The Cougar Hall of Fame was begun in 1993 to honor outstanding achievements in athletics at the University of Minnesota, Morris. Former athletes, teams, coaches, and supporters of athletics are eligible to receive the honor of being inducted into the Cougar Hall of Fame. Ten years must pass before individuals or teams are eligible for induction. The Cougar Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction ceremony is held each year during Homecoming Week at UMM. Each spring the Hall of Fame Committee has the responsibility of selecting the individuals or teams who will be inducted in the fall. The following individuals and teams have been inducted since 1993:

2006

Jim Gremmels to be inducted into the
Cougar Athletic Hall of Fame

Morris, MN – The latest addition to the University of Minnesota-Morris Cougar Athletic Hall of Fame is a name and face very familiar to a lot of people at UMM.

Both current and former faculty, staff and athletes no doubt know Jim Gremmels.

Gremmels was the very first men’s basketball coach at Minnesota-Morris and still works with current Head Coach Paul Grove on a part time basis with the men’s team.

He became the first men’s basketball coach at UMM when the program first started in 1960 and he remained head coach for four seasons.

Gremmels, in an interview with Minnesota-Morris Sports Information Director Brian Curtis said, “The letter I wrote to then Dean Rodney Briggs, to apply for the position, was one of the most important letters I have ever written.”

“I actually showed up a day late for the interview,” Gremmels said.  “I got a reply from Dean Briggs to come in for an interview.  I went to his house and knocked on the door and his wife, Helen, answered.  I said I am here for the interview for the men’s basketball coaching position.  Mrs. Briggs told me that was to have taken place the day before, but Dean Briggs was over in his office.  So I went across campus, met with Dean Briggs and fortunately was offered the position.”

Jim is an English Professor and one of the 13 original faculty members at UMM.  During Gremmels’ first season as men’s basketball coach, he had just nine players, all freshmen, so he would have to practice with the team.

That first season Minnesota-Morris played just 10 games and those were against freshmen and junior college teams.  The first three seasons, Gremmels did not have an assistant coach.

By the third season, he was able to drop all junior college teams and play all four year schools.

“Home court advantage was huge in the old P.E. Annex in the early 60’s” Gremmels added.  “With the small court it allowed us to pack it in on defense, and the glare from the lights in certain spots seemed to bother players from other teams and we were able to take advantage of that.”

His last game as a head coach was perhaps his most memorable game.

“We played St. Cloud State who was coached by Red Severson.  They were really tough.  A very meticulous team that liked to work a shuffle type offense.  They scouted us six times that year.”

“We played a man-to-man defense and hung close, trailing by 12-13 points at halftime.  They built on that in the second half.  After awhile, Red took out his regulars and brought in the reserves.  We started to make a come back and forced St. Cloud State to put their starters back in to hang on for the win.  Even though we lost, the team played hard and well.”

Over the four seasons, Gremmels said he had some decent players.  “I had a great many very coachable players in those first years, and everyone worked extremely hard,” he said.  “Many of those players went on to be very successful.”

His best season as a head coach was his third when the Cougars were 8-9.  In his four seasons, Gremmels was 24-39.

Gremmels enjoys being around the players here at UMM, “these student athletes work hard every day.  They are playing the game of basketball for the love of the game.  That is what makes athletics at the Division III level different.  None of them are getting the big scholarships.  They play the game because they enjoy the lessons it teaches, and perhaps the greatest lesson is a better understanding of themselves.”

The Distinguished Alumni ward banquet will be held on Friday, September 22 in Oyate hall.  A reception begins at 5:30, dinner will follow at 6:00.

2004

The University of Minnesota-Morris will induct the 1992-93 and 1993-94 UMM men’s basketball teams into the Cougar Athletic Hall of Fame on Friday, October 8, during the annual Alumni Association Banquet.

The 1992-93 Cougar men’s basketball team finished with a 22-10 record and captured the Midwest Regional Championship and went on to the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri. It marked the first time in the history of the men’s basketball program that the Cougars advanced to the National Tournament.

The following season saw Minnesota-Morris claim the 1993-94 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Title and in the process set a school record for most wins with 25 and were defeated just five times that season.

The 1993-94 Cougar men’s basketball team also set a school record for consecutive wins at 14 and the NSIC title was the first for UMM in 16 years

Perry Ford was the head coach of the Cougars during both campaigns and was named the NSIC coach of the year in for the 1993-94 season.

2002

Former athletes Shane Pribyl and Stacy (Rust) Martig and Art Durkee will be inducted during the Alumni Awards Dinner on Friday September 20 at 5:30 P.M. in the Turtle Mountain Cafe of the Student Center on the campus of the University of Minnesota, Morris.

Stacy (Rust) Martig is a 1993 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Morris, and you will find her name in the UMM Volleyball record books several times.

Stacy ranks in the top ten for a single match in kills, solo blocks, block assists, ace serves and total attempts. She is number 1 in digs for an individual season, number 1 and 2 in kills, number 2 in total attacks and solo blocks, and number 3 in block assists and hitting % and 6th in ace serves for a season.

For her career, Stacy is number 1 in solo blocks, block assists, and total blocks. Stacy is second in kills, total attempts, third in games played and hitting percent.

Martig was a 3-time captain as well as being named All-District 3 times, and All-Conference twice. In 1991 and 1992 Stacy was named All-American Honorable Mention and All-American Scholar Athlete. In 1992 she was also All Mid-East Region.

After her graduation, Stacy taught high school math for seven years at Eagan, Albany and Sartell high schools and coached the junior varsity volleyball team at Eagan for three years. She has three children; Jake 6, Max 3 and Kate 2. She has been married to Gregg Martig for 8 years.

Shane Pribyl has the distinction of being the only University of Minnesota, Morris athlete to be named All-American in football and baseball. Shane was also the baseball Player of the Year in the NIC (Northern Intercollegiate Conference) in 1991.

Pribyl has also etched his name in the Cougar baseball and football record book a few times during his career.

In football, Shane holds the single season record for receiving yards, 1,277 in 1990. In baseball, Pribyl holds the season record for most doubles (14) and triples (8).

Pribyl was a .370 hitter in his career as a Cougar, number one. He is number one in hits, doubles, triples, home runs, runs and rbi's.

You won't find Art Durkees' name in any of the Cougar record books, but Art was as much a part of UMM athletics as any of the athletes. Art was the person who was responsible for getting the teams safely to and from their competition, not to mention taking other University of Minnesota, Morris groups on their trips, as the bus driver for the Cougars from 1972-1997.

Durkee logged over 700,000 miles taking UMM students and student/athletes all over the country. And in all those miles traveled, he had just one accident.

Durkee took time and pleasure in getting to know hundreds of athletes and dozens of coaches by name and he always enjoyed watching the games, many times being one of the few Cougar fans on the road.

Art started working at UMM in 1966 doing general labor, remodeling classrooms, working on the grounds crew and servicing UMM cars. He later received his boiler license and worked in the heating plant part time.

Durkee said "in the fall of 1972 I heard that UMM was planning on buying a bus for all school activities. Vern Brown was in charge of purchasing the bus, so I just sorta camped on his door step and ended up getting the job. Needless to say, with all the great teams that followed, it was a fun job."

The Cougar busses, decked out in their maroon and gold colors and lettering were a source of pride for the teams according to Durkee.

2000


Two former athletes, Dale Mehr and JimWilliamson, and Willis Kelly, former Director of Women’s Athletics and Director of Athletics at the University of Minnesota, Morris, will be inducted into the Cougar Hall of Fame on Saturday October 7th, 2000. The banquet and induction ceremony will begin at 8:00 p.m. and will be held at Oyate Hall. Tickets are available by contacting the Athletic Department at UMM.

Willis Kelly worked in the Athletic Department at UMM for 19 years and served as the Director of Women’s Athletics and later Director of Athletics for all sports. Willis was instrumental in the development of the Northern Sun Conference for women’s sports. UMM and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference honor her contributions to women’s athletics by annually naming a recipient of the Willis Kelly Award, presented to the outstanding female athlete at UMM and in the NSIC.

Willis retired from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 1988 and died approximately one year later. Her son Paul will receive her award on her behalf.

Jim Williamson came to UMM in 1983 from Appleton, MN and established himself as one of UMM’s outstanding multi-sport athletes. Jim is one of only a few UMM athletes to achieve All-American recognition in more than one sport.

Jim was an outstanding performer in football and wrestling. Twice he was named to the All-Conference and All-District football teams and in 1986, he was selected as the Most Valuable Player at UMM and in the Northern Intercollegiate Conference before being named to the NAIA All-American team as a linebacker.

His wrestling achievements are even more impressive. He was a two-time conference and district champion and three times achieved All-American standing by placing 4th , 3rd and 2nd in the National Tournament. He was named Most Valuable Wrestler in the NIC in 1987-88. He finished his career with a 118-39 won/lost record.

Jim graduated from UMM in 1988 and is currently an investment representative for Edward Jones Investments in River Falls, Wisconsin. Mel Lewis, former football and track coach at UMM will present Jim’s award.

Dale Mehr came to UMM in 1982 and established himself as the most outstanding quarterback in UMM history. He was a four-year starter who still holds season records for passing attempts, completions and yardage. He was named to the All-Conference team three times. Twice he was named the team Most Valuable Player , and in 1984 he was named the Co-Most Valuable Player in the Northern Intercollegiate Conference. In 1984 Dale received Honorable Mention All-American recognition and in 1985 he was selected as an NAIA Second Team All-American.

Dale was team captain in his senior year, and he was chosen to receive the Honor Athlete Award for men’s athletics. He was also selected by the NIC as the recipient of the Glen Galligan Award, the confernce’s highest honor for football student-athletes.

After graduation, Dale was invited to tryout with the Minnesota Vikings in their pre-season camp where he performed admirably, but was released after the first pre-season game.

Dale graduated in 1986 with majors in Computer Science and Business Economics and a minor in Math. He is currently the Director of Business Analysts-Professional Services for Firepond Inc., a software development company. He is married to Deb and has three children: Matthew, deceased, Samantha, 9, and Amber, 7. Dale’s brother Mark will present his award.


1999

Jeff Arnold, '78 - Morris, MN - Football and Baseball

Joyce Cain, (1968-1996, deceased) - Appleton, MN - Athletic Secretary

Greg Lanner, '78 - Brandon, MN - Football

Mark Williamson, '78 - Appleton, MN - Football


1998

1976-77 and 1977-78 Men's Basketball Teams, 2-time NIC Champions


1997

Dennis Clausen, '65 - Escondido, CA - Basketball

JoAnn Thompson- '80 - Kansas City, MO - Basketball

Laurie Jacklitch-'80 - Minneapolis, MN - Basketball

Basil Meyer, '87 - Apple Valley, MN - Football, Basketball, Baseball


1996

1970 Football Team


1995

Doug Dufty- 1969-81 - Fargo, ND - Wrestling Coach

Doug Patnode- '72 - Princeton, MN - Football, Baseball, Wrestling


1994

Verne Chandler- '83 - Tintah, MN - Athletic Equipment Manager

Doug MacIver- '69 - Duluth, MN - Basketball, Baseball

John Nordgaard- '69 - Dawson, MN - Football, Basketball

Darcy (Rheingans) Winkelman- '82 - Morris, MN - Basketball


1993

Wayne Brabender- '68 - Madrid, Spain - Basketball, Baseball

Mike Bahe- '71 - Fort Worth, Texas - Football, Basketball, Baseball

Randy Schwegel- '78 - Backus, MN - Basketball

Al Molde- 1973-79 - St. Peter, MN - Football Coach

Dennis Koslowski- '81 - St. Louis Park, MN - Wrestling, Football

Duane Koslowski- '82 - Blaine, MN - Wrestling, Football

Cindy Lonneman- '83 - Avon, MN - Basketball, Volleyball