SOUTHFIELD--The Lawrence Technological University Athletic Department on Friday evening held the Blue Devils Hall of Fame ceremony at the University Technology and Learning Center (UTLC) Gallery in the architecture building. The 2023 induction class includes a contributor, coach and three former student-athletes bringing to 16 the number of individuals enshrined--plus two teams--who have been enshrined in the University's hall of fame.

"We are so delighted and honored to revive this important event to recognize the achievements of Blue Devils, past and present, who have brought distinction to our campus community," stated LTU athletics director Mary Ann Meltzer. "On behalf of the University, I would like to extend our congratulations to the Inductees as well as their families and friends to share their joy in this momentous occasion."

The LTU Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 2011 when the University restarted varsity athletics in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The Hall of Fame is intended to honor and give recognition to individuals who, through participation, support, or interest, have made considerable contributions to Blue Devil Athletics.

"LTU Athletics has a rich, storied history in its still growing, young existence. The Blue Devils have produced two national championships in Women's Lacrosse and Men's Bowling, scores of All-Americans, All-Conference and Academic All-Americans, and many conference team and individual titles since Athletics was reborn on this campus in 2011," Meltzer said. "This proud spirit is well and alive tonight with our 2023 Hall of Fame Induction Class to join the representation of our significant history."

The individuals and teams that are enshrined in the LTU Athletic Hall of Fame have not only carried themselves with the NAIA Champions of Character's five core values--respect, responsibility, integrity, sportsmanship, and servant leadership--they have continued those values throughout their lives following their time at Lawrence Tech. It is those Blue Devils that dared to be different, to be leaders, to be innovators and designers. They encapsulate what it means to be a Lawrence Tech Blue Devil.

The festivities started with a reception at 5 p.m. in the East Hall Lobby, then a Walk of Fame by the inductees (accompanied by the LTU Marching Band and guests) from East to the UTLC at 5:45 p.m., dinner was presented by Aramark at 6:15 p.m. and the marquee ceremonial event started at 7 p.m.

Here are the 2023 inductees to the LTU Athletics Hall of Fame:

Laura Affer Blue Devil Legacy Award: Dr. Scott Schneider (Presenter--Mary Ann Meltzer)
Dr. Schneider, who is an Associate Professor of Physics at the University, is known as the Blue Devils' Super Fan. He can be routinely seen at sporting events dressed up in crazy blue hair, blue deely bobbers, and things. He has taught at LTU since 1992, imparting his knowledge to his students for 31 years and counting! One of Dr. Schneider's fondest memories is traveling to Chicago with the men's volleyball squad for a match and "technically" serving as a winning "coach." He also cherishes the women's lacrosse program's first national championship win last spring. Dr. Schneider hopes that he serves as a faculty-fan role model for other LTU faculty, encouraging others to attend games where he enjoys explaining the rules if an individual is new to the sport. He is honored to help support LTU scholar-athletes across several sports at home and away contests. He sees the drive and determination that Blue Devils show in their arena of competition which can translate into the classroom, so it's very easy for him to be a very active--and vocal--LTU fan.

LTU Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee: Hali Butler (Presenter--Brenda Davis) 
Hali made a name for herself as the first Blue Devil women's basketball player to reach the 1,000-point milestone. She was a four-year member of the program from 2013 to 2016. Her postseason accolades included 2013 All-WHAC Newcomer Team, 2016 WHAC All-Defensive Team and she was a two-time all-conference standout including first-team honors in 2016. She saved her best season as a senior when she was named to the NAIA All-America Third Team, averaging 14.6 points and 7.2 rebounds while helping LTU to a 24-5 record and 19-3 WHAC mark, and a berth in the NAIA Tournament. A Fairport, Ohio, product, Hali has remained in the game she loves by serving as an assistant girls' coach at Harbor High School.                       

LTU Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee: Stephen Behmlander (Presenter--Courtney Callegari)
Stephen coached LTU men's and women's tennis teams from 2014 to his retirement in 2022. He is the winningest coach in school history with a 179-136 record for a .568 winning percentage. He earned 2016 WHAC Coach of the Year honors and was named the NAIA Champions of Character top coach from 2014-20. His 2015-18 men's teams and 2017 women's squad were nationally ranked. He coached numerous student-athletes who received WHAC player of the week/year winners, Intercollegiate Tennis Association Scholar All-Americans, and academic all-conference honors. The men's team made NAIA national tournament appearances in back-to-back seasons, 2016-17 and 2017-18. Under his direction, both programs were ITA Academic Teams from 2014 to 2021. Stephen has given back to the sport as Executive Director for the Dearborn Community Tennis Association, USTA/USPTA Professional, NAIA Showcase Presenter and NAIA volunteer. He is known as the architect of Blue Devils Men's and Women's Tennis, founding the programs in 2013 for competition the following year.

LTU Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee: Kadjiah Kalo (Presenter--Alyssa Shaver)
Kadijah roamed the Blue Devils women's lacrosse field for four years from 2014-17, helping the team to three NAIA national tournament appearances, two WHAC titles and a 47-26 overall record for a .644 winning percentage. The team captain was named first-team all-conference three times and twice academic all-conference. She also earned NAIA Honor Roll status. She was tabbed the 2017 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) National Player of the Year and an All-NAIA First Team selection after racking up 76 goals, 115 points, 87 ground balls and 78 draw controls. For her career, she ended up with 157 goals, 210 points and 235 ground balls--etching her name in the LTU record book top-5 in several statistical categories. Shortly after graduation, she was inducted into the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society for being in the top-20 percent academically. Today, Kadijah works as a community-based specialty pharmacist for Walgreens at Siani-Grace Hospital in Detroit.

LTU Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee: Tyler Winningham (Presenter--Will Dyer)
Tyler was a three-year captain of the Blue Devils men's soccer program in 2014-16 after playing his freshman season at Schoolcraft College. He twice made both all-conference and academic all-conference, including to the WHAC First Team in 2015 when he netted four goals as a defender. For his career, he scored seven goals and five assists for 19 total points. He was recognized for team awards that included team most valuable player (2014-15) and defensive MVP (2016). He later played professionally for the Michigan Stars and Detroit City Football Club. His soccer-related contributions in his spare time included youth coach for Canton and South Oakland County soccer clubs, as well as a state youth referee. Tyler received a master's degree in human systems integration from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2020. He earned the 2023 G. Dennis White Early Career Human Systems Integration Practitioner Award from the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, or DoN DASN RDTE. He also was a finalist for the 2020 Art Diaz Memorial Award as part of the DoN ASN Acquisition Excellence awards.

Meltzer concluded: "Tonight, we had terrific support for the next generation of Blue Devils Greats. It was a night for remembering the hard work and dedication of three former student-athletes, a retired coach and one tremendous supporter of the athletics department. These individuals have not only lived out the University's mission statement as an athlete, but have also succeeded as professionals and we are proud to say they are LTU Alumni. Without the contributions made by this year's Hall of Fame class, our current student-athletes would not be here aspiring for greatness. We enjoyed celebrating these individuals and having a great night of friendship and stories."

Information on the LTU Hall of Fame can be found on this page and to nominate a deserving team or individual, please fill out this form the next time the portal is open (we will announce when we are accepting nominations for the next HOF class cycle).