The all-time scoring leader in Buffalo State women's basketball history will lead six inductees into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame on Saturday, September 28. Joining Arlene Eagan in the Hall will be Dexton Dixon ('90, Track and Field and Cross Country), Mark Valvo ('93, Football), John Groover ('02, Basketball), Tracy Bacon ('97, Football), and Dr. Irving Cowle ('42, Basketball, Soccer, Track & Field and Swimming - Honorary).

From 1987 through 1991, Eagan established herself as the best women's basketball player to wear a Buffalo State uniform. A two-time First Team All-American, she set an NCAA Division III record in 1990 with a .648 field goal percentage. The four-time All-SUNYAC performer still holds 14 Buffalo State school records, including most points in a career with 1,699, and most career rebounds with 1,419. Eagan led the Bengals to three SUNYAC Championships and NCAA postseason appearances.

Dixon's cross country and track careers spanned 1986 through 1990. Co-winner of the Hube Coyer Award (Outstanding Male Athletic Career at Buffalo State) in 1990, he captained the Bengals track team for two seasons and captured three individual SUNYAC Championships, a New York State title and placed fifth in the 1988 NCAA Division III Championships in the 800-meter. Dixon also earned All-Conference distinction in cross country as a senior.

Valvo anchored the football Bengals offensive line from 1989 until 1992. In 1991, the 6'5", 280-pound offensive tackle became the first football player to be named All-America, putting Buffalo State on the map among Division III schools. In 1992, the captain helped lead the Bengals to their first NCAA playoff appearance and a first round victory over Ithaca College.

Since graduating from Buffalo State, Valvo has spent 11 seasons in the Arena Football League's Albany/Indianapolis Firebirds, and captured an Arena Bowl Championship in 1999.

Groover played for the basketball Bengals in 1980-81 and then for three more seasons from 1982 through 1985. The dominating center guided the Bengals to a pair of SUNYAC Championships in 1984 and 1985, and earned SUNYAC Tournament Most Valuable Player honors in 1985. During his four seasons, he averaged 13.9 points and 9.6 rebounds-per-game and helped the Bengals to an 81-24 (.771) record. He is currently eighth on Buffalo State's career scoring list with 1,247 points.

Bacon was a four-year starter at quarterback for Buffalo State from 1993 through 1996. He amassed 5,153 career passing yards as is the only quarterback to lead the Bengals to four straight NCAA Playoff appearances while helping Buffalo State to a 30-11 record during that stretch. A two-time First Team ECAC All-Star, Bacon was the ECAC East Region Player of the Year in 1995. Following his playing career, he served one season as a graduate assistant coach with the Bengals while he completed a Master's Degree in Student Personnel Administration.

Cowle will be recognized as an Honorary member to the school's Hall of Fame for his participation in basketball, soccer, track and field, and swimming from 1939 through 1942. The 1940 recipient of the Men's Sports Award, Cowle was a four-year member of the Athletic Council, and served as president in 1941-42. Since completing his career at Buffalo State, he stayed has active in athletics, taking up racquetball at age 47, and eventually claiming 60 regional and national trophies and garnishing a national ranking in his age group. A supporter of Buffalo State College for more than 60 years, he has established the Roz and Irv Cowle Scholarship Fund for students studying Education at Buffalo State.

Catered by Banchetti's by Rizzo, the reception will be held in the main foyer of the Sports Arena and will begin at approximately 4:30, or following the Bengals' Homecoming football game against Cortland State at 1:00. Formal induction will be held at 5:30. Tickets are $15, and reservations can be made with Tom Koller, Associate Athletics Director, at 878-6514.



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