Four former Milwaukee student-athletes and a prominent head coach were inducted into the Bud K. Haidet Milwaukee Athletics Hall of Fame, presented by Holiday Inn Milwaukee Riverfront on Nov. 13.
The members of the Class of 2021 include: Cheryl Berkley (volleyball); William Krueger (track and field/cross country); Emily McClellan (swimming); and Marc Mitchell (basketball).
Jerry Augustine, head coach of the Panthers for 12 seasons on the baseball diamond, was also inducted.
The class was originally named last fall but is being formally announced and introduced at the 2021 induction ceremony due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which postponed the event from a year ago.
McClellan can arguably be considered the most successful athlete in school history, starting with being the only four-time All-American in any sport during her time with the Panthers (2010-14).
The 2014 NCAA runner-up in the 100 breaststroke was also a four-time Horizon League Athlete of the Year, four-time Horizon League Swimmer of the Meet, four-time Horizon League 100 breaststroke champion, four-time Horizon League 200 breaststroke champion, and four-time Horizon League 200 IM champion.
In addition to being a 19-time Horizon League champion overall, McClellan started breaking records as a freshman and never stopped. All told, she broke three Horizon League solo records 22 different times (100 & 200 breaststroke, 200 IM), broke three school records 22 different times, eclipsed three Klotsche Natatorium records 11 times, and three freshman records five different times.
She also helped break league records in the 800 freestyle relay, the 200 and 400 medley relays at the league meet her senior season, and was a part of the school-record breaking 400 free relay team at the league championships.
McClellan, the 2010 Horizon League Newcomer of the Year, eight-time Horizon League Swimmer of the Week, and two-time CollegeSwimming.com Mid-Major All-American was also the 2013 Bronze medal winner for Team USA at World University Games and the 2012 U.S. Open Champion in the 100 breaststroke, while also placing sixth in the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in 100 breaststroke.
McClellan is an American Sign Language teacher at Delavan-Darien High School – her hometown district.
She was humbled by the honor and was grateful to be included in the 2021 class.
“It was never, like, a goal,” McClellan said. “It’s just a complete honor all-around and I could not be more proud.
“I’m just honored to be there,” she added.
