Clarksville, Ark.-Two former University of the Ozarks athletes will be inducted into the Ozarks Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 14 in Mabee Gymnasium.
Anthony Porchia, who starred in basketball from 1989-93, and Marcos Gonzalez, who was a standout soccer player from 1998-2001, make up the 2009 Hall of Fame class.
A high-scoring 6-foot-5 forward, Porchia still holds the school record for career three-pointers (241) and is the program’s No. 2 career scorer (1,671 points). Porchia earned a spot on the Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference All-Freshman Team following the 1989-90 season. The Stephens, Ark., native was named to the NAIA District 17 team his senior year and was an All-AIC performer in 1991-92 and 1992-93. Porchia led the Eagles to the District 17 Tournament championship and the NAIA National Tournament the 1992-93 season.
Gonzalez was a dominant player during his four-year run on the soccer team. He holds nine different American Southwest Conference records including most career points (149) and most career assists (45). He owns the NCAA III record for highest assists per game (1.18) and he is second in the NCAA III record books for most assists in a match (8). The Georgetown, Texas, native led the 2001 team to an East Division championship while earning NSCAA All-Region First Team and ASC Player of the Year honors. A four-time All-Conference striker, he scored 52 career goals, second-most in program history, and is the career leader in points, assists and shots (367).
The induction ceremony will take place at halftime of the men’s basketball game. A lunch honoring Porchia and Gonzalez will be held in the Seay Student Center cafeteria at 11:00 a.m. February 14.
Current members of the Hall of Fame will also be introduced during the induction ceremony.
Tickets to the lunch can be purchased by calling the alumni office at (479) 979-1234.
Topics: Athletics