DC Athletic Hall of Fame to welcome six new members on Saturday

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The annual induction ceremony of new members to the Defiance College Athletic Hall of Fame is scheduled for this Saturday during DC's Homecoming football game against Saint Xavier University.

The six members of the Hall of Fame Class of 2025 are Joan (Aelker) Harris ('92), CJ Johnson ('08), Doug Prigge ('89), Ron Seymour ('67), Gary Sherger ('67) and Ken Steingraber ('84).

Joan (Aelker) Harris was a two-sport standout for the Yellow Jackets in cross country and women's basketball. As a runner, she qualified for the NAIA National Championships in 1988 and was all-conference the same year. On the courts, she was an all-conference performer as a senior and a two-time team captain. She was also honored as DC's Female Athlete of the Year as a senior. Harris joins her husband, Jim, in the DC Athletics Hall of Fame who was inducted from the men's basketball team in 2013.

CJ Johnson played men's basketball from 2004-08 and was part of the 2007-08 HCAC Championship team. He completed his career as a member of DC's 1,000-point club with 1,374 points. Johnson also remains in the program's top-10 lists for career assists (266, 7th) and steals (140, 9th). He was a four-time all-conference player and was named HCAC Freshman of the Year for the 2004-05 season. 

Doug Prigge also represents the men's basketball program entering the Hall of Fame. He was a member of the 1987-88 team that qualified for the NAIA National Tournament and the 1985-86 HBCC title team. He is a former DC Male Athlete of the Year, was named to the District 22 All-Star Team and First Team All-HBCC as a senior. A stellar rebounder, he is the owner of two 20-rebound games and is one of 10 players to secure 300 rebounds in a season at Defiance.

Ron Seymour was a four-year member of the DC football and also lettered two years in track. He was part of the undefeated 1966 team that was ranked 10th in the nation. Primarily a defensive back who moved to the offensive side as a senior, Seymour was a two-time all-conference player in Purple and Gold and helped lead a rushing attack that produced a program-record 244 yards per game.

Gary Scherger was also a four-year football player and member of the undefeated team in 1966. He was a First Team All-Conference fullback in 1966 and also had all-conference honors in 1965. The team's rushing offense was one of the best nationally that also outscored its opponents 218-41. 

Ken Steingraber played baseball at Defiance from 1981-84, primarily as a third baseman. He was recognized by the HBCC as an all-conference player three times in addition to All-District 22 one year. The Yellow Jackets reached back-to-back District Playoffs in 1982-83. His eight home runs in 1984 were then a program record and is now tied for third all-time. His .781 slugging percentage from that season still stands as the highest in a single season at DC. His career batting average of .368 is second-best in program history while his 89 runs score at among the top-10 totals in team history.

Public recognition of the new hall of fame inductees will take place during halftime of Saturday's football game. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. New hall of famers will also be honored during the All Alumni Breakfast at the Smart Center from 8:30-10:30 a.m. (registration required).

-JACKETS-