January 14, 2004

Grove City inducting 3 into Swimming and Diving Hall

GROVE CITY, Pa. -- The Grove City College men's swimming and diving program will enshrine three former standouts into its Hall of Fame Saturday afternoon.

Grove City will induct Lee Steller (Class of 1957), Jeff Moxie (Class of 1980) and Eric Sluss (Class of 1986) into the Hall during Grove City's dual meet with Washington and Jefferson. Their inductions will bring the Hall's total membership to 30 since the Hall of Fame's inception in 1985.

Lee Steller, '57

Steller is credited with being one of the athletes responsible for initiating the tradition of excellence in the Grove City men's swimming and diving program. In 1955, Steller led the Wolverines to their first conference title, winning the Penn-Ohio Championships. In each of his final three seasons, Steller was a multiple-event winner at the Penn-Ohio Championships. As a senior, Steller earned co-captain honors.

While at Grove City, Steller also set school and Penn-Ohio records in the 100 freestyle, 400 medley relay and 400 free relay. He was also the first record setter in the 200 butterfly and 200 individual medley. In addition, Steller is also in the record book as Grove City's record-holder in the 150 IM and 300 medley relay, two events that are no longer contested.

After graduation, Steller stayed active in the swimming community as a coach from 1960-70, as a master swimmer from 1980-86 and also through his two grandsons' participation in the sport. He was Senior Vice President of Human Resources at First Peoples Bank of New Jersey and Vice President of Mergers and Acquisitions at CoreStates Bank. Steller was also actively involved in the Samuel Lutheran Church.

A posthumous inductee, Steller is survived by his wife Ann, daughters Julie and Leslie, and son Scott.

Jeff Moxie, '80

One of the great breaststrokers in Grove City history, Moxie twice earned All-American status while at Grove City. A former school record-holder, Moxie earned All-America honors in both the 200 breaststroke and 400 medley relay.

A two-year team captain, Moxie held College records in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke as well as the 400 individual medley.

An accounting major while at Grove City, Moxie now works for Sunkist Growers, Inc. as a Chief Administrative Officer. In addition to staying involved as a masters swimmer, Moxie also stays physically active through masters figure skating, gardening and cycling. 

Moxie lives in Simi Valley, Calif. with his wife Paula Smart.

Eric Sluss, '86

A six-time All-American, Sluss is essentially the bookend to fellow inductee Lee Steller. While Steller was the first school and conference record-holder in the 200 butterfly, Sluss is the current College record-holder in the 100 and 200 fly and the Presidents' Athletic Conference record-holder in the 100 butterfly. 

Sluss earned All-America status twice in three different events -- the 100 fly, 200 fly and 400 medley relay. 

Like Steller, Sluss also owns records that will never be broken. The pool records that Sluss holds for the Recreation Pool, Grove City's former home pool, have been retired, giving Sluss the distinction of being the fastest butterfly swimmer to ever compete in that facility.

Sluss held team captain honors and also earned the Dick Jewell MVP award in 1985. 

Now a financial advisor with American Express Financial Advisors, Sluss stays active by swimming, running and playing golf. He lives in Canonsburg, Pa. with his wife, Cathey Kelley-Sluss, and daughter Jacqueline.  

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