A legendary football coach, a running back who was picked in the first round of the NFL draft, one of the best guards in men’s basketball history, an All-American softball player, a long-time Aggie supporter and the 1978 National Championship volleyball team comprise the latest class of Utah State University’s Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame. The honorees will be inducted during a campus dinner in February 2008.

Running Back MacArthur Lane (1965-67)
Nicknamed “The Truck” during his playing days at Utah State, MacArthur Lane was a versatile performer who started at linebacker during his sophomore season before moving to the offensive backfield as a junior. During his two years at halfback, Lane averaged 6.9 yards per carry, which still ranks second all-time best in school history. Following his collegiate days, Lane was the 13th player selected in the 1968 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals and was a Pro Bowl selection in 1971. In all, Lane played 11 seasons in the NFL: four with the Cardinals (1968-71), three with the Green Bay Packers (1972-74), and four with the Kansas City Chiefs (1975-78). He lives today in his native state of California.

Football Coach Chuck Mills (1967-72)
At age 38, Chuck Mills was hired as Utah State University’s 14th head football coach after serving as an assistant coach
at the University of Arizona for one season. Mills coached at USU for six seasons, leading the Aggies to an overall record of 38-23-1, including a 17-7 home mark. During his USU career, Mills was 8-4 against USU’s in-state rivals BYU and Utah, and his 38 career wins still rank second all-time best in school history. During his six years as Utah State’s head coach, which is tied for the fourth-longest tenure in school history, Mills led the Aggies to four winning seasons including back-to-back 8-3 campaigns in 1971 and 1972. He makes his home today in Hawaii.

Basketball Player Max Perry (1959-61)
Dubbed “Max the Magician” by local media, Max Perry transcended time with his fancy ball-handling and behind-the-back passes. A two-time United Press International “Small America” first-team selection, he helped lead Utah State to a 24-5 record during the 1959-60 season, which included wins against Villanova (by one point) and St. Bonaventure in the 1960 postseason National Invitation Tournament in New York City. During his senior season, Perry became the first player in school history to score 40 points in a single game, including 20 field goals, en route to a career-high 45 points against New Mexico in the George Nelson Fieldhouse. Following his senior campaign, in which he scored 421 points, Perry became Utah State’s all-time leading scorer with the 1,236 points he scored during his three-year career. Perry, a three-time all-Skyline Conference performer, is one of just 32 players in school history to score 1,000 points.

Softball Player Kelly Smith (1984-86)
Three-time All-American Kelly Smith became one of the most decorated softball players in Utah State history during the 1980s. Described as one of the best offensive players of her time, Smith hit an even .400 during the 1985 season, which ranks third all-time best in school history for a single season. Smith also toed the rubber for the Aggies during her freshman season and to this day still holds the single-game school record for most innings pitched – 22 against Oklahoma State. During her freshman season, Smith helped lead Utah State to the NCAA Tournament and a seventh-place finish at the College World Series. Smith, who also played basketball at USU during the 1987-88 season, ranks third all-time best in school history with a .340 batting average, and resides in the top 10 at USU in six other offense categories.

Advisor and Donor
Jay Dee Harris
Jay Dee Harris, who died in the fall of 2006, was a long-time contributor and advisor to Utah State athletics. He served on the USU Board of Trustees and the Utah Board of Regents. An advisor to many athletics directors at Utah State, he served on the National Advisory Board, contributed to the Big Blue Scholarship Fund and was a member of the university’s Old Main Society of donors. Jay Dee and his wife Alice made significant financial contributions to Utah State athletics at a time of important growth within the department. The Harris Athletics Center, which houses many of USU’s sports programs and academic services, is named in their honor.

1978 National Championship Volleyball Team
It was a dream season for the Utah State volleyball team in 1978. Coached by Marilyn (McReavy) Nolen and Mary Jo Peppler, the 1978 Aggies became the first team in Utah State history to capture a national championship by defeating UCLA in four games in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Led by All-Americans Annette Cottle, Sandy Lynn and Lucia Chudy, Utah State notched a 42-4-2 record during the season, including 26 straight wins to start the year. USU then concluded its season with 12 straight wins, including its victory in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women championship match against the Bruins. Along with All-America honors, Cottle received the Broderick Award as the nation’s top player, while Lynn was named to the AIAW all-tournament team. Other members of the 1978 national championship team included Gayle Adamowitz, Jan Corley, Katrinka Crawford, Drora Epstein, Jill Hirschinger, Dea Kidd, Sheryl Meyer and Jo Vrazel.