Legends of the Hall

Meet the newest members of SCU’s Athletic Hall of Fame

By Erin Hussey ’05 and Kendall Doherty ’08

The ranks of the Bronco Athletic Hall of Fame swelled by seven this spring, with a ceremony held May 15 to welcome the newest members of this select crew. Established in 1962, the Hall now boasts 237 individuals and one team as members.

Robert Peters ’52

basketball

Peters was the man you knew would sink the shot. In 1952, he and his fellow Broncos earned a spot in the Final Four in Seattle—one of the landmark moments in Santa Clara basketball. Alas, the Broncos lost to eventual champion Kansas, 74-55. Peters went on to serve in the U.S. Army, teach English, and coach basketball.

Terry Ennis ’66

football

Not only did Ennis compile an impressive 287 and 87 record over a 36-year coaching career that included three state titles, he was named Coach of the Century in 1999 by The Seattle Times. Before that, as a player, he helped establish Santa Clara as a small powerhouse in the Bay Area. Ennis died last year at the age of 63 after losing his battle to prostate cancer.

Steven Kenilvort ’86

basketball

A standout point guard, Kenilvort earned the WCC Freshman of the Year award and led the team to two NIT appearances and three second-place WCC finishes. He became the first player in SCU history to lead his team in three categories: points per game, rebounds, and assists. He was selected by the Golden State Warriors in the seventh round of the NBA draft but was unable to play due to a career ending knee injury. He remains an inspiration to Bronco players for his ability to strive for excellence and overcome adversity.

Michael Macfarlane ’86

baseball

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Yer out! Macfarlane makes the tag. Photo: SCU Athletics

Macfarlane brought power to the plate as a batter and was a relentless defender as a catcher. His sophomore year he hit 13 homers and led the Broncos to a record breaking team total 62 home runs. In 1985 he was drafted in the fourth round by the Kansas City Royals and debuted in the major leagues in 1987. He played 10 seasons with the Royals, one with the Red Sox, and two with the A’s. He currently hosts a sports radio program in Kansas City.

Christine Silvernail ’94

basketball

One of the greatest players in the history of Santa Clara women’s basketball, Silvernail led the Broncos to four consecutive winning seasons, four straight WCC regular season titles, one WCC Tournament championship, a Women’s National Invitation Tournament crown, and two NCAA Tournament appearances. She capped her collegiate career leading the team in scoring, field goal percentage, free throws, rebounds, and blocks per game. She was also named WCC Player of the Year and made the All-WCC first team. Tragically, a few years after graduation, Silvernail was killed in a car accident—but she is remembered as the embodiment of what it takes to be an all-star student-athlete.

Michael Frank ’97

baseball

WCC Player of the Year his senior year, Frank dominated the league with a .405 batting average and won 11 games as a pitcher. He helped bring the Broncos to three NCAA Tournament appearances, was a four-time All-WCC first team selection and a two-time All-American. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the seventh round and, in 1998, became the quickest player in Reds history to reach the major leagues. Later traded to the Yankees, he played three years in the Triple A league before moving to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he played his final year of baseball.

Jennifer Lalor-Nielsen ’98

soccer

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Jennifer Lalor-Nielsen
Photo: SCU Athletics

One of the founders of the SCU women’s soccer dynasty, Lalor-Nielsen dominated the field and earned threetime All-American honors. She led the Broncos to one WCC Championship and two NCAA semifinal appearances, and she was a four-time All-WCC first team honoree. She represented the U.S. in the 1995 Women’s World Cup in Sweden, where she helped capture the bronze medal and put women’s soccer on the map. She then played with Japan, Denmark, and Sweden before playing professional soccer in the U.S. with the New York Power, San Diego Spirit, and San Diego Sea Lions.