SALT LAKE CITY (ABC-4 Sports) - It's being called the greatest class ever of the Utah Sports Hall of Fame. Former Jazz coach and general manager Frank Layden, former BYU and 5-time Pro Bowl tight end Todd Christensen, and 15-year Major League pitcher Bruce Hurst highlight the class of 2009. Also inducted were former University of Utah ski coach Pat Miller, and former BYU all-american volleyball player Dylann Ceriani.
Layden worked for the Jazz during their first 21 seasons in Salt Lake City. He was named the NBA's Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year in 1984, when the Jazz made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.
Christensen played fullback for BYU in the late 1970's and moved to tight end when he was in the NFL. Christensen won two Super Bowls with the Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders. He made the Pro Bowl five times and led the NFL in receptions in 1986.
Hurst was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in 1976 out of Dixie High School in his native St. George, and spent 9 seasons in Boston. Hurst won two games in the 986 World Series, and was on track to become the MVP, before the Red Sox pulled their famous collapse. Hurst also pitched for Texas, San Diego and Colorado.
Ceriani led the BYU volleyball team to a #1 ranking in 1986, and was part of four NCAA Tournament teams. She was also a member of the U.S. National team.
Miller guided the Utes mens and womens ski programs for 25 years, and won 11 national championships.
