LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon University Athletics is proud to announce the 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Class, honoring exceptional individuals who have made significant contributions to Mountaineer Athletics. The inductees will be celebrated during the EOU Athletics Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, October 10th, at the Gilbert Center. The evening begins with a reception at 6:00 p.m., followed by the induction ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
Chris Ware - Football (2008-12)
Chris Ware was a record-breaking quarterback for Eastern Oregon University from 2008 to 2012. During his career, he amassed 11,064 passing yards and 134 total touchdowns (109 passing, 25 rushing), leading EOU to 25 victories as the starting quarterback. In 2009, Ware was named Frontier Conference Offensive Player of the Year and earned Honorable Mention All-American honors. He finished his EOU career holding 28 school records, including single-season records for passing yards (3,396) and passing touchdowns (37), along with single-game records for completions (34) and total offensive yards (557). His achievements placed him 6th in NAIA history in career total offensive yards and 7th in career passing yards. Ware's consistency as a leader on the field earned him All-Conference honors three times, including two First-Team selections, and three Academic All-Conference recognitions. Ware graduated with a BBA in Business Administration and briefly signed with a professional team in Sweden after his collegiate career. He currently resides in Midland, Texas, with his son, Canon.
Tim Riley - Track & Field (1999-2004)
Tim Riley was a standout for EOU in both cross country and track and field from 1999 to 2004. During his career, Riley won the 2004 NAIA Outdoor 10,000m National Championship and earned All-American honors in the Indoor 3,000m (4th). He also was the 2004 CCC 5k champion. In cross country, he was a four-time All-Conference performer, finishing as high as 2nd in 2001. Riley was also named EOU Cross Country MVP four times and was honored as Freshman of the Year in 1999. Academically, he excelled with a 3.33 GPA and was runner-up for the 2003 NAIA All-Academic Team. After earning his BS in Biology, Riley pursued a PhD in Neuroscience and has held several coaching positions, including Head Track and Field/Cross Country Coach at the University of San Francisco. He currently resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, with his wife, Brittany Navarre.
Jason Follett - Track & Field (1996-2000)
Jason Follett was a versatile athlete for EOU's track and field program from 1996 to 2000, excelling in the pole vault and decathlon. Follett set school records for both indoor and outdoor pole vault (5.00m) and earned multiple All-American honors in unique fashion, competing in the NAIA and NCAA Division III National Championships. He was named an All-American in the pole vault three times in 2000, earning the honor in the NCAA indoor season and both the NCAA and NAIA outdoor seasons. In 2000, he was named Cascade Collegiate Conference Champion in the decathlon, pole vault, and long jump, and finished 2nd in the 110m hurdles and 4x400m relay. That same year, he was named EOU Athlete of the Year and Cascade Collegiate Conference Athlete of the Year. Academically, Follett earned Academic All-American honors and graduated with a degree in Biology with Honors. Now a dentist in Enterprise, Oregon, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, volunteering for local events, and practicing restorative dentistry.
2014 Eastern Oregon Volleyball Team
The 2014 EOU Volleyball Team made history, finishing the season with a 30-6 record and a school-record .889 win percentage. This squad became the first EOU volleyball team to claim the Cascade Collegiate Conference Regular-Season Championship and the first team to earn a national tournament berth, advancing all the way to the elite eight. An offensive juggernaut, their dominance on the court was reflected in several single-season records, including: kills (1,842), kills per set (14.06), and points (2,283). Their 36 matches played also ranked 2nd in EOU history.
Greg Grant – Mountaineer Athletic Legacy Award
The Mountaineer Athletic Legacy Award recognizes individuals who have made positive contributions to athletics while attaining outstanding accomplishments and/or achievements in their professions. Greg Grant has made outstanding contributions to high school athletics in a 40-year coaching career. A former EOU track and cross-country athlete (1981-82), Grant's football career ended in high school due to injury, but his passion for coaching began during his time at EOU. As head coach at Heppner, Grant has amassed 339 wins heading into his final season (third all-time in Oregon high school football), secured three state championships (1992, 2015, 2019), and led his team to multiple runner-up finishes. His teams have always posted winning records, with 12 seasons boasting at least 10 wins, including three undefeated 13-0 seasons. In addition to football, Grant coached golf for 31 years, guiding the girls' team to four state runner-up finishes. In 2021, he was named the NFHS Football Coach of the Year, a national honor.
Dixie Lund – Meritorious Athletic Service Award
The Meritorious Athletic Service Award recognizes individuals or groups who have given extraordinary service in support of the goals and objectives of the University's Athletic Department. Dixie Lund has provided 25 years of extraordinary service to Eastern Oregon University Athletics. As Interim President, Lund played a pivotal role in transitioning EOU from dual affiliation with the NCAA and NAIA to focusing solely on the NAIA, a move that strengthened the university's athletic program. Alongside her husband Ed, she established the Female Athlete of Character scholarship, further supporting student-athletes. A long-time booster member, Lund is known for her generous contributions, including countless baked goods for EOU teams. Her involvement extends beyond athletics, having served on the Grande Ronde Hospital Board of Trustees, the EOU Foundation, and volunteering for over 15 years with the Next Step Pregnancy Center. Among her most memorable moments are riding in the Pendleton Round-Up parade and cheering on the Mountaineers at national competitions. Her unwavering dedication has left a lasting impact on EOU Athletics.
The 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will honor these individuals and celebrate their outstanding contributions to Mountaineer Athletics.
