University of Dubuque Inducts Six into Hall of Fame and Hall of Distinction
Sep 23, 2014
Dubuque, Iowa – On Saturday, September 20, the University of Dubuque inducted six into the UD Hall of Fame and UD Hall of Distinction. Inducted into the UD Hall of Distinction were Dr. Judson Ott and Dennis Rima. New members of the UD Spartans Hall of Fame are: Tina Felderman (C’97,02), Keith Graves (C’83), Amanda (Dickson) Jushka (C’97), and Rod Kiolbassa (C’ 78).
The University of Dubuque Alumni Association established the Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame in 1989 as a permanent place to honor those individuals who have promoted and served the University throughout its athletic programs.
The Hall of Fame recognizes former student-athletes, coaches, and supporters who have contributed to the success of the University of Dubuque both on and off the athletic field. It further promotes the University intercollegiate athletic program and creates a focal point for alumni, family, friends, and current University students, faculty, and staff.
Hall of Distinction
Dr Judson Ott
Dr. Judson Ott was inducted for his commitment to our student athletes, and his outstanding contribution to the stature of the University athletic program.
Dr. Ott is a Board Certified Physician employed by Medical Associates in Dubuque specializing in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. He has a medical degree from the University of Iowa, trained at the University of Washington
Harborview Medical Center, and was Board Certified in Orthopedic Surgery and fellowship trained in both Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Traumatology (the only fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon in Dubuque). He joined the clinic in September 1993, and has been providing medical services for the University of Dubuque since then.
Judson Ott provided student-athletes with an opportunity to participate in intercollegiate athletics in the safest and healthiest manner possible. He helped prevent athletic injuries from occurring and, recognizing that some injuries are inevitable, rendered first aid, provided follow-up treatment, and rehabilitation.
Dennis Rima
A team player through and through, Dennis Rima was accepted into the UD Hall of Distinction. With his earnest spirit and contagious enthusiasm, Dennis has distinguished himself as “The Ultimate Coach Rima.”
Dennis, a former 3x time All-IIAC performer in baseball was also an all-star second baseman in a semi-pro league. He began his professional career as a physical education teacher and coach, winning the state baseball championship for Leo High School in Holy Cross, Iowa. In 1989, Dennis joined the University of Dubuque faculty and coaching staff, eventually becoming the assistant athletic director. At UD Dennis coached baseball, football, volleyball, and cross country and was named Iowa Conference Baseball Coach of the Year in 1994. That same year Dennis became the “Voice of the Spartans,” as the announcer for home football games and, in 2003, the announcer for home basketball games.
Following the success of the movie, Field of Dreams, local baseball players formed a team called the “Ghost Players.” Dennis joined the team in 1991 and travelled with the team to events in the Midwest and around the world. He has also appeared in commercials for ESPN. After serving as principal LaSalle Catholic School in Holy Cross, Dennis followed a calling to the ministry and joined the Clarity Pregnancy Center Clinic. He oversees fundraising as development director, coordinating and emceeing the annual banquet.
Hall of Fame
Tina Felderman (C’97/C’02)
Tina Felderman, a Dubuque native, played softball, basketball, and volleyball for the University of Dubuque. The highlight of Tina’s athletic career at UD was to be named to the 1st All-Iowa Conference Softball Team as shortstop in 1997. She earned National Honors - 1st NFCA All-West Region Softball Team in 1997.
In volleyball, she was a Member of the 1995 Iowa Conference Championship Team and an NCAA Sweet-16 qualifier team member. In basketball she ranks 8th in career assists with 224 total and 1st in season steals with 80 in 1996-97.
Tina received her master’s degree in health/wellness and counseling and is currently a wellness instructor at Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School in Dubuque. Tina coaches volleyball and softball at the college and high school levels, and spent seven years as a youth baseball coach. She has three wonderful boys, TJ, Cody, and Jacob. All three are involved in baseball and basketball.
Keith Graves (C’83)
Keith Graves came to the University of Dubuque as an all-conference tackle from Osage High School, in Osage, Iowa. In the fall of 1979, the 6-foot-3 inch, 225-pound tackle contributed to UD’s first undefeated season since 1942. But it was as a member of the University of Dubuque Track and Field Team that Keith really stood out.
He was a four-time Conference Champion in the shot put, four-time Division III National Track and Field qualifier, earned All-American Honors by placing 6th at the national championships in 1982. Keith graduated in 1983 with a double major in safety/health occupation and psychology. Currently he is an asset protection manager for various retail companies, and a franchise owner of Pepperidge Farm Bread. Keith and his wife Barb have been married for 26 years and have two children. Keith enjoys spending time with his grandson, fishing, camping, and attending sporting events.
Amanda (Dickson) Jushka (C’97)
Amanda (Dickson) Jushka joined the University of Dubuque from Milton, Wisconsin as a basketball recruit. Upon her arrival on campus, she was asked to join the volleyball program by Head Coach Connie Bandy Hodge. She joined a recruiting class which developed into a national caliber squad. Amanda, as a 5-11 outside hitter, led the Spartans to a conference championship. She made UD history as the first volleyball NCAA All-American and as a two-time first team selection to the All-Iowa Conference team. She was an All-Iowa Conference Volleyball Team for 3 years and an All-Region Volleyball selection in 1995.
In basketball she was a Conference Defensive Player of the Week, named to Dan Donovan All-Tournament Team and held UD record for most free throws made in one game
Amanda taught English for 13 years before becoming an assistant principal at an alternative high school in Rockford, Ill. She coaches volleyball for Middleton High School, and has made five state appearances over nine years of coaching. Amanda and her husband, Jeff, have three children; Lauren, Logan, and Lucas.
Rod Kiolbassa (C’78)
Rod Kiolbassa began his athletic career at Forest View High School, Arlington Heights, Ill. where he graduated in 1974. He was a football and basketball student-athlete during his high school years.
After spending his first year at UD on the bench, Kiolbassa became an All-Iowa Conference selection at wide receiver for three years. He was a favorite target of the Spartan quarterbacks. Coach Don Birmingham said, “During Rod’s career the school had about eight quarterbacks, he’s the only receiver who’s made all of them look good.”
He was a 2nd All-Iowa Conference Football Team in 1975 and 1976), a 1st All-Iowa Conference Football Team in 1977. He led team in receiving in 1975, 1976, and 1977. He was an honorable mention All-NAIA in 1975, but ranked 4th in league scoring with seven touchdowns and 44 points in 1977.
After college, Rod was invited to try out for both the NFL and the Canadian League. In 1994, Rod moved back to Illinois to take over a family masonry business. He enjoys spending time at his lake house in northern Wisconsin.
Athletic Hall of Fame Individuals and Teams award is designed to recognize the very best of UD Spartan student-athletes who have set records, hold records, or were All-Americans.
Criteria for the Hall of Fame Individual Award:
1) Have been out of college at least seven years
2) Have lettered in a varsity sport at UD
3) Have made an outstanding contribution to the stature of the University Athletic Program and to the ideals of the community life at UD while an undergraduate
4) Shows continuous support of UD
Criteria for the Hall of Fame Team Award: The team must have won a conference championship and/or were invited for NCAA post-season play. It must be at least seven years since that accomplishment.
Hall of Distinction is designed to recognize those individuals who have given unselfishly to further the University’s Athletic Programs and support its student-athletes.
Criteria for the Hall of Distinction Award:
1) Made a significant contribution to UD as an administrator, member of the athletic support staff, coach, and booster alumnus/alumna
2) Have been out of college at least seven years
3) Have made an outstanding contribution to the stature of the University Athletic Program and to the ideals of community life at UD
4) Demonstrate significant lifelong contributions to society, community or athletics through service and leadership
Class of 1989-90
Johnny Armstrong ('22)
Solomon Butler ('19)
Donald Emery ('39)
Robert Finnegan ('70)
Jim Kinney ('78)
Dave Kuehl ('77)
Emil Lussow ('43)
Clarence Parker ('19)
Norm Rathje ('56)
Bill Reidel ('42)
John Smith ('69)
Robert Williams ('51)
Kenneth "Moco" Mercer, Coach
Class of 1990-91
Scott Berry ('63)
Bryan Dunn ('67)
Ivan Livingstone ('54)
William Miller ('37)
Carol Mundhenke Gibbs ('38)
Robert Schiers ('42)
Clarence T. "Pete" Peterson, Coach
Class of 1991-92
Peter Boyd ('62)
Herbert Fetrow ('38)
Dale Giesler ('61)
Earl Grantenbein ('49)
Cornelius Hook ('17)
Eugene Rowell ('81)
John C. Chalmers, Coach
Class of 1992-93
Theatrice E. Gibbs ('38)
Robert Purcell ('52)
Obie Saddler ('68)
Rick Steil ('81)
Eldon D. Werkheiser ('41)
Dr. Donovan Ward ('27), Contributor
Class of 1993-94
Milton Conzett ('41)
Gary Grimm ('70)
Paul Krause ('67)
Ray Kuefler ('47)
Robert B. Miller ('50)
James Carpenter, Sports Broadcaster
Class of 1994-95
Jerry Borg ('49)
Charles Knutsen ('72)
Robert "Joe" Kuefler ('48)
Eldon "Bud" Loats ('50)
J. Bruce Meriwether ('60)
Jon Davison ('61), Coach
Class of 1995-96
Steve Brown ('75)
William Burnette ('50)
Dan Daack ('68)
Keith Malone ('50)
Wilbur Mundhenke ('35)
Robert Salinas ('81)
Lawerence Sandoval ('42)
Dr. Gaylord M. Couchman, President
Class of 1996-97
Bruce Freeman ('47)
Robert Sellergren ('47)
Jan (Jacobs) Unruh ('85)
Don Birmingham, Coach
Class of 1997-98
William George French ('56)
LeRoy Watts ('50)
Arnie Ziegler ('54)
Class of 1998-99
Rick Anderson ('66)
Clair Lossin ('47)
Penny Wehrs ('88)
Class of 1999-2000
Jeffrey Benson ('80)
Charles Haas ('85)
Robert North ('65)
Class of 2000-01
Tim Lundquist ('86)
Jan (Thielen) Snead ('85)
Graham "Scotty" Turnbull ('56)
Class of 2001-02
Tom Cummings ('74)
Tony Shavone ('51)
Lisa Herb, Coach
Class of 2003-04
Lori (Anda) Bowen ('83)
Jim Fox ('63)
Roger Little ('88)
James Martin ('67)
Melvin "Sweet Pea" McDonald ('40)
Brian McGregor ('59)
1987-88 Men's Basketball Team
Hank Pillard ('57)*
Col. Robert Wicklund (53)*
Class of 2004-05
Grayling Gordon ('89)
Dozier Jones ('66)
Mike Masters ('81)
Bill Reid ('57)
Doug Wilson ('81)
1982 Women's Volleyball Team
Rena (Hutchins) Edgerton ('49)*
Eugene Siekmann ('35/51)*
Class of 2005-06
Timothy Finn ('82)
Robert Raleigh III ('94)
Darrel Rathje ('62)
Warren Merchert ('55)*
Class of 2006-07
Christina (Morrison) Basich ('86)
John Hudson ('60)
Bret W. Johannsen ('50)
Stacey (Gassman) Ruff ('95)
Juris Terauds ('61)
Class of 2007-08
Tim Felderman ('95)
Rev. Roger Patton ('57)
David Sage ('64)
Edward Taber ('25)
June (Salow) Wooten ('87)
Class of 2008-09
Todd Cox ('82)
Russell Spearman ('62)
Roger Waialae ('90)
Lori (Kamp) Wieters ('83)
Marilyn Zunk*
Class of 2009-10
Scott Harris ('82)
Greta Pemsl ('02)
1948 Football Team
1979 Football Team
Class of 2010-11
William Johannsen ('52)
Gary Kane ('70)
Dawn (Laubach) Tschiggfrie ('88)
Fred Van Iten ('67)
Class of 2011-12
David Bacon ('67)
Dana (Kester) Harrold ('04)
Steve Nash ('71)
Damon Rogers ('91)
Class of 2012-13
Robert Glenn ('67)
Lisa (Demerath) Schultz ('02)
Maurice Waugh ('62)*
Class of 2013-14
Greg Ortberg ('00)
1959 Cross Country Team
Jerry Petitgoue ('63)*
Class of 2014-15
Tina Felderman ('97/'02)
Keith Graves ('83)
Amanda (Dickson) Jushka ('97)
Rodney Kiolbassa ('78)
Judson Ott *
Dennis Rima *
*Athletics Hall of Distinction Members
The University of Dubuque is a private, coeducational, professional university with a focus in the liberal arts. Our commitment to encouraging students to explore their fullest potential is part of a rich Christian heritage that dates back to the University’s founding in 1852.
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For additional information, please contact Paul Misner, director of sports information, at 563.589.3168.
