Rockhurst University | Learning, Leadership and Service in the Jesuit Tradition

CLASS OF 1981 (CHARTER INDUCTEES)

• James J. Gleeson, Sr. (1929-33), baseball/basketball/football/golf – A four-sport standout, Gleeson was the captain of each team and earned All-Conference honors in each sport. He is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame. He played major-league baseball for the Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds.

• Patrick W. Mason (1917-38), student/athlete/coach – Mason was the founder of the great Rockhurst athletic tradition. He headed up every initial athletic effort while serving as coach, captain and athlete. He led Rockhurst through two decades of football, basketball and baseball while amassing a winning percentage of nearly 70 percent.

• Rev. Paul O. Smith, S.J. (1941-62), athletic director – Smith served the athletic director at Rockhurst from 1941-1962. He was a pioneer in the formative years of the NAIA. He is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame.

• Raymond J. Sonnenberg (1930-34), football/baseball/tennis – Sonnenberg captained the football, baseball and tennis teams at Rockhurst. He also made All-Conference in all three sports. He was the first athlete to earn eight varsity letters between Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst College.

• John S. Sullivan (1925-29), football/basketball/baseball – Sullivan excelled in three sports. He was the captain and made All-Conference in football, basketball and baseball. He was known as “The Rockhurst Star of the Twenties.”

• Ralph L. Telken (1960-64), basketball – Telken led the Hawks to the 1964 NAIA national championship. He won the NAIA Tournament’s Hustle Award in 1964. He was a member of the 1964 NAIA Olympic Trials Team. He is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame.

CLASS OF 1982

• Patrick J. Caldwell (1961-66), basketball – Caldwell set career school records in scoring and rebounding. He helped lead the Hawks to the NAIA national championship. He was an NAIA All-American and a member of the 1964 NAIA Olympic Trials Team.

• Godfrey S. Kobets (1935-45), football/baseball/coach – Kobets was named All-Conference in football and baseball for three seasons. He received college football’s Little All-American award. He played for the Cincinnati Reds’ organization. He devoted is life to coaching and educating disadvantage youth.

• Raymond T. “Red” McKee (1925-29), football/basketball/baseball – A triple threat athlete, McKee lettered four years in three sports. He was team captain and All-Conference in all three sports.

• Terry Michler (1965-69), soccer – A four-year lettermen, Michler played in two NAIA national soccer tournaments. He was a team captain and played pro soccer with the Kansas City Spurs.

• John M. Mitchell (1940-46), football/baseball/basketball – Mitchell was a three-sport lettermen. He captained the football and baseball teams in his senior year. He achieved Little All-American honors in football.

• Victor H. Zahner (1928-31), football/basketball/tennis/track – Zahner lettered four years in four sports. He was named All-Conference in baseball and football.

CLASS OF 1983

• Jim Healey (1965-69), basketball – Healey was a first team NAIA All-American in 1968. His name graces the Rockhurst record books. He ranks in the top 10 in scoring (1,526) and rebounding (802) for the Hawks.

• Owen F. Murphy (1932-36), football/basketball – A two-sport lettermen, Murphy was the captain of the football team in his senior year. He was named to the St. Louis Post-Journal All-Star basketball team.

CLASS OF 1984

• Paul J. Martel (1941-48), football/basketball – Martel was a four-year lettermen in basketball. He scored 252 points in his senior year. He was a three-year lettermen in football as an end and halfback.

• John P. Scanlon (1939-42), football/baseball – Scanlon lettered four years in football and baseball. He was a lineman and end in football, and played shortstop in baseball. He captained both teams in his senior year. He was named the “Outstanding Player” in football in 1941. He ranked ninth in the nation at end in a college all-star poll.

CLASS OF 1985

• J. Russell “Russ” Gramlich (1931-35), football/basketball – Gramlich was a standout forward in basketball. He was selected to the first team of the Missouri State All-Conference All-Stars in 1932. A halfback on the football team, he was the team captain in 1934.

• D. Eugene “Gene” Hart (1950-85), football/coach/athletic director – A quarterback, Hart lettered four years in football. He was the first men’s soccer coach and took the Hawks to the NAIA national tournament in 1964. He served on many committees during his 23 years as the school’s athletic director. The Hawks succeeded on the national and district levels during his tenure.

CLASS OF 1986

• John W. Malinee (1974-77), soccer – Malinee was a four-year midfielder for the Hawks. He was a three-time All-District player and an NAIA All-American in 1975. He finished his career with 41 goals.

• John J. Reichmeier (1949-53), football/basketball/baseball – Reichmeier was a standout halfback and safety on the last football team at Rockhurst. He was a four-year lettermen as a reserve guard in basketball. He was a catcher and co-captain on the baseball team. He received offers from the Detroit Tigers and Boston Braves. He helped organize the Rockhurst Booster Club.

CLASS OF 1987

• Jim Ryan (1946-49), basketball/radio announcer – Ryan led Rockhurst to the NAIA national tournament in his sophomore year in 1947. He later served as the “Voice of the Hawks” on radio.

CLASS OF 1988

• Bob Castaneda (1956-60), basketball – A three-year lettermen, Castaneda was co-captain of the Hawks in 1959-60. He was the first player to score 600 points in a season at Rockhurst. He finished with a school-record 1,689 career points. He held most of the scoring, rebounding and assists records at Rockhurst.

CLASS OF 1989

• 1964 NAIA Championship Basketball Team (Coach Joe Brehmer, Assistant Coach Dolor Rehm, Pat Caldwell, Chuck Dunlop, Tom Fisher, Joel Frisch, Rich Grawer, Dick Hennier, Al Payne, Dennis Rabbitt, Jim Selzer, Ralph Telken, Walt Tylicki and Harry Witte; Managers: Dennis Alieksaites, Pat Campbell and Chuck Plague) – The Hawks finished with a 27-6 record on the way to capturing the 1964 NAIA national championship under head coach Joe Brehmer. The 1963-64 Rockhurst team was named to the Missouri Basketball Hall of Fame in 1988.

CLASS OF 1990

• James E. Kopp (1968-72), basketball – A four-year lettermen, Kopp ranks as one of the leading scorers (1,465) and rebounders (692) in school history. He was an All-American forward in his senior year. He helped the Hawks upset the Air Force Academy. He was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers.

• George “Bill” Richter (1944-48), football/basketball – Richter lettered four years in basketball and one year in football. He led the basketball team in scoring for three years. He played on the first Rockhurst team to play in the NAIA national tournament.

• Robert J. Williams (1949-53), football/basketball/baseball – Williams earned nine letters at Rockhurst. He was the leading scorer and captain of the basketball team in his senior year. He was a three-time All-Conference honoree. He starred at shortstop for the baseball team.

CLASS OF 1991

• Amos H. “Wild Horse” Hutchin (1934-38), football – Hutchin, a four-year lettermen, led the nation in punting with a 44-yard average in 1938. He also played fullback where he was a strong blocker and runner. He was voted the “Most Popular Athlete” in 1938.

CLASS OF 1992

• Thomas F. Callahan (1940-43), football/baseball/basketball – Callahan captained the Rockhurst football team in his senior year. He signed a pro basketball contract with the Chicago Stag in 1946 and played for the Providence Steamrollers. He also played for the Stamford Pros in the Connecticut State League and the Stamford Celtics in the Eastern League. He was named to the “Who’s Who of Tennis” in 1983.

• James F. Karl (1965-69), basketball – A three-year lettermen, Karl was the team captain his senior year. He ranks among the top single-season assist leaders at Rockhurst. He served as an assistant coach at Rockhurst while attending law school at Missouri-Kansas City. He has volunteered his time and talent to Rockhurst in a variety of capacities.

• Donald J. Klein (1954-58), baseball/basketball – A four-year lettermen in two sports, Klein set the single-season scoring record averaging more than 20 points per game. He hit over .300 in baseball. He was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks and was offered a position in the Baltimore Orioles’ minor-league system.

CLASS OF 1993

• Joseph F. Keirnan (1947), football/coach – An offensive and defensive tackle, Keirnan was the first Little All-American athlete from Rockhurst. He was considered the most important player on the team. He became Rockhurst’s football coach in 1945. He later taught and coached at Bishop Hogan and DeLaSalle.

• Dennis Lee (1976-80), soccer – Lee was an All-District, All-Area, All-Midwest and All-American at Rockhurst. The Hawks finished second at the NAIA national tournament in 1977. He captained the team in his senior year, leading Rockhurst to a third-place finish at nationals where he won MVP honors. He has assisted Coach Tony Tocco since 1979 and organized the first alumni game.

CLASS OF 1994

• John Steck (1940-43), football/baseball – One of the finest passers and punters at Rockhurst, Steck was also a standout pitcher in baseball. He led the Hawks past St. Ambrose College with a touchdown in 1942. He picked up victories in baseball over Kansas, Kansas State and the Kansas City Blues of the American Association. He was chosen to the American Legion All-Stars, striking out 24 hitters in nine innings.

• Richard A. Suit (1970-74), soccer – Suit was a three-time All-District and All-Area selection. He was named to the NAIA All-Tournament team in 1973. He was invited to the Olympic Trials in 1974. He was nominated for the Robert E. Herman Award as the College Player of the Year in 1974.

CLASS OF 1995

• Kathryn R. Anderson (1985-89), women’s basketball, volleyball – Anderson was an All-American and four-time All-District honoree in basketball and volleyball. She was named the NAIA District 16 Player of the Year and was named to the All-Jesuit team in 1988-89. She is the all-time leading scorer at Rockhurst with 2,100 points.

CLASS OF 1996

• Francis “Buzz” Muckenthaler (1940-43, ’46), basketball/baseball – Muckenthaler was a three-year lettermen in basketball and baseball. He threw a two-hitter with 16 strikeouts to lead the Hawks over the University of Kansas. He went on to play for the St. Louis Cardinals. He returned to Rockhurst after World War II to finish his degree in mathematics.

• Michael G. Powers (1976-80), soccer – A four-year lettermen, Powers was a first team NAIA and NSCAA All-American. He was received All-District and All-Area honors. He scored 13 goals in his senior season. He was drafted by the Wichita Wings indoor team, and continued his career with Las Vegas and Dallas.

• Mark R. Teahan (1977-81), basketball – Teahan finished as one of the top rebounders in school history, in addition to scoring more than 1,000 career points. He led the Hawks to the NAIA national tournament in 1980 and ’81. He was an NAIA All-American and a first team Academic All-American. He built a successful career in business while coaching youth basketball and baseball. He served as president of the Cure of Ars Grade School Athletic Board.

CLASS OF 1997

• Maureen Walsh Herrman (1977-81), women’s basketball – A fiery competitor and leader, Walsh Herrman helped lay the foundation for success of women’s athletics at Rockhurst. Off the court, she was an unceasing and avid promoter for women’s athletics. She worked with the Missouri Special Olympics and the National Family Partnership, as well as the National Kidney Foundation of Eastern Missouri and Metro East.

CLASS OF 1998

• Richard E. Donahue (1975-78), basketball/baseball – Donohue was an excellent ball-handler and defensive player in basketball. He was a hard-throwing southpaw on the diamond. He was the president of his senior class, and was selected to Alpha Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society and Who’s Who Among American College Students. He served on the Rockhurst Alumni Board and was a College Regent.

CLASS OF 1999

• Craig Stahl (1978-81), soccer – A three-time NAIA All-American, Stahl was a tenacious and tireless player. He set a single-season school record with 29 goals and a single-game record with five goals. He finished his career with a school-record 59 goals. He was named Most Valuable Player of the NAIA national tournament in his junior year. He played for the Kansas City Comets from 1981-84 and remains involved with soccer as a youth coach.

• Anthony Tocco (1970-present), soccer coach – Tocco is one of the winningest coaches in intercollegiate soccer history. He coached the Hawks to 21 NAIA national tournaments and 14 Final Fours. He produced 37 NAIA All-Americans and had 14 players play professional soccer. He was named the NAIA National Coach of the Year in 1974, ’76 and ’86. He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2007. He is known as a demanding coach and colorful teacher in the classroom.

CLASS OF 2000

• Dennis Luber (1979-83), basketball – A prolific scorer, Luber led the team in scoring four times. He was a three-time NAIA All-District 16 selection, including earning District 16 Player of the Year honors in 1983. He was a third team All-American in 1983 and voted to the honorable mention All-Tournament team in 1981. He was an honorable mention All-American and named to the NAIA International Tournament Team in 1982.

CLASS OF 2001

• Douglas G. Wemhoff (1985-89), basketball – Wemhoff finished his career with 2,063 points and 887 rebounds. He was named Most Valuable Player for the Hawks in 1989 and was an NAIA All-District selection. He led the Hawks in scoring as a freshman and scored 655 points in a season while averaging 21.8 points per game in his senior year.

CLASS OF 2002

• W. Robert Alyward (1947-50), football – A starting halfback for the Hawks, Alyward was popular on and off the field. He served as a lieutenant J.G. in the U.S. Coast Guard, Port Security. He coached and played basketball and football on teams in New York City. Alyward later become vice president of the Alyward Products Company. He was chairman for the Conservation Commissioner and was elected to the Missouri Academy of Squires.

• G. Barney Byard (1946-50), football – A mainstay in the Rockhurst backfield, Byard scored a key touchdown against St. Benedict’s in 1949. He later taught and coached at St. Agnes High School, Redemptorist High School and Hayden High School. He joined New York Life Insurance Company in 1959.

• Clarence Edward Deitchman (1946-49), football – A starting left guard for the Hawks, Deitchman was known for delivering bruising hits. He taught chemistry and was the head coach at Bishop Hogan High School and Southeast High School. He retired as a teacher in the Turner School District.

• John “Larry” Fitzgerald (1948-51), football - A starter at end, Fitzgerald was known for his relentless, aggressive and hard-hitting style of play. He received Central Intercollegiate All-Conference honors in 1949. He caught a touchdown in a memorable upset win over Fort Hays State in a 1948 Homecoming win. Fitzgerald coached at Redemptorist High School and Kansas City Visitation Grade School for 14 seasons, winning eight city championships. He later became an attorney.

• Bishop George Fitzsimmons (1945-48), football/basketball – Fitzsimmons was named to the Mo-Kan Bowl in his senior year. He scored a touchdown on a four-lateral play against Maryville in 1948. He flew seaplane bombers out of Burmuda for the Navy after graduation. He was a real estate salesman prior to entering the seminary in 1956. He was ordained as a Catholic priest in 1961 and ordained as a Bishop in 1975.

• Thomas P. Holton (1945, ’48-50), football – Holton possessed a blue collar work ethic as a starting guard. He coached at St. Vincent’s in Perryville, Mo., and at Redemptorist High School. He played semi-pro football for many years. He tried out for the first San Diego Chargers’ team. He retired as director of nuclear physics and expansion engineer for Alyward Products Company in 1993.

• Joseph Henry Mallon (1947-50), football – Mallon served three years in the Navy before coming to Rockhurst in 1947. He was a leader on the field from his left end position. His agility and steadfast determination made him one of the Hawks’ top players. He became a field training representative for Electronic Realty Associates.

• Thomas J. O’Brien (1947-50), football – O’Brien was a tough, scrappy center for the Hawks. One of his most memorable plays was an interception that set up a key touchdown against Central College in 1948. He was an attorney with his own law firm in Raytown, Mo.

• John E. Sanderson (1943-44, ’47-49), football – Sanderson lettered as a freshman before leaving school to serve in the Navy while stationed in the Phillippines. His most memorable game was when he threw three touchdown passes in a win over Fort Hays State in 1948. He went on to become vice president of Hubbell Metals in Kansas City, Mo.

• Leslie “Honey” Spurck (1934-38), football – Spurck played an ironman role for his defensive work. He was the team captain in 1938 and was named to the All-Star team that played a championship professional team in St. Louis. He was an All-Missouri guard in 1937 and All-State guard in 1938. He only missed two games in seven years between Rockhurst High School and Rockhurst College.

• John B. Stapler III (1947-50), football – Remembered for his strong work ethic, Stapler was named to the Central Intercollegiate All-Conference team in 1950. He scored three touchdowns against Kansas Wesleyan in a 1950 Homecoming game. In 1949, he scored on a 67-yard run against St. Benedict’s. He served in the Air Force for six years as a captain, and later was a senior officer for TWA.

CLASS OF 2003

• Joseph M. Grantham (1954-56, ’69-76), basketball/baseball – Grantham excelled at the guard spot in basketball and was a power-hitting shortstop in baseball. He returned to Rockhurst in 1969 to serve as the head baseball coach and assistant basketball coach. The Hawks led the NAIA in hitting with a .359 batting average in 1974. He later taught and coached at St. Teresa’s Academy.

• Susan M. (Konop) Malisch (1982-86), women’s basketball – Konop left Rockhurst as the school’s all-time leading scorer (1,370 points) and rebounder (1,002). She was an Academic All-American in 1986. She set single season records for points, rebounds, rebound average, field goals and field goal percentage. She was the first player from Rockhurst to receive All-District First Team honors. Drafted by the WNBA, she coached at Fontbonne College from 1989-93 where she was the Conference Coach of the Year in her first season.

CLASS OF 2004

• Sid E. Bordman (1988-2005), sports information director – Bordman served as the SID at Rockhurst from 1987-2005. After serving in the South Pacific during World War II, he was a student SID at Rockhurst from 1951-54. He spent 34 years as a sportswriter with the Kansas City Star and Times. He covered the Kansas City Royals and Kansas City Kings, along with Rockhurst and other small colleges.

• Kris Rehm-Nusbaum (1988-91), women’s basketball/volleyball – The Hawks compiled a 96-31 in basketball with Rehm-Nusbaum at the power forward position. She was named NAIA All-District three times in basketball. In volleyball, she was a two-time All-District and honorable mention All-American. She led the Hawks to 174 wins and an NAIA national tournament berth in 1989.

CLASS OF 2005

• John Williams (1950-54), basketball/baseball – Williams earned eight varsity letters in basketball and baseball. He was captain of the basketball team in 1953-54. He played the guard spot to near perfection for four years. He was a good ball handler and could score from the outside or on drives to the basket. John was also a mainstay as a third baseman for the Hawks’ baseball team.

CLASS OF 2006

• Keith Gehling (1976-77), soccer – Gehling earned NAIA All-American honors in 1977. He was named All-Region and All-District in 1976 and ’77. Keith was selected to the All-Tournament team and was chosen the Most Outstanding Defender in leading the Hawks to a second-place finish at the 1976 NAIA national tournament. He was an original member of the Wichita Wings in the Major Indoor Soccer League and played in the American Soccer League.

• Jack McCloskey (1954-56), basketball/baseball – McCloskey was Rockhurst’s first NAIA All-American (third team) in basketball in his senior year in 1956. He led the Hawks to the 1956 NAIA national tournament, scoring a team-high 468 points and handing out 156 assists. He finished his career with 1,242 points. McCloskey also lettered one year in baseball as a pitcher in 1954.

CLASS OF 2007

• Frank Diskin (1985-2007), athletic director – During Diskin’s tenure, Rockhurst expanded from four varsity sports in 1985 to 11 sports in 2007. He directed Rockhurst into becoming an NCAA Division II member and assisted in the formation of the Heartland Conference in 1998. He also spearheaded Rockhurst’s move into the Great Lakes Valley Conference in 2005. Diskin also served as the men’s basketball coach for six seasons and volleyball coach for three season.

• Andrea Tinsley (1989-93), women’s basketball/volleyball – Tinsley was a three-year starter in basketball. She helped lead the Hawks to a 103-25 record and two trips to the NAIA national tournament. She was an NAIA and Kodak All-American in 1992 and ‘93. In her season season, Rockhurst posted a 30-2 record and won the district title. Tinsley also lettered two years in volleyball as a middle hitter.

CLASS OF 2010

• Don Carney (1936-40), football, basketball – Carney received eight letters in basketball and football. A Little All-American halfback in football, he was chosen as a member of the National College All-Star team in 1940. Carney joined the U.S. Navy and trained as a Naval aviator after graduating from Rockhurst College. He was awarded two Air Medals and a Purple Heart after losing his life in the Marianas Islands as he was shot down by enemy forces in June of 1944.

• Norm Majors (1958-62), basketball – A three-year lettermen in basketball, Majors averaged 13.7 rebound per game in 1959-60 while breaking the school’s single-season record with 300 rebounds. He also set the single-game rebound mark with 28 caroms in 1959. He was drafted by the Chicago Packers in the 1962 NBA Draft and went on to serve in the Peace Corps.

• Jon Parry (1988-92), soccer – A three-time NAIA All-American, Parry led the Hawks to 80 wins in four years. He played in three NAIA national tournaments and two Final Fours, and was named to the NAIA All-Tournament team in 1990. Parry scored a career-high 33 goals in his senior year and finished with a school-record 91 goals. He currently ranks second in career goals scored at Rockhurst.

• Kelly Shay Berg (1993-97), women's basketball/volleyball – Shay Berg was a three-time NAIA All-American in volleyball. She led the Hawks in kills, digs and blocks in 1994. She also led the team in blocks in 1995 and 1996, and was the co-leader in kills in 1995. A three-year starter in basketball, Shay Berg ranks 17th in scoring (886 points) and 14th in rebounding (393) on the all-time Rockhurst charts.

CLASS OF 2011

• Kevin Koetters (1986-89), soccer – A two-time NAIA All-American in 1988 and ’89, Koetters ranks as one of the most outstanding defenders in Rockhurst’s storied soccer history. He led the Hawks to a 69-13-6 record and two NAIA national tournament semifinal finishes. He played professional soccer for 12 years, including stints with the Kansas City Attack, Kansas City Wiz and Kansas City Comets.

• Kristie Morgan (1994-97), women's soccer – Morgan is one of the top goalkeepers in school history. She was a third team NAIA All-American in her senior season as the Hawks finished with a 19-4-1 record in 1997. She ranked seventh in the nation in goals against average (0.71) while posting 11 shutouts. In her junior year, the Hawks won 17 games as Morgan collected 14 shutouts and 108 saves.

• Jessica Shepler (2000-03), volleyball – Shepler led the Hawks to a 140-25 record in her four seasons. She earned AVCA Division II All-American honors in her senior season while collecting 767 kills and 535 digs. In her sophomore season, she received AVCA Division II National Player of the Week honors. She finished with 2,301 kills and 1,543 digs in her career.

• Davin Winkley (1997-2002), basketball – One of only three Hawks to score over 2,000 career points, Winkley led Rockhurst to 74 wins over four seasons. In his senior year, he powered the Hawks to a 24-6 record and a Sweet 16 finish in the 2002 NCAA Division II tournament. He is tied for second in scoring (2,063 points) and ranks fifth in rebounding (939) on the all-time Rockhurst charts.