USI announces 2013 Hall of Fame class

by Ray Simmons
The University of Southern Indiana Department of Athletics has announced the selection of the 2013 USI Athletic Hall of Fame class that will be inducted February 8 during homecoming week. The class of six individuals and one team was selected by a nine-member USI Athletic Hall of Fame Committee.

Any Screaming Eagles fan was eligible to nominate student athletes or teams on the 10th anniversary of their last season of competition, or a coach/administrator who has been separated from the Department of Athletics for two years. Special individuals (e.g., Varsity Club members) also were eligible for nominations as well.

This year’s class includes Tony Colavecchia (Men’s Soccer Head Coach, 1988-95), Dr. Jane Davis-Brezette (Women’s Tennis Head Coach1980-84, Chair USI Kinesiology and Sport Department (formerly Department of Physical Education), Amy Henkhaus-Cope (Women’s Soccer 1997-2000), Robert Kirby (Men’s Cross Country/Track 1987-91), Shannon Wells (Volleyball 1999-2002; Women’s Basketball 2002-04), Katie Roberts Wilson (Softball 1998-2001), and the 1982 Men’s Cross Country Team.

“I continue to be amazed by the amount of outstanding student-athletes and coaches this young University has had,” said USI Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall. “The Class of 2013 truly represents our growing tradition here at USI. The six individuals and one team that will be honored in February are truly worthy of this extraordinary honor. I know that the entire USI community is proud of this class and what it accomplished while at USI.”

2013 USI ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME CLASS

Tony Colavecchia, Men’s Soccer 1988-95: Colavecchia is USI’s all-time winningest soccer coach with a career-record of 97-59-11 (.614), a GLVC mark of 30-3-2 (.886), and four GLVC championships. He also was named GLVC Coach of the Year three times. Colavecchia also directed the Eagles through a Division I schedule for three years, posting a record of 29-27-3 (.517).

Dr. Jane Davis-Brezette, Women’s Tennis 1980-84 / Professor, Mentor, Chair of Kinesiology and Sport: Davis-Brezette was and remains a great friend and mentor to many student athletes, influencing many career choices and successes. She also directed the USI women’s tennis team to three-straight GLVC titles in the 1980s.

Amy Henkhaus-Cope ’01, Women’s Soccer 1997-2000: Henkhaus, a defender, helped lead the Eagles to the NCAA Division II Quarterfinals and was a second team All-American in 1998. She also was named All-GLVC in 1998 and Academic All-GLVC four straight years.

Robert Kirby ’91, Men’s Cross Country/Track 1987-91: A stand out in cross country and track between 1987 and 1991, Kirby was named All-GLVC twice (1989 and 1990) and All-American once (1990) in cross country. He also qualified for the NCAA II Track Championships in the 10,000m in 1991. Since finishing his career at USI, he has won the 1994 Memphis Marathon championship and ranked as high as fifth in the nation in the 10,000m by the USATF.

Katie Roberts Wilson ’02, Softball 1998-2001: Roberts was a four-time All-GLVC and 2001 All-Region performer. She is still number one at USI in wins, innings-pitched, and strikeouts; number two in complete games and shutouts; and third in ERA.

Shannnon Wells ’05, Volleyball 1999-2002; Women’s Basketball 2002-04: Wells finished her career as USI volleyball’s all-time leader in kills, aces, and digs. The all-time records for kills and aces remain today, while Wells still ranks second all-time in digs. She also ranks fifth all-time in hitting percentage. Wells earned a pair of GLVC Scholar Athlete of the Year awards (2001, 2002) and was named the 2002 GLVC Player of the Year in volleyball before being selected for the 2003 GLVC Richard F. Scharf Paragon Award.

1982 Men’s Cross Country Team (Placed 3rd Nationally): The 1982 men’s cross country team ranked in the top 10 all season before finishing third at the NCAA Division II National Championships. The team also swept the Indiana Intercollegiate “Little State”, the GLVC, and the NCAA II Great Lakes Regional titles. The team was coached by USI and GLVC Hall of Fame member Bill Stegemoller and featured USI Hall of Famers Todd Reller and Jim Nolan. Nolan also is a member of the GLVC Hall of Fame.