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The Capital University athletics department will induct five new members into the Alumni Varsity C Athletics Hall of Fame in conjunction with the men's basketball game on Saturday, Feb. 2, with festivities scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
Two others will be recognized at the event, which begins with a reception at the Harry C. Moores Campus Center Mezzanine. Following brunch at 11:30, guests are invited to the Capital Center Performance Arena as the Crusaders take on John Carroll at 2 p.m.
Tickets, which include admission to the basketball game, are $20. Children younger than 10 years old are free.
Hall of Fame inductees include David L. Cecutti '77, Cassie Cunningham '00, Joe Jacobus '73, William M. Kaikis '92 and Russ Reynolds '80. Tom Rutan '65 will be honored as the Hugo C. Wenzel Award of Merit recipient, while Alex P. Moore '12 will receive the Berea Boots Award.
Cecutti was a four-year letter winner in men's basketball, earning the team's Most Valuable Player award in 1976-77 after appearing in all 24 of Capital's games and averaging 6.9 points per game and shooting over 46 percent from the field. He returned to Capital in 1986 and served as head men's basketball coach for three seasons. He led the Crusaders to the NCAA Tournament during his final season at the helm in 1989.
Cunningham was one of the most decorated student-athletes in Capital softball history. She was named first team All-Ohio Athletic Conference and first team All-American during all four of her seasons with the Crusaders. She also earned Academic All-America accolades in 2000 and received the prestigious NCAA "Today's Top VIII" Award in 1998. She holds a number of game, season and career program records.
Jacobus played for the men's basketball team from 1969-73 and averaged 11.2 points per game and shot nearly 55 percent from the field for his career. The forward helped lead the Crusaders to NCAA Tournament appearances in 1970 and 1973, averaging 15.2 points per contest as a senior in latter of the two NCAA berths.
Kaikis lettered in football in each season from 1988-91 and was a staple as a defensive back and special teams stalwart. A two-time, first-team All-OAC selection, Kaikis earned second team All-America honors in 1991, the same year he earned the Lee J. Tressel Award as the conference's most outstanding defensive back. He ranks third in school history with 19 career interceptions and fifth in put return yards (409, 11.1 yards per return).
Reynolds competed in both track & field and football from 1976-79. He was named an All-American in football in 1979 and was a two-time first-team All-OAC honoree as an offensive guard. Reynolds helped lead the Crusaders to winning records in each of his four seasons. The 1979 Berea Boots Award winner, Reynolds ranks among the school's all-time leaders in the shot put.
Rutan, a 1990 Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, will receive the Hugo C. Wenzel Award of Merit for his dedication and loyalty to the university. He is currently the associate director of the Ohio Department of Education's Office of Curriculum and Instruction, and serves on the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) Board of Directors as an Ex-Officio member. Rutan, whose career has included stints as a history teacher, school administrator, football/baseball coach and official, was a two-time first-team All-OAC selection during his Crusader football career (1961-64).
Moore competed in both cross country and track & field from 2008-12. A four-time regional competitor, Moore holds the ninth-best 8-kilometer race time in cross country and is the school record holder in the 5,000-meter run in track & field. He earned Cross Country/Track & Field Academic All-OAC honorable mention accolades in 2012.
To purchase tickets or for more information, contact Kathy Donovan in the Alumni Office at 866-544-6180 or [email protected]. Online registration can be completed at www.capconnect.org.
Schedule of Events - Saturday, February 2, 2026
11 am – Reception
Mezzanine, Harry C. Moores Campus Center
11:30 am – Brunch and Awards Ceremony
Capital Court Dining Room, Second Floor, Harry C. Moores Campus Center
2 pm – Men's Basketball vs. John Carroll
Capital Center Performance Arena
*Award recipients will be honored on the court at halftime
