MCC to induct 5 into Athletics Hall of Fame

McHenry County College Athletics Department will host a Hall of Fame induction Tuesday, Jan. 17, at approximately 7 p.m. The induction will take place between the Women's Basketball game and Men's Basketball game. The 2017 induction class includes players, a former coach and a community/volunteer supporter.

"We are proud to honor this year's inductees, to share their accomplishments and contributions to MCC and thank them for being part of our Scot Family," said MCC Director of Athletics Karen Wiley. "We have amazing individuals to shine the spotlight upon."

The new Hall of Fame inductees are:

• Rafael Arellano was a member of the men's soccer team for the 1994 and 1995 fall seasons. The Woodstock High School grad was named to the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Soccer First Team and All Region IV First Team in 1995. His teams finished with an exemplary 38-8 overall record. He also was named as team MVP in 1995. Rafael also played a vital role as a co-founder of MCC's Latinos Unidos, a club which promotes Latino cultural awareness, ongoing support and assistance. He went on to graduate from Northern Illinois University with a degree in Spanish translation/business. He has returned to MCC's campus to occasionally speak to the soccer team to discuss the importance of education and the carry-over of athletics to the classroom and life. He currently owns his own businesses, RAF Interpreting and Rafael Real Estate and Brokerage and resides in Woodstock.

• Tom Carle served as an athletic department volunteer 1993-2015, serving as scorekeeper at basketball games and volunteer baseball coach. He volunteered his time and monies to help improve baseball field and facilities during this time. He donated countless hours to the program, players and college. He retired from MCC's campus police department is currently substitute teaching in the area and residing in Woodstock.

• Kathy (Freund) Heider played on the Women's Volleyball team for the 1997 and 1998 seasons. The Crystal Lake Central High School grad was named to the ISSC All-Conference team, All-Region IV Team in 1997 and 1998. She garnered NJCAA All-American honors in 1998. She was a member of the first MCC volleyball team to qualify for the NJCAA national tournament in 1998. Following graduation at MCC, she attended and played at Northern Illinois University. She currently resides in Woodstock with her husband, Andy, and family.

• Michelle (Crosby) Loeding was a three-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball and softball) at MCC during the 1986-87 and 1987-88 seasons. The Harvard High School grad was named to the basketball ISCC All-Conference team both years and Region IV All-Tournament team. She was a member of the first ISCC basketball championship at MCC. Graduating with honors at MCC, she gave the commencement address in 1988 and went on to attend and play at University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC). Michelle was inducted into the Region IV Hall of Fame in 2016. She is currently a teacher at Prairie Ridge High School and resides in Crystal Lake with her family.

• Rick Peterson is inducted as a men's basketball player, playing 1979-81 and as a women's basketball coach for his 1987-89 seasons. The McHenry High School grad led the ISCC scoring at a 30 points/game clip in 1980-81 and third in the conference in the previous season as a freshmen. He was named to the All-Conference team and received a full athletic scholarship to Regis College. Peterson was also the head coach of the MCC women's basketball team for two seasons, compiling a 41-10 record, the first ISCC women's basketball championship with his teams averaging 84 points/game while holding opponents to 59 points. He currently resides in Crystal Lake with his family.

The McHenry County College Athletics Hall of Fame was instituted in 2004. It honors teams, student-athletes, coaches, administrators and community/volunteers who have demonstrated a high degree of success, significant contributions, or meaningful service to MCC Athletic programs.

The nomination form, guidelines and criteria can be found at www.mchenry.edu/hof.

Each inductee will be honored with a plaque on the Athletic Hall of Fame wall outside of the MCC gym and recognized on the MCC Athletic Hall of Fame page on the athletic department's website.