2005 Inductees
Three individuals have been selected for induction into the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Hall of Fame in the spring of 2005. The inductees include Dr. Thomas A. Schurfranz (Bellarmine), Robert L. Wendling (Ashland), and Wendy Wolff (Wisconsin-Parkside).
Dr. Thomas A. Schurfranz is a 1992 graduate of Bellarmine University, where he played four seasons of basketball for the Knights. Among other accomplishments, he was a three-time member of the GLVC All-Academic team, the recipient of the GLVC Paragon Award and team MVP honors in both 1991 and 1992, and the GLVC Player of the Year in 1992. During his junior season, Schurfranz led the nation in Division II field goal percentage (.723), and was part of a record-setting team who set new Knight standards in several categories. He currently is a Doctor for Internal Medicine of Spencer County in Taylorsville, Kentucky. Dr. Schurfranz resides in Taylorsville with his wife, Pamela Whitesell Schurfranz, and three children, Christopher (13), Michael (9), and William (8).
Robert L. Wendling served as the faculty athletic representative for former GLVC member Ashland University from 1967 until 1991. He was instrumental in Ashland’s move from Division III athletics to the Division II level. The move resulted in Ashland’s membership with the Heartland Conference. Later, Wendling played a role in the formation of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. According to Fred Martinelli, Ashland’s Athletic Director from 1967-1990, Wendling was “an integral part in the development of athletics at Ashland” while his involvement “was instrumental in the formation of the GLVC.” Wendling who resides in Ashland with his wife Kathleen, is retired and has three children, Valerie (39), Victoria (37), and Jeffrey (32).
Wendy Wolff is a 1997 graduate of UW-Parkside, where she was a four-year member of the Ranger softball team. During her career, she earned NCAA Division II All-American status twice, Academic All-American four times, the GLVC Player of the Year twice, and was a semifinalist for NCAA “Woman of the Year” in 1997. In her senior season, Wolff posted a 37-7 record while having a 0.63 earned run average. Her efforts helped the Rangers to a 62-10 record, and a 2nd place finish at the national tournament. Wisconsin-Parkside became the first team in NCAA Division II history to post 60-plus wins in a season. Wolff is currently a seventh grade language arts teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin and is a coach for the Menomonee Fall High School softball team.
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on May 24, 2005, during the GLVC’s annual Spring Meetings.
2004 Inductees
The GLVC Hall of Fame Class of 2004 boasts three of the league’s all-time best women’s basketball players,
one of the most decorated cross country stars to ever compete in the GLVC, and one of the league’s founding
fathers. This year’s class includes:
LeAnn Freeland, Southern Indiana
LeAnn Freeland led Southern Indiana to two GLVC Championships and the league’s first-ever perfect
conference season. She was named Kodak/WBCA All-American and All-GLVC three straight seasons.
Freeland led USI to a 91-24 record during her career and led USI to the national title game in 1997. She
was a two-time GLVC Player of the Year and remains the league’s all-time leading scorer (conference games).
She is USI’s all-time leader in scoring (2269), rebounding (961), and steals (167). Freeland currently
serves as an assistant coach at Florida Gulf Coast University.
Fred Martinelli, Ashland
Fred Martinelli is one of the founding fathers of the GLVC. As athletic director at Ashland University, he
was instrumental in the formation of the six-team GLVC in 1978. During his long and illustrious career as a
football coach and administrator, Martinelli helped guide Ashland from NCAA Division III to what is now
one of the nation’s best Division II athletic programs. He has served on numerous institution,
conference, and national committees and has provided much of the vision and leadership that helped make the
GLVC what it is today.
Lisa Miller-McBride, IUPU-Ft. Wayne
Lisa Miller-McBride was a standout basketball player at IPFW from 1988-92. She was a four-time All-GLVC
honoree, and was named GLVC Player of the Year as a senior. Miller holds IPFW career records in points
(2,358), rebounds (937) field goals (808), and free throws (557). She is currently a teacher at Huntertown Elementary in Indiana.
Elly Rono, Southern Indiana
Elly Rono was one of the most gifted pure athletes in GLVC history. A cross country and track star for two
seasons at USI, Rono was named NCAA Cross Country Athlete of the Year both years and won the individual
national championship in 1997. He was the GLVC’s individual champion in 1996 and 1997 and also won NCAA championships in the 5,000 meter indoor and the 10,000 meter outdoor. He was a two-time GLVC Runner of the Year and a six-time track and field All-American. He is a world class professional marathon runner.
Jeannette Yeoman, Saint Joseph's
Jeannette Yeoman is considered by some to be the best women’s basketball player in GLVC history. She scored
a then-school record 2,280 career points and holds SJC records for three-point percentage and three-pointers
made, and she is second in career assists. She twice led the Pumas to the Elite Eight (1988 and 1989) and
helped SJC win GLVC championships in 1988,1989, and 1990. Yeoman was named All-American in 1990. She has a
146-93 record in nine seasons as a head coach and has led SUNY-Cortland to three NCAA tournament appearances
and one Sweet 16 finish. She was named SUNYAC Co-Coach of the Year in 1999-2000.
2003 Inductees
Charles Bertram, University of Southern Indiana
Dr. Charles Bertram served the University of Southern Indiana and the Great Lakes Valley Conference with honor and respect. He was instrumental in the foundation and success of the GLVC. He served the league as treasurer and president; served on the GLVC Executive Committee and the NCAA Nominating Committee; and served as the faculty athletics representative at USI. He rounded the Eagle Math Program at Southern Indiana, which has been nationally recognized. He was awarded USI's first Sydney & Sadelle Berger Faculty Community Service Award.
Bill Bright, University of Indianapolis
Bill Bright was a tremendous athlete, coach and administrator at the University of Indianapolis. Bright, who played baseball, basketball, softball and ran cross country from 1951-53 for the Greyhounds, posted a 22-3 career pitching record, a 1.46 career ERA, and struck out 317 batters. He was named all-conference in 1952 and 1953, and he was an amateur baseball All-American in 1953. He also earned All-Conference honors playing basketball in 1953. Bright posted a record of 308-267-1 as Indy's baseball coach (1955-77), winning five conference titles. He posted a 104-39-2 record as cross country coach (1958-76) and won nine conference titles. He also coached basketball (1978-80). Bright served as athletic director at Indianapolis from 1977-93. Bright was one of the founders of the GLVC, the Heartland Collegiate Conference and the Midwest Intercollegiate Football Conference.
Stan Gouard, University of Southern Indiana
Stan Gouard was one of the best men's basketball players the GLVC has ever seen. He was named National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Player of the Year in 1994-95 and 1995-96. He also earned first team All-America honors both of those seasons. He ranks third in scoring (1,619 points) and fifth in rebounding (754 rebounds) on USI's all-time list. Under Gouard's leadership, USI won a pair of GLVC championships (1993-94, 1995-96) and won the Division II national championship in 1994-95. Gouard now serves as an assistant coach at the University of Indianapolis after playing professional basketball in Europe and South America.
Dave O'Toole, Bellarmine University
Dave O'Toole helped found the Great Lakes Valley Conference. A faculty athletic representative at Bellarmine University from 1968-97 and BU athletic director from 1998-2002, O'Toole served as the first president of the GLVC in 1978. He served a second term in 1986, and he was responsible for writing the conference constitution and bylaws and revisions. O'Toole was elected to the St. Xavier High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001 and the Bellarmine University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002. He also received a National Foundational Fellowship (1969-1971). O'Toole was a high school All-American swimmer in 1952 and 1953.
2002 Inductees
Click for photo
Corey Crowder, Kentucky Wesleyan (1988-91)
Corey Crowder's career with the Kentucky Wesleyan men's basketball team was impressive. Aside from a national title in 1990, he helped the Panthers to Great Lakes Regional championships and four straight GLVC championships. He was named Kodak/NABC first-team All American in 1990 and 1991 and received second-team honors in 1989. He was the first ever two-time GLVC Player of the Year, earning the honor in 1990 and 1991. He is the first GLVC student athlete to play in the National Basketball Association (Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs), and currently plays professional basketball in Europe.
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Richard F. Scharf, SJC (1934-38)
Richard F. Scharf helped to establish the Great Lakes Valley Conference. He helped to establish the league's bylaws and regulations, and he served as the league's commissioner from 1982-91. Prior to that, he served for 21 years as the athletic director at Saint Joseph's (1961-82). A former golf, baseball, basketball, and football coach, Scharf graduated from Saint Joseph's in 1938 with an accounting degree. He helped lead SJC to a co-championship in the Indiana Collegiate Conference in 1952-53, and as a result earned Coach of the Year honors. He later received his Master's of Physical Education and his doctorate in health/safety from Indiana University. In his early days, Scharf was a standout football and basketball player.
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Jim Spalding, BU (1951-55)
Jim Spalding has been a staple of the Bellarmine University Athletic Department since his basketball-playing days (1951-55). A three-time Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference MVP, Spalding led the Knights to three state tournaments. After receiving his bachelor's degree in biology in 1955, he earned a master's in Education from the University of Kentucky. He has since served Bellarmine as assistant baskeball coach (1957-66), head basketball coach (1966-71), men's cross country/track coach (1961-75), men's tennis coach (1961-62), men's golf coach (1996-97), and last but certainly not least, director of athletics (1971-94). He, too, helped to found the league, and has served the GLVC in countless ways throughout the years.
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Lois Taurman, BU (1979-83)
Lois Taurman is the only athlete in Bellarmine history to compete in three sports four straight years. As a forward on the BU basketball team, she averaged 13.9 points and 7.4 rebounds per game during her career. As a middle hitter, she led the BU volleyball team to a pair of KWIC state championships and was twice named MVP. On the softball field, Taurman led the Knights to a 24-1 record and a Kentucky State Championship as a senior. She batted .513, hit 11 home runs, and added 45 RBI as a junior. She was named Bellarmine Athlete of the Year in 1983 and was inducted into the BU Hall of Fame in 1984. After graduation, Taurman continued her athletic successes as a paralympic athlete, excelling in wheelchair racing and wheelchair fencing.
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