FULTON, Mo. – This Saturday, January 30^th, at 11 a.m. the 2016 William Woods University Hall of Fame Class which includes Larry York (former Athletic Director), Colleen Dailey (Women's Soccer/Softball) and Dana and Sue Anderson (Contributor's), will be formally be inducted.

This year's inductees, will join an already prestigious Hall of Fame Class, which includes Helen Stephens, former athletic director Roger Ternes, Lana Unnewehr-Brooks (Women's Basketball), the 2002 men's volleyball team, Erin Jewell (Women's Soccer), Ashley Windmiller (Softball), Patty Wilderman (Women's Basketball), in addition to Last year's inductees, Ashley Morgan (Women's Soccer), Saysha Sappenfield-Nevins (Softball) and Tracy Gastineau (softball).

The incoming candidates were selected from a pool of nominees submitted by the Hall of Fame Nomination Committee, including suggestions from members of the public and current WWU Hall of Fame Inductees, for their outstanding accomplishments, exemplary service or recognition and distinction to William Woods.

For the next three days, we will be posting an article about each inductee leading up to Saturday's ceremony and first up is former Athletic Director Larry York.

Larry York served as vital leader of the William Woods University athletic department, overseeing the department as the Athletic Director from 2000 to 2011.

"It was a great experience, one I'll never forgot," expressed York. "The overall team atmosphere to which all facets of the university community contributed was unique, while everyone from faculty, staff and administration worked hard to provide a physical, mental and emotional climate in which students had the opportunity to flourish."

Larry was an effective leader on and off the field. He was instrumental in the addition of men's and women's cross country, men's and women's track and field and men's basketball programs, while also influential in the creation of the William Woods Master of Education degree in Athletics/Activities Administration, which the university implemented in 2006.
 
"Successful programs, whether athletics, academic or other extra-curricular are built on tradition and I believe tradition is built by quality people in key positions who come to a job with a mission to commit themselves and others to achieve excellence in all they do," said York.
 
York added, "When I came to WWU my goal was to hire a coaching staff that was team-oriented, goal driven, sport-knowledgeable, charismatic and willing to build a department-wide tradition of excellence."
 
During his tenure, the school improved the playing surface, lighting and sound at nearly ever facility under York's guidance. The department also developed a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning and indoor facility.

"Facility improvements has to be another area in which I am proud we improved over time," mentioned York. "With generous donations and through our fundraising campaigns we were able to remodel our gym (now called Anderson Arena) and convert the swimming pool to a multi-purpose room, which these improvements were not only more aesthetically pleasing, they were safer and improved our chances to recruit quality students and athletes."
 
In 2006-07, York was named American Midwest Conference and NAIA Region V Athletic Director of the Year by his peers, for his efforts and revamp to WWU Athletics.
 
There is no doubt that Larry had great success in the leadership role of WWU athletics, but to him, it is much more than all the recognition. "In my forty-three years of involvement in education I have been fortunate enough to have been recognized for my work on a few occasions and those honors, while not pursued as goals, were really nice to receive and stand as symbols that maybe I was doing a few things that had a positive impact on the lives of my students, athletes, and co-workers," said York.
 
He added, "I am very appreciative and do not take lightly any recognition that might be bestowed upon me.  However, being inducted into the William Woods Hall of Fame is truly "icing on the cake" and will be cherished always.
 
Larry and his wife, Becky, reside in Jefferson City, Missouri, where they have two children and five grandchildren.