Newman University will stage a number of events Feb. 4 – 6 in celebration of Homecoming 2011 and the Newman University Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2011.
The action kicks off Friday, Feb. 4 with women’s and men’s alumni basketball games in Fugate Gymnasium, inside O’Shaughnessy Hall on the Newman campus. Spectators are welcome. All winter sports alumni attending the games will be introduced, whether or not they take to the court. The women’s alumni basketball game begins at 7 p.m., and the men’s game at 8 p.m. Between games, the Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2011 inductees will be introduced.
Following the games, alumni and their family members are welcome at a Homecoming Reunion Social from 8:30 p.m. to midnight, in the Tarcisia Roths, ASC Alumni Lounge, inside the Dugan Library and Campus Center on campus. The social will feature live music, free appetizers and snacks, and a cash bar.
The alumni basketball games and the Homecoming Reunion Social are free of charge.
Activities on Saturday, Feb. 5 include unguided or guided campus tours from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Guided tours will begin at the Welcome Center, on the first floor of Sacred Heart Hall, and conclude in Gorges Atrium.
Beginning at 3 p.m., the Newman men’s basketball team will take on rival Dallas Baptist University in Fugate Gymnasium. During halftime, the Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2011 will be introduced. Tickets for the game are $6 for adults, $4 for students 5 to 12, and free admission for children under 5. Tickets will be available at the gate.
Hall of Fame honors outstanding student-athletes, patrons
Following the game, festivities for the Athletics Hall of Fame will begin with a cocktail hour and reception at 5 p.m. in the Tarcisia Roths, ASC Alumni Lounge, followed by the Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony at 6 p.m. in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center. Tickets are $50 per person for open seating, or $400 for a reserved table for eight.
The Newman Athletics Hall of Fame was created in 2007 to honor student-athletes, coaches, administrators, advocates and patrons who have made significant contributions to the university’s athletic programs. Each year, a new class is selected for induction into the Hall of Fame. The Class of 2011 inductees are:
- Patrick and Kathy O’Shaughnessy, longtime boosters of Newman and its athletics program. The O’Shaughnessy family’s lead gift for the Athletic Department sports complex ensured a campus home for the Newman Jets, which now bears the O’Shaughnessys name. Over the years, Patrick and Kathy have also been generous supporters of the university as charter members of the De Mattias Society and through numerous gifts to support student scholarships.
- Eileen Adams, 1987 graduate and member of the women’s basketball team from 1982-86, who achieved 12 personal records. Six of these, including career best in points scored, still stand. Adams averaged double-digit scoring all four years. Her best single-season average of 17.7 points per game earned her recognition as Kansas Newman female athlete of the year in 1986.
- John Bailey, men’s basketball team member from 1983-85, who averaged 21.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. He was an All-American his senior year and left Kansas Newman to play professionally for 10 years.
- The 1970-72 Men’s Tennis Team, coached by Fred Corner, which was undefeated for all its matches for two seasons, an accomplishment that has not been replicated by any team in any sport at Newman. Team members included: Nick Dondlinger ’73; Joe Stuhlsatz ’72; Mike Aaron ’72; Tom Broderick ’74; Jerry Ware ’89; Tom Dondlinger ’72; Mike McGreevy ’77, and Tim McGreevy.
- The 1996 Men’s Soccer Team, coached by Cliff Brown, which earned a record of 19-3-3 and earned the college its first trip to the NAIA National Soccer Championships. Seven players turned professional soccer players after leaving Newman and several were honored by being named All-Americans. Team member Gary Tucker holds the all-time scoring record of 52 goals in one season. Team members included: Eddie Andreo ’98; Jay Bednar ’98; Jamaar Boggess ’00; Chris Brown ’00 ’04; Jose Carranza ’97; Justin Cole ’04; Keenan Copridge ’01; Chris Creed; Ryan Cummings ’00; Brian Cushing ’97; Jeremy Durham ’99; Chris Freeman ’99; Jamie Harding; Adam Hunter ’98; Larry Inlow ’98; Adam Jones; Kevin Law; Kris Mabry; Alex Macias; Robert Macias; Jesse Moncivais; Andres Rodriquez ’97 ’03; Paul Schafer; Heath Simmons ’99; Saul Souza ’97; Jeromy Swearingen ’98; Gary Tucker ’98; Scott Wacker; Jeremy Willig ’00 ’05, and Steve Wing ’99.
Newman officials will also name the 2011 recipient of the Thomasine Stoecklein, ASC Spirit Award at the banquet. The award, named after the first recipient, was created in 2008 to honor a person or group who has demonstrated outstanding spirit, pride, support and encouragement for Newman and student-athletes at university athletic events.
An Alumni “After” Party follows the banquet from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. in the Tarcisia Roths, ASC Alumni Center, and the Homecoming Dance (semi-formal) will take place from 8 p.m. to midnight in the Jabara Flexible Theatre.
Homecoming activities conclude Sunday, Feb. 6 with a Homecoming Liturgy at 10 a.m. in the Woman of the New Covenant Chapel in the Adorers of the Blood of Christ (ASC) Wichita Center, 1165 Southwest Boulevard, followed at 11 a.m. by a coffee and rolls reception with the ASC sisters. The ASC is the founding order of Newman University.
For reservations and additional information for all Homecoming and Hall of Fame events go to http://hof2011.eventbrite.com. For more information about Hall of Fame inductees contact Mo Rohleder ’82 at 316-942-4291, ext. 2118 or [email protected]. For alumni events contact Ann Fox, ’81 at 316-942-4291, ext. 2166 or [email protected].
