Berg Part Of Group Inducted Into U.S. Olympic Hall Of Fame

Laura Berg and the 2004 U.S. Olympic Women's Softball Team were inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame on Thursday.

July 16, 2012

CORVALLIS, Ore. - Oregon State softball assistant coach Laura Berg added another accolade to an already impressive resume when she was part of the 2004 U.S. Olympic Women's Softball Team inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame at the Harris Theater in Chicago this past Thursday.

The 2004 U.S. Olympic Women's Softball Team, coined the "Real Dream Team" on the cover of Sports Illustrated, is one of the most dominant teams in Olympic history. With a perfect 9-0 record and a string of eight consecutive shutouts, the squad lived up to the hype. In 2004, the team outscored its opponents 51-1 in nine games in Athens and did not allow a run until the sixth inning of the gold-medal game against Australia.

Berg, who is entering her second season on Kirk Walker's staff, joined the national team in 1994 as a centerfielder and is the most decorated USA Softball Olympic athlete in history, helping her nation to three golds (1996 - Atlanta, 2000 - Sydney, 2004 - Athens) and one silver (2008 - Beijing). She has won 11 total medals, 10 gold, while competing for the U.S. in the Olympic Games, the ISF Women's World Championship and the Pan American Games. She is currently serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Women's National Team at the 2012 ISF XIII World Women's Championship in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada.

The United States Olympic Committee and Allstate Insurance Company announced the members of the Class of 2012 in mid-May, which was determined by a voting process that includes Olympians, Paralympians, members of the Olympic Family and a public voting element.

Joining the 2004 U.S. Olympic Women's Softball Team in this induction class were Gail Devers (track & field), Jean Driscoll (Paralympic track & field), Gary Hall, Jr. (swimming), Lisa Fernandez (softball), Kristine Lilly (soccer), Dan O'Brien (track & field), Jenny Thompson (swimming), Ed Temple (coach - track & field), James Connolly (veteran - track & field) and Ted Stevens (special contributor). The Class of 2012 is the 15th to be inducted into the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame presented by Allstate and brought the total membership to 96 Olympians, five Paralympians, 10 teams, four coaches, 10 veterans, 16 contributors and two Olive Branch award inductees.

The induction ceremony, hosted by Jimmy Roberts and Alex Flanagan, will air in a nationally-televised broadcast on NBC Sports Network on August 24 at 7 p.m. ET.

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