Four Selected for 2014 Nanook Hall of Fame Induction

FAIRBANKS – The Alaska Nanooks department of athletics is proud to announce the four newest members of the Nanook Hall of Fame come this September as the seventh class comprises of Dean Fedorchuk (hockey), Guy Gadowsky (hockey), Marius Korthauer (men's cross country & skiing) and Oleg Seleznev (rifle).

The foursome will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m. in a ceremony to take place at the Wedgewood Resort, located at 212 Wedgewood Drive in Fairbanks. The addition of these four now puts the list of Hall of Famers to 34. For information regarding tickets to the induction ceremony, call the athletics ticket office at (907) 474-6665.

Dean Fedorchuk
Fedorchuk suited up for the Alaska hockey program from 1990-94 and in his four years, he tallied the second-most points in program history, which includes the most goals ever by a Nanook. In 144 career games, The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native notched 215 points on a team-record 113 goals and 102 assists, which ranks seventh. A Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist in 1994, he was named a First Team All-American in that same year after tying for the NCAA scoring title with 74 points (42-32—74). He captained Alaska from 1991-94 and was named the team's Steve Moria MVP three times.

After graduating from the university in 1994, he played one season of pro hockey in America before spending 13 years as a professional in Germany and Denmark. Fedorchuk was also a pro scout for the NHL's Winnipeg Jets. He spends his summers in Fairbanks operating the ALCAN Hockey Camp, which creates an effective environment for learning and a fun atmosphere for participants. Fedorchuk awards scholarships for those who cannot afford camps and also established the ALCAN Hockey Scholarship at the university.

"Dean and his family adopted Fairbanks as home and have maintained residence here since he graduated from UAF," Tom Robinson said in his nomination letter. "He started and since expanded his schools to many age groups and sports. He has always worked with and helped develop the many youth in the Fairbanks area and participates in many activities each year. While working with youth, to being an entrepreneur while a student-athlete and earning awards in his hockey career, he and his family have positively impacted the community and UAF."

Guy Gadowsky
Gadowsky led the Alaska hockey team as its head coach from 1999-2004 and in his time with the Nanooks, he set the tone for the future of the program. After his first two seasons were in rebuilding mode for the team, he put together the third-winningest season in program history in 2001-02 with 22 victories and guided Alaska to its first-ever trip the Central Collegiate Hockey Association quarterfinals at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Mich. His final two years as bench boss saw the Nanooks finish with 15 and 16 wins, respectively, as he rounded out his five-year career with 68 wins, including 50 CCHA triumphs.

Following his stint in Alaska, he has also been head coach at Princeton and became the first coach in the history of the Penn State hockey program. Wins aside, his tenure also saw increased attendance from sub-3,000 to more than 4,000 by his final season. He implemented the Alaska Hockey Extravaganza in 2000, which was a co-ed 3-on-3 tournament for adults and youth while also instituting a community service log for all student-athletes to improve the team's community profile. In 2002, Gadowsky was presented with the Golden Heart Award for Exceptional Community Service and also founded the Guy Gadowsky Hockey Endowment Scholarship.

"Guy worked to establish a strong working relationship between the university and all other local hockey programs, "hockey office manager Shawn Head said in a letter of support for Gadowsky's induction. "He also pursued ideas that would bring the community closer to the hockey program. He began holding press conferences after the games and encouraged fans to attend. Preseason banquets were established so you could get to know the new players as well as returners."

She continued, "When he left the program to pursue his coaching career at Princeton, he left the program in good hands with Tavis MacMillan and a strong set of professional standards he engrained in the support staff."

Marius Korthauer
A member of the Alaska men's cross country and skiing programs from 2004-08, Korthauer becomes the first men's runner or men's skier to be inducted to the Nanook Hall of Fame. The German native was the first national champion for the men's ski team as he celebrated his 24th birthday by winning the 20-kilometer classic race at the 2008 NCAA Championships. He was a six-time All-American for his career and made the podium at the NCAA Championships on five occasions, including national runner-up finishes in the 2008 freestyle race and 2006 classic race. Korthauer was also region and conference champion in the skate race.

On the trails, Korthauer was a member of the men's program's best-ever GNAC finish at the conference meet, as the Nanooks placed fifth in 2007. He also excelled in the classroom, as he was named a First Team Academic All-American At-Large selection in 2008 while also being tabbed an ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection in the same year. As a runner, he was a three-time member of the GNAC All-Academic team and was selected as the Most Outstanding Graduating Business Student in 2008. After graduating from the university with a 3.87 undergraduate grade-point average and a 3.8 graduate GPA, he was a volunteer with the Nordic Ski Club of Fairbanks and was active in the Fairbanks community when he was a student at UAF.

"When asked by a reporter after he won the 20K race at NCAAs what it felt like for a German to win an American event, Marius said, 'I don't ski for Germany, I ski for the University of Alaska Fairbanks.' That's the type of teammate and student-athlete Marius was," Alaska head coach Scott Jerome said. "He loved UAF and the opportunities that were afforded to him here. He made the most of being on an NCAA team in Alaska. After he exhausted his eligibility he collected some prize money as a national level race. Instead of pocketing the cash he donated it to the Nordic ski Club of Fairbanks' youth skiing program. Again, this exemplifies Marius perfectly."

He continued, "I was never so proud as I was when Marius won his national title. He truly earned it. It did not come easy. It was a long journey with many hard times but he made it. I am so happy that Marius will be honored by UAF for his athletic and academic accomplishments by being inducted into the Hall of Fame."

Oleg Seleznev
A member of the Alaska rifle program from 1993-97, Seleznev helped the Nanooks capture their first-ever national championship in 1994. The Russian native was the individual national champion in the smallbore match at the 1995 NCAA Championships and turned in eight All-America accolades over the course of his four-year career.

Off the range and in the classroom, Seleznev graduated with a degree in Japanese studies and earned a spot on the Chancellor's List. He also minored in business and earned his MBA in 2000. He also worked as a volunteer for Athletes in Action while enrolled at the university. He assisted the rifle team with camps and clinics and has continued his help years later, assisting the Russian National Team. Seleznev also volunteered for Spring Clean-up Day, was a tutor and mentor and presented the Eddie Eagle program at the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District in regards to gun safety.

"Oleg was one of the biggest elements in the rifle team winning the NCAA Championship in 1994," nominator and head coach Randy Pitney said. "He brought a Russian philosophy that greatly enhanced the team both mentally and technically. As a coach, I learned a vast amount from him upon his arrival. This also improved team chemistry and the drive for achieving higher personal performances. Oleg didn't have a cheerleader style but was calm and extremely respected by his teammates."

About the Nanook Hall of Fame
Created in 2008, the Nanook Hall of Fame honors and preserves the memory of the men and women who, through their outstanding contributions both in intercollegiate athletics and community involvement, have brought honor and distinction to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. It exists to recognize not only outstanding contributions of student-athletes, but the contributions of coaches, administrators, athletics staff, community members and others who, in a positive way, have promoted the mission of the university and the Alaska Nanooks.

The Class of 2014 was selected by a nine-member panel consisting of former Nanooks and Hall of Fame members, from a list of 17 nominees. Bob Baker (skiing/running), Michelle Evans (women's basketball), Max Hoberg (swimming), Scott Keyes (hockey), Russ Knapp (hockey), Mallory Larranaga (volleyball), Kelly Mansfield (rifle), Kevin McHenry (men's basketball) and Randy Pitney (rifle) were the voting members this year.

The panel also has five ex-officio members who do not vote: Gary Gray (athletic director), Dani Sheppard (faculty athletic representative), Chris Brooks (media relations), Mike Sfraga (vice chancellor) and Jim Dixon (alumni association).

Previous Nanook Hall of Fame Inductees
• 2008 – Randy Pitney (rifle), Matt Emmons (rifle), Milo Griffin (men's basketball), Joe Tremarello (men's basketball, contributor).
• 2009 – Tavis MacMillan (hockey), Mike Lessley (men's basketball), Dr. William R. Wood (men's basketball, contributor), Joe Nava (rifle), Carole Rollison Warner (rifle), Everad F. Horton (rifle).
• 2010 – Stuart Watkins (rifle),Mallory (Bergstrom) Larranaga (volleyball), Harris Shelton (administrator), Melissa Mulloy-Mecozzi (rifle), Sigrid Aas (women's skiing), John Gilmore (administrator).
• 2011 – Brad Oleson (men's basketball), Alan Cardwell (men's swimming), Steve Moria (hockey), Kelly Mansfield (rifle), Anne-Berit Smith (women's skiing), the 1993-94 rifle team.
• 2012 – John Estle (skiing/running coach), Ellen Hannan (women's basketball), Pavla Havlova (women's running), Heather Harrison (women's volleyball).
• 2013 – Carl Benson (men's swimming), Mike Curtin (athletic training), Jamie Beyerle (rifle), Dr. Cary S. Keller (team physician).

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