Webster University’s Grant Gymnasium was packed with fans in the stands on Saturday, Feb. 2. The fans came not only for the basketball games, but also to witness the induction of three new members into the Webster University Athletics Hall of Fame as the class of 2013. The list includes current men’s soccer associate head coach Marty Todt, former volleyball standout Crystal (Shelton) Spinner and women’s basketball star Angie Carr.
The ceremony took place at halftime during the men’s basketball game against conference rival Greenville College (Ill). After the game was over, Webster treated the athletes and coaches to a private dinner and gathering with their family and friends — where they sported their new hardware and letterman jackets — in Webster’s Sunnen Lounge.
“It’s freakin’ awesome,” Todt said. “It’s awesome because you got all the players over there sitting on one side, and your family sitting over there on the other side. You got your assistant coaches, (women’s soccer coach) Luigi (Scire), Corey (Haney) and Kyle (Gamache) — because, in reality, it’s really all about them and sharing that with them.
“The players, like the captains Josh Sellmeyer, Kyle Leonard, Shea Vogt and Clint Carder. Talented athletes, but what good people. They are such good people that really what (it) does is inspires you as a coach to continue to coach.”
Todt was the men’s soccer head coach for 25 seasons, but has recently swapped coaching positions with former associate head coach Michael Siener. During Todt’s time as head coach, he led the Gorloks to five St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference tournament championships and the NCAA Tournament five times. Todt is 44th in wins for all current men’s coaches in NCAA Division-III play and has the most wins of any SLIAC coach with 123.
Spinner played for Webster from 2004 to 2007 and was a First Team All-Conference selection all four years. Spinner was also named SLIAC Player of the Year as a sophomore, and she holds the record in volleyball for kills, digs and sets played for the Gorloks. Spinner said she hoped that she might make it into the Hall of Fame, but it came as a shock.
“It was very surreal and very exciting,” Spinner said. “(I’m) very proud because, to me, it’s what I’ve worked for my whole life playing volleyball. Not just what I’ve done here (at Webster), but everything leading up to that. So it’s just very exciting.”
During the private get-together, each inductee got to choose someone close to them to speak on their behalf. In Carr’s case, it was her former high school basketball coach at Parkview High School in Springfield, Mo. Carr said she’s like a second mom to her and that she continues to keep in touch with her.
In Carr’s first year at Webster, she made an impact on the team when they made it to the NCAA D-III Sweet Sixteen. Carr said the game was one of her favorite memories as a Gorlok. The 530 points scored her senior season is the highest point total for Webster thus far, and Carr holds the basketball school record in total career points with over 1,600.
“I just play because I love the game, so to have this now on top of it is just incredible,” Carr said.
Tom Hart, director of athletics for Webster, said the three inductees helped transform each of their programs. Hart said there is a five-year window after playing or coaching for Webster before you can be eligible for the Hall of Fame. However, Webster bent the rules for Coach Todt.
“Every season, my wife and my family has been to every game,” Todt said. “The grandkids, when you hear them at home and they go, ‘Go Blue,’ it’s not for the hockey Blues, it’s for Webster University.”
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