By Ruth M. Orth

Miami University Middletown has announced the seventh group of inductees into its athletic Hall of Fame, which honors student athletes, coaches, teams and others who have brought recognition and honor to the University during the past 46 years. Induction ceremonies for the Hall's new class will take place on Saturday, Jan. 12 at Miami Middletown and will feature a dinner catered by the Montgomery Inn.

The 2013 class of inductees includes: Richard Bush (1985-1989) men’s basketball, Jeff Neeley (1998-99) golf and Durke Ripley (1997-99) baseball. The Hall of Fame Committee also will be honoring the1987-89 ThunderHawk Women’s Basketball Teams on their three consecutive Regional State Championship Titles.

"Over the past four decades, Miami Middletown has been fortunate to have wonderful student athletes who have been dedicated to MUM and to the competitive athletic spirit we have here," said Interim Director of Student Athletics Cheryl Miller. "This class of inductees represents the true spirit of being a student athlete. Their lives have enriched their communities and all those around them. We are honored to be able to recognize them for their contributions."

Miami Middletown's teams have won the Ohio Regional Campus Conference (ORCC) All-Sports Award 16 times, including 11 times consecutively (1994-2004). The ORCC is made up of 11 schools, including many of the regional campuses of Ohio State, Ohio University, University of Akron, Wright State and Miami. Miami Middletown fields teams in baseball, women's softball, men's and women's basketball, golf, men’s and women’s tennis and volleyball.

The induction ceremony on Jan. 12 will begin with hors d'oeuvres at 5 p.m followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the induction ceremony at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend this event, which will be held in Miami Middletown's Campus Community Center.

Cost for the event is $35, with all proceeds going to benefit the Greg Lansaw Scholarship Fund and Miami Middletown Athletics. Lansaw, who lost his battle with cancer eight years ago, was the ThunderHawk golf coach from 2001-2004.

Sponsors of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony include Dickerson Distributing Company, Enterprise Rentals and Allied Inspired Reliability.

Tickets are available in the Miami Middletown Athletic Office or by calling (513) 727-3317.