IRVINE, Calif. – Concordia University Irvine welcomed in four new members to its prestigious Hall of Fame on Saturday, Feb. 1 as part of the school's homecoming festivities.

All four honorees were recognized during halftime of the CUI-Point Loma men's basketball game.The talented and accomplished CUI Hall of Fame class of 2020 features one of the top scorers in women's basketball team history, a NAIA national champion in women's volleyball, a runner that lapped the opposition on multiple occasions and a soccer goalie who holds multiple school records.

"Each of the former CUI student-athletes being inducted into this year's Hall of Fame have had very distinguished careers at CUI," said CUI athletics director Mo Roberson. "Many are still record holders in their respective sports, which speaks volumes to their accomplishments. I am also glad to see recognition as scholar athletes in their bios which also speaks to their full body of work as a student-athlete here at CUI. 

Tristen (Ryan) Holton was a standout Concordia University Irvine women's basketball player for four years from 2002-2006.  She was named an NAIA Scholar-Athlete on multiple occasions (2004-2006), made the All-GSAC team after the '04-'05 season and was named an All-GSAC Scholar-Athlete twice ('05 and '06). She still holds the school record in career three-pointers made AND attempted and she ranks first in minutes played and games started. She also owns the school record for most threes made in one game for the time in 2004 when she sank nine treys against Eastern Oregon.

Representing the CUI women's volleyball program is Hall of Fame inductee Brooke (Marino) Nicholson. A member of the 2012 Concordia team that won the NAIA National Championship and went 38-0, Brooke still ranks second in team history in career kills, career service aces and total attacks. In fact you can find her name in the top ten in the school record books in more than two dozen categories – including matches played, sets played, and block assists. She still holds the record for most attacks in a single match with 73 against Brownsville in October 2012.

A standout goalie for the CUI men's soccer team from 1995-1998, Tom Pfotenhauer still holds the title of CUI career saves leader. He ranks first in program history with 606 total saves which is more than 240 stops more than second place on the list. Pfotenhauer also is first in goalie minutes played at CUI and third in goalie appearances. He was named an All-GSAC honoree in 1996 and was a GSAC Scholar-Athlete in back-to-back years as a junior and a senior. He still ranks second and third in most saves in a season as well as saves per game for an entire season.

Our next inductee was a two-time NAIA All-American in track & field and a NAIA National Champion in 2007 in the marathon. Tlaloc Venancio ran both cross country and track and field during his time at Concordia, and still holds the school record in the NAIA era in both the marathon and the half-marathon. In 2007, he was a member of the quartet that set the CUI indoor school record in the distance medley relay and has held the outdoor school record in the 10,000 meter race since 2007. A great example of his consistency was that he won individual conference titles as a freshman, sophomore and senior, winning the 10,000 meter race once and the 5,000 meter title twice. Venancio was also a Four-time All-GSAC honoree and both a NAIA and a GSAC Scholar-Athlete.

"It's really fun to see the faces of our alumni who come back during homecoming and the amount of change that has happened at CUI," added Roberson. "I do not think they are surprised at the success as many had a hand in laying the foundation for that success. Our Alumni Office has done a great job connecting alumni and inviting them back for a fun day." 

The CUI men's basketball team lost a close battle 73-69 to Point Loma, who was NCAA DII national runner-up last year. The CUI women's team also battled the Sea Lions in a close contest but ultimately fell 75-65.

For the full CUI women's basketball schedule, click here. For the full CUI men's basketball schedule, click here.