Women's Golf Coach Inducted into ASU Hall of Fame

San Diego State head women’s golf coach Emilee Klein will be inducted into the Arizona State University Sports Hall of Fame on Oct. 17, in Tempe, Ariz. Klein, who starred for the Sun Devils from 1992-94, is among seven individuals and one track and field relay team who will compose the ASU Hall of Fame Class of 2009.

“It is an honor to be a member of the Sun Devil Hall of Fame,” Klein said. “(The induction) is something I’ve always wanted and didn’t know if it would happen.  I’m excited and pleased to be a part of such an esteemed group.”

A decorated student-athlete

Klein played just two seasons at ASU, but still managed to finish as one of the program’s most decorated student-athletes.

Under coach Linda Vollstedt, she helped lead the Sun Devils to a pair of national titles and was the NCAA Division I individual champion in 1994. The two-time first-team All-American was named Golfweek Magazine’s Collegiate Player of the Year in 1994 and that same year, was tabbed to the U.S. Curtis Cup team.

11-year LPGA Tour career

Klein departed Arizona State in 1994 and had an 11-year career on the LPGA Tour, competing in over 300 events and notching victories at the 1996 Weetabix Women’s British Open, the 1996 Ping Welch’s Championship and the 2001 Michelob Light Classic. 

The Sherman Oaks, Calif., native placed in the top 10 on 46 occasions and ended the 1996 campaign with a No. 9 ranking. Klein also was named the LPGA Rookie of the Year in 1995 by Golf Digest and was a member of the victorious United States squad at the 2002 Solheim Cup in Edina, Minn.

After retiring from the LPGA Tour in 2005, Klein was the head women’s golf coach at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., where she led the Knights to back-to-back NCAA regional appearances in 2008 and 2009. The Notre Dame High graduate was named head coach at San Diego State this past July.

About the ASU Hall of Fame

Klein is the 14th women’s golfer to be inducted into the ASU Sports Hall of Fame, which began in 1975 to honor the school’s most distinguished student-athletes. Inductees are chosen by the Hall of Fame selection committee, composed of administrators, staff/faculty and others close to the University's athletic program. Athletes become eligible for enshrinement 10 years after their senior class has graduated.

2009 ASU Sports Hall of Fame Inductees

• Emilee Klein (women’s golf/1993-94)
• Katie Freeland (gymnastics/1993-96)
• Christine Garner (volleyball/1995-95)
• Juan Roque (football/1994-96)
• Cappi Siefarth (women’s swimming/1973-76)
• Mike Sodders (baseball/1980-81)
• Morrison Warren (football/1946-47)
• 4x800 Relay (men’s track and field/1984)