 |
            |
 |
|
|
| All Americans: |
Baseball |
| Paul Gnepper |
1973; 1974 |
| Greg Antor |
1974 |
| Jim Berkey |
1974; 1975 |
| Jesse Young |
1974; 1975 |
| Tim Matchinsky |
1976; 1977 |
| Bill Przygocki |
1977 |
| Rick Heuvelman |
1979 |
| Dave Gumpert |
1980 |
| Mark Hendrickson |
1980; 1981 |
| Tom Rentschler |
1981 |
| Matt Niewiadomski |
1982 |
| Paul Assenmacher |
1982; 1983 |
| Kevin Vizard |
1983 |
| Mike Heffron |
1984 |
| Tom Enslen |
1984 |
| Clint Scollard |
1986 |
| Erik Nord |
1988 |
| Andy Postema |
1988; 1989 |
| Jim Johnson |
1989 |
| Tim Sullivan |
1991 |
| Kurt Huizenga |
1993; 1994 |
| Randy Shagena |
1994 |
| Chad Addicott |
1997 |
| Jason Bialochowski |
1998 |
| Scott DeKock |
2000 |
| John Perko |
2000 |
| Shawn Veenstra |
1998; 2000 |
| Chris Laska |
2001 |
| Brent Backing |
2001 |
| Brandon Bailey |
2001; 2002 |
| Greg Skiba |
2002 |
| Jason Ladd |
2002 |
| John MacLeod |
2002; 2003 |
| Matt Bocian |
2004 |
| Kyle Finch |
2005 |
| Matt Spitzley |
2005; 2006 |
| Craig Antekeier |
2005 |
| Matt Soergel |
2005; 2006 |
|
Basketball |
| Kathy Grzegorski |
1982; 1984 |
| Peg Harte |
1984 |
| Rick Vryhof |
1984 |
| Laray Hardy |
1985; 1986 |
| Mike Wilson |
1989 |
| Alese Keiser |
1989 |
| Jayne Van Opynen |
1990 |
| Tim Saliers |
1991 |
| Symantha Reenders |
1992; 1993 |
| Steve Van Vliet |
1994 |
| Nikki Tuttle |
1995; 1996 |
| Brandon Lowe |
1996; 1997; 1998 |
| Bridget Lamoreaux |
1997 |
| Jenifer Norman |
1998 |
| Courtney Norman |
1998; 1999; 2000 |
| Nicole Miehlke |
2000 |
| Tim Wasilk |
2000 |
| Kyle Verlin |
2002 |
| Chuck Schuba |
2003 |
| Andy Steketee |
2003 |
| Jeff Jayson |
2005,2007 |
| Jackie Braspenninx |
2006, 2007 |
| Ashley Heuvelman |
2006 |
| Derek Douglas |
2006 |
| Joslyn Narber |
2007 |
| Claire Hogan |
2008 |
| Pedja Lazic |
2008 |
| John Lierman |
2008 |
|
| Cross
Country |
| Phil Hinck |
1972 |
| Dave Bartels |
1976 |
| Pat Weiler |
1978 |
| Leslie Ervin |
1997 |
| Ken Baginski |
1997; 1998 ; 2000 |
| Kevin Smith |
2000 |
| Scott Assenmacher |
2006 |
| Amanda Strouse |
2007 |
|
| Golf |
| John Kurzynowski |
1964 |
|
| Soccer |
| Mauro Caporuscio |
1982 |
| Jan Hrouda |
1992 |
| Dave Hebestreit |
1993 |
| Robin Bessette |
1995 |
| Abrahm Shearer |
1996 |
| Holly Butryn |
1996; 1997 |
| Andy Williams |
1999 |
| Amy Panse |
1999; 2000 |
| Kim Eager |
2000 |
| Damian Nicey |
2000 |
| Andrew Fearman |
2000; 2001 |
| Kalee Schwarz |
2001 |
| Carl Whitehouse |
2001 |
| Jon Mies |
2001; 2002 |
| Andrew Fearman |
2001 |
| Kristina Gladstone |
2007 |
| Ryan Robleske |
2007 |
| Levi Swaney |
2007 |
|
|
| Tennis |
| Kurt Brummel |
2002 |
| Patrick Bruining |
2006, 2007 |
| Mike Rose |
2006, 2007 |
|
| Track
& Field |
| Tom Carr |
1974; 1975 |
| Ron Dougherty |
1974; 1975 |
| Pat Weiler |
1976; 1977 |
| Mike Woodbeck |
1979 |
| Fabian Knizacky |
1981; 1982 |
| Tom Zyniewicz |
1984 |
| Paul Judd |
1986 |
| Andy Mousseau |
1986; 1987 |
| Mike Wilson |
1987; 1988 |
| Neil Reilly |
1987; 1988 |
| Joe Applewhite |
1994 |
| Jackson Fox |
1998 |
| Vicky Sackett |
1998; 1999; 2000; 2001 |
| Jason Carver |
1998; 1999; 2000; 2001 |
| Melissa Pline |
1998; 2000 |
| Beth Boruta |
1999 |
| Cari Blind |
1999; 2000 |
| Sarah Carter |
1999; 2000 |
| Kelli Leeuw |
1999; 2000 |
| Allison Turnbull
|
1999; 2000 |
| Audrey Remsberg
|
1999; 2001 |
| Nichole Gummere |
1999; 2000; 2001 |
| Kevin Smith |
2000; 2001 |
| John Wojciakowski |
2000 |
| Greg Vaughn |
2001 |
| Kerry Lucas |
2000; 2001; 2002; 2003 |
| Holly Sizemore |
2001 |
| Adam Jauregui |
2001 |
| Henry Holmes |
2001; 2002; 2003 |
| Andy Thelen |
2001 |
| Sarah Ellis |
2002 |
| Jaime Anderson |
2002 |
| Keelin Baine |
2002 |
| Lars Petzke |
2002 |
| Phil Olson |
2002 |
| Shawn Gast |
2002 |
| Eric Essick |
2002 |
| Brendan Gary |
2002 |
| T.J. Shimek |
2003; 2004 |
| De-Ale-Jo Roberts |
2003; 2005 |
| Jenny Ziegler |
2003 |
| Sarah Ellis |
2003 ; 2005 |
| Michelle Borek |
2003 |
| Laura Beattie |
2003 |
| Noelia Garcia |
2004; 2005 |
| Bob Jonaitis |
2004 |
| Boian Marinov |
2005 |
| Natalie Kent |
2005; 2006; 2007 |
| Nick Gumina |
2005 |
| Jeff Luehm |
2005 |
| Amy Drenth |
2006; 2007 |
| Andye Razmus |
2006; 2007 |
| Nicole Parker |
2006; 2007 |
| Lisa Wojciakowski |
2006 |
| De-Ale-Jo Roberts |
2006 |
| Chaney Robinson |
2007; 2008 |
| Sue Chang |
2007 |
| Allison Strouse |
2007; 2008 |
| Hillary Wheeler |
2007 |
| Jesse Lord-Wilder |
2007; 2008 |
| Siobhan Martin |
2007 |
| Amanda Strouse |
2007; 2008 |
| Brian Keilen |
2007 |
| Chris Robertz |
2007 |
|
| Volleyball |
| Shawn Pearson |
1989 |
| Vonda Nagelkirk |
1990 |
| Mary House |
1991 |
| Brenda Hennick |
1994 |
| Pauline Burgireno |
1995; 1996 |
| Elizabeth Overkamp |
1996; 1997 |
|
| Academic All-Americans: |
| Baseball |
| Dennis King |
1978 |
| Dan Sherman |
1979; 1980 |
| Mike Corey |
1983 |
| Jim Belisle |
1983 |
| Kevin Vizard |
1983 |
| Mike Heffron |
1984 |
| Mike Manley |
1987 |
| Todd Vandenhuevel |
1994 |
| Adam Vandentoorn |
1996; 1997 |
| Scott DeKock |
2000 |
| Jason Ladd |
2002 |
| Brett Cagney |
2003; 2004 |
| Jeremy Frost |
2003; 2004 |
| John Moceri |
2003 |
| Dave Dinallo |
2007 |
| Kevin Scholten |
2007 |
| Todd Peters |
2007 |
|
| Basketball |
| Kathy Grzegorski |
1984 |
| Mike Wilson |
1988 |
| Alese Keiser |
1989 |
| Symantha Reenders |
1992; 1993 |
| Amanda Dunham |
1995 |
| Jen Norman |
1996 |
| Brandon Lowe |
1998 |
| Mandi DeGroot |
2004 |
| Kim Gullekson |
2004; 2005 |
| Leslie Hoffman |
2004; 2005 |
| Tom Kuslikis |
2004; 2005 |
| Kim Pomeroy |
2004 |
| Heather Orr |
2004 |
| Craig Rehmann |
2004 |
| Kaleb House |
2006 |
| Aaran Heindel |
2006 |
|
| Cross
Country |
| Brian Lehmkuhle |
1982 |
| Jeff Fedewa |
1993 |
| Colleen Cone |
1996 |
| Mike Wojciakowski |
1996 |
| Shannon Ottenweller |
1997 |
| Molly Huber |
1997; 1998 |
| Greg Thull |
1997; 1998 |
| Knut Maass |
1997; 1998 |
| Melissa Pline |
1998; '99; '00 |
| Cari Blind |
1999 |
| Bob Thormeier |
1999 |
| John Wojciakowski |
1999; 2000 |
| Sarah Carter |
1999; 2000 |
| Joslyn Rodgers |
1999; 2000 |
| John Thull |
2000 |
| Nate Kaiser |
2000; 2001 |
| Eric Essick |
2000; '01; '02 |
| Lars Petzke |
2000; '01; '02 |
| Marcus Marek |
2001 |
| Eric Johnson |
2002 |
| Nate Kaiser |
2002 |
| Leo Foley |
2002; 2003; 2004 |
| Josh May |
2002; 2003; 2004 |
| Jeff Luehm |
2003; 2004; 2005 |
| Joey Lynn |
2003 |
| Josh Miller |
2003; 2004; 2005 |
| Adam Hoogewind |
2004; 2005 |
| Jenny Millis |
2004 |
| Valerie Kunde |
2004 |
| Megan Lewis |
2004 |
| Pat Earl |
2005; 2006; 2007 |
| Brian
Keilen |
2005; 2006 |
| Chris Robertz |
2005; 2007 |
| Stacey Hoffman |
2005; 2006 |
| Scott Assenmacher |
2006; 2007 |
| Amanda Strouse |
2006; 2007 |
| Lianne Griffths |
2006; 2007 |
| Chris Leikert |
2007 |
|
| Golf |
| Bill Weibel |
1989 |
| Nazar Massouh |
1995 |
| Andy Mezwicki |
2004 |
| Amanda Brewington |
2005 |
| Bryan Hayward |
2007 |
| Nikki Benoit |
2007 |
|
| Soccer |
| Eric Bridge |
1990; 1991 |
| Todd Winnel |
1990; 1991 |
| Jan Hrouda |
1993; 1994 |
| Sommar Boese |
1994 |
| Pam Bierzynsk |
1998 |
| Amira Lama |
1998; 1999 |
| Andy Williams |
1999 |
| Meghan Luckett |
2000 |
| Heather Bos |
2001 |
| Denny Briggs |
2001 |
| Nathan Rose |
2001; 2002 |
| Sanel Fazlic |
2002; 2003 |
| Julie Roy |
2002; 2003 |
| Jeff White |
2002; 2003 |
| Tijs van Lier |
2003 |
| Matt Garner |
2004 |
| Marko Jagustin |
2004 |
| Evan Durand |
2004 |
| Erin Griffin |
2004 |
| Sarah Pennington |
2004 |
| Audrey Vanderkamp |
2005; 2006 |
| Connie Rogers |
2006; 2007 |
| Rebecca Mudri |
2007 |
| Goran Guzan |
2007 |
| Ben Richardson |
2007 |
|
| Softball |
| Liz Hoffman |
1992 |
| Jen Smith |
1995; 1996 |
| Lyndsay Szczepanek |
2000; 2001 |
| McCall Kleinfelt |
2007 |
| Kathy Williams |
2007 |
|
| Tennis |
| Mary Dynes |
1984 |
| Mike Koenes |
1990 |
| Wendy Walenga |
1994 |
| Kristy Kirkendall |
1994 |
| Douglas Dooley |
1995; 1996 |
| Eric Vangessel |
1996 |
| Chris Nelson |
1998 |
| Carrie Carlson |
1998 |
| David Acevedo |
1998 |
| Tom Huizing |
2002 |
| Kara Ferguson |
2003 |
| Brian Ahmedani |
2003 |
| Emily Corcoran |
2004 |
| Kara Ferguson |
2004 |
| Matt Garner |
2004;2005 |
| Ashley Rivers |
2004 |
| Katie Kroft |
2005 |
| Jason Beydoun |
2007 |
| Lindsey Skinner |
2007 |
|
| Track
& Field |
| Pat Weiler |
1978 |
| Fabian Knizacky |
1981; 1982 |
| Tom Zyniewicz |
1984 |
| Andy Mousseau |
1986 |
| Mike Wilson |
1989 |
| John Bricker |
1990 |
| Kurt Schmidt |
1993 |
| Melissa Pline |
'98; '99; '00 |
| John Wojciakowski |
1999; '00 |
| Sarah Carter |
1999; '00 |
| Cari Blind |
2000 |
| Kelli Leeuw |
2000 |
| Nate Kaiser |
2001; '02 |
| Joslyn Rodgers |
2001 |
| Vicky Sackett |
2001 |
| Kerry Lucas |
2002 |
| Kirk Kahner |
2002 |
| Eric Johnson |
2002 |
| Lars Petzke |
2002 |
| Kerry Lucas |
2003 |
| Laura Beattie |
2003 |
| Michelle Borek |
2003; 2004 |
| Val Kunde |
2003: 2005 |
| Eric Johnson |
2003 |
| Lars Petzke |
2003 |
| T.J. Shimek |
2003; 2004 |
| Laura Beattie |
2004 |
| Sarah Ellis |
2004; 2005 |
| Jeff Luehm |
2004; 2005 |
| Josh May |
2004; 2005 |
| Josh Miller |
2004; 2005 |
| Adam Hoogewind |
2005; 2006 |
| Nick Gumina |
2005; 2006 |
| Jenny Millis |
2005 |
| Patrick Earl |
2006 |
| Brian Keilen |
2006, 2007 |
| Josh Robach |
2006, 2007 |
| Stacey Hoffman |
2006, 2007 |
| Chris Robertz |
2007 |
| Amy Drenthe |
2007
|
| Lianne Griffiths |
2007 |
| Natalie Kent |
2007 |
| Allison Strouse |
2007 |
|
| Volleyball |
| Tammy Harig |
1986 |
| Shawn Pearson |
1989 |
| Vonda Nagelkirk |
1990; 1991 |
| Megan Appleyard |
1993; 1994 |
| Brenda Hennink |
1993; 1994 |
| Pauline Burgireno |
1995; 1996 |
| Emily Schultz |
1995 |
| Elizabeth Overkamp |
1996; 1997 |
| Tamara Harnden |
2001; 2002 |
| Becky Barber |
2003; 2004 |
| Amanda Szymanski |
2003; 2004 |
| Heather Baker |
2004 |
| Ashley
Bouckaert |
2004; 2005 |
| Amanda
Szymanski |
2004 |
| Megan Holst |
2005 |
| Lindsey Nanninga |
2005 |
| Alene Seiler |
2006 |
|
| NAIA Hall
of Famers |
 |
Terry Bocian (Inducted in 2000)
Director of Athletics
Bocian ('70) coached the Saints baseball teams for 30 years during which his teams went 1079-450-13 for a winning percentage of 71%. Bocian is only the 24th collegiate coach to amass 1000 victories. Bocian's teams posted 30 consecutive winning seasons and 27 consecutive seasons of 30 or more wins. Thirty-four All-Americans were honored during his tenure as the Saints won seven National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) state championships and finished as runner-up ten times. Aquinas won six Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) titles in nines years under his direction. He was named Michigan NAIA Coach of the Year on ten occasions, WHAC Coach of the Year six times and Regional Coach of the Year four times. Bocian was inducted in the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2000. Thirteen of his former players have gone on to sign professional contracts and two have earned spots on Major League rosters - Paul Assenmacher and Dave Gumpert (below). Bocian and his wife Karen have four children, Therese, Chad, Scott and Matt. |
 |
Patti (Blaesser) Tibaldi (Inducted in 1999)
Basketball Coach
Tibaldi ('73) was a pioneer in women's basketball, beginning her coaching career at West Catholic High School in the early 1970's. In her eight years there, she compiled a 163-34 record, winning four city league championships and a state championship in 1979. She became head coach at Aquinas in 1978, developing a program that in her 17 years amassed a record of 340 wins to 136 losses, a winning percentage of over 71 percent. Under Tibaldi's leadership, Aquinas College made three appearances at the NAIA National Women's Basketball Tournament. She also led Aquinas to the National Catholic Basketball Championship in 1984. As of 1996, she was the eighth winningest coach in NAIA history. She was inducted into the Basketball Coaches of Michigan Hall of Fame in 1997, the West Catholic High School Hall of Fame in 1998, and the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1999. Tibaldi currently coaches girls' basketball at Traverse City West where her husband, Joe, a 1973 Aquinas graduate, is principal. The Tibaldi's have two children, Katie and Brian. |
 |
Paul Assenmacher (Inducted in 1989)
Baseball
Assenmacher ('84) was an all-state pitcher on the Southgate Aquinas High School's state championship team of 1979. During his years at Aquinas, he pitched the Saints to two NAIA State championships and one regional runner-up finish. His Aquinas teams completed a four-year record of 165 wins and 69 losses. He twice earned NAIA All-American recognition, and in 1989 was inducted into the NAIA Baseball Hall of Fame. From 1983-1985, he pitched with the Atlanta Braves farm system, moving to the majors in 1986. In his 14 seasons in Major League Baseball, he pitched with the Atlanta Braves, the Chicago Cubs, the Chicago White Sox, the New York Yankees, and the Cleveland Indians. His time with Cleveland included two World Series appearances in 1995 and 1997. He and his wife, Margaret Mary, reside in Alpharetta, Georgia with their five children, Jason, Candace, Lindsay, Morgan, and Clayton. |
 |
Dave Gumpert (Inducted in 1987)
Baseball
Gumpert ('86) came to Aquinas from South Haven High School and led the College to baseball prominence during his four years. A recipient of the Dennis Molnar Award, he eventually held eleven Aquinas pitching records, was twice named All-State and All-Region, and, in 1980, was named NAIA All-American. During Dave's career at Aquinas, the team boasted a record of 147 wins and 51 losses, winning three city championships and the state crown in 1979. One of those wins was a one-hitter which led Aquinas to its first-ever victory over Michigan State University's squad. After stellar summers pitching with the Grand Rapids Sullivans, he was signed by the Detroit Tigers' scout Bob Sullivan and rose quickly through minor league ball to join the Detroit Tigers. In his first major league outing, he earned a save for the Tigers against the Texas Rangers. In 1983, he led the Tigers' pitching staff with a 2.64 ERA and was named Tiger Rookie of the Year in a poll of Detroit Sports Media. In 1987, he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame. He pitched six seasons in the majors with the Tigers, Cubs and Royals before returning to South Haven High School, where he is currently Director of Athletics. With his wife, Debbie, and his two daughters, Shanley and Courtney, he raises show horses. |
|
Aquinas
Hall of Fame
 |
Dave Bartels ('78) inducted in 2007, came from South Haven, Michigan to Aquinas in the mid '70s and quickly made his mark in both cross country and track. Dave ran year-round for four years, earning 12 varsity letters in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track. He earned All-American honors in cross country in 1976. At that time, he was only the second runner to earn this honor at the national meet (he remains one of only five runners in school history to attain this accolade.) Bartels also set three school records in indoor track, all of which still stand today - more than 30 years later. The runner set records in the mile, half-mile, and 1,000 yard runs. Even after track converted to the metric system, Bartels' times were adjusted and they remain the best ever at Aquinas. He additionally holds records set at South Haven High School. After Teaching for several years in Wisconsin, Bartels moved to Grand Blanc, Michigan where he started his own business, Blue Star Sportswear, which is now in its 25th years of operation. Bartels and his wife, Anna Marie (Tomassilli '80) have two daughters, Justine and Rachel, and still reside in the Grand Blanc area. |
 |
Anne (Biermacher) Stegehuis ('86 ) , inducted in 2007,had an outstanding basketball career at Aquinas College. She was a four-year starter on some of the best teams in Aquinas history; winning nearly 80 percent of their games. She is still the fifth leading scorer in Aquinas women's basketball history and, at five-foot-five inches tall, the highest scoring guard on this prestigious list. Stegehuis scored nearly 1,500 points despite playing without the benefit of the three-point basket. She was the complete player, finishing her career in the top 10 in multiple categories, including scoring, steals, assists, free-throw scoring, free-throw percentage and games played. She also pulled down over 500 rebounds. She was a two-time NAIA All-State player at Aquinas. In the Grand Rapids Press poll in 1999, she was voted one of the top 25 high school girl's basketball players in Grand Rapids City League history for her efforts at Grand Rapids Catholic Central. Patti Tibaldi, her Aquinas coach, stated that "she was often the smallest player on the floor but she had the biggest heart." Stegehuis went on to forge a successful 16-year career with Foremost Insurance and the former Old Kent Bank, now the Fifth Third Bank. She and her husband, Jack, reside in Caledonia with their children, Joseph, Hannah and Abigail. |
 |
Dan Pupel, Sr. ('58 ), inducted in 2007, has had an affiliation with Aquinas College and golf that has lasted nearly 50 years. He played on strong Aquinas golf teams from 1954-1957. After turning professional in 1958, he coached the Aquinas men's team to three outstanding seasons from 1959-1961. Pupel went on to a highly successful 30-year tenure at Forest Hills Central High School where he taught and coached boys' golf during that time. He also coached the girls' golf team for 15 years. During this time, his teams won 25 league championships (including 11 in a row with the boys' squad from 1979-1990), 14 regional championships and eight state runner-up finishes. Pupel was named Michigan Golf Coach of the Year three times and was inducted into the Michigan Coaches Hall of Fame in 1991. He is currently in his seventh year as the Aquinas women's golf coach. Dan and his wife, Sheila (Smith '58), a professor who passed away in 1999, had five children and, at one time, four of them attended Aquinas simultaneously. All are Aquinas graduates. In 1988, Pupel was awarded the prestigious "Outstanding Teacher Award" from the University of Chicago. He served two terms as a Kent County Commissioner and six years on the Aquinas Emeritus Board. Pupel possesses an intense love of golf, and is still both an avid player and a patient teacher of the game. |
 |
Rick Vryhof ('84 ), inducted in 2007, came from Calvin Christian High School in Grandville, Michigan to become one of the most prolific scorers in Aquinas Basketball history. In just three seasons he scored over 1,700 points and averaged 21 points per game. He still remains the fifth leading scorer in the Aquinas record book; and he did it without the benefit of the three-point shot. Vryhof currently remains ranked in the top five of numerous offensive categories at Aquinas, including free-throws made, average points-per-game, and the highest field goal percentage. An all-around talent, he possessd long-range shooting skills, an explosive first step to the basket and great jumping ability. He was a two-time All-State player who earned NAIA All-American recognition in 1984. A fierce competitor, he was also the epitome of sportsmanship and class on the court. Vryhof earned bachelor and master degrees from Aquinas and currently resides in Holland, Michigan with his wife, Sharon (Kuipers '85) and children, Caitlin and Trent. He is still active in basketball today, both playing and in coaching youth. He is employed by Herman Miller. |
 |
Jesse Young ('75 ), inudcted in 2007, was a two-time NAIA All-State baseball player while at Aquinas and then became the first two-time NAIA All-American baseball player in college history, earning those honors in 1974 and 1975. He was a key performer in Aquinas' first NAIA State Championship (1974) and regional appearance, and made game-winning hits in three of those five victories. He was the squad's leading hitter during this time. Young also played 12 seasons with the Grand Rapids Sullivans, winning NBC National Championships in 1983 and 1984 and several Honkbal Championships in the Netherlands. Young has played competitive baseball every summer since his days at Aquinas and has worked with many young players, encouraging them to come to Aquinas for its academic and baseball programs. Following graduation, he started a 31-year career in teaching and coaching. Young has spent the last 27 years at Rockford High School teaching business and coaching golf. He has coached many outstanding teams and was named state Coach of the Year in 2001 and inducted into the Michigan Golf Coaches Hall of Fame in 2005. An avid runner, he has additionally run in 23 River Bank Runs and four marathons.
|
 |
Al Dimavicius (’62) Life Achievement Award, inducted in 2006, graduated from Grand Rapids’ Catholic Central High School and came to Aquinas on a four-year golf scholarship. He finished in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, but not before he and his golf teammates left their marks in athletics. During Al’s four years at Aquinas, the golf team lost only five matches, earning them the nickname Yankees of the North” by the Grand Rapids Press for the teams outstanding achievements. Individually, Al was a four-year started and was captain for two years. In 1960, his team went undefeated and in the second year, they lost only one match. He joined the local amateur ranks following college and has managed to capture eight local major tournament wins, placing him second on the list of all-time victories among local players. His wins include three Grand Rapids City titles, two Kent County Amateurs, two West Michigan Amateurs and one City Match Play championship. In addition to playing the game, Al has enjoyed the game from the administrative side, as well. He’s been the president of the West Michigan Golf Association for 25 years. In 2000, he retired from his job as a senior claims specialist for State Farm Insurance, a position he held for 37 years. It was about the time the Al also made the switch to senior level play where, as he points out, he can now compete for the “fun of it.” He lives with his wife, Patricia, in Belmont (Michigan). They have a daughter, Mary, and one granddaughter, Penny. |
 |
Bob Sakocius (’78) Lifetime Achievement Award , inducted in 2006, came to Aquinas from Union High School (Grand Rapids) in 1974. While working on a bachelor’s degree in business administration, he was also a member of the Aquinas golf teams. Bob won school letters all four years and captained in 1978 team. He was a medalist in seven events during his final two years as well as an NAIA All- State performer in 1978 and 1979. Bob carried his love for the game into the local amateur ranks following college. In the 28 years since, he has accomplished a record that will likely go unmatched for many years. He is the top local amateur title holder with 24 wins to his name. His latest win came this past June, his ninth West Michigan Amateur Championship title. He has twice been a consecutive four-time winner of two area gold tournaments: the West Michigan Amateur (1992-95) and the Kent County Amateur (1989-92). He has won the Kent County Amateur and the Grand Rapids City Championship six times each and has three wins in the City Match Play. In addition to his many titles, Bob once again this year, was presented with the George Everse Trophy from the West Michigan Golf Association. The award is given annually to the golfer with the best scoring average in rounds played in the four local men’s major amateur events. Bob has received the award ten of the 16 years it has been presented. His professional career has been spent with Knape and Vogt, a local manufacturing firm, where he currently is transportation manager. Aside firm golf, Bob also enjoys woodworking in his spare time. He and his wife, Maribeth, have two grown children, Sara and John. |
 |
Greg Alksnis (’71) Lifetime Achievement Award, inducted in 2006, came to Aquinas College in 1966 from West Catholic High School (Grand Rapids). Greg played on the Aquinas golf teams while pursuing a bachelor of science in business administration degree. He captained the 1970 squad, which finished second in the NAIA state championships, earning the team an invitation to the NCAA regional event. Greg was AQ’s first NAIA All- State golfer. Following college, he continued to pursue his love of golf by competing in the area’s amateur tournaments. He was the first area golfer to have won each of the four local major amateur tournaments. He has six titles to his name, earning him the fourth spot on the all-time list of victories by local golfers. He has won two city championships, two City Match Play titles, one Kent County amateur medalist twice and was a three-time semi-finalist in the state amateur tournament. He also has captured twelve Blythfield Country Club championships, a Grand Rapids Elks title and a state Elks championship. When he’s not playing golf, Greg likes to fish, hunt and play tennis. He is co-owner, vice-president and secretary of Magic Steel Corporation of Grand Rapids. He and his wife, Sally, have one son, Austin and live in Ada. Greg has maintained his ties with Aquinas. He recently completed his third, three-year term as a member of the College’s Boards of Trustees and was given Trustee Emeritus status. |
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Shawn (Pearson) Gleason (’90), inducted in 2006, came to Aquinas for the opportunity to play volleyball at Aquinas. The journey transplanted Pearson in West Michigan from Flint Powers High School for what would become a memorable college career. She started every match during her four years on the Saints squad (142). Two of her teams still hold two of the school’s top volleyball records (29-11 and 28-13). Shawn finished her career with 17 individual school records (nine individual match and eight career). She earned NAIA All-State recognition three times and was named a first team All-State selection in her senior yea. Also that year, she became the first AQ volleyball player to earn All-American recognition and was recognized with Academic All-American honors, as well. Following graduation, she put her business degree to work as an administrator for AT & T in the Detroit Area and later as a national sales representative. She married Aquinas alumnus, Pete Gleason ('89), a former member of the Saints baseball team. The two have three children- Taylor, Jacob, and Libbie- all of whom are involved in sports. Both Shawn and Pete have spent time coaching their children in basketball, baseball and soccer and are the proud owners of an official-seized baseball field in their back yard. After eight years as a stay- at- home mom, Shawn recently returned to work with MEK Enterprises in Grand Blanc, Michigan. |
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Mike Wilson (’89), inducted in 2006, had an extraordinary career at Aquinas College. He is the only student- athlete in the history of AQ athletics to earn All-American honors (1987-89) and Academic All American honors (1987-89) in two sports (track and basketball). He earned 12 varsity letters during his AQ years (four each in indoor track, outdoor track and basketball). He also was a four-time District 23 high jump at the 1987 national indoor track meet. On the court, Wilson played on two of the most successful men’s basketball teams in school history, gathering over 500 rebounds and scoring 978 points. He averaged 15 points per game his senior year. Mike received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and communication arts in 1989. After graduation, Wilson was an assistant coach for the Saints mens’ basketball team (1990-93). He has been a teacher at his high school alma mater, Caledonia (Michigan), since 1992 where he has also coached girl’s varsity basketball (1993-96) and currently coaches boys’ and girls’ varsity tennis and freshman boys’ basketball. He married Aquinas alumna Becky Clark (’89) in 1993. They have two daughters, Kendall and Karlin, and reside in Caledonia. |
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Tom
Hofmann ('61) Lifetime Achievement Award, inducted
in 2005, was an outstanding athlete at Aquinas in the late
1950s and early 60s, playing both baseball and basketball.
He captained the 1961 baseball team to a 16-3 record and was
one of the first winners of the Joseph Baker Award given annually
to the outstanding senior athlete. After college, Hofmann
began a teaching career that has now spanned nearly five decades.
He enjoyed a brief stint in semi-professional baseball, playing
with the Grand Rapids Sullivans (1961-1974) and was a member
of the 1970 National Baseball Congress championship team.
In 1965, he joined the Grand Rapids Junior College (now GR
Community College-GRCC) as a coach and educator. In his Raider
coaching career (1966-1990), he guided his teams to nearly
700 wins and five national tournament appearances. His coaching
prowess earned him induction into the Community College Baseball
Coaches Hall of Fame in 1988. He was selected as one of the
coaches for the 1984 United States Olympic baseball team,
on several occasions, coached Taiwanese national teams. Hofmann
also spent three decades officiating high school basketball
and football as well as twenty years officiating Big Ten football.
His highlights included the 1989 Rose Bowl and the 1995 Orange
Bowl as well as XFL Football's Million Dollar Game in 2000.
Hofmann is now in his 46 th year as an educator. He served
as president of the GRCC faculty for 21 years and has spent
the past 15 years as chair of GRCC's Wellness Department.
Hofmann and his wife Becky (Busch '61-AQ), have four adult
children, Karen, Julie, Michael, and Eric, and five grandchildren.
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Dennis
Alexander('67), inducted in 2005, continues to retain
his position as Aquinas' third all-time leading scorer, nearly
40 years after his illustrious collegiate career. Alexander,
who came from Detroit Northeastern High School, was a four-year
started, playing 92 consecutive games- every game in his collegiate
career- and captained the Tommies (now, Saints) for two years.
He averaged over 22 points per game during his career and
was the College's all-time leading scorer for nearly twenty
years. He became the school's first basketball player to score
over two-thousand (2,034) career points, an achievement in
Michigan collegiate history that was second only to University
of Michigan 's great Cazzie Russell. Following graduation,
he began a lengthy coaching career with stops at East Catholic
High School in Detroit ; Central Michigan University ; Xavier
of New Orleans where his teams won over 300 games, nearly
80 percent of its games, in his twelve years as coach and
athletic director; and then, the University of Mississippi
. At Xavier, he was selected District or Conference Coach
of the Year eight times and won NAIA Area Coach of the Year
in 1981. At Central Michigan , he became one of the first
African-Americans to be named to a Division I basketball staff.
After coaching college basketball for almost thirty years,
Alexander returned to Michigan and has been an assistant principal
in Roseville Community School District for the past three
years. Dennis and his wife, Barbara, live in Southfield ,
Michigan . He has a son and daughter, Darwin and Brandi, from
a first marriage as well as three teenage step sons, Brandon,
Breland, and Barrett, and four grandchildren. |
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Sherry
Wilder('65), inducted in 2005, a Grand Rapids native
and Union High School graduate, made her mark on the AQ men's
golf teams in the mid-1960s. She was an outstanding player
and, nationally, was one of the top three women collegiate
golfers who, at the time, were awarded scholarships to compete
on the men's teams. In her final two years at Aquinas, she
won 70 percent of her contests against male opponents and
was a medalist in the NCAA event at Michigan State University
where she also set a course record. Wilder managed to win
numerous West Michigan golf tournaments including four Grand
Rapids city championships and was low amateur at the 1965
Wolverine Open. She enjoyed a professional playing career
before becoming an administrator and teacher. She was a regular
on the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tour for
seven years, during which time she captured eleven competitive
course records and served on the APGA Executive Board. She
became the first female head professional in the Palm Springs
area in 1974 and, later, was the first female general manager.
As a seasoned golf professional, Wilder also amassed an impressive
teaching record that has included Debbie Austin, LPGA Golf
Magazines Player of the Year; thirty-four of her students
were Club Champions; and five state champions. She also authored
an instruction book on golf- The Wilder Side of Golf
and has been a frequent contributor to several national golf
journals. Currently, she lives in California where she is
a director of golf for the Coachella Recreation and Park District,
the largest district in the state. |
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Mike
Hagan( '83), inducted in 2005, finished
an outstanding soccer career at Aquinas 20 years ago and still
his name remains atop the all-time scoring list. The East
Grand Rapids native was an offensive standout, helping to
lead the AQ teams to three consecutive winning seasons and
its first NAIA state championship. He was a three-time NAIA
All-Stater and team offensive MVP twice. He remains the all-time
leading scorer in AQ soccer history (63 goals & 32 assists);
most goals in a single game (7); and led the team in scoring
in two of his four seasons. In addition, Mike holds four of
the top ten single season offensive output records in AQ soccer
history. For five seasons, following graduation, he served
as an assistant coach for Saints soccer. He was also instrumental
in the initiating the alumni soccer game, which has become
a Homecoming Weekend tradition. Mike has worked the past twenty
years for Kent Manufacturing and is currently the central
sales manager. He and his wife Nancy (Hill '84 - AQ), have
three sons, Sean, Kevin, and Ryan, and live in the Grand Rapids
area. |
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Mauro
Caporuscio ('83), inducted in 2005, came to Aquinas
in 1978, bringing with him an athletic ability and passion
for the game of soccer that would help generate excitement
for the game at AQ. His defensive skills propelled the team
to three consecutive winning seasons. He was the squad's defensive
MVP once and received three NAIA All-State player honors.
He was selected as Aquinas' first NAIA soccer All-American
and was co-captain of the school's first NAIA State Championship
team of 1980. Following graduation, he played a year of semi-pro
soccer on the west coast before returning to the states to
play ten seasons in the Michigan-Ontario soccer league where
he garnered four all-star selections. Currently, his soccer
activity revolves around coaching his children's teams. He
is the owner/president of John C & Son Construction, a
longtime family concrete construction and trucking company
in the Detroit area. He and his wife, Grace Marie, live in
Macomb Township with their three children, Gianna, Giordano,
and Giovanni. |
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Alese
(Keiser) Wordley ('89), inducted in 2004, came to
Aquinas in 1985 from Williamston , MI . She earned both All-American
and Academic All-American honors while a member of the Aquinas
women's basketball team. On the court, she led her team in
rebounding three of her four years, capturing the title as
the all-time leading rebounder in Aquinas women's basketball
history with nearly 900 rebounds, averaging eight per game.
Also, she led her team in scoring in both her junior and senior
years and is the fifth leading scorer in women's basketball
history. Alese netted nearly 1,500 points for a 12.7 per game
average. Following graduation, she joined the professional
women's basketball ranks as a player/coach in Luxembourg for
one year. She returned to Grand Rapids where she served as
an assistant coach at both Catholic Central High School and
Aquinas College . In the fall of 1991, she began teaching
high school mathematics and science in Kentwood (MI) School
District . Alese taught and coached in the Kentwood Public
Schools for a decade before moving out of state. She currently
resides in Houston , Texas with her husband, Mark, and daughter,
Julia. |
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Fabian
Knizacky ('82), inducted in 2004, came to Aquinas
from Free Soil, MI in 1982. Fabian brought to Aquinas a passion
for running and was developed into racewalker by Coach Ernie
Mousseau. As a part of the track and field team, Fabian captured
four NAIA individual state titles and set a Michigan NAIA
meet record for the 10K racewalk. In addition, he was a five-time
All-American -- twice for both indoor and outdoor track and
one Academic All-American honor. His interest in racewalking
competition continued after college. Fabian lived and trained
at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado from 1982 until
1984. In 1983, he earned a silver medal in the 50K Racewalk
at the National Sports Festival, was part of an elite ten-member
relay team that set a world record for the number of miles
covered in a twenty-four hour period, and came to within 110
yards of qualifying for the 1984 Olympic trials in a 20K Racewalk
held in Dearborn, MI. He retired from racewalking in 1984,
following a fourth place finish in the TAC 40K Racewalk in
New Jersey. Fabian worked as an CPA in Grand Rapids and Lansing
in the late 1980's and served the City Of Eaton Rapids as
both it's Director of Finance and City Manager. Then, in 1994
he was hired as first administrator for his home county of
Mason County ( Michigan ), where he has since distinguished
himself as an effective leader. He and his wife, Vicki, have
two children Jessica and Theresa, and live Ludington, MI .
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Paul
Gnepper ('74), inducted in 2004, came to Aquinas
from New Riegel , Ohio for the opportunity to live out his
passion for baseball. During his college career, he won eight
varsity letters -- four in baseball and four in basketball-as
an outstanding two-sport athlete. Paul was Aquinas' first
baseball All-American, earning the honors in both 1973 and
1974. As a catcher, he went two and a half seasons without
making an error and the led the team in his senior year to
its first NAIA State Baseball Championship and on the regionals,
where the team eventually lost to the national champion, Lewis
University. Paul also excelled as a four year starter in basketball.
He led the team in scoring as a sophomore and junior and,
currently, is the seventh leading scorer in Aquinas College
Basketball History, scoring over 1,400 total points and averaging
15 points per game. After earning his master's degree at Bowling
Green State University in 1975, he joined Lakota Schools in
Kansas, Ohio , where he is in his 30 th and final year of
teaching eighth grade Health and Physical Education. In the
late 1980's, he became the winningest basketball coach in
Lakota High School history. And, as head baseball coach at
Lakota, Gnepper took his 1994 team to the Regional tournament
for the first time in school history. Paul and his wife, Mary
(Lauer '73) have two adult sons Brad and Adam, and one grandchild.
|
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Pat
Ryan ('70), inducted in 2004, left Aquinas 34 years
ago, but continues to hold the College's title as all-time
leading rebounder. During an outstanding college career, Pat
established many records that remain today, including most
rebounds (1092), highest-per-game rebound average (11.5),
most rebounds in a season (398), most rebounds in a singles
game (30 against Lake Superior State), and highest per-game-rebounds
in a single season (13.6). Pat is also ranked 15th in all-time
leading scoring with nearly 1,300 points. Although he played
he played much of his career against much bigger opponents,
Pat's tenacity and outstanding jumping ability allowed him
to excel. He was an NAIA All-Starter twice and led Aquinas
to post season play on two occasions. Pat came to Aquinas
form Mt. Carmel High School in Chicago. He returned to his
hometown after graduation when he began a 30 year career with
the Chicago Police Department. He retired in 2000 and is currently
a counselor in the Cook County Boot Camp, where comprehensive
education and rehabilitation programs are provided to give
convicted felons an alternative to prison. Pat and his wife
of 34 years, Mary Jane (Begin), a former Aquinas student,
have three children, Eddie, Karen, and Kevin. |

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1969
Men's Tennis Team (inducted in 2004): Led by Coach
Chuck Frydrych and assistant Terry Abel, the 1969 Men's Tennis
Team brought some well-deserved attention to Aquinas by posting
a 12-3 season record against outstanding competition that
year. The team caught fire at the season's end, defeating
NAIA heavy weights Ferris State and Eastern Michigan as well
as a host of other school to win the first NAIA State Men's
Tennis Championship in Aquinas History. That title catapulted
the team to the 1969 NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City
, where they finished eighth nationally out of 38 schools.
The finish represents the College's second highest team finishes
in Aquinas' history. |
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Tom
Carr ('75), inducted in 2003, came
from Lake Odessa High School where he was an outstanding track
and field performer. He came to Aquinas where he became known
as the "Aquinas strongman" and the "Gentle Giant." At one time,
Tom held school records for both indoor and outdoor shot put,
discus, hammer throw and the 35-pound weight. He still holds
the indoor and outdoor shot put records. He was 15 NAIA state
titles. He was the 1974 national champion in the NAIA outdoor
hammer throw, the College's first national champion. During
his four years, Aquinas won one NAIA state championship and
finished second the other three years. He is currrently teaching
elementary physical education in Stafford County, Virginia.
He has coached track and field, basketball, football and wrestling,
at all levels, from middle school through college. He is author
of Games From Long Ago and Far Away (Parker Publishing,
2002), and has a master's degree in physical education from
Virginia Commonwealth University. He is currently pusuing another
master's in curriculum and instruction through George Mason
University in Fairfax, Virginia. He and his wife, Charma, an
elementary school teacher, have two daughters. |
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Ralph
Colemen('61), inducted in 2003, came to Aquinas from
Lansing St. Mary's High School in 1955 and played basketball
for the College for three years. He led the team to consecutive
winning seasons (1958-59, '59-'60) for the first time in the
school's history. He was an all-time leading scorer and rebounder
when he left Aquinas and remains eleventh on the all-time scoring
list and ninth in rebounding. In 1958-59, he scored a total
of 422 points in an 18-game season, for a 23.4 ppg average.
In 1960, he scored 40 points in a game against Detroit Tech,
which, at the time, was the second highest point total in a
single game in school history. After being drafted into the
military for four years, he worked at Steelcase Corporation
while earning a degree in social work at Grand Valley State
Colleges. He worked for the Grand Rapids Board of Education
until his retirement in July of 1999. |
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Lori
(Grochowalski) Karas ('85) inducted in 2003, came to
Aquinas from Forest Hills Central and became a four-year starter
for the women's basketball Saints. She finished her career as
the second all-time leading scorer and the all-time leading
rebounder. She played on tow of the College's most successfull
women's teams ('83-84, & '84-'85). Lori was selected as
the 1983 MVP in one of the College's two Michigan AIAW State
Championships. She also was the co-captain of the most successful
team in Aquinas history (1984). Her former coach, Patti Tibaldi,
described Lori as "a coach's dream...a model of consistency."
Tibaldi recalled that Lori "had a great work ethic, was very
unselfish and always more interested in her teammates than herself."
Lori earned her bachelor degree in Computer Information Systems
and Business and went to wok as a senior systems analyst at
Meijer, Inc., where she has worked for the past 18 years. She
is active in the Relay for Life fundraiser for the American
Cancer Society, and lives in Walker, Michigan, with Daniel,
her husband of 15 years, and their three children, Kelly Marie,
Bradley Allen and Robert Daniel. |
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Dave
Gumpert ('86), inducted in 2003, came to Aquinas from
South Haven High School and led the College to baseball prominence
during his four years. A recipient of the Dennis Molnar Award,
he eventually held eleven Aquinas pitching records, was twice
named All-State and All-Region, and, in 1980, was named NAIA
All-American. During Dave's career at Aquinas, the team boasted
a record of 147 wins and 51 losses, winning three city championships
and the state crown in 1979. One of those wins was a one-hitter
which led Aquinas to its first-ever victory over Michigan State
University's squad. After stellar summers pitching with the
Grand Rapids Sullivans, he was signed by the Detroit Tigers'
scout Bob Sullivan and rose quickly through minor league ball
to join the Detroit Tigers. In his first major league outing,
he earned a save for the Tigers against the Texas Rangers. In
1983, he led the Tigers' pitching staff with a 2.64 ERA and
was named Tiger Rookie of the Year in a poll of Detroit Sports
Media. In 1987, he was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame.
He pitched six seasons in the majors with the Tigers, Cubs and
Royals before returning to South Haven High School, where he
is currently Director of Athletics. With his wife, Debbie, and
his two daughters, Shanley and Courtney, he raises show horses.
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The
1963 Golf Team (inducted in 2003): In the late 1950s
and early 1960s, Aquinas' golf team was known as "the Yankees
of the North" for their outstanding regional performances.
In 1963, Coach Dick McCormick lef his squad of six underclassmen
to national prominence against NCAA schools, blazing through
a 19-5 regular season, defeating Notre Dame, Western Michigan
University, Ferris State, Wayne State and all local competitors.
The team also beat Central Michigan on several occasions. In
this championship year, all six members of the team had seasonal
averages between 74 and 79. Beginning their season in the chill
and damp of Michigan March, the team ended by earning a berth
in the NCAA's invitation-only national tournament. Aquinas led
the tournament going into the final day, but host team Southwest
Missouri State, used to their home course and the steamy 100+
degree heat, pulled ahead to win by only eight strokes. Aquinas
second-place national finish remains the highest team finish
at a national sports competition in the College's sports history. |
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Patti (Blaesser) Tibaldi ('73), inducted
in 2002, was a pioneer in women's basketball,
beginning her coaching career at West Catholic High School in
the early 1970's. In her eight years there, she compiled a 163-34
record, winning four city league championships and a state championship
in 1979. She became head coach at Aquinas in 1978, developing
a program that in her 17 years amassed a record of 340 wins
to 136 losses, a winning percentage of over 71 percent. Under
Tibaldi's leadership, Aquinas College made three appearances
at the NAIA National Women's Basketball Tournament. She also
led Aquinas to the National Catholic Basketball Championship
in 1984. As of 1996, she was the eighth winningest coach in
NAIA history. She was inducted into the Basketball Coaches of
Michigan Hall of Fame in 1997, the West Catholic High School
Hall of Fame in 1998, and the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1999. Tibaldi
currently coaches girls' basketball at Traverse City West where
her husband, Joe, a 1973 Aquinas graduate, is principal. The
Tibaldi's have two children, Katie and Brian. |
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Paul Assenmacher ('84), inducted in 2002, was
an all-state pitcher on the Southgate Aquinas High School's
state championship team of 1979. During his years at Aquinas,
he pitched the Saints to two NAIA State championships and one
regional runner-up finish. His Aquinas teams completed a four-year
record of 165 wins and 69 losses. He twice earned NAIA All-American
recognition, and in 1989 | | |