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SPOKANE, Wash. — Geronne Black becomes the first Portland State athlete to enter the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame this Saturday in a ceremony at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Spokane, Wash.
 
Black earned her historic spot in the conference's Hall of Fame after a standout career for the Portland State track & field program. Black won 10 conference titles in total between seven individual titles – the most ever by a Portland State athlete at the Big Sky Indoor and Outdoor Championships – and three titles in the relays.
 
Black did not lose a conference 55- or 60-meter race at the Big Sky Indoor meet during her four-year Portland State career. Additionally, she went 3-for-4 in the outdoor 100 meters, and helped the Vikings win the first three of four straight 4x100-meter titles at the Big Sky Outdoor Championships. The only Big Sky title she lost in the outdoor 100 meters came in 2011 when she placed second to teammate Karene King by three-hundredths of a second.
 
Beyond her personal achievements, Black served as the central figure in an era of dominance for the Vikings in the women's sprints within the Big Sky Conference. A Viking won the Big Sky title in the 100 meters at eight of the 10 conference outdoor meets between 2008 and 2017. The other two years, a Viking placed second.
 
Fans wishing to see Black inducted into the conference hall of fame can either purchase tickets to the event via Eventbrite.com, or watch the ceremony on ESPN+. Tickets for the ceremony are $80 per person, which includes admission to the event and a meal at the banquet. The event will start at 6:30 p.m. PT.
 
The 2023 induction class is just the second group to enter the Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame. The full list of inductees as well as eligibility criteria are listed below:
 
2023 Big Sky Conference Hall of Fame Induction Class

• Archie Amerson, Football, Northern Arizona (1995-96)
• Lindsey Anderson, Cross Country, Track and Field, Weber State (2004-07)
• Geronne Black, Track and Field, Portland State (2010-13)
• Shannon Butler, Cross Country, Track and Field, Montana State (1989-91)
• Debby Colberg, Volleyball Coach and Administrator, Sacramento State (1976-07)
• Kim Exner, Volleyball, Eastern Washington (1995-98)
• Chick Hislop, Cross Country, Track and Field Coach, Weber State (1969-06)
• Ginny Hunt, Administrator, Montana State (1977-93)
• Margarita Karnaukhova, Tennis, Sacramento State (2003-06)
• Larry Krystkowiak, Basketball, Montana (1982-86)
• Jamie Martin, Football, Weber State (1989-92)
• Charles Roberts, Football, Sacramento State (1997-2000)
• Mike Roos, Football, Eastern Washington (2001-04)
• Ron Stephenson, Commissioner, Big Sky Conference (1981-95)

 
Hall of Fame Eligibility Criteria

• An alumnus/alumna is eligible only if he/she has participated in two (2) full seasons of competition at a Big Sky member institution and should have made outstanding contributions or offered extraordinary service to athletics at the institutional, conference and national level.
• An alumnus/alumna is eligible at any time beginning five (5) years after completing their collegiate eligibility.
• Coaches who have made outstanding contributions or offered extraordinary service to Big Sky athletics shall be eligible for recognition into the Hall of Fame after service of five (5) full years.
• Coaches must have completed their tenure as coach or have been out of the conference for at least five (5) years.
• Administrators who have made outstanding contributions or offered extraordinary service to Big Sky athletics shall be eligible for recognition into the Hall of Fame after service of three (3) full years and are immediately eligible.

 
The 2023 Hall of Fame Class was selected by a committee of 14 members, which included representatives from all 10 full-time Big Sky institutions, as well as an additional Athletic Director, Senior Women's Administrator, a conference office representative, and an at-large committee member among the group of 14 voters.