Miles Austin And Brad Brach To Be Inducted To Monmouth University Hall of Fame

The Monmouth University Athletics Hall of Fame Committee has announced the class of 2016 inductees, to be honored on December 9, 2016.

The Class of 2016 features two of the most successful and decorated athletes in school history, Miles Austin III (football) and Brad Brach (baseball).

Austin, a standout wide receiver for MU from 2002-05, became the first Hawk to sign with a National Football League team when the Dallas Cowboys signed him prior to the 2006 season. Austin is a two-time Pro Bowler (2009, 2010) and holds the Cowboys franchise record for receiving yardage in a game (250 yards) and longest kickoff return in a playoff game (93 yards). His 250 yard game also ranks 28th in NFL history. He wrapped up his decade-long professional career with a year with the Browns followed by a year with the Eagles.

Austin's time at MU left him the Hawks all-time leader in receptions (150), reception yardage (2,867), receiving touchdowns (33) and scoring (216 points). During his four years, Austin helped lead Monmouth to back-to-back Northeast Conference Championships in 2003 and 2004. He is Monmouth’s only three-time first team all-conference selection at wide receiver.

Brach earned First Team All-NEC honors twice as well as being named the 2007 NEC Pitcher of the Year. He is the school’s all-time leader in wins with 29 and strikeouts with 277, as well as innings pitched with 324.1 in his four years. He posted a career ERA of 2.44, and was a member of the 2007 NEC championship team, pacing the staff with a 9-3 record. On April 13, 2007, Brach threw the first no-hitter by a Hawk since 1990.

Brach was selected in the 42^nd round by the San Diego Padres in the 2008 MLB Draft and was called up in August 2011. The starter-turned-reliever was traded to Baltimore prior to the 2014 season and immediately made an impact on the Orioles bullpen, going 7-1 with 54 strikeouts. Brach became the first Hawk to be selected for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in July 2016. At the time of his selection, the right-hander possessed a 0.99 ERA, and was an integral part to the Orioles bullpen.

The Monmouth University Athletics Hall of Fame 2016 Induction Dinner will be held Friday, December 9, at 6:30 p.m. in Wilson Hall. Inductees will also be honored in a halftime ceremony during the men’s basketball game on December 10 when Monmouth hosts Army West Point.

The Monmouth University Athletics Hall of Fame was established in 1981 to recognize, honor and perpetuate the achievements of members of the Monmouth University family who have made outstanding contributions to Monmouth University athletics. These individuals have helped to bring recognition, honor, distinction and excellence to Monmouth University and its athletic programs.