Laura Englehart
Laura Englehart '82 Basketball and Softball
Laura Englehart made her mark on Cleveland State Athletics by becoming a fixture on both the basketball and softball squads during her time at the university.
Englehart began her CSU career on the basketball courts with a six-steal performance against Ohio University. Later that season, Englehart scored a season-high 22 points against Kent State, including a 10-12 performance from the charity stripe. For her efforts, Englehart was named Top Newcomer on the team.
Following the conclusion of the basketball season, Englehart shifted gears by appearing in all 16 contests of the inaugural CSU softball contingent. Leading the team in five categories, Englehart quickly exhibited the talent which would be a hallmark of her time with the Vikings.
Englehart dismissed any notions of a sophomore jinx the following season with another pair of sparkling performances in basketball and softball. On the hardwood, Englehart led the team in both scoring with 283 points and assist with 97. In the Kent State Tournament, Englehart had a career-high seven steals against Akron to garner All-Tournament honors.
On the diamond, Englehart batted .288 while leading the Vikings in RBI's and runs scored. Englehart averaged nearly a hit per game as she rapped out 13 hits in 15 games, the high point in a tough softball season.
The Independence, Ohio native flourished in her third season on the Viking court under new coach Alice Khol. Playing in all 24 contests, Englehart led the Vikings to a 16-8 record, the most wins by any Vikings women's team to that points.
Leading the team again in assists, Englehart exuded teamwork in her efforts on the court. A natural forward, Englhart played point guard on offense and center on defense, "because we needed her there," said Coach Alice Khol.
Englehart's best game of the season came against Saginaw Valley State with a 14 point, 9 assist performance. For her efforts during the year, Englehart was selected as CSU's Female Athlete-of-the-Year.
With a .385 batting average and the team leadership in run batted in, Englehart spent her final campaign on the softball team helping the Vikings rebound off their rough 1980 season. The junior helped the squad tie the school record for wins.
In her final season as a Viking, Englhart was a tri-captain for the basketball tame and enjoyed perhaps her finest season. Englehart led the team in free throws, while finishing second in four other stat categories.
Becoming only the second Viking to score more than 1,000 career points, Englehart notched her career-high in points with a 24-point effort against the Florida Gators.
Sharing the court with fellow Hall of Famers Sue Hlavacek and Sue Koziol, Englehart left the basketball court as the school's career leader in games, assists, and free throws. In addition, Englehart had 36 RBI's, 32 runs scored and a .370 batting average in just 42 games with the Viking softball squad.
Exemplifying the term student-athlete, Englehart made numerous appearances on the CSU Dean's List and is a very welcome addition to the rolls of the CSU Hall of Fame.
