Muskingum announces newest inductees for Athletics Hall of Fame

Muskingum University will induct its newest members into the Athletic Hall of Fame during Homecoming Weekend on October 24 at the M-Club Breakfast. The Class features Jeff Heacock ’76 (football), Wade Chapman ’02 (wrestling), Heather Shingary Byard ’98 (softball), Jessica Gates Grandey ’03 (women’s basketball) and Jack Lofstrom ’58 (football). 

The event will be held on campus as part of Muskingum's 94th Homecoming Weekend. The honorees will also be recognized during halftime at the Homecoming football game against Ohio Northern University which kicks off in McConagha Stadium at 1:30 p.m. They will join 158 other Muskies who have been selected for this prestigious honor in the last 35 years. 

Jeff Heacock '76 (Football)

Jeff Heacock was an Associated Press All-American and Kodak AFCA All-American First Team honoree in 1975. He was recognized with the Ohio Athletic Conference Critchfield Award as the Most Outstanding Defensive Back in 1975. Heacock was a three-year letterwinner and two-time First Team All-OAC honoree (1974, 1975). He served as a captain and was named the Defensive MVP in 1975. Heacock garnered the 1975 Ohio College Shrine Game Defensive MVP and ended his Muskie playing days being honored with the William G. Moore Outstanding Senior Male Athlete award. Heacock also served as head coach of the Muskingum football program for 26 years and was named the OAC Coach of the Year twice. He ranks 11th all-time in the history of the OAC in career wins. During his head coaching tenure, Heacock also served as the Muskingum athletic director for seven years. Heacock graduated from Muskingum in 1976 with a B.A. in physical and health education.

Wade Chapman '02 (Wrestling)

Wade Chapman, a four-year letterwinner, was a two-time NCAA Division III Scholar All-American (1998, 1999) and an All-American in 2001. He helped lead Muskingum to the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament championship in 2000. Chapman was a two-time NCAA National Qualifier in 2000 and 2001 and was the Ohio Athletic Conference champion in the 197-pound weight class in 2001. He was a two-time All-OAC selection (2000, 2001), Academic All-OAC honoree and was a four-time All-OAC place winner at the conference championships. Chapman was named the MVP of the wrestling squad in 2001 and ended his Muskie tenure being recognized with the William G. Moore Outstanding Senior Male Athlete award. Chapman ended his career with 99 wins (which ranks among the most in Muskingum history) and multiple championships and placements at numerous invitationals. Chapman graduated from Muskingum in 2002 with a B.A. in elementary education.

Heather Shingary Byard '98 (Softball)

Heather Shingary Byard, a four-year letterwinner, was a two-time First Team All-Region honoree and a three-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection, including First Team honors in 1996 and 1998. She was named to the NCAA All-Region Tournament team in 1995 and 1998 and was named to the NCAA World Series All-Tournament team in 1998. Shingary Byard ended her outstanding Muskingum career with a .371 batting average, 143 RBIs, 38 home runs, 36 doubles, eight triples and multiple OAC Hitter of the Week honors. She was a member of two OAC Championship teams (1995, 1998), two NCAA Regional teams (1995, 1998) and one World Series squad (1998). Shingary Byard graduated from Muskingum in 1998 with a B.A. in business.

Jessica Gates Grandey '03 (Women's Basketball)

Jessica Gates Grandey was a three-time All-Ohio Athletic honoree, including a First Team selection in 2003 and was recognized multiple times as an OAC Player of the Week. She ranks fifth all-time at Muskingum in career scoring with 1,451 points and logged 784 career rebounds. Gates Grandey, a four-year letterwinner, still holds five school records:  best career free throw percentage (.824), most career free throws attempted (433), most career free throws made (357), best free throw percentage for a season (.892) and most free throws made in a season (129). She was honored for her commitment to Muskingum athletics with the Ann White Strive for Excellence Award her senior year. Gates Grandey graduated from Muskingum in 2003 with a B.A. in physical and health education.

Jack Lofstrom '58 (Football)

Jack Lofstrom was a Little All-American in 1957 and was a two-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference First Team honoree in 1956 and 1957. He served as a team captain in 1956 and 1957 and was a four-year letterwinner for the Muskies. Lofstrom was a member of the 1955 undefeated (8-0) Ohio Athletic Conference championship team. Following his collegiate playing days at Muskingum, Lofstrom was invited for a free agent tryout with the Cleveland Browns. Lofstrom graduated from Muskingum in 1958 with a B.S. in biology and chemistry.