Michigan to Induct 1978 Team into Hall of Fame
8/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Track & Field
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The entire 1978 University of Michigan women's track and field team will be inducted into the Michigan Women's Track and Field Hall of Fame as part of a reunion weekend, Sunday, Sept. 6. The 1978 team was the first varsity women's track and field team in Wolverine history.
Members of the team that will be inducted include: Cathy Bean (1978), Katie Benner (1978-80), Roberta Brown (1978), Julie Clifford (1978-82), Abby Currier (1978), Janet Hallfrisch (1978), Sue Keller (1978), DeDe Key (1978-80), Sherri King (1978-80), Pam Moore (1978-79), Kara Preston (1978) and Christina Smith (1978-81).
"I am looking forward to inducting this great group of track and field pioneers into our Hall of Fame," 26th-year head coach James Henry said of the 1978 team. "It will be a great weekend for us, welcoming back former athletes, celebrating Red Simmons' 100th birthday and capping it off with the Hall of Fame induction. It will be an exciting time for Michigan track and field."
The 1978 team participated in four events during the season, finishing eighth out of nine teams at the inaugural Big Ten Conference Championships. The Wolverines also took fourth place at the Illinois Invitational, sixth place at the Bowling Green Invitational while participating in the non-scoring Michigan State Invitational.
In 1994, the University of Michigan track and field program began a tradition to honor its finest competitors and coaches. The Michigan Women's Track and Field Hall of Fame opened with its inaugural induction on Jan. 22, 1994, with the induction of former U-M coach Kenneth "Red" Simmons. There are currently 16 members of the Hall of Fame.
The Hall of Fame induction concludes the 2009 men's and women's track and field and cross country reunion weekend. For more information, please click here.
1978 Michigan Women's Track and Field Roster
| Name | Event | Hometown |
| Cathy Bean | --- | --- |
| Katie Benner | 880 | Cincinnati, Ohio |
| Roberta Brown | --- | --- |
| Julie Clifford | Mile | Redford Township, Mich. |
| Abby Currier | Shotput | Lake City, Mich. |
| Janet Hallfrisch | Shotput, Discus | Menominee, Mich. |
| Sue Keller | --- | --- |
| DeDe Key | Long Jump | Ann Arbor, Mich. |
| Sherri King | 440 | Detroit, Mich. |
| Pam Moore | Sprints | Ionia, Mich. |
| Kara Preston | --- | --- |
| Christina Smith | 440 | Ann Arbor, Mich. |
Anyone with contact information regarding the inductees is asked to contact assistant coach Anne Takacs at Takacs@umich.edu
Contact: Sarah VanMetre (734) 763-4423
