The following is a list of all of every class of inductees into the Avila Athletics Hall of Fame. Congratulations to all of these individuals and teams on this honor, and thank you for all you've done to leave a lasting impact on the Avila University community.

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2024 Avila Athletics Hall of Fame Class

Tyler Cardwell '12, Football

­Tyler Cardwell was one of the top defensive players in the second decade of Avila football, part of the first group of Eagles to play their home games on campus. Cardwell racked up 14 interceptions over his three years as a starting defensive back along with 14 pass breakups and eight tackles for loss. In 2011, he finished his career ranked third in the NAIA with eight interceptions - including one returned for a touchdown. Cardwell's eight interceptions is still the Avila single-season record.

Alyssa D'Egidio '13, Women's Soccer

­Alyssa D'Egidio made a massive impact on the Avila women's soccer team in a very short time, scoring 27 goals over 31 games in two seasons. She also recorded three assists in each of her two seasons and scored a total of six game-winning goals, helping lead the Eagles to double-digit wins each year and a berth in the HAAC Tournament in 2012. In 2011, she and teammate Danielle Price each scored 15 goals, which remains the record for most goals scored by an individual and duo in modern Avila women's soccer history.

Tom McCullough, Honorary Member

­There have been few people who have done more to improve the foundation and functionality of the modern era of Avila Athletics than Tom McCullough. A true benefactor for a school he literally considers close to home, McCullough was instrumental to many recent advancements to Avila Athletics, including locker rooms, the gym floor and the Hall of Fame display, where his name will now be permanently enshrined.

2022 Avila Athletics Hall of Fame Class

Robert Turner '00, Men's Basketball

­A standout on the hardwood for his whole career, Bob Turner was an All-Conference selection every year he played at Avila, and at one point led the team in points, assists, steals and three-pointers, and was named the team's most valuable player. He's stayed involved in the sports world post-graduation as well, serving both as a basketball coach at Lee's Summit West High School and as a softball coach with Top Gun Academy.

Melissa (Vasko) Turner '02, Softball

A four-year letterwinner as a pitcher for the Avila softball team, Melissa Vasko was an All-Conference and All-Region selection as a player who finished her career in 2002 in possession of multiple team records. She graduated with honors from Avila's nursing program and currently serves as an RN and an assistant softball coach at Top Gun Academy. Melissa and Robert Turner met on the Avila campus in the fall of 1998, were married in 2002, and now enter the Avila Athletics Hall of Fame together.

Massimo Scaccia '06, Football

The best placekicker in the early years of the Avila football team, Massimo Scaccia finished his collegiate career in possession of every kicking record in school history. He connected on 50-yard field goals in high school and then again in college, where he was a four-time Heart of America All-Conference honoree. After Avila, Scaccia went on to kick for several semi-pro teams, and played in the Arena Football League for two seasons.

Adam Short '11, Men's Basketball

Adam Short was a standout in his two seasons playing basketball in Kansas City. After spending his first two collegiate seasons at Joliet Junior College in Illinois, where his team finished as the national junior college runners-up, he spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons at Avila, where he averaged 16.7 points over 60 games to complete his Avila career with exactly 1,000 points. Short has built an impressive resume as a coach, which includes a 10-year run with youth league MOKAN, and collegiate stints at Avila, State Fair Community College, Central Missouri, SIU-Edwardsville and Texas.

Chris Thomas, Baseball

Chris Thomas was tremendous in his two seasons pitching for Avila, putting together a 17-6 record in 25 games, sporting a lifetime 1.69 ERA and 194 strikeouts against just 39 walks. In 2012, he paced the NAIA in wins, finished fourth in opponent average and ERA, and was named First Team All-American. He parlayed that success in Kansas City into a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he advanced as far as AAA Memphis in 2015 – the only former Eagle baseball player to ever make it to AAA. Thomas deferred his induction from a year ago, and will now formally enter the Hall as a member of the Class of 2021.  

Daryl Cronk, Baseball (†)

One of the longest-tenured and most respected members of the Avila Athletics team, Daryl Cronk was Avila's head baseball coach for ten seasons before he passed away in December 2021 at the age of 46. A former All-American pitcher at Pittsburg State, Cronk took over as head coach of the Eagles in 2012. Overall, his teams won more than 230 games, made six appearances in a conference tournament and made three appearances in the NAIA tournament. A kind, genuine and passionate person, Coach Cronk's legacy lives on not just through the baseball team, but through everyone that knew him.

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2021 Avila Athletics Hall of Fame Class

Cindy Freeman, Dance 

Already a 2016 inductee into the Avila Athletics Hall of Fame as the head coach of the 2005 National Champion Avila dance team, Cindy Freeman now officially enters the Hall as an individual as a member of the Class of 2020. Still the head coach of the team she founded in 2000, Freeman has turned a brand-new program into a legitimate powerhouse in the sport – the Glitter Girls captured one championship and three second-place spots at the DTU College Classic in Orlando, Florida in April 2021, and won the ninth conference championship in program history in February.

Laura (Ten Eyck) Joens '10, Volleyball

The offensive anchor of the Avila volleyball team for four years, Laura Ten Eyck finished her Avila career with 1,308 kills, the most by any player in modern Avila history, highlighted by her 2007 season where she totaled a career-best 407 kills. Over 114 career matches, she also tallied more than 100 aces, more than 100 blocks, and more than 1,000 digs.

Sedrick Johnson '16, Men's Basketball

Dominant doesn't even begin to describe Sedrick Johnson's four-year career in Kansas City – he averaged 19.5 points per game over 116 career contests to finish with 2,258 points, the most in modern Avila men's basketball history. A gifted all-around player, Johnson also averaged better than five rebounds, four assists and two steals in all four seasons as an Eagle, and he paced the NAIA in steals and finished second in scoring as a junior in 2015-16.

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2020 Avila Athletics Hall of Fame Class

Alex Aiman '88, Men's Soccer

As captain of one of the most successful teams in Avila Men’s Soccer history, Alex Aiman served as a leader on the field while excelling in the classroom. During his senior year, Aiman’s captainship fortified the squad as it qualified for the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship for the second time in program history. A member of the All-Region and All-Midwest teams, the team finished 18-5-3, including a win in the first round of nationals.

A double graduate of Avila, Aiman earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Natural Science in 1988, before earning his Master’s degree in Science and Technology in 1993 from Baker University. As a science teacher at Blue Valley West High School for 20 years, soccer has remained a key part of Aiman’s life. His boys and girls teams have won 10 state championships and made 14 championship game appearances. His success in 2009 with the girls’ team led him to be recognized as the NSCAA National Coach of the Year, and he also earned regional Coach of the Year honors in 2008 and 2010. Married to Jennifer (Yarshen) Aiman ’89 for more than 31 years, the couple has twin daughters, Alexis and Madison.

1979-80 Men's Basketball Team

The 1979-80 Avila College’s Men’s Basketball team set numerous records while earning several statement victories over nationally ranked teams, putting the young program on the map.

The first team to play in Mabee Fieldhouse, the Avalanche finished 18-12 - the best finish in program history to that point. The record was good enough for a postseason appearance in the District 16 playoffs. Highlights from the season included a 71-69 victory over NCAA Division I opponent Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville in the midseason UMKC Tournament and the program’s first win over NAIA powerhouse Marymount College in Municipal Auditorium, prevailing 87-75.

Head coach: Bill Waris (†)

Assistant coaches: Jeff Gilmore ’80 and Dennis Joyce ’77

Austin Candler

Orvstin Candler

Frederick Haney ’83

Mark Hatchett ‘83

Baxter Jones (†)

Ron McCleary

Theodore Melton

Mike Moran ‘83

Darrek Porter ‘82

Gerald Rasmussen

Thomas Rice ‘80

Timothy Ross ‘81

Marvin Sellers ’83

Eric Talmadge ‘81

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2019 Avila Athletics Hall of Fame Class

Mike Corrigan '90 - Men's Soccer

Mike Corrigan was a four-year letterwinner for the men's soccer team, and a prolific goal scorer. He recorded 98 goals and 37 assists over his career, averaging nearly two goals per game despite fighting injuries through much of his senior season. He was a four-time All-District 16 selection and a three-time all-regional honoree. He was also recognized as an NAIA First Team All-American in 1986 and 1987. The 1987 Avila team was the second to qualify for the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship, with Corrigan helping the team to a 1-1 record in the tournament and an 18-5-3 overall mark.

Corrigan graduated from Avila in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science in business administration, after marrying his wife Susie (Lindsey) Corrigan '87 in 1988, whom he met at Avila. They have been married for 31 years and have three children Jake, Patrick and Nicole. 

Kevin Furderer '05 - Football

A member of Avila's inaugural football team, Kevin Furderer was a four-year standout for the Eagles, rushing for a career total of 3,312 yards and 23 touchdowns. He ranks second on the single-season rushing yard leaderboard for Avila, running for 989 yards in 2003, which earned him second team All-Heart of America Athletic Conference honors. In 2004, he was ranked 44th in the nation with a rushing average of 74.8 yards per game, picking up 823 yards on the year with five touchdowns.

Furderer came to Avila to play football from Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio. He met his wife, Cassi (Kline) Furderer '05, while attending Avila. They are parents to three children: Maddison and identical twin boys, Kipton and Dominic. 

2011-12 Women's Basketball Team

Led by third-team All-American Torie Murillo '14 and second-team All-Heart of America selection Brittany Townsend '13, the 2011-12 women's basketball team was the first team in school history to advance to the second round of the NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Championship. After finishing second in the league and earning an automatic qualifier bid to return to the postseason for the second consecutive season, the Eagles upset the top-seed Freed-Hardeman University in a thrilling 84-82 double-overtime first round contest.

Avila finished the season ranked No. 24 in the NAIA Coaches Poll, and were among the NAIA's leaders in several statistical categories including top-20 marks in rebounds allowed (11th, 33.939/game), 3-pt defense (13th, 0.265) and three-pointers made (17th, 204) as a team. Individually, Murillo led the country in steals (132) and steals per game (4.258), with Branch, Bruner '13, Gimlin '13 and Capeder '15 also representing the Eagles among the best in the country.

Brittany (Townsend) Branch '13
Kendra (Crow) Collier '13
Rebekah (Capeder) Gilday '15
Courtney Gimlin '13
Loganne (Grider) Hickman '12
Arianne Henry '14
Ashley Lattimer
Stephanie Miller ‘16
Torie Murillo '14 '16
Sam York '13
Head coach - Larry Williams
Assistant coach - Bob Lehman

2018 Avila Athletics Hall of Fame Class

Nicolas (Nick) Field '13 - Baseball

Jan Humphreys - Photographer

Jan Humphreys was Avila's staff photographer for four years before retiring to spend more time with his family. Humphreys began taking photos for former women's basketball coach Larry Williams in 2013, and his role increased from there. He started taking individual head shots and creating posters for Williams, but his talent soon caught on to the rest of the department, and he began to have a much bigger role within the department. Humphreys started providing action shots from Avila home games for use on Avila's new athletic website in 2014, and continued to do so on a regular basis until the end of the 2017 school year.

Humphreys also provided team and individual photos, schedule posters, and much more in his time as Avila's photographer, and his photos were used almost exclusively on the athletic website from 2014-17.

2013 Avila Cheer Team

The 2013 Avila cheer team won their first UCA National Championship in 2013 in Open All-Girl Cheer, joining the 2005 Avila Glitter Girls as Avila's only national champions in school history. The team, coached by Melissa Shipman, beat out nine other programs from the NCAA, NAIA and NJCAA ranks to bring home the national championship on Jan. 19, 2013 in Orlando, Fla.

2017 Avila Athletics Hall of Fame Class

Alyson (Young) Hooten '11 - Women's Basketball

Alyson (Young) Hooten turned in one of the greatest four-year careers in the history of the women’s basketball program in her time at Avila. She finished her career as Avila’s all-time leading scorer with 1,988 points, and left the program in the top-three in multiple statistical categories, including blocked shots, rebounds, field goals, free throws and games played. She averaged 16 points per game in her career, and a record 19.7 points per game as a senior during the 2010-11 season while leading her team to their first ever trip to the NAIA National Tournament. She also earned NAIA All-American accolades in her senior campaign. Hooten was the first Eagle to earn All-Conference honors in all four seasons of competition, and is still the only player to earn a conference player of the year award when she won it as a senior in 2011. She was also named Freshman of the Year in 2008.

Charles (Chuck) Otec '87 - Men's Soccer

Chuck Otec proved to be one of the top defenders in the nation as an Eagle, earning All-District 16, All-Missouri and All-Midwest Honors in back-to-back seasons in 1985 and 1986. His elevated play in the 1986 season helped him lead the Eagles to their highest national ranking of all time when they climbed all the way to No. 4 in the polls heading into the District Playoffs. That season Otec became the program’s fifth player to earn NAIA All-American status, earning third team honors. As a senior, Otec helped the Eagles to one of their best seasons of all time defensively, allowing just seven goals during the regular season.

2012 Avila Baseball Team

The 2012 Avila baseball team solidified their place in Avila Athletics history when they won the Heart of America Athletic Conference regular season championship to advance to the opening round of the NAIA Baseball World Series. The conference title was the third in program history for the Eagles at the time, and they finished 1-2 in in opening round play. The team won over 40 games for the seventh time, finishing 41-16 behind one of the top pitching staffs in the conference. Avila’s team ERA of 3.79 topped the HAAC that season, and ranked 30th in the nation. First Team All-American Chris Thomas and First Team All-HAAC selection Jason Paul were the anchors of the pitching staff, combining for a 24-4 record and a combined 14 complete games for the Eagles. Offensively, the Eagles had seven different players bat over .300 on the season. Overall, 10 different Eagles earned All-Conference honors in the Heart, with four earning first team honors, five earning second team honors and one player earning honorable mention. The Eagles also had three players earn the Rawlings Gold Glove award, which is given to the top fielder at each position in the conference.

2016 Avila Athletics Hall of Fame Class

Jinny Chapman '02 - Softball

Jinny Chapman was an anchor for the Eagles behind the plate as catcher for four years, finishing her career in 2002. As a freshman, she earned Second Team All-MCAC, moving up to First Team All-Conference in her sophomore season. Her last two years were capped with All-Conference Honorable Mention in Avila's brand-new conference, the Heart of America, as a junior and First Team All-Conference as a senior in 2002. That year, she went on to add Second Team All-Region honors and become an NAIA Second Team All-American.

Andy Diaz - Baseball

Andy Diaz came to Avila from California, spending the 1999 season with the team. Diaz helped the Eagles win 41 games in his only season, leading the team in hitting on his way to earning MCAC Player of the Year and First Team All-MCAC honors. Diaz also became the second Eagle to earn NAIA All-American honors, landing on the Second Team. Diaz set a program record with a 33-game hitting streak and finished the 1999 season with a team-leading .449 average.

Mike Klein - Baseball

Mike Klein enjoyed a fantastic three-year career with the Eagles from 1995-1997, earning back-to-back MCAC Player of the Year awards in 1996 and 1997. As a senior, Mike hit over .400 with 13 home runs and 71 RBI, earning Second Team All-American honors while helping the Eagles to a 40-win season. Klein was the first Eagle in program history to win two Player of the Year awards, and was also named to the First Team All-MCAC as a junior and senior. As a sophomore, Klein was named Second Team All-MCAC. In his three seasons as a member of the baseball team, the Eagles never won fewer than 36 games and won 40 or more games twice.

Ashley (Townsend) Hardwick '09 - Women's Basketball

Ashley Hardwick (Townsend), an Orrick, Mo., native, made an impact both on and off the court in her brilliant four-year career with the women's basketball team. As a freshman, Hardwick helped her team earn the Academic Geer Cup for the first time in school history. As a sophomore, she kept up her high standard of academic excellence while also becoming an All-Conference player, earning Honorable Mention honors in the HAAC. Her junior year was arguably her best on the court, earning First Team All-HAAC and Third Team All-American. Off the court, she won the Emil S. Liston Award and was named an NAIA Scholar Athlete. As a senior, Hardwick became the first Eagle to win the HAAC Player of the Year award, and was also named First Team All-HAAC for a second-straight year. She was once again named an NAIA Scholar Athlete and graduated Summa Cum Laude with an degree in accounting.

2005 Avila Glitter Girls

The 2005 Avila Glitter Girls solidified their place in Avila Athletics history when they won the 2005 UDA National Championship in the Hip-Hop Division. The National Championship was the first of any kind in Avila's athletics history, and it was won by the program in just its fifth year of existence under the leadership of head coach Cindy Freeman, who founded the program in 2000. The team also earned a third-place trophy in the Jazz Division at the championships in Orlando, Fla.

1975 Avila Volleyball Team

Every once in a while you have a team that makes an impact beyond the school they play for, and that is what Avila's first volleyball team did. There was no way of knowing the legacy they would leave back in 1975 but it is clear now. They set the stage for success as leaders and trailblazers, they brought Avila recognition and distinction. This inaugural team developed women who went on to startup companies such as Cerner and Phoenix Healthcare Solutions. What this group of young women did on the court was great for the program, but their success off the court will forever be engrained into the mission and success of Avila University and its athletic department.

Prior Inductees

2014 - Jim Huber, Sr., Baseball Coach

Jim Huber, Sr. was the Assistant Baseball Coach from 1993-1994 and Head Baseball Coach from 1994-2004. Huber built the Eagles into one of the top baseball programs in the area, which included four seasons of 40-plus victories, multiple conference and district championships, as well as being named NAIA District 16 Coach of the Year in 1994 and Coach of the Year in the Conference and Region in 2000. Coach Huber remains the winningest coach in Avila history.

2008 - Scott Royal-Ferris, Soccer Coach/Athletic Director

Scott Royal-Ferris began his career at Avila as the Men's Soccer coach in 1983, compiling an impressive 95-24-13 record during his seven seasons. While coaching at Avila, he was named NAIA Coach of the Year in 1987, with his team winning the District Soccer Championship and competing in the national tournament. What Coach Royal-Ferris was most proud of during his time at Avila was the 100 percent graduation rate for all of his athletes. In 1984, Royal-Ferris became Avila's First Athletic Director. During his tenure he was responsible for many changes in the athletic department, including starting both the baseball and softball programs, establishing the booster club, overseeing the creation of the Zarda Complex, hiring the first Athletic Trainer and developing the athletic training room.

2007 - Craig Kasten '90 - Soccer

Kasten attended Avila from 1981-84 where he was a four-year starter and four-year letterwinner in men's soccer. Kasten was a member of the 1982 team that finished fourth at the NAIA national tournament and was selected to the All-Tournament Team. Kasten earned the honor of being selected to the NAIA All-American First Team in 1983 and again in 1984, becoming the only Avila athlete to have the honor of back-to-back First Team All-American honors. Kasten graduated from Avila in 1990 with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Psychology.

2006 - Kari Donnell-Clevenger '00, '06 - Women's Basketball

Kari Donnell-Clevenger attended Avila from 1996-00 where she was a four-year starter and letter winner in basketball. She earned First Team MCAC All-Conference honors during the 1997-1998 and 1999-2000 seasons while earning NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete recognition for three-consecutive years beginning in 1997. At the conclusion of her playing career, she held the Avila school record in career assists (634), career steals (368) and minutes per game (38.5) over 126 contests.

Donnell-Clevenger gained recognition four-straight years on the Dean's honor roll and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Avila in 2000 with a Bachelor's Degree in Communications. Donnell-Clevenger also received the prestigious Avila Medal of Honor in 2000.

2005 - 1982 Men's Soccer Team

In just their sixth year of existence as an intercollegiate program, the 1982 Men's Soccer Team placed fourth at the NAIA national soccer tournament. Finishing the season with an overall record of 18-5-1, they also captured the District 16 Championship for the first time in school history by defeating cross-state rival Lindenwood. Avila finished the 1982 regular season as the No. 1-rated team in the NAIA national poll and received the No. 1 seed in the national tournament.

Team members: Joe Schrick, Matt Tierney, Craig Westbrook, Butch Miller, Scott Huber, Neil Kelly, Assistant Coach Orlin Stener, Ron Essmyer, Kevin Holman, Neil Madigan, Phil Bryde, Joe Eppy, Tom Zahner, Ryan Roberts, Mike Auck, Tom Unger, Larry Larson, Craig Kasten, Tom Hampel, Head Coach Chris Carenza.

2004 - Jessica Dawn Pankey '99 - Women's Basketball

Pankey attended Avila from 1994-99, where she was a four-year letterwinner in basketball and a two-year letter winner in volleyball. Basketball was the sport in which she truly excelled. She earned First Team MCAC All-Conference each of her four years and was selected the MCAC Basketball Newcomer of the Year in 1994-1995. At the conclusion of her playing career, she was only the seventh person in NAIA history to have over 1,700 points and 1,200 rebounds.

Pankey gained recognition several times on the Dean's honor roll and graduated from Avila in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing

2004 - Sister Olive Louise Dallavis, Honorary Member

Sister Olive Louise served as President of Avila from 1960-85. In 1974, under her leadership, the athletic department was launched. Through her efforts and dedication, she spearheaded the fundraising efforts to begin construction of Mabee Fieldhouse. She is a fixture at Avila athletic events and is one of its staunchest supporters.

Dallavis was very active in the Kansas City community, serving numerous organizations and committees while always representing Avila in a most esteemed manner.

2003 - Dr. Fred Geer, Honorary Member

Since he began as professor of Education and Psychology at Avila University in 1977, Dr. Fred Geer has always found time to support Eagle athletics. His contributions as a coach, mentor to student-athletes, and faculty athletic representative have been vital to the growth of the Avila University Athletic Department.

Dr. Geer's association with the Eagle athletic teams began in 1978 when he coached the Avila University men's and women's tennis teams. Since 1982, he has served as Avila's Faculty Athletic Representative where he oversees student-athlete eligibility and advises the athletic department on compliance with Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) and National Intercollegiate Athletic Association (NAIA) bylaws.

Throughout his time at Avila, Dr. Geer has been an ardent fan of Eagle athletics and advocate of Avila student-athletes. A fixture at Eagle athletic events, Dr. Geer has committed his life to mentoring, educating, and befriending the student-athletes of Avila University. With his contributions, Eagle athletics and Eagle student-athletes have flourished.

2003 - Thomas F. Gordon, J.D., L.L.M., Honorary Member

Thomas Gordon's presidency at Avila University is one that will be remembered fondly by Eagle players and coaches. President Gordon's association with Avila began in 1977 when he assumed his role as the University's general counsel. He also served as a member of the Board of Trustees from 1990-1999. In 2000, Mr. Gordon was named Avila's Interim President and became its permanent President in 2001.

During his tenure as President, the growth and development of Avila's athletic department was profound. Avila's move to the prestigious Heart of America Athletic Conference in 2000 and the renovation of Avila's Mabee Fieldhouse in 2001 occurred during his presidency. These moves, coupled with the introduction of intercollegiate football and the competitive spirit squads in 2001, and the introduction of women's golf, have established Avila as an institution that successfully combines academics and competitive athletics.

2001 - Tina (Caldwell) Holland '91 - Volleyball/Women's Basketball

Tina (Caldwell) Holland is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of Avila University. She earned NAIA District 16 All-District recognition in two sports during her time at Avila.

A case could be made that Holland was one of the top volleyball players ever to put on a uniform at Avila. In her 1988 sophomore year, she was named to the All-District Second Team, and then was named to that unit's First Team after each of her final two seasons. In addition to prowess on the volleyball court, she was also an outstanding basketball player, earning Second Team All-District honors in that sport as a freshman. A member of Sigma Theta Tau, a professional nursing society, while at Avila, Holland graduated with a 3.4 GPA.

2001 - Mark Hatchett '83 - Men's Basketball

From the time he scored 27 points in his fifth college game against Culver-Stockton, Mark Hatchett was one of the most exciting players in the history of men's basketball at Avila College.

An NAIA All-American as a senior, Mark was a four-year starter for head coach Bill Waris, averaging 18.3 points per game his final season. In 26 games his senior year, the 6-5 forward was the team's leading scorer 15 times and averaged 10 rebounds per game. Mark was named to the All-Tournament team at the Rockhurst Blue Ribbon Tournament as a freshman and again as a sophomore. As a junior, he was the MVP of both the Avila Classic and the MANC Pioneer Classic, and was the Avila basketball MVP as a senior. Hatchett was a three-time NAIA All-District performer.

2001 - Jeff Gilmore '80 - Men's Basketball

One of the most prolific scorers in the history of men's basketball at Avila College, Jeff Gilmore left his mark from 1974-77 as a force to be reckoned with on the hardwood.

Gilmore was the MVP of the St. Louis Classic in the winter of 1975, the same year he earned honorable mention All-District 16 honors as a sophomore. A player with a complete game, Gilmore averaged 16 points, seven boards and four assists a game as a sophomore.

His junior year under head coach Bill Waris was also outstanding - 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists per night - and he lit up Columbia College (34 points) and Missouri Baptist (35 points) in back-to-back contests. A Second Team All-District selection in 1976, Gilmore was later an assistant coach under Waris until 1981.

2001 - Ginger Coldsnow - Women's Basketball/Women's Soccer

Ginger Coldsnow was one of the brightest stars in the early history of women's athletics at Avila College. A 6-0 center with outstanding rebounding skills, Coldsnow was a four-time NAIA All-District 16 selection during her playing days for the Avalanche.

A native of Lee's Summit, Mo., she was the eighth-leading rebounder in the nation as a freshman. Coldsnow was a team captain her senior year, and also played soccer for Avila's first women's soccer team, giving her team one of the area's most athletic goalkeepers.

In a playing career that spanned from 1982-86, Coldsnow was a pioneer, and an outstanding student - graduating summa cum laude in mathematics - and leader and one of the top female athletes in the history of Avila College.

2000 - Joyce (Heimsoth) Nelson '94 - Women's Basketball/Softball

Nelson is a 1994 graduate and was a member of the women's basketball and softball teams. While at Avila, she was a two-time letterwinner in softball and a four-time letterwinner in basketball and a member of the Dean's list. In 1993 and 1994 Nelson was named to the NAIA Academic All-American team in basketball and was named Honorable Mention All District in basketball in 1994. Nelson graduated as the women's basketball second all-time leading scorer. After graduating, she was named assistant coach for the women's program and served in this capacity for three seasons through the 1996-97 campaign.

2000 - Dennis D. Hallblade '92 - Men's Basketball

Hallblade was a four-year letterwinner in men's basketball from 1988-92. He earned Second Team All-District in 1988 and was First Team All-District in 1988-92. For his efforts his senior year, Dennis was named to the 1992 NAIA All-American team. Hallblade is the Avila College career leading scorer and graduated with a 3.15 GPA. Hallblade is a member of the Avila College Alumni Board and is also in the Eagle Booster Club.

2000 - Diane McLaury Anderson '89 - Women's Basketball/Volleyball

Anderson was a 1989 graduate and women's basketball and volleyball player. As a four-year letterwinner in both sports, she also served as team captain for both programs. She was named to several all-tournament teams in both basketball and volleyball and she graduated as the women's basketball all-time assist leader for Avila College. Anderson also succeeded off the floor as she received recognition on the Dean's list, kept a 3.4 GPA and received the Presidential Scholarship throughout her college career. Since graduating, she has been involved in the yearly Phone-a-Thon and participated in recent alumni games.

2000 - Gary Haarmann '95 - Baseball

Gary Haarmann was a 1995 graduate and baseball player. Haarmann was a four-year letterwinner from 1991-95 and earned numerous awards for his efforts. He was Honorable Mention All-District in 1992 and First Team All-District in 1993 and 1994. In addition, Haarmann was the Avila College Baseball Team Golden Glove Award winner in 1993 and was named to the first team of the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference in 1995. In 1994 and 1995 he was First Team All-Region and was named Honorable Mention All-American in 1994. After his graduation, Haarmann was the Assistant Baseball Coach for 1995-00.

1998 - Dan Daily '83 - Men's Soccer

Daily was a 1983 graduate and a member of Avila College's first soccer team in 1977. He helped the team finish the season 10-3-2, and qualify for the NAIA district playoff games. He was named to the All-District 16 team as a junior in 1979. In 1980, Daily was named an All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), as well as being selected for the All-Region team. In addition, he was drafted by the Atlanta Chiefs of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1980, and played for the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) franchise Kansas City Comets in 1982. He continued his soccer career through graduation by becoming the head soccer coach at Johnson County Community College, a position he would hold for the next seven years.

1997 - Sister Ann Dominic Tassone, Honorary Member

Sister Ann Dominic Tassone has always been interested in sports, attending events as early as high school. In 1963, Sister Ann came to Avila College to teach mathematics. When the men's basketball program was launched, Sister Ann became an avid supporter. In the early years, she would often barter with the Lord to help the basketball team. Over the years, Sister Ann tried to attend every home event. Looking in the stands at the Mabee Fieldhouse, one would see Sister Ann sitting in the same spot on the same bleacher at every game. 

1997 - 1977 Men's Soccer Team

In Avila's first year of soccer, the team finished the season 10-3-2 and qualified for the NAIA district playoff games. Avila was seeded third in the district playoffs, despite having a first-year collegiate coach, Pete Tumminia, and a team comprised of 17 freshmen and two juniors. Coach Tumminia went on to be named Coach of the Year that year, as the team finished the season scoring 57 goals and allowing only eight. In the team's 10 victories, eight were shutouts and six were consecutive.

The 1977 Avila College Men's Soccer Team

Head Coach: Pete Tumminia
Players: Mike Baechle, Wally Betz, Bob Brock, Nick Clapp, Tom Crook, Dan Daily, Eric Entzeroth, Mark Gebaer, Doug Helfrich, Jim Kelly, Nick Laposha, Jim McBride, Mark Meixner, Colin Novack, Mark Odenwald, Dave Potter, Larry Schrick, Spencer Spriesterback, Bill Swip, John Turek.

1996 - Joe Schrick '83 - Men's Soccer

Schrick was a 1983 graduate and soccer player. While at Avila he was named an All-American in 1981 and 1982, was on the All-Midwest team and All-District team three years, was the nation's leading goal scorer in 1982. Schrick was a member of Avila's 1982 national qualifying soccer team that placed fourth in the nation.

1996 - Dennis Joyce '77 - Men's Basketball

Joyce was a 1977 graduate and a men's basketball player. He was a member of the second men's basketball team at Avila College. While playing for the Avila Avalanche, he was the single-game leading scorer 24 times during his career, with an 18.7 point average his junior year, and led the team in assists with 102 in the 1975-76 season. He earned First Team All-District honors his junior and senior years. After graduating from Avila, he returned to become an assistant coach under Bill Waris. He served as assistant coach from 1977-82. He was named the head coach for the 1982-83 season, and served in this capacity for six years through 1988-89 campaign.

1983 - Bill Waris, Basketball Coach

During his eight years coaching at Avila, where he started the college's first athletic program, he never had a losing season. Mark Hatchett, a member of his 1982 team, was named to the NAIA All-District team and was awarded honorable mention All-American honors.

Former Avila Dean Lynn Cupkie said of Mr. Waris: "...obviously he's a winner. He was dedicated to the athletes, a dedication that exceeded the game. He was concerned about the welfare of his players aside from their athletic involvement."