The Hall of Fame honors former athletes, coaches and friends who have made significant contributions to the athletics programs at Stritch, whether on the playing field or from the sidelines.
Jeff Kreiling
Men’s Basketball, 1999-2001
Jeff Kreiling (BA Education, 2001) played three seasons for the men’s basketball team and was a three-year starter. He was a three-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American, selected to the third team in 2000-01 and an honorable mention selection in 1999-2000 and 1998-99. Kreiling was a three-time All-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference selection and twice was voted CCAC “Player of the Year."
He is currently ranked among Stritch career leaders in the following categories: fourth in points (1763), fourth in rebounds (944), fourth in free throws made (306) and attempted (501), eighth in field goal percentage (.521), and third in field goals attempted (1347). During his time at Stritch, Jeff’s team posted a 78-26 overall record, was 29-7 in conference play, claimed two conference regular season and tournament titles, and advanced to the N.A.I.A. Division II National Tournament twice – making the “Sweet 16” in 1999.
Kevin Crim
Men’s Basketball, 1996-2000
Kevin Crim (BA Business, 1999) played four seasons for the men’s basketball team and was a three-year starter. He was a two-year All-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference selection. He is currently ranked among Stritch career leaders in the following categories: Ninth in points (1451), eighth in assists (346), second in three-point field goals made (248), fourth in three-point field goal percentage (.398), sixth in games played (122), seventh in free-throws made (289), eighth in free-throws attempted (417), 10th in field goals made (480) and ninth in field goals attempted (1112).
During his time at Stritch, Kevin’s team posted an 81-44 overall record, was 32-9 in conference play, claimed one conference regular season and two tournament titles, and advanced to the NAIA Division II National Tournament twice – making the “Sweet 16” both years.
Julie (Schommer) Fechter
Women’s Basketball, 1998 - 1992
Julie (Schommer) Fechter (BA Education, 1993) played four seasons for the women’s basketball and started all four seasons. She was named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Academic All-American team in 1990-91 and was a National Catholic Basketball Tournament Scholar-Athlete in 1991-92. She is currently ranked among Stritch career leaders in the following categories: Eighth in points (1220), third in rebounds (820), seventh in field goal percentage (.523) and sixth in field goals made (524).
Julie holds the individual single game scoring record when she scored 32 points on January 20, 1990 against Pillsbury College. During her time at Stritch, Julie’s team posted an 88-21 overall record and was 46-10 in conference play. The team won two Lake Michigan Conference regular season titles, won their first-ever district championship in 1990 and was runner up in district play twice, and advanced to the NAIA Division II National Tournament for the first time.
Craig Holmquist
Men’s Soccer 1992 – 1995
Craig Holmquist (BA Mathematics, 1996) played four years for the men’s soccer team at the goalkeep and sweeper positions and was instrumental in the programs early beginnings. Craig was a four-year letterwinner and starter. He was a two-time All-Lake Michigan Conference selection (’94, ’95) and a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-District selection (‘93).
Holmquist was a two-time team co-captain and also voted co-Most Valuable Player twice by his teammates. In his junior year he helped his team to a share of the Lake Michigan Conference regular season championship and won the LMC tourney championship, giving the team its first-ever appearance in the NAIA District tournament. During his senior year Craig was selected to the NAIA Academic All-American team.
Michele Janicki
Women’s Basketball, 1996-2000
Michele Janicki played four seasons for the women’s basketball team and was a three-year starter. She was named to the 1999-2000 National Association of Intercollegiate (NAIA) Honorable Mention team. She was also a three-time All-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference selection. She is currently ranked among Stritch career leaders in the following categories: second in points (1351), fifth in rebounds (701), fifth in field goals (541), seventh in games played (118), eighth in three-point field goals (103), and ninth in free-throw percentage (.729).
During her time at Stritch, Michele’s team posted a 96-25 overall record and was 38-6 in conference play. The team claimed three first-place conference titles, two conference tournament championships, and advanced to the NAIA Division II National Tournament three times.
Elicia Allen
Women’s Basketball, 1996-2000
Elicia Allen played four seasons for the women’s basketball team and was a three-year starter. She was a three-time All-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference selection. She was a two-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Academic (NAIA) All-American. She is currently ranked among Stritch career leaders in the following categories: first in rebounds (871), third in field goals (543), third in field goal percentage (.542), fifth in games played (120), sixth in points (1282), and eighth in free throws (196).
During her time at Stritch, Elicia’s team posted a 96-25 overall record and was 38-6 in conference play. The team claimed three first-place conference titles, two conference tournament championships, and advanced to the NAIA Division II National Tournament three times.
Kerry Sexton-Alter
Women’s Soccer
Kerry Sexton-Alter played two seasons for the women’s soccer team and was a two-year starter at the midfield position. She was named to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-Region team. She was a two-time All-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference selection. She was voted the CCAC “Player of the Year” in 1998. She is currently ranked among Stritch career leaders in the following categories: second in all-time scoring and second in single-season scoring.
Sara Smith-Baker
Women’s Volleyball and Basketball, 1994-1997
Sara Smith-Baker was a dual sport athlete at Stritch, playing four seasons for the volleyball team (1994, ’95, ’96, ’97) and three seasons for the basketball team (1994-95, ’95-96, ’96-97). In volleyball, Sara was a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Second-Team All-Region selection in 1996. Sara was an All-Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference selection (1997). She was a two-time All-Lake Michigan Conference selection (1995, 1996) and also an Honorable Mention Lake Michigan Conference selection (1994).
She was selected LMC “Player of the Week” twice, was also an NAIA Great Lakes District “Player of the Week” selection and earned All-Tournament honors at numerous in-season tournaments. Sara contributed to a basketball program that posted a 61-23 overall record and made two trips to the NAIA Division II National Tournament.
Emile Banks
Men’s Basketball, 1977-1981
Emile Banks (BA Sociology, 1981) was a team captain who led his team to two National Little College Athletic Association (NLCAA) National Tournament appearances. As of the 2004 season, Emile ranks sixth in assists in Stritch basketball history.
Amy Larsen
Women’s Basketball, 1991-1995
Amy Larsen (BA Biology, 1995) was a dual-sport athlete in women’s softball and basketball at Stritch. In softball, Amy was a three-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-District selection and three-time All-Lake Michigan Conference selection. In basketball, Amy was a two-time NAIA Academic All-American, two-time National Catholic Basketball Tournament (NCBT) Scholar Athlete, NAIA All-District selection, and an All-Lake Michigan Conference selection.
As of the 2004 season, Amy ranks eighth in career points, second in three-point field goal percentage, third in assists, fourth in field goal percentage, fifth in games played, and holds the school individual season record for three-point field goal percentage.
Mary (Walechka) Bongiorno
Women’s Volleyball and Basketball, 1988-1992
Mary (Walechka) Bongiorno (BA Psychology, 1993) was a dual-sport athlete in women’s volleyball and basketball at Stritch. In volleyball, Mary was a two-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic (NAIA) Academic All-American, three-time NAIA All-District selection and three-time All-Lake Michigan Conference selection. In basketball, Mary was a NAIA Academic All-American, National Catholic Basketball Tournament (NCBT) Scholar Athlete, and an All-Lake Michigan Conference selection.
As of the 2004 season, Mary ranks sixth in rebounds, second in field goal percentage, fifth in free throw percentage, eighth in free throws made, ninth in field goals made, top 20 in scoring and holds the school individual season record for free throw percentage.
Daniel Withee, ’95
Men’s Basketball, 1992-1994
Dan Withee (BA Sociology, 1995) transferred to Stritch in 1992 from a two-year college. During the two years he played for Stritch, he was a National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) All-District player and a first team All-Lake Michigan Conference selection. Dan was named to the National Catholic Basketball Tournament (NCBT) All-American team. During his senior year, Dan led his team to the regular season conference championship. As of the 2003 season, Dan ranks ninth in rebounds at Stritch.
Rebecca (Treptow) Lowman, ’96
Women’s Basketball, 1991-1995
Rebecca Lowman (BA Education, 1996) was named to the 1994-95 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Honorable Mention All-American team. She was a two-time NAIA All-District selection, a three-time first team All-Lake Michigan Conference selection, and was named to the National Catholic Basketball Tournament All-Tournament team. She is currently ranked second in field goals made and in rebounds, third in points scored, ninth in free throws made and 10th in field goal percentage.
During the 1994-95 season, Becky set Stritch individual game records in field goals made and for rebounds. Becky’s team had an 89-30 overall record, was 49-13 in conference play and received the University’s first bid to the NAIA II national tournament.
Jan-Scott Richard, ’97
Men’s Soccer, 1993-1997
Jan Richard (BA Psychology, 1997) was a four-year starter at the mid-field position for Stritch. During the 1994 season, he was selected for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Honorable Mention team. Jan was a four-time first team All-Lake Michigan Conference selection and was voted LMC “Player of the Year” in 1994, when he led his team to the LMC Tournament final and to the NAIA Great Lakes Regional Tournament.
After graduating from Stritch, he played professionally with the Tallahassee Scorpions of the Eastern Indoor Soccer League and the outdoor team, the Tallahassee Tempest.
Sister Lucilda Sewald, OSF, ’42
Sister M. Frederick Lochemes, OSF* (*awarded posthumously)
Sister Lucilda Sewald, OSF, ’42, and Sister Mary Frederick Lochemes, OSF, faculty members at Stritch, were avid sports enthusiasts and were readily involved in student activities. Both sisters were fondly considered to be honorary members of the men’s basketball team, attending both home and away games, serving meals to the team and taking care of the players.
Sister Lucilda is a recipient of the Professional Staff Award and the Alumni Award for the Spirit of St. Francis. Sister Frederick received the Stritch Medal for Dedicated Service, the Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Achievements, the Spirit of St. Francis Award, and was given the title “Dean Emeritus” in 1985. Sister Frederick retired in 1991 and died in January 2000.
Pam (Besch) Donarski
Women's Basketball, 1989-93
Pam Donarski (BA Education, 1993, MS Management, 1995) was a two-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Academic All-American, two-time National Catholic Basketball Tournament Scholar Athlete, NAIA Division II All-Regional selection and a two-time All Lake Michigan Conference selection.
As team captain and four-year starter as point-guard, Pam led her team to their first appearance at the NAIA II National Tournament in 1992. Pam’s teams won two conference championships and a district title. They were ranked in the top 25 in the NAIA Division II three of her four years.
Robert F. Flahive, Ph.D.
Senior Vice President, 1969-1996
Dr. Robert F. Flahive was the first lay administrator at Stritch. He joined Stritch in 1969 as vice president of business affairs and development, retiring in 1996 as senior vice president. Flahive helped transition the University to co-educational status in 1970. In 1993, Flahive was awarded the Service in Education Vatican II Award. In 1996, Stritch recognized Flahive with its Medal for Meritorious Service and the St. Francis Award, which honors individuals who exhibit the values of St. Francis of Assisi.
Flahive’s enthusiasm and support for athletics let to the establishment of intercollegiate athletics at Stritch. He was instrumental in the development and growth of the athletics program. During Flahive’s 27-year tenure, the University raised funds to build a library, fieldhouse, and campus center. Dr. Flahive died June 1, 1999.
Michael Szydlowski
Men's Basketball, 1981-85
Mike Szydlowski (BA Sociology, 1985) led his team to three National Little College Athletic Association (NLCAA) National Tournament appearances, three National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics District championships, and top 10 rankings in three of his four seasons with Stritch. In 1982, he was named NLCAA District Tournament Most Valuable Player.
As of the 2002 season, Mike ranks first in career points at Cardinal Stritch University. A four-time all-conference selection, he also ranks first in field goals attempted and field goals made.
Peter Loyda
Men's Basketball, 1983-87
Peter Loyda (BA Education, 1990) led his team to several season records and top three conference rankings during his career, including No. 1 in the nation for the 1986-87 season. Loyda was twice named NLCAA All-American, and received NAIA All-District selection two years in a row. In 1985 and 1986, Loyda was District Most Valuable Player.
In addition, he was voted Most Valuable Player three years in a row by the NLCAA Great Lakes District, Lake Michigan All-Conference, and All-WICA. In 2001, Loyda ranks first in Stritch basketball history in career field goals percentage, first in rebounds, second in career points, and second in total number of field goals made.
William F. Stier Jr., Ed.D.
Director of Athletics and Men's Head Basketball Coach, 1976-80
William F. Stier Jr., played an integral role in the development of Stritch’s inter-collegiate athletics program. As of October 2001, Stier holds the record for best winning percentage as head basketball coach at Stritch. He led his team to top rankings in the NLCAA during his tenure. Stier also served as director of Admissions at Stritch. He has more than 30 years of service in sports management and physical education.
Stier is founding editor of the International Sport Management and Administration Commission of the International Council for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Sport, and Dance. The author of over 262 journal articles, he has published 15 books on various subjects including sports management, teacher education, coaching, and women in sports. In 1999, he received the Sport Management Achievement Award from the national Sport Management Council.
Jennifer Wittmann
Women's Basketball, 1988-92
Jennifer Wittmann (BFA, 1993) was a first team All-American and four-time NAIA Division II All-District player. She was named Kodak All-American in 1992, named to the NCBT All-American team in 1991 and 1992, and named NAIA Division II District Player of the Year in 1991. Wittmann was also named Lake Michigan Conference Player of the Year three years in a row.
In 2001, she ranks first in career points, first in field goals, and first in field goals percentage in Stritch women’s basketball history. In women’s softball, she made the All-Lake Michigan Conference team in 1989.