Bemidji State Reveals 2022 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Bemidji State University will officially welcome seven individuals into its Athletics Hall of Fame, as part of the University’s Alumni B-Club/Athletic Hall of Fame Weekend Oct. 7-8, 2022. The 2022 inductees include four former student-athletes, another former student-athlete who went on to achieve remarkable success as a coach and a duo of long-time Bemidji State University and BSU Athletics supporters.

Former Bemidji State student-athletes Eddie Acosta III (football, 1999-2003), Kelly Lewis (men’s swimming & diving, 1975-79), John Murphy (men’s hockey, 1975-79) and Zuzana Tomcikova (women’s hockey 2008-12) will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The recipient of the Alumni Coaching Achievement Award is Dr. Alan J. Murdoch (1969) and being awarded with the John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winner Award are Paul and Paige Hanson.

Established in 1978, the BSU Athletic Hall of Fame will now include: 199 individuals, 25 BSU coaches, 22 teams, 10 selected for the Alumni Coaching Achievement Award and nine John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winners.

The Bemidji State Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes alumni, former coaches, administrators and others who have excelled at their sports and brought acclaim to the university through their accomplishments and championships. A committee of elected B-Club members selects inductees. Nominations are accepted from all interested persons.

2022 BSU Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees

Eddie Acosta III – 1999-2003/Football

Athletic Accomplishments while at BSU:
A four-year letter winner and captain in 2003 for the Bemidji State football team, Eddie Acosta III ended his career as the program’s most prolific running back by rewriting the record books. He ended his career as the program’s all-time leader in rushing yards (5,766), rushing touchdowns (64), rushing attempts (1,038), rushing yards per game (122.7), touchdowns responsible for (74) and 100-yard rushing game (29), all but one of which still stand today. Acosta III also set the top two single-season marks in all-purpose yards (2,208/1,920), rushing yards (1,710/1,690), rushing yards per game (155.5/153.6) and 100-yard rushing games (10/9), all of which also stand today.

A three-time All-Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference selection, including two-time first team, Acosta III was named the 2001 NSIC Player of the Year and earned selections to the Don Hansen All-America Team twice and the Daktronics All-Region Team twice.

Kelly Lewis – 1975-79/Men’s Swimming & Diving

Athletic Accomplishments while at BSU:
A four-year letter winner for the Bemidji State men’s swimming & diving team, Kelly Lewis set multiple program records on his way to earning four All-Northern Intercollegiate Conference Team selections and capturing NIC Championships in the 200m, 500m, 1650m freestyle and 800m freestyle relay events. He set the BSU men’s swimming & diving program individual records in the 1000m (10:07.00) and 1650m freestyle (16:32.9), and was also a part of the program’s record-holding 800m freestyle relay team (6:59.7).

Lewis helped Bemidji State to conference titles in 1977-78 and 1978-79 and was a three-time NAIA Honorable Mention and American College Coaches Association All-America selection. He qualified for the NAIA Championships four times and was a co-captain as a senior before his career at BSU ended in 1979.

John Murphy – 1975-79/Men’s Hockey

Athletic Accomplishments while at BSU:
A four-year letter winner for the Bemidji State men’s hockey team, John Murphy ended his career tied for the most games played (122) in program history. As a senior, Murphy led BSU with 62 points (27 goals, 35 assists) and finished his career third in program history with 169 total points scored. His 98 career assists ranks eighth all-time at BSU while he now ranks ninth in BSU history in total points scored.

Murphy was a two-time All-American selection in 1977 and 1979, leading the Beavers to three conference championships and one national championship in 1979. He earned a selection to the 1979 NAIA All-Tournament Team and was selected to the “50 Legends for 50 Years” list for Beaver Men’s Hockey.

Zuzana Tomcikova – 2008-12/Women’s Hockey

Athletic Accomplishments while at BSU:
A four-year letter winner for the Bemidji State women’s hockey team, Zuzana Tomcikova finished her career with the most games played as a goaltender in program history with 118. She also set program records with 41 wins, 3,518 saves, 18 shutouts, 2.32 goals against average and a .929 save percentage. Tomcikova still holds the BSU record in shutouts and ranks second in games played, wins, saves, goals against average and save percentage.

Tomcikova became the first All-American and first All-WCHA First Team selection in program history in addition to being named to 2010 WCHA Co-Player of the Year. She was a three-time All-WCHA selection in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and a two-time nominee for the Patty Kazmaier Award, given to the top female college ice hockey player in NCAA Division I. Tomcikova also started all five games for Slovakia at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada.

Dr. Alan J. Murdoch (1969) - Alumni Coaching Achievement Award

Dr. Alan J. Murdoch (1969)
Coaching Accomplishments:
A three-year letter winner in track & field and cross country while at Bemidji State, Dr. Alan J. Murdoch’s contributions to athletics later blossomed on the ice in Ames, Iowa. After graduating from BSC with a bachelor’s degree in health physical education and psychology, Dr. Murdoch went on to pursue a graduate degree in higher learning at Iowa State University. He founded the Iowa State men’s ice hockey program where he coached for 45 years and finished with a career record of 1,071-522-46, in addition to starting a women’s program and men’s junior varsity team. Dr. Murdoch’s ISU teams won 12 Central States Collegiate Hockey League Tournament Championships, one American Collegiate Hockey Association Championship, three ACHA runner-up finishes and played in four ACHA semifinalist games. He helped in the founding of the ACHA in 1991, becoming the organization’s first president and later having the national championship trophy named after him as the “Murdoch Cup.” Dr. Murdoch was inducted into the ACHA Hall of Fame in the spring of 2019.

A hockey enthusiast, Dr. Murdoch’s passion drove him to help in the founding of the CSCHL in 1970, starting the Ames Minor Hockey Association in 1973 and helping in the founding of the Iowa High School Hockey League in 1976. He also played a key role in raising of funds for the Cyclone Area Community Center, an indoor ice arena used by all ages from both the community of Ames and Iowa State’s students and staff. After 20 years, Dr. Murdoch again stepped up to play a role in securing private, university and community funds to build a new arena that opened in 2001.

Dr. Murdoch was also a main protagonist in USA Hockey choosing ACHA players to compete at the World University Games. Eighteen of his players have played for Team USA at the World University Games, where he has served as head coach, general manager and scouting coordinator. Dr. Murdoch was awarded the Team USA Hockey’s Adult Member of the Year in 2012 and the President’s Award for outstanding contribution to USA Hockey in 2019.

Dr. Murdoch retired from coaching in 2014 and currently serves as a Team USA Hockey Director Emeritus.

Paul and Paige Hanson - John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winner

Paul and Paige Hanson have been selected as the 2022 John S. Glas Honorary Letter Winners. The award, created in 2011, recognizes an individual or individuals who have had a significant impact on BSU Athletics, much like the late John Glas did during his 34-year tenure at BSU which included roles as vice president for finance and as acting president. His strong support of athletics earned him the honor of having the fieldhouse named after him upon his retirement in 1975.

Paul and Paige, long-time supporters of Bemidji State University and BSU Athletics, played a major role in securing a dedicated strength and conditioning facility within the Frederick P. Baker Training Center. Through philanthropic support, Paul and Paige outfitted the training facility, opened in 2019, with a new weight room and athletic training equipment. They have also supported the men’s basketball and football teams through donations for meals on the road and funding new equipment. Paul and Paige have also provided annual donations to support Beaver Pride Golf Tournaments and other program needs.