Class 2002

2002 Class: Front row (l-r): Deb Ponis, Linda Delk, Jim Alexander. Back row (l-r): Ben Dreith, Frank Wainright, Venus Jennings. 1955 Baseball team pictured at bottom of page.

Hall of Fame Class of 2002

1955 Baseball Team
Pete Butler (Head Coach)

Under the direction of head coach Pete Butler, the 1955 baseball squad finished 25-4 overall and advanced to the College World Series after a series win over Wyoming in the NCAA Regionals. George Sage pitched the Bears into the College World Series with a 12-5 triumph. Sage then tossed a six-hitter and the Bears edged past Southern California 2-1 in the NCAA first-round contest. Members of the squad included: Willie Wright, Jerry McMillen, Bob Kordula, Quinten Hoien, Manual Martinez, Mike Lucas, Ward Lee, Kent Hill, John Hogg, Wayne Coates, Dick Weed, Coach Pete Butler, George Sage, Bob Gill, Del Petersen, Les Charles, Don Stern.

Jim Alexander, Wrestling (1965-67)
Alexander placed third at the 1968 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. He also placed third overall at the 1969 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. Alexander was limited to only three seasons of competition but still earned three straight RMAC and MIWA championships. He still holds the school record for most career pins.

Linda Delk, Volleyball (1976-2002)
Delk tallied a career record of 702-290 in 26 years as UNC's head women's volleyball coach. She guided squads to eight conference titles and advanced to postseason competition 17 times. Twice her teams finished among the top eight teams in the nation in the AIAW Championships. Delk's squads qualified for four straight NCAA Elite Eight Championships in the early 90s, including in 1994 when the Bears finished a school-record third. She ranks among the top 15 winningest Division II coaches in the nation. She was named the Colorado Sportswoman of the Year in 1995. Delk coached five academic All-Americans, and earned her master's degree from UNC in 1978. Delk was recently inducted in Colorado Sportswomen Hall of Fame.

Ben Dreith, Baseball/Basketball/Football (1946-50)
Dreith was awarded 11 varsity letters (baseball-4, basketball-4, football-3) in his time at UNC. He was a four-year All-Conference pick in baseball and a two-time All-Conference selection in basketball. Dreith played under Pete Butler and John Hancock. He enjoyed a distinguished career as a football/basketball official. He refereed two Super Bowls; 8 NFL Championship games, 8 NCAA regional basketball tournaments, numerous other high school and college championship games.

Venus Jennings, Basketball/Softball (1975-78)
Jennings started on both softball and basketball teams. She was an outstanding outfielder and hitter in softball and led the Bears to four straight appearances in the Women's College World Series. Jennings earned All-Conference softball honors as a senior. She was among the first UNC women to receive an intercollegiate athletic scholarship. On the basketball court she averaged 12 points, 10 assists and 8 rebounds per game in leading the Bears' to two winning seasons.

Deb Ponis, Volleyball/Tennis (1993-97)
Ponis was a three-time All-American, a three-time all-region selection and a three-time all-conference performer in volleyball. She was selected two times as a member of the Elite Eight All-Tournament team. Ponis is the all-time kill leader at UNC (1,811), ranks third on UNC's career dig list (1,613) and is the single-season kills leader (635 in 1993). On the tennis court, she compiled a singles record of 47-7 in her first three year's of singles competition and posted a mark of 46-10 in doubles play. Ponis was a four-time all-conference tennis player and one-time All-American. She gained the NCAA Postgraduate scholarship and was a member of Student Athlete Advisory Council.

Frank Wainright, Football (1987-90)
Wainright caught 165 passes for 1,148 yards in four years as a tight end for the Bears' football squad. He earned All-NCC honors in 1989 and 1990. He was tabbed a first-team All-American by the Associated Press and Kodak in 1990. Wainright played 10 seasons in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles, Miami Dolphins and most recently with the 2001 Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens.

1955 Baseball Team at 2002 Induction ceremony.

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