ROCHESTER, Mich. – Oakland swimming and diving head coach Pete Hovland was selected to be inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2016, announced Monday by the organization.
“Obviously, this is not something you ever expect or plan for, so when Scott Leshor (MSHOF) called last week I was definitely caught off guard,” Hovland said. “When the shock subsided a bit you realize what a humbling experience this is.Then when you hear the names of the other inductees you can’t help but be left speechless. Detroit is the best sports town in the country and to be included in this way with these icons is really hard to comprehend. This is truly an honor of a lifetime and I am extremely grateful. I am grateful to Oakland University for giving me this opportunity 37 years ago, and I am grateful to have worked for some outstanding people. Without their support and encouragement over the years our program wouldn’t have had the opportunity to grow and flourish. I am also grateful and blessed to have worked with some truly remarkable assistants over the years as well as some truly outstanding student-athletes. I hope they all feel the same level of accomplishment as I do, because I couldn’t be recognized like this without them.”
Hovland, who led his men’s swimming and diving program to its 38th consecutive league title and his women’s team to its 23rd straight title Feb. 24-27 at the Horizon League Championships, has been at Oakland since 1979. His tenure as a head coach for the Golden Grizzlies is tied for the second-longest among current NCAA Division I head coaches.
On top of his lengthy conference titles streak, Hovland has produced four NCAA Division II National Championships and 54 individual national champions on the men’s team. He has been named conference coach of the year 23 times.
He and the other members of the 2016 class will be honored Sept. 9 at the Max M. Fisher Music Center in Detroit. Derek Jeter (Kalamazoo/New York Yankees) and Mike Modano (Livonia/Detroit Red Wings), members of the 2015 class, will also be honored as they were unable to attend the event last year.
Class of 2016
Tom Gage, Detroit News baseball writer
Pete Hovland, Oakland University Swimming and Diving
John Long, University of Detroit / Detroit Pistons
Robert Mann, Detroit Lions
Kathy McGee, Flint Powers High School / Central Michigan
Chris Osgood, Detroit Red Wings
Brendan Shanahan, Detroit Red Wings
Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons
Swimming news courtesy of Oakland Swimming & Diving.