Dan Majerle was one of the greatest players in Central Michigan’s basketball history. He earned All-MAC honors three seasons in a row (1986-88), and the Chippewas retired his number 44 years later. His college career landed him a First-Round pick in 1988 by the Phoenix Suns, the professional team he had his greatest success with.

The Suns fans were initially upset with Majerle’s selection.  He didn’t look like much, and he came from a smaller D1 school.  It didn’t take long for Majerle to win over the fan base, with his strong transition game, solid defense and long-range shooting.  Majerle was a Second Team Defensive Team in 1991 and 1993, mostly off the strength of ability to glove his opponents.  A three-time All-Star, Majerle led the NBA twice in 3-Point Field Goals twice (1993-94 & 1994-95).  He also played a large part in the Suns’ run to the NBA Finals in 1993, where they lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls in six games.

After his peak in Phoenix, Majerle played for Cleveland for a year and then Miami for five, though his role reduced annually.  After a final year back with the Suns, Majerle retired with a solid basketball career behind. with a FIBA Gold Medal and a retired number with the Suns.  That sounds pretty good to us!

Oh boy.

There is a lot to discuss when examining the career of Antonio Brown, the dynamic wide receiver. For the most part, his career had no red flags. In fact, he was arguably the best wide receiver of the decade.

Brown was a two-time All-American from Central Michigan and proved to be a great pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who drafted him 195th overall. He was used sparingly in his rookie year, but broke out with 1,108 receiving yards as a sophomore. Brown was considered an elite player from 2013 to 2019, with his expert route-running skills and ability to cut on a dime. He made the Pro Bowl in every season, including a four-year streak (2014-17) of First Team All-Pros. He twice led the NFL in receiving yards (2014 & 2017) with two second-place finishes, and was also at the top of the Receiving Touchdowns standings in 2018. Brown finished the decade with the most yards of any wide receiver and easily made the All-Decade Team.

Despite his success, Brown never won a Super Bowl with Pittsburgh. Late in the 2018 season, he and his quarterback fell out, and he asked for a trade, which he received, with Oakland as his landing spot. This began his dramatic downfall.

Brown never played for Oakland, as he missed most of training camp because of blistered feet from cryotherapy and later because he couldn't wear his old helmet. He had an altercation with his GM and asked to be released, which he was, hours before his money was to be guaranteed. Brown later signed with New England and was also dealing with sexual misconduct claims, but that stay lasted only one game. Tom Brady and Tampa Bay then picked him up, where he finally won a Super Bowl. However, a year later, he ran off the field during a game after refusing to go in for a play. Brown continued to make headlines, but always for the wrong reasons.

If Brown had retired after leaving Pittsburgh, he might have been a lock as a Pro Football Hall of Famer. Regardless, his legacy is what it is, and we have no idea what will happen next!

One of the best football players Central Michigan has ever produced, regardless of position, is Joe Staley.

Staley was chosen 28^th Overall by the San Francisco 49ers in 2007, and he was named a starting Right Tackle as a rookie.  Staley moved to Left Tackle the following year, which is where he would stay until he retired after the 2019 season.  He played his entire pro career in a 49ers uniform and was a steady constant on a team he saw through ups and downs, including a Super Bowl appearance.

Staley would be named to six Pro Bowls, was a three-time Second Team All-Pro, and was named to the 2010s All-Decade Team.

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB.  Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players, coaches and executives. Eventually, we are going to get to that of the Division I schools.  As such, it is news to us that Central Michigan has announced their Athletic Class of 2020.

The Class of 2020 comprises six new members, and right now, the tentative plan is to have a ceremony in 2021.

The six members are:

Sue Guevara, Women’s Basketball Coach:  Guevara was Michigan’s Head Coach from 1996 to 2003, and she would take over as the Head Coach for the Chippewas in 2007 until she retired last July.  She took Central Michigan to the Sweet Sixteen in 2018, and had an overall record of 215-151.  Guevara also led this team to two MAC Tournament wins.

Margo Jonker, Softball Coach:  Jonker was the Chippewas’ Head Coach for 31 years and had an overall record of 1,246-780-8. She took the school to 10 MAC Regular Season Championships and 11 MAC Tournament Championships.

Dan LeFevour, Football:  LeFevour was thee MAC MVP in 2009, and was also a two-time MAC Offensive Player of the Year.  Playing at Quarterback, LeFevour threw for 12,905 Passing Yards with 102 Touchdowns, and he would play professionally for Chicago, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Jacksonville in the NFL, and also Hamilton, Montreal, Toronto and Winnipeg of the CFL.

Katie Simon, Gymnastics:  Simon won seven MAC Individual Titles, and helped the Chippewas win the 2010 MAC Title.

Joe Staley, Football:  Playing at Offensive Tackle, Staley was the Central Michigan Captain when they won their first Bowl Game in 2006.  He would go on to have a productive career in the NFL, where he was a five-time Pro Bowl Selection and played in two Super Bowls.

Tyler Stovall, Baseball:  Stovall was a Third Team All-American and the MAC Player of the Year in 2007.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate the six new members of the Central Michigan Athletic Hall of Fame.

One of the great power forwards of the 70’s and 80’s. Dan Roundfield could rebound and score but is most famous for his ability to defend.  One of the best shot blockers at his position, Roundfield earned first team All-NBA honors in 1980 and made three All-Star teams as well as being a perennial member of the All-Defensive team. Underrated and playing in the obscurity of Atlanta, only his peers really knew how good he was.