University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Class 2000
2000 Class:Â Front row (l-r): for Frank Slack, Vic Nottingham. Back row (l-r): Jan Breckenridge, Kevin Jelden, Dana (Cash) Ausec. Not pictured: Carolyn Cody. Picture of 1968-69 wrestling team at bottom of page.
Hall of Fame Class of 2000
1968-69 Wrestling Team
Jack LaBonde (Head Coach)
The 1968-69 wrestling team finished second in the nation at the College Division level and 13th at the University Division level. The team posted a dual record of 13-1-1. Len Groom led the squad with a College Division national title at 130 pounds and a second place finish in the University Division. Other All-American selections on the team included Mike Rogers (137 pounds), Mel Crider (152 pounds), Jim Alexander (167 pounds), Mike Patterson (177 pounds) and Bob Smith (145 pounds).
Team members: James Alexander, Joe Barton, David Capelli, Melvin Crider, Ronald England, Ralph Gambing, Leonard Groom, Hud Larabee, Jerry Martinez, Brad Melius, Pat Menke, Roberto Munoz, Larry Notario, Michael Patterson, Michael Rogers, Clarence Ross, Amos Sanchez, Ike Sherlock, Robert Smith, Martin Stefanic, Joe Torrez, Lawrence Vallow, Larry Wagner.
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Dana (Cash) Ausec, Volleyball (1990-93)
Ausec was a three-year starter at outside hitter, who earned First Team AVCA All-America honors in 1993 and was selected to the Second Team in 1992. She helped the Bears to a fourth-place national finish and a North Central Conference championship in 1993. A two-time All-NCC performer, she was named the league's Player of the Year as a senior (1993). Ausec was also recognized in 1993-94 as the NCAA Colorado Sportswoman of the Year. An excellent student, she earned several academic awards, including NCC All-Academic, Academic All-North Central Region and GTE Academic All-District. Upon graduation, she received a prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship.
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Jan Breckenridge, Softball (1976-79)Breckenridge was a four-year starter at catcher for the Bears. She helped lead UNC to four straight Women's Collegiate World Series Appearances including a second-place national finish in 1978. An all-conference selection following her senior year, Breckenridge posted a .312 career batting average with 12 career doubles. Defensively, she played two seasons without committing an error and finished her career with an outstanding .997 fielding percentage. Breckenridge was also a recipient of UNC's Outstanding Senior Award, which recognized academic and athletic excellence.
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Carolyn Cody, Gymnastics Coach (1967-81)Cody enjoyed an outstanding career as head gymnastics coach at UNC. Her squads made several regional and district appearances and five of Cody's athletes qualified and participated in the AIAW Division I National Championships. Her 1974 team placed first regionally and 13th nationally. From 1974-81, Cody posted an impressive dual record of 114-40-1. She was also active in the gymnastics community, serving as a judge at both the state and national levels. Following her coaching career, Cody went on to serve as a member of the UNC faculty and administration from 1978-99.
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Kevin Jelden, Football (1979-83)
Jelden enjoyed a standout career as a placekicker on the UNC football team. In 1982, he was tabbed First Team All-American by the Associated Press. A member of the Bears' 1980 North Central Conference championship team, Jelden earned First Team All-NCC honors on two occasions (1981, 1982) and Second Team honors once (1983). He ranks second on UNC's all-time field goal list (40) and fourth on the all-time points scored list (178). In a 1981 game versus South Dakota State, Jelden set a school and conference record with five field goals.
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Vic Nottingham, Tennis (1948-52)/ContributorA longtime contributor and supporter of UNC Athletics, Nottingham's impact can be felt throughout the Department. He spearheaded a $3.5 million fundraising campaign to build the football stadium, which bears his name. In addition, the 1952 UNC grad established an endowment which provides scholarships to UNC student-athletes. Nottingham was an accomplished tennis player at UNC, earning a Rocky Mountain Conference doubles' championship as a senior. He also served as student body president from 1951-52. (Pictured at left with Harlon Hill winner and 2005 HOF inductee Corte McGuffey.)
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Frank Slack, Multi-sports (1936-39)Slack was an outstanding athlete for the Bears in the late-1930s. He excelled in baseball where he played under legendary coach Pete Butler. Perhaps best known for pitching both ends of a doubleheader sweep against Regis (May 13, 1939), Slack earned the nickname "Iron Man" for this incredible performance. He also participated in football and wrestling. Prior to his death in 1990, Slack was inducted into the Pueblo Sports Hall of Fame (1974) and honored with the UNC Distinguished Alumni Award (1976).
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