May 21, 2012

MAC Hall of Fame and MAC 100 Information

MADISON, NJ - Bill Stromberg, a standout member of the Johns Hopkins football team during his career from 1978-81, and Bill Milne, one of the top swimmers in the nation as a member of the Blue Jay swimming team from 1971-74, have been selected to the charter class of the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Hall of Fame it was recently announced. In all, 36 individuals comprise the conference's first class of inductees. The 36-person class represents 25 schools and 13 different sports with 22 athletes and 17 staff/administrators (some individuals covered both categories) honored.

Johns Hopkins was a member of the MAC in 1914, 1925 and from 1947 until 1993, when it departed to join the newly formed Centennial Conference.

Stromberg, the only Johns Hopkins football player elected to the College Football Hall of Fame (2004), was a two-time First Team All-American and two-time MAC Most Valuable Player as he grabbed both honors in 1980 and 1981. He was also a member of the inaugural class of inductees into the Johns Hopkins Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.

Stromberg led the nation in receiving twice during his career and established then national records for receptions (258), receiving yards (3,776) and touchdown receptions (39). All three of those marks remain JHU records 30 years after his career ended.

Despite playing just nine games per year during his career, Stromberg set marks that stood the test of time nationally as well. He record for career receptions stood until 1993, while his records for receiving yards and touchdown receptions stood until 1989 and 1992, respectively.

Nearly 40 years after he last swam for the Blue Jays, Milne remains one of the greatest swimmers in NCAA Division III history. He led Johns Hopkins to four consecutive MAC Championships and four top-10 finishes at the NCAA College Division Championships as well (9th, 6th, 3rd, 6th).

While the team accomplishments during Milne's career are impressive, his individual achievements are even great. He won nine individual national championships, with four in the 100 fly, three in the 200 fly and two in the 200 IM. He remains one of just four people in school history to win three individual NCAA titles in the same year. In all, he earned All-America honors 17 times and claimed 11 MAC individual titles as well.

Milne joined Stromberg as a charter member of the Johns Hopkins Athletic Hall of Fame as well.

The MAC Hall of Fame was formed this year as part of the league's celebration of its 100th anniversary. Stromberg and Milne will each receive a commemorative plate recognizing their selection and a duplicate plate will be provided to Johns Hopkins to display as well.M

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