University of Northern Colorado University of Northern Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame

University of Northern Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame

The purpose of the University of Northern Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame is to recognize former University of Northern Colorado athletes, faculty and staff members and others associated with the University of Northern Colorado who have distinguished themselves in the field of athletics, either by virtue of their performance on the athletic teams representing the university, or by outstanding contributions on behalf of athletics.

The Northern Colorado Athletic Hall of Fame began in 1994, when a group of eight individuals were members of the inaugural class. Entering its 14th year in 2007, the Hall of Fame was now grown to include 95 individuals and 12 athletic teams.

Nominations for the Hall of Fame are accepted all year long. The selection commitee generally meets each June to select that year's inductees. A nomination form can be found below. The forms should be returned to the Athletic Media Relations office via fax at (970) 351-1995 or via mail to Butler-Hancock Athletic Center, Box 117, Greeley, CO 80639.

Once a nomination has been made, that individual/team does not have to be nominated again to be considered. They will always remain in the pool for the selection committee to consider each year.

2007 Hall of Fame Banquet

2007 Hall of Fame Banquet Reception Form

Individual and Team Inductee Members should have received a letter in the mail with an order form indiciating their number of complimentary tickets. For questions please call (970) 351-1733.

Important Hall of Fame Documents

All documents are in Adobe PDF Format. To view the documents, download the free Acrobat Reader here.

Class of 1994 (Class Photo)
L.C. "Pete" Butler - Coach/Administrator (1940-73)
Rosemary Fri - Coach/Administrator (1963-2005)
Leonard Groom - Wrestling (1967-69)
John Hancock - Coach/Administrator (1925-66)
Tom Petroff - Baseball Coach (1971-85)
Lou Piel - Softball/Basketball (1976-80)
Greg Riddoch - Baseball (1965-67)
Greeley Timothy - Multisports (1922-25)

Class of 1995 (Class Photo)
Tom Backus - Football/Wrestling (1934-39)
Bob Blasi - Football Coach (1966-84)
Elmo Cromer - Football/Basketball/Baseball/Track (1930s)
Bob DeMeo - Baseball (1970-74)
Barb Eaton - Tennis (1980-82)
Jack LaBonde - Wrestling Coach (1966-80)
Dan Libera - Athletic Trainer (1971-97)
Len Lordino - Wrestling (1958-62)
Dick Monfort - Contributor
Tony Rossi - Gymnastics Coach/Athletic Trainer (1949-83)

Class of 1996 (Class Photo)
Frank Carbajal - Baseball/Basketball (1958-61)
Joe Drew - Football (1966-69)
Sandra Elliott - Tennis (1983-86)
Jack Flasche - Wrestling (1961-64)
Mike Higgins - Basketball (1985-89)
Don Meyer - Baseball/Basketball (1964-67)
Buck Rollins - Football Coach (1967-85)
George Sage - Baseball/Basketball (1952-55) & Basketball Coach (1963-69)
Linda Witt - Swimming/Track/Basketball/Softball/Field Hockey (1975-78)
John Zurbrigen - Football (1969-71)/Contributor

Class of 1997 (Class Photo)
Lark Birdsong - Volleyball/Basketball/Tennis/Track (1968-72)
Don Govoni - Wrestling (1950-52)
Roy Hardin - Football (1933-35)
John Koehler - Baseball (1959-61)
Dave Stalls - Football (1973-76)
Carla Stearns - Volleyball/Softball/Basketball (1978-83)
Bill Thomas - Track & Field (1979-83)
Dr. James Wheeler - Team Physician (1958-93)

Class of 1998 (Class Photo)
Tom Benich - Track & Field Coach (1963-86)
Merle Ogle - Tennis/Basketball (1927-30)
Dr. Aaron Parkhurst - Team Physician (1971-99)
Gloria Rodriguez - Softball/Basketball Coach (1969-77)
Teresa Stratman - Swimming (1989-93)
1978 Softball Team - Team Photo

Class of 1999 (Class Photo)
Duane Banks - Baseball/Basketball (1958-59, 62-64)
Mike Bennett - Track & Field (1989-92)
Joe Klune - Wrestling (1942-43, 45-57)
Judy McCreery-Chamberlin - Track/Cross Country (1978-80)
Dean Schott - Gymnastics (1980-83)
Mike Tomasini - FootballWrestling/Track (1964-67)
1969 Football Team - Team Photo

Class of 2000 (Class Photo)
Dana (Cash) Ausec - Volleyball (1990-93)
Jan Breckenridge - Softball (1976-79)
Carolyn Cody - Gymnastics Coach (1967-81)
Kevin Jelden - Football (1979-83)
Vic Nottingham - Tennis (1948-52)/Contributor
Frank Slack - Multi-sports (1936-39)
1968-69 Wrestling Team - Team Photo

Class of 2001
Kristy Jordan - Volleyball (1977-80)
Robert Reed - Football/Basketball/Baseball (1936-40)
Joe Strain - Baseball (1973-76)
Joe Tennessen - Contributor
Larry Wagner - Wrestling (1968-71)
1983 Women's Tennis Team - Team Photo

Class of 2002 (Class Photo)
Jim Alexander - Wrestling (1965-67)
Linda Delk - Volleyball (1976-2002)
Ben Dreith - Baseball/Basketball/Football (1946-50)
Venus Jennings - Basketball/Softball (1975-78)
Deb Ponis - Volleyball/Tennis (1993-97)
Frank Wainright - Football (1987-90)
1955 Baseball Team - Team Photo in 1955 | Team Photo in 2002

Class of 2003 (Class Photo)
Stanley Benson - Swimming (1971-75)
R.W. Eaks - Golf/Basketball (1971-75)
Dr. Betty Everett - Women's Athletics (1951-81)
Lisa Jacobsen Loptien - Women's Soccer (1985-88)
J. Michael (Mike) Thompson - Men's Track & Field (1986-90)
1949 Baseball Team - Team Photo (1949) | Team Photo (2003)
1993 Volleyball Team - Team Photo (1993) | Team Photo (2003)

Class of 2004 (Class Photo)
Tom Beck - Football (1993-96)
Dennis Colson - Basketball/Track & Field/Baseball (1963-68)
Gerry Dattilio - Football (1972-75)
Alexis Gardner - Softball (1976-79)
Terry (Wenzinger) Goldwater - Women's Swimming (1990-94)
Mike Rogers - Wrestling (1967-69)
1974 Baseball Team - Team Photo (1974) | Team Photo (2004)

Class of 2005 (Class Photo)
Sharon Akiyama - Gymnastics (1973-76)
Ernie Andrade - Baseball (1960-62)
Derek Chaney - Basketball (1990-94)
Don Cumley - Football/Track & Field/Billiards (1939-41 & 1946-48)
Theo Holland - Basketball/Track & Field (1957-61)
Corte McGuffey - Football (1996-99)
Kim Schiemenz - Volleyball/Track & Field (1995-2000)
1978-79 Men's Golf Team - Team Photo (1978) | Team Photo (2005)
1981 Volleyball Team - Team Photo (1981) | Team Photo (2005)

Class of 2006 (Class Photo)
Irv Brown - Baseball/Basketball (1954-57)/Contributor
Joe Glenn - Football Coach (1987-99)
Shelley (Lindstrom) Johnson - Basketball (1988-92)
David Keller - Baseball/Basketball (1979-82)
Jim Lochner - Baseball (1959-62)
Tatjana (Smith) Sanders - Volleyball (1993-95)
Nancy (Weber) Sylvester - Track & Field (1994-97)
1996 Football Team - Team Photo (1996) | Team Photo (2006)

Class of 2007
Karl Dodge - Track & Field (1988-93)
Ed Dyer - Baseball (1961-64)
Billy Holmes - Football (1994-97)
Jim Lord - Contributor
Mandy Nilsen - Soccer (1998-01)
Stormie Wells - Volleyball (1992-95)
1997 Football Team

1949 Baseball Team
Team Photo (1949) | Team Photo (2003)
Pete Butler (Head Coach)

Under the direction of head coach Pete Butler, the 1949 baseball squad finished 17-3 overall and advanced to the NCAA Regionals. The Bears tallied a 16-1 mark in the regular season was a perfect 8-0 in Rocky Mountain Conference games. The Bears took on Southern California in the NCAA Region 7 Playoffs. USC scored a 12-2 win in game one of the three-game series, but the Bears bounced back behind the arm of Harry Wise to take game two, 6-2. Wise then pitched in the deciding game of the series and staked the Bears to a 7-0 lead in the sixth inning. But coach Butler was forced to use a series of relief pitchers and USC rallied for a 8-7 victory. Wise was honored as an All-America after the 1949 season. Members of the team included: Cal Cordes, E. Stuckey, Ed Kinney, Jerry Harrod, Ed Gustafson, Marvin Eakes, Paul Distefano, Art Conroy, Lou Garramone, Rocco (Rip) Gioso, Art Wollenweber, Harry Risoli, Lowell Stuckey, Mel Spence, Ivan Ellis, Frank Sajevic, Ben Dreith, Harry Wise, Dean Steward, Thurm Wright, Jim Baldi, Clarence Clark, Glen Stenson (Trainer) and Pete Butler (Coach).

1955 Baseball Team
Team Photo in 1955 | Team Photo in 2002
Pete Butler (Head Coach)

Under the direction of head coach Pete Butler, the 1955 baseball squad finished 25-4 overall and advanced to the College World Series after a series win over Wyoming in the NCAA Regionals. George Sage pitched the Bears into the College World Series with a 12-5 triumph. Sage then tossed a six-hitter and the Bears edged past Southern California 2-1 in the NCAA first-round contest. Members of the squad included: Willie Wright, Jerry McMillen, Bob Kordula, Quinten Hoien, Manual Martinez, Mike Lucas, Ward Lee, Kent Hill, John Hogg, Wayne Coates, Dick Weed, Coach Pete Butler, George Sage, Bob Gill, Del Petersen, Les Charles, Don Stern.

1968-69 Wrestling Team
Team Photo
Jack LaBonde (Head Coach)

The 1968-69 wrestling team finished second in the nation at the College Division level and 13th at the University Division level. The team posted a dual record of 13-1-1. Len Groom led the squad with a College Division national title at 130 pounds and a second place finish in the University Division. Other All-American selections on the team included Mike Rogers (137 pounds), Mel Crider (152 pounds), Jim Alexander (167 pounds), Mike Patterson (177 pounds) and Bob Smith (145 pounds). Inducted in 2000.

1969 Football Team
Team Photo
Bob Blasi (Head Coach)

With an unblemished 10-0 record, the 1969 UNC football team remains the only squad in school history to record a perfect season on the gridiron. The Bears finished the season ranked third in the nation and won their first undisputed Rocky Mountain Conference Championship. The Bears averaged 43.5 points per game, the second highest average in the nation, while holding their opponents to an average of 12 points per contest. Leading the Bears was fourth-year head coach Bob Blasi (Hall of Fame, Class of '95), who went on to record a school-best 107 victories in his 19 seasons. While the Bears have gone on to post 20 winning seasons since Blasi's squad ran the table, the 1969 football squad is often credited with putting UNC football on the map. Inducted in 1999.

1974 Baseball Team
Team Photo
Tom Petroff (Head Coach)

Record of 32-13; coached by Tom Petroff; Great Plains Athletic Conference title; UNC won 17 of 18 games heading into the College World Series; Bears reached the College World Series by defeating both Gonzaga (2 games to 1) and Arizona (2 games to 0) in a three-game series; UNC swept Arizona (6-5 and 6-2) to make their 10th appearance in the College World Series; Rick Thoren tossed a five-hitter in the clinching game against the Wildcats; UNC defeated Harvard (4-2) in the loser's bracket after falling to Oklahoma (10-1) in the opening round; UNC suffered a 5-3 loss to Southern Illinois to be eliminated from the College World Series; finished sixth in final Division I poll; Bob DeMeo led the team in hitting with a .404 batting average; four other Bears hit over .300 for the season (Ron Holmes - .347, Jeff Cheek - .338; Joe Strain - .338; Dennis Leonida - .309); the pitching staff was led by Keith Bailey (10-2, 3.63 ERA) and Rick Thoren (8-1, 4.12 ERA).

1974 Baseball Team Roster:
Mark Aasen, Keith Bailey, Jeff Cheek, Greg Cook, Mike Coy, Bob DeMeo, John Gabbert, Steve Gjertsen, Paul Gradishar, Ron Holmes, Rick Kent, Dennis Leonida, Mike McNeill, Greg Meyer, Larry Nelson, Greg Pilkington, Rich Pinkowski, Tom Runnels, Davie Schiessler, Jeff Simpson, Joe Strain, Rick Thoren

1978 Softball Team
Team Photo
Jane Martindell(Head Coach)

Under the direction of head coach Jane Martindell, the 1978 softball squad recorded a second-place finish at the Women's College World Series. With a record of 24-6, the Bears won a conference championship. Leading the 1978 squad was All-American pitcher Lou Piel, who recorded an impressive 0.50 earned run average. In addition, the Bears had all-conference performers in catcher Jan Breckenridge and pitcher Phyllis Schachterle. Inducted in 1998.

1978-79 Men's Golf Team
Team Photo
Bob Montgomery (Head Coach)

The 1978-79 squad was the first UNC men's golf team to reach the NCAA Div. II Championships (Davis, Calif.) ... team finished 12th at the national championships and was led by a 17th overall finish by Rick Petri ... the team won three of the eight RMIGA events they competed in as well as two other invitationals ... they regularly defeated CU, CSU, DU, Wyoming and Air Force ... UNC had three of the top five individual finishers in the RMIGA competition ... Rick Petri (72.7 - tops in the RMIGA), Jeff Potts (75.5 - 3rd in the RMIGA), Bill Petri (77.2 - 5th in the RMIGA). Members of the team included: Rick Petri, Bill Petri, Jeff Potts, Bob McNamee, Deon Miller, Leon Smith, Scott Williamson. Inducted in 2005.

1981 Volleyball Team
Team Photo
Linda Delk (Head Coach)

The 1981 women's volleyball team tallied a record of 44-15 ... the 44 wins set a single-season record for victories ... the squad finished third in the nation after losing twice to eventual national champion Hawaii-Hilo in Colorado Springs, Colo. ... the Bears advanced to Elite Eight after going 3-0 at the regional in Butler-Hancock Hall ... the squad won the IAC title ... head coach Linda Delk was named AIAW Region VII Coach of the Year for the second consecutive year ... Carol Johnson Klein, Carla Stearns, and Jose Rupp were named All-IAC players ... Rupp was named AIAW Region VII MVP ... Johnson-Klein and Stearns were named All-Americans. Members of the team included: Lisa Dodson, Nan Fahrbach, Jennifer Gibbons, Vicky Jewett, Carol Johnson-Klein, Michelle Korinek, Amanda Orr, Suzzanne Orr, Cindy Rhodes, Josie Rupp, Lisa Rupp, Brenda Shoemak, Carla Stearns. Inducted in 2005.

1983 Women's Tennis Team
Team Photo
Rosemary Fri (Head Coach)

Under the direction of head coach Rosemary Fri, the 1983 women's tennis team finished fourth in the nation at the NCAA Division II National Championships in Pomona, California. The Bears placed fourth after defeating Stetson and then losing to Notre Dame. The UNC doubles team of Sandra Elliott and Mary Gillach capped an undefeated season (32-0) by capturing the doubles national championship. Elliott also finished second in the singles competition, losing to Georgetown's Suzanne Kuhlman in straight sets. Elliott posted a 27-5 singles record on the season. Other member of the 1983 squad were: Stephanie (Schall) Burke, Kellie (O'Rourke) Banisky, Donna Aratani, Kathy Monohan and Jamie Schrier.

1993 Volleyball Team
Team Photo (1993) | Team Photo (2003)
Linda Delk (Head Coach)

Led by head coach Linda Delk and the North Central Conference Player of the Year Dana Cash, the 1993 UNC women's volleyball team reached the Elite Eight and placed fourth overall in NCAA Div. II volleyball. The team compiled an overall record of 35-6 and finished the season ranked No. 5 in the nation in the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. UNC captured the North Central Conference title with a league mark of 7-2. At the Elite Eight, the Bears rolled past Regis (3-0) before falling to Northern Michigan in the national semifinals (3-0). UNC then lost a 3-0 match to Portland State in the third and fourth-place match. The 1993 squad set the UNC school record for kills in a season (which still stands) at 2,196. The squad boasted of three All-Americans as Cash earned first-team honors while Deb Ponis and Tatjana Smith tallied second-team honors. Delk also garnered NCC Coach of the Year honors. Members of the team included: Deb Ponis, Stormie Wells, Vicki (Pruett) Sutherland, Dana (Cash) Ausec, Tatjana Smith, Dawn (Fujimoto) Asuncion), Jami Tolle (Asst. Coach), Kelly (Lynch) Bender, Dawn (Schaefer) Roberts, Erica Wymore, Tonya (Norris) Baird, Brittany Loui (Tonniges), Amber (Petty) Bretz and Ap Clark (Asst. Coach).

1996 Football Team
Team Photo
Joe Glenn (Head Coach)

The 1996 Northern Colorado football team claimed the first-ever team national championship in school history, topping Carson-Newman 23-14 in Florence, Ala. (Dec. 14, 1996). Coached by Joe Glenn, the team compiled an overall record of 12-3 and had seven players named All-American (RB Billy Holmes, DB/P Dirk Johnson, DL Pat Kemble, LB Brian Munroe, OL Tony Ramirez, DB Jesse Tann, DB Delano Washington). Captained by quarterback Tom Beck and linebacker Brian Munroe, the Bears had several highlights during the season, including a 21-6 victory over No. 11 South Dakota State on Nov. 2 to help them put themselves into playoff contention after a 5-3 start to the season; including that game, the team won its final seven contests of the season. The team opened the playoffs with a 24-21 victory at Pittsburg State and followed that up at home by defeating No. 2-ranked Northwest Missouri 27-26 when Beck found Omar Zuniga in the end zone from two yards out for the winning score with 12 seconds remaining. Northern Colorado topped Clarion (Pa.) 19-18 on the road in the semifinals before beating Carson-Newman in the championship game. Inducted in 2006.

1996 Football Team Members: Ryan Abrahamson, Jason Adams, Chad Ansell, Bryan Applewhite, Ryan Ayres, Tom Beck, Ed Bendokas, Jeff Berven, Bill Branch, Bernard Brockman, Donavan Brown, Brad Bunting, Ryan Burkholder, Lennis Campbell, Cliff Casco, Rob Case, Mark Chicarelli, Joshua Ching-Pickett, Jake Clark, Steve Cotham, Pat Coy, John Curto, Wes Daniels, Jason Dreweck, Kunta Duncan, Nathan Eastin, Noland Eastin, Ethan Emery, Derek Frazier, T.J. Gadlin, Dean Grable, Keith Grable, Jeremy Guddat, Andy Haase, Wade Hancock, Matt Harting, Brian Heil, Jamie Heiner, Jason Heinrich, Don Hemerson, Dylan Hockett, Billy Holmes, Mark Holte, Richard Jacoby, Mark Jeffries, Dirk Johnson, Floyd Johnson, J.D. Johnson, Martin Jones, Max Keeler, Pat Kemble, Steve Kensinger, Andy Klatt, Kris Kovel, Heath Kucera, Justin Lanham, Brian Lonergan, Desi Lopez, Brian Lusk, Darick Maes, Matt Markley, Melvin Marshall, Drew Masten, John May, Brian Mayo, Corte McGuffey, Don McLean, Josh Mettle, Jeff Miller, Dominic Mirenda, Ryan Mitchler, Hank Moody, Shad Morelock, Sudan Muhammad, Brian Munroe, Rudy Nailor, Chad Niesent, Justin Noyes, Jeff Olech, Dominic Pallone, Casey Parsley, Don Plutt, Jim Porter, Tony Ramirez, Ron Regan, Nathan Rice, Ryan Richards, Scott Riesselman, Tony Roberson, Paul Robertson, Colin Runge, Mike Schauer, Brian Scott, Aaron Smith, Derrick Steinhagen, James Stovaw, Jesse Tann, Keith Terrio, Harry Tillman, Lenny Vaughn, Lejon Vivens, Brandon Vogt, Delano Washington, Dedrick Weddington, Todd Weibel, Chris Wild, Tashe Williams, Andrew Wimbs, Maika Woods, Scott Zimmerman, Omar Zuniga. Coaching Staff: Joe Glenn (Head Coach), Mike Breske (Defensive Coordinator), Kay Dalton (Offensive Coordinator), Marty English, Harvey Patton, Larry Adams, Rod Dobbs, Brett Harvey, Casey Morelock, Ivan Goepferd, Chris Knutson, Charles Rittenhouse, Ron Wisniewski, Paul Novak. Support Staff: Dan Libera (Athletic Trainer), Mick Schuch (Equipment Manager), Aaron Parkhurst (Team Doctor), Scott Leisinger (SID).

1997 Football Team
Joe Glenn (Head Coach)

The 1997 Northern Colorado football team won the second-straight team national championship in school history, shutting out New Haven 51-0 for the title (Dec. 13, 1997). Coached by Joe Glenn, the team won the North Central Conference Championship en route to a 13-2 overall record and had nine players earn All-American honors over the 1996 and 1997 seasons. The team played all four of its playoff games on the road, rising to the challge, defeating Pittsburg State 24-16, Northwest Missouri State 35-19 and Carson-Newman 30-29 before winning the whole kit-and-caboodle 51-0 over New Haven in Florence, Ala. The team won its final nine games of the season and in the final regular season game against North Dakota, senior running back Billy Holmes broke the school's single-season rushing record with 1,093 yards, becoming the first Bear to post back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. Inducted in 2007.

1997 Football Team Members: Chad Ansell, Bryan Applewhite, Ed Bendokas, Donovan Brown, Brad Bunting, Ryan Burkholder, Lennis Campbell, Cliff Casco, Mark Chicarelli, Joshua Ching-Pickett, Steve Cotham, Wes Daniels, Kunta Duncan, Nathan Eastin, Noland Eastin, Faraj Elmagbari, Dean Grable, Keith Grable, Jeremy Guddat, Andy Haase, Brian Heil, Jamie Heiner, Jason Heinrich, Billy Holmes, Mark Holte, Mark Jeffries, Dirk Johnson, Martin Jones, Andy Klatt, Kris Kovel, Heath Kucera, Justin Lanham, Nicolas Lopez, Brian Lusk, Matt Markley, Drew Masten, John May, Corte McGuffey, Dillan Micus, Jeff Miller, Chad Niesent, Justin Noyes, Dominic Pallone, Don Plutt, Nathan Rice, Ryan Richards, Paul Robertson, Colin Runge, Mike Schauer, Brian Scott, Aaron Smith, George Smith, Carlos Tarin, Lenny Vaughn, Brandon Vogt, Todd Weibel, Tashe Williams, Andrew Wimbs, Scott Zimmerman, Omar Zuniga. Coaching Staff: Joe Glenn (Head Coach), Mike Breske (Defensive Coordinator), Kay Dalton (Offensive Coordinator), Larry Adams, Rod Dobbs, Marty English, Ivan Goepferd, Mike Griffith, Brett Harvey, Paul Novak, Harvey Patton, Jim Porter, Charles Rittenhouse, Peter Strusma, Ron Wiesnieski. Support Staff: Shannon Courtney (Athletic Trainer), Mick Schuch (Equipment Manager), Aaron Parkhurst (Team Doctor).

Sharon Akiyama, Gymnastics (1973-76)
Akiyama was the first female athlete at UNC to receive an athletic scholarship ... she won the all-around title in every Intermountain Conference meet in 1973 and usually took the uneven bars, floor exercise and balance beam titles as well ... inspired a group of freshman teammates to qualify for Division I national championships where the team placed 13th in the nation ... Akiyama placed 12th on bars and 12th on floor exercise in national meet ... helped the squad complete an undefeated season. Inducted in 2005. (Nominated by Marcia Anderson and Linda Witt)

Jim Alexander, Football (1965-67)
Alexander placed third at the 1968 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. He also placed third overall at the 1969 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. Alexander was limited to only three seasons of competition but still earned three straight RMAC and MIWA championships. He still holds the school record for most career pins. Inducted in 2002.

Ernie Andrade, Baseball (1960-62)
Helped lead the Bears to three straight appearances in the College World Series (1960, 1961, 1962) ... tallied a career record of 17-4 ... as a freshman in 1960, he went 6-1 with a 1.95 earned run average ... earned All-Rocky Mountain Conference as a pitcher in both 1960 and 1961 ... also guided the Bears to three straight Rocky Mountain Conference championships. Inducted in 2005. (Nominated by Pam Davis)

Dana (Cash) Ausec, Volleyball (1990-93)
Ausec was a three-year starter at outside hitter, who earned First Team AVCA All-America honors in 1993 and was selected to the Second Team in 1992. She helped the Bears to a fourth-place national finish and a North Central Conference championship in 1993. A two-time All-NCC performer, she was named the league's Player of the Year as a senior (1993). Ausec was also recognized in 1993-94 as the NCAA Colorado Sportswoman of the Year. An excellent student, she earned several academic awards, including NCC All-Academic, Academic All-North Central Region and GTE Academic All-District. Upon graduation, she received a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Inducted in 2000.

Tom Backus, Football/Wrestling (1934-39)
Tom Backus was a letterwinner on the Bears' 1934 football team that upset Colorado en route to the Rocky Mountain Conference title. A native of Wray, Backus was a varsity wrestler under coach John Hancock and filled-in for his mentor by serving as interim wrestling coach in 1939, when he led his squad to a conference championship. Backus, a longtime contributor to UNC, later endowed the John Hancock Scholarship to honor his former coach. Inducted in 1995.

Duane Banks, Baseball/Basketball (1958-59, 62-64)
Duane Banks was a three-time all-conference and all-district catcher for the Bears in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He helped UNC reach the College World Series following the 1959 season. A career .363 hitter, Banks also played one year of basketball at UNC. Upon graduating from UNC, he spent one year with the Atlanta Braves organization before embarking on a coaching career. Banks served as the head baseball coach at the University of Iowa from 1970 until his retirement in 1997. Iowa's all-time winningest coach, Banks posted a record of 901-575-4 and led his squad to three Big Ten titles. He is also a member of the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame. Inducted in 1999.

Tom Beck, Football (1993-96)
Starting quarterback that led Bears to the NCAA Division II playoffs two consecutive years (1995 & 1996); Won national championship in 1996 with an injury depleted team with a 23-14 win over Carson-Newman; Ranks among UNC all-time leaders in passings yards (7th, 4,251), touchdown passes (5th, 35) and total offense (6th, 4,589); Has served as an active member in the Blue & Gold campaign to help raise dollars for UNC athletic scholarships. Inducted in 2004.

Tom Benich, Track & Field Coach (1963-86)
Benich served as the head track and field coach at UNC from 1963-86. Benich-led squads won conference championships in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Great Plains Athletic Conference and most recently in the North Central Conference. During his tenure, the Bears produced 13 All-America performers. Benich was selected NCC coach of the Year following the 1982 and 1986 seasons and was also a recipient of the NCAA Division II Track Coaches Distinguished Service Award. Inducted in 1998.

Mike Bennett, Track and Field (1989-92)
Mike Bennett is one of the top male track and field athletes in UNC history. He won the NCAA II national decathlon title on three occasions (1989, 1991,1992), as well as earning seven individual North Central Conference titles. Bennett posted conference championships in the decathlon (1989, 1991, 1992), 110-meter high hurdles (1989,1991,1992) and the long jump (1991). He is currently the UNC record holder in the decathlon, long jump, pentathlon, 55-meter high hurdles and 60-meter hurdles. Inducted in 1999.