September 18, 2025 All News

University of Dubuque Inducts the 2025 Athletic Hall of Fame Class

By University Relations Staff

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque honored seven individuals at the UD Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony on Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Babka Theatre, Heritage Center. The honorees, who represented multiple sport programs, were also recognized at halftime of the football game against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville.

The newest additions to the Athletic Hall of Fame are Andrew Danna (C'14), baseball; Gonzalo Hernandez Cascante (C'16), men's soccer; Klaudia (Basierak) Hall (C'16), women's volleyball; Jenna Kotas (C'15), women's basketball; Andre Norris (Ex'16), men's basketball; Fabiola Ortiz (C'17), women's cross country and women's track and field; and Blaine Snitker (C'16), football.

Since 1989, the Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Ceremony has honored former student-athletes, coaches, and supporters for their outstanding contributions to UD's athletic programs.

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Andrew Danna (C'14)

Andrew "Andy" Danna graduated from the University of Dubuque in 2014 with a degree in computer graphics and interactive media. During his time at UD, Andy found success on the baseball field. He was named All-Region and has career ranks in the Top 10 in ten different areas, including first in doubles, triples, total bases, and assists.

After graduating, Andy played shortstop for the Dubuque Blues semi-pro baseball team from 2012-2017. In 2015, he began working at Digital Designs in Dubuque, Iowa, purchasing a portion of the company in 2018. He currently serves as co-owner and designer, managing all designs, productions, and installations of a wide range of promotional and marketing materials.

Andy currently resides in Dubuque, Iowa.

By the Numbers:

All-Region
Career Ranks:

1st in Doubles
1st in Triples
1st in Total Bases
1st in Assist
2nd in Runs
4th in Hits
5th in Games Played
7th in Runs Batted In
9th in Home Runs
10th in Steals

School Record for Single Season Doubles and Triples

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Gonzalo Hernandez Cascante (C'16)

Gonzalo Hernandez Cascante graduated from the University of Dubuque in 2016 with degrees in business administration and marketing. While at UD, he was a member of the men's soccer team. Gonzalo has multiple achievements and holds several first-place ranks. Additionally, he has earned MVP, All-Conference, and All-American honors. He also helped lead his team to the first ever NCAA tournament appearance in program history.

After graduating, Gonzalo returned to his hometown in Spain. He has stayed involved with soccer by playing at a Division III level for the AD Parla team. Gonzalo works as a digital content specialist at DAZN, one of the largest sports streaming companies in the world. He is the proud brother of Rodri, the Ballon d'Or winner in 2024, player of Manchester City and Spain National team.

Gonzalo currently resides in Madrid, Spain, with his fiance, Paula.

By the Numbers:

IIAC MVP
3x 1st Team All-Conference
Career Ranks:

1st in Assists
1st in Points
1st in Game Winners
1st in Shots on Goals
1st in Shots
2nd in Goals
6th in Games

3x Academic All-Conference
2x Academic All-American
2x NSCAA All-American

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Klaudia (Basierak) Hall (C'16)

Klaudia (Basierak) Hall graduated from the University of Dubuque in 2016 with a degree in elementary education. While at UD, she made an immediate impact as the IIAC Freshman of the Year. She then went on to become the first player in women's volleyball program history to earn First Team All-Conference honors all four seasons.

After graduating, Klaudia earned her master's in curriculum and instruction from Western Governors University. She has spent eight years in special education and is now entering her second year as a sixth grade English language arts teacher at North Central Middle School in North Liberty, Iowa. Klaudia also stays involved in athletics by coaching middle school volleyball.

Klaudia and her husband, Reece, currently reside in Tipton, Iowa, with their two children, Grayson and Brinley.

By the Numbers:

4x 1st Team All-Conference
Career Ranks:

1st in Total Attacks
2nd in Kills
2nd in Kills/Set
7th in Sets Played

2x Conference Leader in Kills
3x Academic All-Conference
3x CoSIDA Academic All-District

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Jenna Kotas (C'15)

Jenna Kotas graduated from the University of Dubuque in 2015 with a degree in sport marketing and management. While at UD, she found success on the women's basketball team. During her two years at UD, she was a five-time IIAC Athlete of the Week and Women's Basketball Player of the Week.

Jenna was named the 2015 D3Hoops.com Honorable Mention All-American and a member of the D3Hoops.com National Team of the Week. Additionally, she played a pivotal role on the 2014-2015 IIAC Championship Team, the program's first-ever conference title.

After graduation, Jenna stayed involved with basketball and began coaching at the collegiate level. Continuing her education, she earned a master's degree in communication from the University of Illinois in 2021.

Jenna is currently the associate head women's basketball coach at NCAA Division II Ashland University in Ashland, Ohio, where she helped lead the team to a national championship in 2023. She was also named the 2023 NCAA Division II Assistant Coach of the Year.

She currently resides in Ashland, Ohio.

By the Numbers:

2x 1st Team All-Conference
2nd Team All-Region
Career Ranks:

1st in Free Throw Percentage
5th in Points Per Game
9th in 3-Pointers Made

Conference Record in Free Throw Percentage
Finished 3rd in Division III for Free Throw Percentage in 2014-2015

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Andre Norris (Ex'16)

Andre Norris attended the University of Dubuque, where he played on the men's basketball team for four years, finishing his final season in 2016.

Andre's achievements earned multiple honors, including All-American and All-Conference. He was also named IIAC Most Valuable Player twice and Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Andre helped lead the 2015-2016 basketball team to an IIAC Championship.

After his time at UD, Andre began his professional basketball career in Logrono, La Rioja Spain. He has continued to play professionally for organizations across Europe and in the Dominican Republic. During his fourth year, while in Murcia, Spain, he helped lead his team to the championship. Andre will soon begin his 10th professional season.

Andre currently resides in Barcelona, Spain.

By the Numbers:

1x All-American
4x All-Conference (3x-1st Team)
1x All-Region
1x D3hoops.com West Region MVP
4x D3hoops.com Team of the Week
Career Ranks:

1st in Points
1st in 3-Point Percentage
2nd in Blocks
3rd in Rebounds
3rd in Field Goals Made
3rd in Games Played
6th in Points Per Game
7th in Steals
7th in Free Throws Made
7th in Rebounds Per Game
9th in 3-Points Made
10th in Field Goal Percentage

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

Fabiola Ortiz (C'17)

Fabiola Ortiz graduated from the University of Dubuque in 2017 with a degree in psychology and a minor in criminal justice. As a two-sport college athlete, Fabiola made significant contributions to the women's cross country and women's track and field teams. Throughout her career, Fabiola excelled, setting records for both sports in multiple races.

She was selected as a member of the All-Conference Cross Country team, earned multiple All-Conference Track and Field honors, and was the 2017 Iowa Conference Women's Outdoor Track and Field Most Valuable Track Performer.

After graduating, Fabiola became a police officer with the City of Madison Police Department in Madison, Wisconsin. During her service, she has been named a member of the Special Events Team and Honor Guard Team, and she was trained in driving the SWAT bearcat. Additionally, she was given an award for saving a life due to a gunshot injury.

Fabiola currently resides in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.

By the Numbers:

12x All-Conference (4x-Champion)
3x Cross Country All-Conference (Senior: 2nd, Junior: 3rd, Sophomore: 6th)
2x All-Region
Career Ranks:

Indoor Track and Field:

1st in 800 Meter Run
1st in Mile
2nd in 3,000 Meter Run
8th 600 Meter Run

Outdoor Track and Field:

1st in 800 Meter Run
1st in 1,500 Meter Run
1st in Steeplechase

Cross Country:

1st in 6,000 Meter Run (Primary Distance)
1st in 4,000 Meter Run

ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Blaine Snitker (C'16)

Blaine Snitker graduated from the University of Dubuque in 2016 with degrees in math in secondary education, physical education teaching K-12, and mathematics. He also earned a minor in coaching K-12.

During his time at UD, Blaine found success on the football field. Blaine earned multiple All-Conference honors. As captain, he helped lead the football team to the 2015 IIAC Championship, where he was named IIAC Most Valuable Player. Blaine was the Campbell Trophy semifinalist and Cliff Harris Award finalist.

After graduating, Blaine became a math teacher at Waukon High School in Waukon, Iowa. Additionally, Blaine coaches multiple sports, including football, track and field, and baseball.

Blaine and his wife, Alyssa, reside in Waukon, Iowa, with their son, Slade.

By the Numbers: