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Current Inductee Biographies
CARL BANKS
A native of Flint, he attended Michigan State University where he was named All-American at linebacker. He was drafted as the third overall pick in the 1984 draft by the New York Giants. He starred for 12 years for the Giants, was named to 1 Pro Bowl and helped lead the Giants to 2 Super Bowl wins. In SB XXI he led the defense with 14 tackles. During his career he recorded 39.5 quarterback sacks and was named to the NFL All-Decade team for the 1980's. Following his years with the Giants, he went on to finish his career with the Redskins and Browns.
JEROME BETTIS
Raised in Detroit, he was an All-State player at Mackenzie HS and went on to star at the University of Notre Dame. A first round pick of the Rams in 1993, Bettis went on to forge one of the great "power running back" careers in NFL history. Overall, he rushed for 13,662 yards and scored 94 touchdowns. He was a 6-time Pro Bowl selection, was named 1st or 2nd team All-Pro 3 times, was named the 1993 Offensive Rookie of the Year, 1996 Comeback Player of the Year and the 2001 Walter Payton Man of the Year. He capped his career by winning the 2006 Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers that was played in Detroit.
LLOYD CARR
Carr grew up in Riverview, and following a successful college football playing career, went into coaching at the high school level in 1968. He began his college coaching career at Eastern Michigan in 1976 and joined the U of M staff in 1980 under Bo Schembechler. Following years as a top assistant, he was named head coach in 1995, and went on to assemble a 122-40 won/ loss record before retiring in 2007. He led the Wolverines to 5 Big Ten titles and the 1997 national championship. He was awarded the AFCA, George Munger, Paul "Bear" Bryant and Walter Camp Coach of the Year trophies in 1997, and the Bobby Dodd award in 2007.
CAROL HUTCHINS
A native of Lansing, she went on to star in softball at both high school at Lansing Everett and the collegiate level with Michigan State. In 1983, she began coaching as an assistant at U of M – a position she held for two years. In 1985, she took over the head coaching spot, and has gone on to lead the team to 14 NCAA regional championships, 12 Big 10 championships and the NCAA championship in 2005. She has more wins than another coach in UM history – male or female. She has been named the Big 10 Coach of the Year 10 times, and the NFCA National Coach of the Year twice. She has also been inducted into the NFCA and Lansing Area Halls of Fame.
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DICK LEBEAU
Playing for the Lions from 1959-72, he recorded 62 interceptions for 762 yards and three touchdowns. His 62 interceptions are the most by a player in Lions' history, and he is tied for seventh all-time in NFL history. His 762 interception return yards ranks third all-time in team history. From 1959-72, he played in 185 games - placing him fourth on Detroit's all-time list. He is third all-time for most seasons played (14) and holds the NFL record for consecutive appearances by a cornerback with 171. He also recovered 9 fumbles, returning them for 53 yards and a touchdown. He earned three trips to the Pro Bowl (1965–67). In 1970, LeBeau established a career-high nine interceptions. In 2010, LeBeau was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
GREG MEYER
Born in Grand Rapids, he became one of the fastest marathon men in America and set 10 American Road Racing records and two world records. He was the last American man to win the Boston Marathon in 1983 with a time of 2:09.00. In addition, he held the American record for the 10 Mile Run and was a sub 4-minute miler. He was named the United States Male Distance Runner of the Year in 1983, and was also nominated for the Sullivan Award (America's highest amateur award) that same year. He has been inducted into several Halls of Fame including the ESPN Road Racing, the Road Runners Club of American and the Grand Rapids Sports.
JOHN SPRING
Native of Detroit, he was a legendary fast-pitch softball pitcher who appeared in 17 consecutive world tournaments while compiling a 47-12 record - a record which stood for 26 years. Overall he won 483 games and lost only 62. In 1958 he pitched a perfect game with 64 pitches for the legendary Raybestos Cardinals club. He was named to the World All-Star first team 10 years and second team 3 years. He was inducted into the National Amateur Softball Hall of Fame in 1970, and is a member of several other state softball Halls of Fame.
RON THOMPSON
As the longtime Detroit St. Martin De Porres head football coach, Thompson led the team to state finals in 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1988, 1990, and 1992, and Won 8 state Class CC or Class C titles. He was inducted into the Catholic League Hall of Fame in 1984 and was named the Catholic League 1992 Ed Lauer Person of Year. He also was one of the founders of the St. Cecilia's sports program and the legendary West Side Cubs. Numerous players he coached and mentored went on to All-Conference and All-American careers in college and successful pro careers as well.
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