2016 CUW Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony
MEQUON, Wis. – Concordia University Wisconsin will induct three individuals and a team into its 2016 class for the William C. Ackmann Memorial Athletic Hall of Fame on July 30. Below is the biographical information on the inductees, a photo albumn and the complete induction ceremony video.
Click here to view a photo album from the ceremony.
Bethany (Hoeppner) Irish
Class of 2005
Women's Soccer
Bethany (Hoeppner) Irish was an outstanding women's soccer player during her time at CUW, guiding the program to an NCAA Division III Tournament appearance during her senior year. She helped the Falcons to Lake Michigan Conference regular season and tournament titles in 2004. Hoeppner, a forward, scored 16 goals for the Falcons during their championship winning season.
Hoeppner garnered All-Lake Michigan Conference accolades each year during her career, including three All-LMC First Team selections. The two-time team MVP and team captain guided the Falcons to 38 victories.
Along with being a four-year letter winner, she was a member of the Student Athletic Advisory Council, participated in Youth Ministry, and worked in the campus Writing Center. Hoeppner graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education English and a minor in speech communication.
Adam Rohlinger
Class of 2006
Baseball
Adam Rohlinger is one of the best hitters to ever wear a Falcons uniform in CUW baseball history. He holds numerous records and enters the Athletic Hall of Fame as the program's all-time leader in doubles and base on balls. Rohlinger led CUW to its only NCAA Division III Tournament appearance in 2004.
He was the Lake Michigan Conference Player of the Year during his senior year in 2006 in addition to earning LMC Rookie of the Year honors and being named All-LMC three times throughout his career. Rohlinger was named team defensive MVP three times and team MVP twice.
Rohlinger had a career batting average of .352, recorded 50 doubles and walked 117 times during his four-year career. He also amassed 247 total bases and 133 RBI. The Falcons compiled 78 victories and had a 45-30 record in conference play. He graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice.
Donald Becker
High School Class of 1961
Junior College Class of 1963
Rev. Donald Becker was one of Concordia's original all-around athletes in basketball, football and track & field during his career. He garnered 10 varsity high school letters, along with three junior college varsity letters.
Becker played basketball at Concordia College High School from 1959-61 before competing at our Junior College from 1961-63, leading the teams as their captain. The talented athlete then played at Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne from 1963-65, as part of the starting five his junior and senior years. He continued to participate in the sport at Concordia Seminary St. Louis from 1965-69, leading his intramural basketball team to two championships.
He later served as parish pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Burley, Idaho (1969-74), where he won three basketball league and tournament titles. Becker also served the Lord at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Minden, Nebraska, from 1974-2014 before retiring.
2006 Football Team
Hall of Fame Team Induction
Concordia University Wisconsin's 2006 football team is arguably one of the most successful and dominate teams in program history. The Falcons were undefeated during the regular season with a 10-0 record and won the Illini-Badger Football Conference with a 7-0 record, while advancing to the NCAA Division III Playoffs.
The Falcons won each of their 10 games by an average of 24 points per game during their memorable run to the playoffs. They also scored a total of 50 touchdowns and averaged 250 rushing yards per game, which was among the best in the nation. CUW was led by CUW Athletic Hall of Fame head coach Jeff Gabrielsen, along with running back Mike Steinmetz who earned IBFC Player of the Year honors.
The Falcons also had two CUW Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, with wide receiver Jon Collier eventually becoming the program's all-time leading scorer and Wilbur Allen earning All-America accolades as a defensive lineman before his career ended.
The Falcons dominance set the standard for future teams with their ability to control every facet of the game.
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