It was a night filled with funny stories, memories and honors as four new members were inducted into the North Park Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night.

Former basketball player Laura Mount (C'2007) and men's soccer goalie Austin Person (C'2007) as well as multiple-sport athletes Nels “Art” Edstrom (C'1953) and John Douglass (A'1964) were honored at a small gathering in Anderson Chapel where Director of Athletics Dr. Jack Surridge served as the emcee.

All four athletes made a speech and entertained the crowd of families, administration and alumni with their past experiences of what it truly means to be a North Park Viking.

Of the four that spoke, Edstrom told stories of when he was being recruited by Michigan State for basketball, but chose to play at North Park, which ended up being a lifetime of dedication to the University. Person joked with his coach John Born about how 29 popsicle sticks cannot be broken as a team working together, but a popsicle stick alone is easily broken while Mount told stories of friendships made and trips taken during tournaments, and Douglass shared his experience of one football game that had an unorthodox play happen twice.

“Laura, Austin, John and Art are outstanding inductees for our Hall of Fame, and we are truly blessed for having them as athletes, but better yet as people of true character and friends,” Surridge said. “This was an evening of joy, tears and good company amongst our newest inductees.”