Columbus State University Athletic Hall of Fame Class Inducted on Thursday

Columbus, Ga. -- The Columbus State University Athletic Hall of Fame officially has three new members as Larry Kees, Philip Montpas and Diego Ventureira were inducted on Wednesday night. The induction ceremony for the 2010 class was held at the Lumpkin Center.

Kees, introduced by former Vice President for Student Affairs Dr. Lindsey Mock, was the school's softball coach for 11 seasons and took the team from a very successful slow pitch program from 1981 to 1985 and transitioned the program to fastpitch beginning in 1986. He won 150 games as head coach in the first seven seasons of fastpitch competition before stepping out of the coaching role and into a role in school administration, retiring in 2007 as Vice President for Student Affairs. His overall record at CSU was 292-168 in those 11 seasons.

Montpas came to CSU from his home in Michigan to play baseball for Charles Ragsdale in 1983 as a junior college transfer. Ragsdale presented Montpas for induction at the ceremony. Montpas helped lead the Cougars to very successful seasons in his two years at CSU, helping CSU to its first appearance in the Division II College World Series in 1984. He was an All-American in 1984 after hitting .368 with 18 doubles, 13 homers, and a school record 76 RBI that season. He batted .411 in 1983 and was a First Team All South Atlantic Region performer. His career batting average of .382 was a school record for several years.

Ventureira, introduced by former golf coach Dr. Earl Bagley, was a three-year All-American at CSU from 1990 to 1992. He earned First Team honors in 1990 and 1992, and was a Third Team selection in 1991. He won the 1992 NCAA individual championship and led his team to the NCAA Championship, as well. The Cougar team also finished second in his other seasons, with Ventureira finishing as individual runner-up in 1990. 

Nominations for the 2011 Hall of Fame class will open shortly. Fans and friends may nominate former Cougar athletes by printing a form and submitting it to the athletic department, by filling out the online form, or by coming by the Lumpkin Center to pick up a form.