CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State University Department of Athletics has announced its 2019 Hall of Fame class, as J'Nathan Bullock (men's basketball), Kailey Klein (women's basketball) and Phil Orno (men's tennis) comprise the 41st Hall of Fame class.
This trio will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Saturday, February 16 in the Wolstein Center, and will later be recognized at halftime of the men's basketball game that evening.
Complete details of the induction ceremony will be announced at a later date.
"I am thrilled to welcome the newest class of Cleveland State Athletics Hall of Fame members, all of whom illustrate what it means to be a Viking on and off the court," CSU Director of Athletics Mike Thomas said. "J'Nathan, Kailey and Phil all helped their respective sports become top-notch programs in the Horizon League and beyond, and are more than deserving of this tremendous honor for everything that they accomplished throughout their careers at Cleveland State."
Bullock, Klein and Orno led the Vikings to a combined nine Horizon League titles and six NCAA Tournament appearances, while earning 13 Horizon League individual honors, making this one of the most decorated Hall of Fame classes in Cleveland State history.
Bullock (2005-09) was an integral part of building a men's basketball team that gained national recognition during his senior season, capturing the 2008-09 Horizon League Tournament title and upsetting Wake Forest in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. As a two-time Mid-Major All-American, Bullock guided Cleveland State to back-to-back 20-win seasons as a junior and senior – the first time the Vikings had posted two straight 20-win seasons in over 20 years. Throughout his career, Bullock recorded 1,800 points and 816 rebounds, becoming the first Viking to eclipse 1,800 points and 800 boards. Bullock led the Vikings in scoring during all four years that he donned the Green and White, becoming just the third Viking to lead the offense for four straight years. Following his junior and senior seasons, Bullock earned a spot on the All-Horizon League First Team, marking the first time that a Viking had earned a spot on the First Team during multiple seasons. The Flint, Mich. native appeared in the starting lineup during a program record 124 contests throughout his career, including a single-season record 37 games during his final campaign. As a senior, Bullock guided the Vikings to 26 wins – the second highest single-season win total in program history – as they became the first team in league history to win four games en route to claiming the 2008-09 tournament title.
Bullock also graduated ranked in the top-10 in the career-record book in minutes played (1st - 3,872), field goals made (5th - 617) and free throws made (2nd - 494).
Klein (2006-10) was one of the best women's basketball players to ever wear the green and white, leading the Vikings to their only two NCAA Tournament appearances in program history during her career. The Cherry, Ill. native graduated as the all-time leading scorer in program history with 2,140 points – a mark that still stands today – and is the only Viking to eclipse the 2,000-point plateau. During her rookie campaign, Klein led the Vikings in scoring, and later became the first player in program history to be named the Horizon League Newcomer of the Year. As a sophomore, Klein led the Vikings to their first Horizon League Tournament title in program history, scoring 67 points in three tournament games to earn Horizon League Tournament MVP honors. After finishing as the runner-up for Horizon League Player of the Year as a sophomore, Klein was named the Co-Player of the Year during her junior campaign, becoming just the second Viking in program history to earn the accolade. As a three-time First Team All-Horizon League selection (2008, 2009, 2010), Klein led the Vikings back to the top of the league standings during her final campaign, helping Cleveland State capture the 2010 Horizon League Tournament title. She was once again named the Tournament MVP after combining for 80 points through three games.
Klein also finished her career at the top of the Cleveland State record book in free throws made (605) and free throws attempted (762), while ranking third in free throw percentage (.794), fourth in offensive rebounds (279), and eighth in total rebounds (733).
Klein became the first Cleveland State women's basketball player to have her jersey retired, earning the distinction on February 6, 2016.
Orno (2006-10) was an integral part of a three-time Horizon League championship men's tennis team during his career, graduating as the career record holder in singles and doubles wins. As the first Viking to post 20-win seasons in four straight years, Orno finished with a school record 99 career singles wins, most of which came at the top spot in the lineup. As a senior, Orno posted 29 total singles wins, marking the most wins in a single-season in program history. In doubles action, Orno finished his tenure with a program-best 98 career wins, becoming the only Viking to post 90+ singles wins and 90+ doubles wins. As a junior and senior, Orno helped the Vikings post back-to-back 20-win seasons, marking the only 20-win campaigns in program history. The Denmark native led Cleveland State to a trio of Horizon League Tournament titles during his final three seasons, including the first championship in program history during the 2008 campaign. These three titles would become part of four straight during the 2010-11 season, as the men's tennis team became the first team in school history to capture four straight Horizon League championships.
For his efforts, Orno became the first player in program history to earn First Team honors during every year of his career, while also becoming the first Viking to be named Horizon League Player of the Year, doing so following his sophomore season.
Cleveland State University created its Athletics Hall of Fame in 1975 to honor student-athletes, coaches and contributors for both on and off field success, as well as recognizing the importance of these individuals to the CSU community.
About Cleveland State University
Founded in 1964, Cleveland State University is a public research institution that provides a dynamic setting for Engaged Learning. With 17,000-plus students, ten colleges and schools and more than 175 academic programs, CSU was again chosen in 2018 as one of America's best universities by U.S. News & World Report. Find more information at www.csuohio.edu.
