Big Sky Defensive MVP Chris Scott to be Inducted into Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame

Sensational 1997 season led Eagles to the semifinals of the NCAA Football Subdivision Playoffs

 

Last updated 8/8/2019 at 8:48am

Rarely do football players lose weight as their collegiate careers unfold, but defensive tackle Chris Scott did exactly that and had one of the greatest football seasons in Eastern Washington University history.

The Big Sky Conference Defensive MVP in 1997, Scott will be among the 19th class of inductees into the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame on Sept. 28, in conjunction with EWU’s football game versus North Dakota at Roos Field in Cheney.

Previously announced inductees include his former teammate and fellow defensive lineman Dario Romero, as well as volleyball player Keva Sonderen, track and field standout Lisa Sorrell and the 1980 men’s track and field team.

Scott was an honorable mention All-Big Sky Conference selection as a sophomore and junior, then lost 20 pounds prior to his senior season in 1997. The results were impressive, as his added speed and quickness helped him finish the season with 11 sacks, which at the time were the fourth-most in school history (seventh through the 2018 season). He had a school-record 21 tackles for loss that season while finishing with 79 tackles in 14 games to rank fourth on the team.

He won Big Sky Conference Defensive MVP honors, which is rare for an interior lineman. In fact, he was the first to win it for Eastern until nose tackle Jay-Tee Tiuli won in 2018.

Scott also earned six All-America honors in 1997, including three first team selections. He helped the 1997 team win the Big Sky title with a 7-1 record, advance to the semifinals of the FCS Playoffs and finish 12-2.

He finished his career with 236 tackles, which at the time ranked sixth in school history (22nd overall through 2018) and remains a record for an Eagle defensive lineman. He had 25 1/2 career sacks to rank second in school history at the time (currently fourth through 2018), and his 47 tackles for loss in his career were second at the time (now fifth). His six career forced fumbles were a school record for 13 seasons (now tied for second), and his six fumble recoveries were third (now fifth).

The induction breakfast and ceremony are expected to start at approximately 8 a.m. on Sept. 28 at the Pence Union Building’s Nysether Community Room on the EWU campus in Cheney. The public is invited to attend. The cost is $25 per person. $12 for children. Guests must register via a link that is now available at http://goeags.com/HOF.

Inductees will also be honored at halftime of EWU’s football game against North Dakota later that day (kickoff is 2:05 p.m. Pacific time) and recognized the night before at EWU’s home volleyball game versus Portland State at 7 p.m. at Reese Court.

Established in 1996, the Hall of Fame will consist of 92 individuals and 18 teams following the 2019 induction. In addition, there have also been 20 individuals and one organization honored as recipients of the Eastern Athletics Hall of Fame Service and Contribution Award. All of the inductees and induction classes may be viewed at: http://goeags.com/HOF.

 

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