LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Three All-Americans and a three-sport standout who held the women's basketball scoring standard for more than a decade have been selected as the sixth class to be inducted into the Rider University Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 8, 1997, director of athletics Curt Blake announced.

The new inductees include soccer player Bobby Smith, baseball player Jeff Kunkel, wrestler John Lucerne, and basketball, volleyball, and softball player Cindy Ford.

Smith, a 1972 Rider graduate and two-time All-American, set Rider soccer scoring marks that still stand 20 years later, including 46 career goals and 16 during the 1971 season. He also holds Broncs marks for career points (112) and points in a season (42). He later played for the U.S, National Team, captained the U.S. Olympic team and went on to enjoy a 10-year professional career with the New York Cosmos, Philadelphia Atoms and Philadelphia Fury.

Kunkel was named an All-American as a senior in 1983 after batting .399 for Rider. He was the third player drafted in the first round of that same year's amateur baseball draft and played nearly 10 years in the professional ranks, many on the major league level with the Texas Rangers. Upon graduation from Rider in 1983, he ranked second in base hits, fourth in home runs, fourth in runs batted in, and second in career batting average.

Lucerne, a 1998 Rider graduate and the programs third NCAA All-American, placed fourth in the nation at 126 pounds in 1985. During his career he compiled a record of 107-47 -- one of only three Broncs to eclipse 100 victories. He further distinguished himself as a three-time NCAA National Championship qualifier and as a two-time East Coast Conference titlist. He also wrestled in Spain and Italy for the USA Team of collegiate All-Americans.

Ford, a 1980 Rider graduate, was the first Rider women's basketball player to score 1,000 points. She still holds the Broncs' single-season mark for highest scoring average (22.3 points per game) and in a career (19.8). Her total of 1,447 points currently ranks third and she is still listed in the top ten in both rebounding and assists. During her career, she was a four-time New Jersey AIAW all-star.

A day-long slate of activities is being planned as part of Hall of Fame Day, including a celebrated clash of national wrestling powers Navy and Rider at 11 a.m., followed by a 3 p.m. men's basketball game between Long Island University and host Rider. Both athletic events will be held at Alumni Gymnasium. The four Hall of Fame inductees will be recognized at halftime of the men's basketball game.

Following the sports doubleheader, a reception, banquet, and induction ceremonies will be held at the Rider University Student Center.

Further information regarding the 1997 Rider Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremonies, and ticket availability for Hall of Fame Day sports events can be obtained by calling Rider Athletics at (609) 895-5779. Tickets are priced at $35 and include admission to all athletic events, as well as the reception and banquet.

Rider University is located five miles south of Princeton and three miles north of Trenton on Route 206 in Lawrence Township, NJ.  The campus is one-half mile south of exit 7A of Interstate 95.