Boise State picks first sports hall of fame class since 2007 | Idaho Statesman

Nate Potter got the call that he was part of Boise State’s first athletics Hall of Fame class in 11 years at about 2 p.m. Friday.

“Initially, I was shocked,” the former standout offensive lineman said. “But then I thought about how I hadn’t heard someone else was announced yet.”

That person was Potter’s quarterback during his playing career from 2008 to 2011, Kellen Moore.

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Moore’s name was announced last, an hour after Potter’s, and the two teammates will join five others April 13 at the induction ceremony.

“I mean, he’s a no-brainer, right?” Potter said. “It was like, you knew his name was probably coming, but part of me was like, ‘Uh oh, this town is going to revolt if he’s not in.’ ”

Potter earned recognition as Moore’s left tackle that not even the legendary passer could claim — Potter is the school’s only football player named a consensus All-American and a first-team Academic All-American. He was the football program’s first academic honoree in more than 30 years.

“It’s a phenomenal honor, I can’t say enough about going in with this group of people, being part of the first class in a long time,” Potter said. “They could’ve picked plenty of other football players, so I think I’m kind of representing a whole era of Boise State football.”

A seventh-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in the 2012 NFL Draft, Potter played two seasons before spending the last four seasons in quality control and graduate assistant roles in the Boise State football program. He has graduated with his master’s degree and is pursuing a full-time coaching job.

Of the seven inductees, Potter is the only one from Idaho, something the Timberline High graduate said “adds some significance” to him. He also is plenty happy to go in with Moore, who led the team to a 50-3 record in their four seasons together.

Moore, who will reportedly join the Dallas Cowboys’ coaching staff after a six-year NFL playing career, threw for 142 touchdowns and 14,667 yards at Boise State, which ranked No. 2 and 5, respectively, in NCAA history.

“I think it’s great to have an offensive lineman go in with his quarterback,” Potter said. “You don’t normally see the O-line get much recognition, so it’s pretty cool.”

Here’s a look at the other five Hall of Fame inductees:

Graham DeLaet, golf

He graduated with the top two single-season scoring averages in Boise State history, along with a school-record 26 top-10 finishes — plus he still holds the career wins record, with 10. He has 32 top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour and has competed in the Olympics, Presidents Cup and World Cup for his native Canada.

“Thank you Boise State! Such a great honour. This is very special to my family and I. Go Broncos!” he tweeted about the honor (or honour, if you prefer it in Canadian).

Abigail Ferguson, track and field

Previously selected for the Hall of Fame, but to be inducted as part of this year’s class, Ferguson was a 10-time Big Sky Conference champion in triple jump (seven), long jump (two) and the 4x100-meter relay. She was an All-American in 1997 as a senior, finishing eighth at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships in the triple jump.

Paul J. Schneider, broadcaster

Boise State’s broadcasting voice for 35 years from 1973 to 2008, his calls included the Broncos’ 2007 Fiesta Bowl victory, the 1980 NCAA Division I-AA national championship win, four men’s NCAA basketball tournament appearances and four NIT appearances. Still working at 670 KBOI AM, he recently celebrated 50 years broadcasting in Boise.

Eleni Kafourou, track and field

The 2009 NCAA Indoor Track & Field national champion in the long jump, Kafourou was a two-time All-American and 12-time conference champion. She was Boise State’s first women’s individual national champion. She still holds Boise State’s records for the long and triple jump in both indoor and outdoor meets.

Gabe Wallin, track and field

The only two-time national champion in Boise State history, Wallin captured the javelin titles in 2004 and 2005. His 2004 title was the third for a Boise State track and field athlete, and the first in 13 years. His best throw of 264 feet, 9 inches in 2004 remains the school record, the tops in Boise State history by more than 12 feet.

This story was originally published February 09, 2018 12:38 PM.