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Colorado State University Pueblo

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2026 CSU Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame

CSU Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame Tim Simmons, CSU Pueblo Athletics Historian

Celebrating Excellence: CSU Pueblo Set for 17th Annual Athletics Hall of Fame Class Friday Night

Colorado State University Pueblo is preparing to roll out the red carpet for one of its most anticipated annual traditions. The 17th Annual Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony, presented by Canvas Credit Union, will take place Friday, October 16, 2026, in the Occhiato Student Center Ballroom.

This prestigious evening honors the historic achievements, dedication, and lasting legacies of legendary student-athletes, coaches, teams, and builders who have shaped CSU Pueblo's rich sports tradition.

Event Schedule & Highlights

The evening kicks off with a vibrant networking opportunity before transitioning into a full program celebrating Pack pride:

  • 6 p.m. – Registration and Social Hour

  • 7 p.m. – Official Welcome & Introductions (Master of Ceremonies Michael Salardino, President Dr. Rhonda Epper, Alumni Association's Daniel Minich, and VP for Athletics Dr. Paul Plinske)

  • 7:20 p.m. – Invocation and Dinner

  • 8 p.m. –  Official Induction Ceremony

  • 9 p.m. –  Closing Remarks by Dr. Plinske

The 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

This year's class represents the pinnacle of athletic achievement across multiple decades and disciplines:

  • Lauren Fairchild (Track & Field, 2016-2021) – Inducted as the 7th women's track & field honoree.

  • Scott Gallas (Football, 1977-1980) – The 15th football player inducted.

  • Mike Guenther (Wrestling, 1983-1985) – The 9th wrestling standout inducted.

  • Oni Lattin (Volleyball, 2014-2015) – The 8th volleyball inductee.

  • Donnell Leomiti (Football Coach, 2007-2020) – The 14th coach inductee.

  • Brad Ranson (Men's Basketball, 1980-1983) – The 17th men's basketball representative.

  • Tim Simmons (Sports Information/Historian, 1965-69, 1971-1974, 2021-present) – Honored as the 10th contributor for his decades of dedication.

  • John Trahan (Football, 1981-1984) – Joining as the 16th football inductee.

  • 2017-18 Women's Basketball Team – Claiming the 18th team induction slot and becoming only the fourth women's team to earn the honor.

Join us as we celebrate the stories, sweat, and success that define the ThunderWolves legacy. 

Here is a list of inductees into the CSU Pueblo Athletics Hall of Fame.

Men's HOF Student Athletes (underline indicates dual participant)

Baseball

  1. Pat Bekeza, 2009, 1966-69
  2. Dennis Jones, 2011, 1967-70
  3. Sam Christensen, 2013, 2001-02
  4. Jerry Hummitszch, 2013
  5. Don Schmidli, 2016, 1946-48
  6. Bob Busia, 2017, 1961, 63-64
  7. Steve Herzberg, 2017, 1968-71
  8. Tony Wittmus, 2019, 2002, 2004
  9. Mike Massaro, 2022, 2003-05

Basketball

  1. Cal Tatum, 2009, 1969-73
  2. Pat Bekeza, 2009, 1966-69
  3. Curtis Jimerson, 2010, 1958-60
  4. Sam Batey, 2012, 1961-65
  5. Mick McCall, 2012, 1975-78
  6. Jerry Hummitszch, 2013, 1959-61
  7. Bob Warlick, 2013, 1960-61
  8. Tommie Robinson, 2016, 1988-92
  9. Don Schmidli, 2016, 1946-48
  10. Guy Taylor, 2017, 1985-88
  11. Eugene Poston, 2018, 1954-56
  12. Maurice Blanding, 2019, 1995-97
  13. Jim von Loh, 2022, 1969-73
  14. Bobby Graham, 2023, 1963-66
  15. Damon Williams, 2024, 1996-98
  16. Reco Burt, 2025, 1993-95
  17. Brad Ranson, 2026, 1980-1983

Cross Country

  1. John Martinez, 2009, 1966-67
  2. Richard LeDoux, 2015, 1975-79
  3. Mike Duran, 2017, 1977-82
  4. Derrick Williams, 2023, 2014-18
  5. Marcel Laguera, 2025, 2015-20

Football

  1. Frank Grant, 2009, 1968-71
  2. Bill Gower, 2010, 1977-80
  3. Mick McCall, 2012, 1975-78
  4. Herman Heard, 2013, 1982-83
  5. Glen Printers, 2015, 1973-74
  6. Don Schmidli, 2016, 1946-48
  7. Bob Busia, 2017, 1961, 63-64
  8. Kirk Brynjulson, 2019, 1972-75
  9. Sam Clay, 2019, 1962-65
  10. Joe Martinez, 2020, 1956-57
  11. Chase Vaughn, 2020, 2008-09
  12. Darius Allen, 2022, 2011-14
  13. Ryan Jensen, 2023, 2009-12
  14. Cameron McDondle, 2024, 2012-15
  15. Scott Gallas, 2026, 1976-1980
  16. John Trahan, 2026, 1981-1984

Golf

  1. Jason Allen, 2010, 1992-97
  2. Mike Zaremba, 2012, 1973-76
  3. Rick Pobst, 2015, 1971-73

Soccer

  1. Robert Kinsey, 2018, 2008-11

Tennis

  1. Carey Brading, 2011, 1976-79
  2. Thomas Calhoun, 2016, 1995-98

Track & Field

  1. Frank Grant, 2009, 1968-71
  2. John Martinez, 2009, 1966-67
  3. Dan DeRose, 2011, 1981-84
  4. Jeff Martinez, 2012, 1989-92
  5. Richard LeDoux, 2015, 1975-79
  6. Don Schmidli, 2016, 1946-48
  7. Mike Duran, 2017, 1977-82
  8. Myron Jefferson, 2019, 1984-88
  9. Derrick Williams, 2023, 2014-18
  10. Thomas Staines, 2024, 2017-19
  11. Marcel Laguera, 2025, 2015-20

Wrestling

  1. Chuck Pipher, 2009, 1986-89
  2. Andy Pipher, 2010, 1988-92
  3. Chris Currier, 2012, 1994-99
  4. Dax Charles, 2015, 1989-94
  5. Mannie Garcia, 2018, 1990-93
  6. Trent Monlux, 2020, 1998-99
  7. Jesse Hillhouse, 2022, 2011-13
  8. Bryan Hawkins, 2025, 1983-85
  9. Mike Guenther, 2026, 1983-1985

Women's HOF Student Athletes (underline indicates dual participant)

Basketball

  1. Nadia Fercha, 2009, 2000-04
  2. Sherry Vallejos, 2011, 1988-92
  3. Suzanne Gonzales, 2013, 1986-89
  4. Sue Northrup Trahern, 2015, 1979-80
  5. Lisa Osleson Knafelc, 2017, 1977-81
  6. Ann DeBoe, 2020, 1978-1982
  7. Reji Pollard, 2022, 1986-90
  8. Deborah Hunter, 2023, 1985-87
  9. Shelly Watts, 2023, 1985-88
  10. Tuileisu Anderson, 2024, 2014-2018
  11. Fran Price, 2024, 1967-69
  12. Ruth Shelton, 2024, 1967-69
  13. Rachel Espinosa, 2025, 2007-2011
  14. Molly Rohrer, 2025, 2015-18

Cross Country

  1. Lauren Dunsmoor Leomiti, 2019, 2006-07
  2. Bailey Hughes, 2023, 2015-17

 Golf

  1. Leina Kim, 2024, 2012-15

 Gymnastics

  1. Connie Bond, 2010, 1980-81
  2. Kim Villers Schneider, 2015, 1981-83
  3. Kelly Nogare Downs, 2022, 1983-85

 Soccer

  1. Nadia Fercha, 2009, 2000-04
  2. Robin Hayes, 2013, 2004-07

 Softball

  1. Kerri Chase, 2010, 1999-2001
  2. Niki Toussaint, 2011, 1998-2001
  3. Monica Hashiguchi, 2016, 1999-2000
  4. Justine Bosio, 2020, 2009-13
  5. Fran Price, 2024, 1967-69

Tennis

  1. Daniela Ivana, 2009, 1997-2001

Track & Field

  1. Freda Hancock, 2009, 1986
  2. Yvonne Taylor, 2012, 1981-82
  3. Cindy Pool, 2016, 1981-83
  4. Dania Wyatt, 2018, 2010-12
  5. Bailey Hughes, 2023, 2015-17
  6. Andrea Tuck, 2025, 2012-16
  7. Lauren Fairchild, 2026, 2016-21

 Volleyball

  1. Angie Wintz, 2011, 1994-97
  2. Suzanne Gonzales, 2013, 1986-89
  3. Sue (Northrup) Trahern, 2015, 1979-80
  4. Pepper Whittlef Mahon, 2018, 1995-96
  5. Reji Pollard, 2022, 1986-90
  6. Deborah Hunter, 2023, 1985-87
  7. Ruth Shelton, 2024, 1967-69
  8. Oni Lattin, 2026, 2014-2016

Women's Coaches, Induction, Years, Sport(s)

  • Kay Aguilar, 2013, 1967-86, Field Hockey, Tennis
  • Jessie Banks, 2008, 1966-85, Basketball, Volleyball, Softball

 Name, Induction, Years, Sport(s)

  • "Spank" Blasing, 2009, 1956-84, AD, Track, Cross Country, Football
  • Joe Folda, 2018, 1987-2018, AD, Basketball
  • Mike Friedman, 2023, 1974-1983, Football
  • Chuck Haering, 2015, 1971-1993, Football, Cross Country, Track
  • Donnell Leomiti, 2026, 2007-2020, Football
  • Don McIntosh, 2010, 1969-84, 1988-89, Tennis, Basketball
  • Doug Moses, 2011, 1982-2001, Wrestling
  • Tom Muhic, 2012, 1968-70, 1972, Baseball
  • Joe Prater, 2016, 1956-73, Football
  • Dr. Dale Rea, 2009, 1937-41, Football, Basketball
  • Stan Sanchez, 2024, 1993-2020, Baseball
  • Jack Seilheimer, 2012, 1963-2012, Faculty Rep, Football
  • Harry Simmons, 2008, 1945-80, AD, Basketball, Football, Baseball
  • Don Stutters, 2019, 1960-81, Football, Baseball

Teams, Induction, Years, Gender, Sport

  • 1996 College World Series Team, 2010, 1996, Men, Baseball
  • 1961 National Champion Team, 2009, 1960-61, Men, Basketball
  • 1956, 1957, 1960 National Tournament Teams, 2012, 1956-57, 1960, Men, Basketball
  • 1971-1972 Team, 2015,  1971-1972, Men, Basketball
  • 1990-1991 Team, 2019, 1990-91, Men, Basketball
  • 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 Teams, 2018,  2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, Women, Basketball
  • 2016-2017 Team, 2023, 2016-2017, Women, Basketball
  • 2017-2018 Team, 2026, 2017-2018, Women, Basketball
  • 2014 National Champion Team, 2021, 2014, Men, Football
  • 1982 Team, 2024, 1982-1983, Men, Football
  • 1971-1972, 1972-1973 Golf, 2016, 1971-72, 1972-73, Men, Golf
  • 2011-2012 Team, 2024, 2011-2012, Women, Golf
  • 2013-2014 Team, 2024, 2013-2014, Women, Golf
  • 1982 NAIA Runner-Up Team, 2011, 1982, Women, Gymnastics
  • 2001 RMAC Champions, 2020, 2001, Women, Softball
  • 1996-1997 Team, 2022, 1996-1007, Women, Volleyball
  • 1985 National Runner-up Team, 2013, 1984-1985, Men, Wrestling
  • 1991 Team, 2017, 1991, Men, Wrestling

Name, Induction, Years, Category, Sport(s)

  • Jim Brooks, 2025, 1987-91, 2010-present, Contributor, Media
  • Art & Lorraine Gonzales, 2010, N/A, Contributor, Contributors
  • Dr. Richard Krinsky, 2015, 1968-Present, Contributor, Team Handball
  • Dave Miller, 2017, 1988-P, Contributor, Public Address Announcer
  • Robert H. Rawlings, 2009, N/A, Contributor, Contributors
  • Mike Roumph, 2020, 1988-2020, Contributor, Contributor, Wrestling, Basketball
  • Max Salas, 2024, 1990s, Contributor, Contributors, Baseball
  • Tim Simmons, 2026, 1947-present, Contributor, All Sports
  • Dave Socier, 2013, 1960s-2000s, Contributor, Media
  • Friends of Football, 2011, N/A, Contributor
  • Trahern Family, 2023, 1978-1985 / 2005-2012, Legacy, Basketball, Volleyball
  • Women's Recreation Association, 2024, 1933-1970, Legacy, All Sports
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