The 2008 Northern Alumni Association All-Sports Hall of Fame awards will be given during Alumni Games Weekend October 17th and 18th, 2008 on the MSU-Northern campus in Havre, Montana. The awards highlight a 79-year tradition of excellence both in the classroom and on the playing field at Montana State University— Northern. First awarded in 1994, the Hall of Fame has inducted 57 individuals who have contributed to that tradition. MSU-Northern and the Northern Alumni Association will recognize three outstanding individuals joining that esteemed group. Stacy L. Barnes of Great Falls, Montana, Wendy Badgett Bekkedahl of Billings, Montana, and Kevin J. Owens of Hampton, Virginia will each be introduced and presented commemorative awards in ceremonies during the halftime of the Lights/Alumni basketball game.

Stacy L. Barnes, of Great Falls, Montana, competed for the Skylight’s basketball team from 1993-97 on four Frontier Conference Championship teams and in four National tournaments. She was a three-year starter garnering All-Conference All-Pacific first team selections her junior year. Barnes was an All-Conference first team selection and player of the week three times her senior year as well as All-American Honorable Mention. She is the 6th all-time leading scorer in Skylight’s history with 1,250 points. Barnes is currently employed as a kindergarten teacher for the Great Falls Public Schools at Longfellow Elementary School.

A Broadus, Montana native, Wendy Badgett Bekkedahl, was a four-year starter for the Skylight’s basketball team from 1994-1997, playing on four Frontier Conference Championship teams that also made four National tournament appearances. As team captain for three years, Badgett earned All-Academic honors all four years. She will be recognized also for her achievements as a member of the MSU-Northern Rodeo team. She placed 4th in the Big Sky Region in Barrel Racing her sophomore year and was 2nd in the Big Sky Region in Breakaway Roping and 4th in the Nation in Breakaway Roping her senior year.

Kevin J. Owens of Hampton, Virginia was a four year player for the Light’s Basketball program from 1995-1998. During his freshman year, he led the team in rebounds, setting a new school record for a season with 306. That year, the Light’s won their first Frontier Conference Championship and became the first Montana team to ever reach the quarterfinals in the NAIA national tourney. Owens was selected as the Pacific Northwest Region player of the week his sophomore year and played on two more Frontier Conference Championship teams. One of the team captains his senior year, he finished his career at Northern in 5th place on the MSUNorthern all-time scoring list with 1,421 points having garnered all-conference and all-regional honors as well as NAIA All-American Honorable Mention honors.

The Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes players, managers, and coaches for achievement of athletic honors in their sport and to individuals for their outstanding and meritorious service to Northern Athletics. Complete criteria can be obtained from the Northern Alumni Office in Cowan Hall or the Athletic Office on campus. Complete nomination packets are available from the Alumni or Athletics Offices.