MONROE, La. - The ULM Athletic Hall of Fame inducted
two former All-Americans and the Warhawks' winningest men's basketball coach at
its annual induction ceremony on the seventh floor of the ULM Library on
Saturday morning.
"I think it is great any time we can
honor those who have helped shape our athletic department," Director of
Athletics Bobby Staub said. "It is a source of pride for our institution and
the Hall of Fame ceremony is something we look forward to every year. It is
hard to compare this class to some of the past because these three individuals
spanned three different eras and three different sports."
James Folston (1990-93) was an All-American
football player for ULM and left as the program's all-time sack leader. He was
also an All-Southland Conference first team selection during his final two
seasons. Following his collegiate playing career, Folston was a second-round
selection, 52nd overall, by the Oakland Raiders. He went on to play 11 years in
the professional ranks - eight with Oakland and three with the Arizona
Cardinals.
Maria Lindström (1983-85) played only two
years at ULM, but established herself as one of the best players in program
history. She finished her career an All-American, three-time Southland
Conference champion and is the winningest singles player in team history.
Lindström then went on to play professionally in Europe.
Mike Vining coached the ULM men's basketball
team for 24 years. He began his career at ULM as a player in 1962 under former
head coach Lenny Fant. Vining went on to serve as a graduate assistant and
full-time assistant, before taking over the program in 1982. His 401 is the
most ever by a men's basketball coach in school history. He was also inducted
into the Louisiana Athletic Hall of Fame this past summer and is in the
Southland Conference Ring of Honor.
The ULM Athletic Hall of Fame now contains
200 distinguished individuals who have transformed the athletic department into
what it is today.
