News

Playing in the Arena Bowl

Former kicker/punter Dan Frantz became an Arena Bowl XX champion in June when his team, the Chicago Rush, defeated the Orlando Predators, 69-61. He is the second former Viking star to win an Arena Football League Championship in as many years. In 2005, former Viking cornerback Rashad Floyd was a member of the Arena Bowl championship team, Colorado Crush.

Arena football, played 8-on-8 on a miniature indoor field (50 yards long and 88 feet wide) and enclosed by padded walls, is a perfect fit for Frantz, who converted 53 extra points for Chicago and nine field goals this past season, including a 51-yard field goal during the bowl game.

Frantz played for the Vikings from 1997 to 2000 and holds records for most field goals in a season (14), punts in a season (69) and a career (198), points kicked in a game (19, 4 FG, 5 XP) and a season (14 FG, 47 XP in 2000).

Floyd, who was Frantz' teammate on the Viking team, is a two-time second team All-Arena League selection for Colorado. He also was one of five players to receive votes for Arena League Defensive Player of the Year in 2006. Floyd was one of the top defensive backs in Portland State history.

Other Vikings who played this past season in the Arena League are Chris Berg (2002-04), Orshawante Bryant (1997-00), and Juston Wood (2001-04). Past Viking stars in the Arena League include Steve Papin and James Hundon, who played at PSU in 1994-95.

A place of honor

As the Portland State Athletics program enters it 60th year, it will induct seven new members into its Athletics Hall of Fame at a banquet on October 20. With this new class, PSU's hall of fame grows to 48 athletes, six teams, 13 coaches, and three meritorious honorees.

New this year is the 1988 national championship volleyball team, as well as a member of that team, Jenny Norlin (1986-89); football great Charles "Chip" Dunn (1997-00); softball pitcher Kristin Jacobs (1990-91); basketball player Renae Aschoff (1990-93); basketball team member Derek Nesland (1997-00); football player Billy "Bye-Bye" White (1960-63); and Larry Sellers (1968-99), retired PSU Athletics sports information director.

In addition to the banquet ceremonies (call 503-725-4000 for details), the new hall of famers will be recognized at halftime during the Portland State vs. Eastern Washington football game on October 21.