Griffith University: Magnificent Seven: our inaugural Griffith Sporting Hall of Fame inductees
Griffith University has inducted its first group of graduates into its Sporting Hall of Fame (HOF), recognising the achievements of some of Australia’s elite sporting names from the past 30 years.
At an event on Gold Coast campus, Vice Chancellor and President Professor Carolyn Evans inducted seven alumni into the HOF, noting the University’s proud sporting history.
“We boast an alumnus of more than 55 Olympians, 10 Paralympians and 60 Commonwealth games athletes, many of whom are medallists and world record holders,”
“We boast an alumnus of more than 55 Olympians, 10 Paralympians and 60 Commonwealth games athletes, many of whom are medallists and world record holders,” Professor Evans said.
“We expect the number of elite athletes eligible for future consideration for the Sporting Hall of Fame to continue to increase as Griffith leads the way in Australia with elite athlete support.
“Griffith understands the importance of education in preparing our elite athletes for their life after sport.”
The 2021 inductees are:
Sara Carrigan OAM, Road Cycling – graduated with B Business in 2010. She competed for Australia from 1997 to 2008, including competing in two Olympics in 2004 and 2008, winning Gold in 2004 in the Road Race. Sara also competed in two Commonwealth Games in 2002 and 2006, winning a bronze medal in 2006.
Lynsey Clarke, Lawn Bowls – graduated with B Business in 2006. Lynsey debuted for Australia in 2003 and is still competing, playing more than 381 games for Australia. She has competed in four World Championships and three Commonwealth Games winning a Gold in 2006 and Silver in 2014
Duncan Free OAM, Rowing – graduated with B Health Science in 1996. He competed for Australia in both sculls and sweep rowing from 1994 to 2012, competing in 11 World Championships. He represented Australia in four Olympic Games from 1996 to 2008, winning Bronze in 1996 and Gold in 2008. Duncan narrowly missed his fifth Olympics due to injury from a bike accident.
Angie Lambert OAM, Hockey – graduated with B Secondary Education in 2007. Angie competed for the Hockeyroos from 2000 – 2008 with 229 international caps, including two World Cups and four Champions Trophy’s. She competed in three Olympics, 2000, 2004 and 2008 – winning Gold in the 2000 Hockeyroos team. She also competed in two Commonwealth Games winning Bronze 2002 and Gold in 2006
Marty Mayberry, Alpine Skiing – graduated with B Health Science in 2009. He competed for Australia from 2005 to 2010, including the world skiing Championships in 2009, and two Winter Paralympics, 2006 and his career highlight, winning Silver in the 2010 Paralympics.
Naomi McCarthy OAM, Water Polo – graduated with B Science (Env) in 1995. She competed for Australia from 1994 to 2004 with 241 international caps. Naomi competed four World Championships and four World Cups, with her career highlights competing in two Olympics winning Gold in 2000 and captaining Australia in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Robert Newbery, Diving – graduated with B Science in 2003. He represented Australia from 1998 to 2008, competing in four World Championships and two Olympic Games, winning one Olympic bronze in 2000 and two bronzes at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He also competed in three Commonwealth Games winning a total of one Gold, two Silver and three Bronze Commonwealth Games medals.
Proud history
In the past two Olympic Games and Commonwealth Games, Griffith has produced the largest cohort of university students represented by any university in Australia and the University was also ranked in the top 10 universities in the world for university student results at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Griffith has many of Australia’s top professional athletes as alumni from all codes including AFL, NRL, Football, Netball, Cricket and Rugby.