at the NCAA Championships. George was also an All-American at the 1996 NAIA National Championships and a national meet qualifier in 1997.

Bethany Graham (Women’s Swimming: 1991-1995)
Graham was a 14-time All-American for the Lutes. Graham earned All-American honors in five events as a first-year in 1992 at the NAIA Championships, guiding the Lutes to a fourth place finish. Graham helped the Lutes finish eighth in the nation in 1993 and seventh in 1995 at the NAIA Championships, securing All-American status in seven events in 1995. Graham won seven conference titles in two individual events and five relays as a Lute.

Mary Ann Kahler (Carr) (Women’s Swimming: 1991-1994)
Kahler was an 18-time All-American for the Lutes, helping the program win two conference team titles and recording four top 10 team finishes at the NAIA Championships. Kahler was a 12-time NWC Champion while also winning NWC Outstanding Swimmer honors in 1992. Kahler helped the Lutes finish fourth in the nation as a team in 1992 while helping PLU place fifth in 1991 and eighth at the NAIA Championships in both 1993 and 1994.

To be eligible, Lute student-athletes must be 10 years removed from graduation while coaches and administrators need to have spent at least five years at PLU and must not be currently on staff. Individuals interested in nominating a Lute must complete the online Nomination Form.