Nov. 9, 2007

CINCINNATI -

Xavier University inducted three new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame tonight in the Duff Banquet Center in Cintas Center. Former football standout Roger Bertoia ('57) and long-time Xavier supporter and athletic board member Dr. William Daily ('57) were inducted along with former soccer standout Annette Gruber ('01), who joined her sister Amanda and father Jim among the XU all-time greats. The latest three inductees will bring the list to 99 in the XU Hall of Fame. The trio will also be honored tomorrow night during ceremonies at halftime of the men's basketball season opener against Southeast Missouri State.

In addition to the inductees, Xavier University and Cintas Corporation made a special presentation to Robert J. Kohlhepp to recognize his many contributions to both institutions. They also announced a special endowment in the name of long-time academic advisor Sr. Rose Ann Fleming to benefit Xavier's nationally-renowned academic support programs.

Roger Bertoia, a member of the Legion of Honor, lettered three years in football. As a junior, Bertoia began to make a contribution to the Musketeer offense.  He completed 10 of 30 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown.

As a senior, though, Bertoia took charge.  He connected on 56 of 117 passes (47.9%) for 1,051 yards and nine touchdowns.  His season totals of 1,051 yards passing and 1,132 total yards offense set school records (which have since been broken).  He rushed 59 times for 81 yards as a senior.

Bertoia completed 68 of 153 (43.1%) of his career passes for 1,193 yards and ten touchdowns. Stats do not tell the whole story about Bertoia.  Wins and losses paint a clearer picture.  XU finished 2-8 in Bertoia's injury-plagued sophomore season, 7-2 in his junior year and 7-3 in his senior year.

Bill Daily has been an integral component in the development and continued success of Xavier Division I athletics, especially the men's basketball program. Among his many contributions, he was instrumental in assuring the future of Xavier basketball through his leadership as Chair of the Athletic Board and Chair of the Selection Committee for Head Coach during the 1978-1979 academic year when Xavier hired Bob Staak as head coach/athletic director, a pivotal time in Xavier athletic history. His loyalty and devotion to and passion for the University are evidenced through his many contributions to the athletic and academic environments.

Dr. Daily, a 1957 graduate of Xavier, became actively involved with Xavier athletics in 1964 when he was named assistant basketball coach under Don Ruberg. He continued in this position through 1968. In 1969 Dr. Daily was appointed to the Xavier faculty, earning tenure in 1973, being promoted to associate professor in 1997 and to full professor in 1980, and serving multiple terms as chair of the Communications Arts Department.   As a faculty member he taught and mentored numerous Xavier athletes. This past December he retired as a professor of Communications Arts.

Dr. Daily served on the Athletic Board from 1975 to 1984, including service as Secretary in 1975, Chair from 1977-1984,  Chair of the Selection Committee for Head Coach in 1979, and special service as Chair of the Selection Committee for Head Coach in 1985. He has also served as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Task Force (1990) and from 1993-1994 participated in the Football Feasibility Task Force. While a member of the Athletic Board, Dr. Daily was the driving force in assuring the commitment and financial support to Xavier basketball by the administration, staff, and supporters. Importantly, while Chair he he was involved in the establishment of the Xavier Athletic Hall of Fame.

Annette Gruber is second on XU's all-time scoring list to her sister Amanda, a former XU All-American. Annette, who holds the Xavier records for assists in a season (12 as a freshman in 1997) and a career (35), stands second on Xavier's all-time list for goals scored (53) and points scored (141).

One thing that goes beyond personal statistics is the fact that she raised the XU program to a championship level. During her time on the team, Annette led Xavier to its first-ever Atlantic 10 Conference Women's Soccer Championships in 1998 and 2000 and its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearances in 1998 and 2000. XU compiled an impressive 34-7-2 regular season Atlantic 10 Conference mark during her four seasons.

Annette, who started all 83 matches of her career, garnered a long list of honors during her career, including a four-time selection to the Atlantic 10 Conference First Team, two-time Atlantic 10 Championship "Most Outstanding Player", two-time Atlantic 10 Conference Women's Soccer Student-Athlete of the Year and three-time Atlantic 10 All-Academic Team selection in addition to being the A-10 Rookie of the Year.  She earned Ohio Co-Player of the Year honors as a sophomore, three-time All-Ohio honors and three-time All-Great Lakes Region honors.

Annette joins her sister Amanda (XU '98), and her father, former baseball standout Jim (XU '67), in the Xavier University Athletic Hall of Fame.