TAHLEQUAH – The Northeastern State University Athletics announced Monday that tickets to the Hall of Fame Ceremony are now for sale.

The formal ceremony is scheduled for Friday, November 3 in the Chota Center at the Cherokee Casino - Tahlequah. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with a meal being served.

Ticket prices for the general public to attend the ceremony are $55 per ticket.  Entire tables that seat up to eight can also be purchased for $400 per table or $210 for a half table (four tickets).  Tickets can be purchased at: GoRiverHawksGo.com/Tickets.  The deadline to purchase tickets online by October 26.

Set to be inducted into the 2023 class are: Dallas Curtis (Football, 1996-2000), Ryan Helsley (Baseball, 2014-15), Taylor Lewis-Eldridge (Women's Basketball, 2009-13), Shon Robinson (Men's Basketball, 2001-03), and Brian Ward (Men's Golf, 2002-06).

Sponsorship Opportunities

Premier Sponsor (1): $5,000
- The event will be recognized as "NSU Athletics Hall of Fame", Presented By (Company Name)
- Seating for 16 guests
- Premier logo recognition on all printed materials and on GoRiverHawksGo.com
- Inclusion within digital promotion of the event
- Corporate display space and on-site company name recognition and signage
- Non-compete at presenting sponsor level

Inductee Table Sponsor (5): $2,500
- Recognition of company name during program
- Name recognition on all printed dinner materials
- Seating for 8 guests
- Inclusion within digital promotion of the event via e-mail

Table Sponsor (35): $1,000
- Seating for 4 guests
- Name recognition on all printed dinner materials

2023 Northeastern State Hall of Fame Class

Dallas Curtis | Football (1996-2000) - a standout linebacker for the football team, will be inducted for his leadership and accomplishments on the field. He was the leading tackler on the 1999 NCAA Division II Semifinal Team with the #1 defense in the nation. Curtis' accolades include being a member of the 2000 NCAA Division II Playoff football team, a four-year team captain, leading tackler in 1998, a 1999 NCAA DII All-American, a two-time 1st Team All Lone Star Conference LB, and a four-year starter. He also served on the 2000 NCAA Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) as a national representative.

Ryan Helsley | Baseball (2014-15) - a pitcher for the NSU Baseball team, will be inducted for his outstanding performance on the mound. He compiled a 4.06 ERA in 126.1 innings pitched, throwing three complete games and tallied 151 strikeouts. Helsley was the lone underclassman to earn a spot on the 2015 All-MIAA First Team, and he was also named to the 2014 All-MIAA Second Team as a freshman. He was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft, becoming the first player from the MIAA and the second player from the state of Oklahoma selected in the 2015 draft. Helsley was the fifth player in all of NCAA Division II to come off the 2015 draft board. Helsley was the first Northeastern State student-athlete to be named to the MLB All-Star Game, and he was selected by the MLB players to represent the National League. He has pitched in the MLB postseason three times and is one of the top relievers in MLB during the 2022 season.
 
Taylor Lewis-Eldridge | Women's Basketball (2009-13) - had a remarkable career, which included leading her team to three appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament Including the Sweet 16 in 2010. In her senior season, Eldridge was named the MIAA Co-Player of the Year, and earned All-MIAA First Team honors. She was also recognized as a WBCA All-American in 2013. During the 2012-2013 season, Eldridge averaged 16.5 points per game, reaching double figures in all but two games. She led the MIAA in free-throw percentage (.899), three-point field goals made per game (3.0), and three-point field goal percentage (.423). Her impressive stats earned her seventh and ninth ranking in the nation, respectively. Lewis-Eldridge led Northeastern State to a second-place tie in their inaugural season in the MIAA with a 19-8 overall record and a 14-4 MIAA record.

Shon Robinson | Men's Basketball (2001-03) - will be inducted for his exceptional performance on the court. Robinson was a 1st Team Lone Star Conference - North in 2002 and 2003, 1st Team NABC South Central Region in 2002 and 2003, and Most Outstanding Player South Central Region in 2003. He was part of the team that won the 2003 NCAA DII National Championship and was the leading scorer of the Championship game. Hall of Fame Men's Basketball Coach Larry Gibson described Robinson as "arguably the most complete player on the National Championship team. He was a great defender, rebounder, and scorer. A total team player."
 
Brian Ward | Men's Golf (2002-06) - a four-year letterman for NSU Golf, will be inducted for his exceptional performance on the course. He was an All-American in 2006, a two-time All-Conference player, and helped lead the 2005 and 2006 teams to league titles. Ward won three individual championships in tournament play and had a 72.77 scoring average as a senior. After graduation, he earned full PGA membership.