2011 Athletic Hall of Fame Class announces inductees
Each year, the University of Indianapolis’ Department of Athletics and Greyhound Club honors the university’s most prestigious student athletes and teams from the past. This year’s inductees will be introduced as the 2011 University of Indianapolis Athletic Hall of Fame Class on Feb. 12 during halftime of the men’s basketball game.
The 2011 inductees include Susie Kuntz ‘87, Ralph Reiff ‘80, Terry Wetherald ‘63, the 1996-97 Men’s Basketball Team and the 1972 Men’s Cross Country Team.
Kuntz played both volleyball and softball for the University of Indianapolis, then called Indiana Central College (ICC).
“I just was so grateful for the opportunity to play volleyball and softball and to represent the University of Indianapolis,” said Kuntz.
She was two-time Most Valuable Player for both sports, a two-time all-conference player for volleyball and an all-conference player for softball. In 1984, Kuntz received the Kelso M. Reid Mental Attitude Award, and in 1985-1986 she received the Walter Brenneman Memorial Sportsmanship Award.
“It’s humbling to be recognized with such outstanding people that I already know are in the Hall of Fame,” said Kuntz.
Reiff was a four-year letter winner in football and still holds the UIndy record for most points scored as a kicker and for the longest field goal.
During his off seasons, Reiff was an athletic trainer for the men’s basketball team. He later became an associate professor and head athletic trainer at Butler University.
“I have been extremely pleased with my career as an athletic trainer,” said Reiff. “I think it’s more than I ever imagined it could be.”
Reiff also was given the title of manager of athletic care for the Atlanta Committee for the 1996 Olympic Games. He was named Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer by the National Athletic Trainers Association and was inducted into the Indiana Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame. Reiff currently serves as director at St. Vincent Sports Performance of Indianapolis.
Reiff said that he never expected to receive this recognition and that receiving it was a complete surprise to him. He gives full credit for his success in his career to the University of Indianapolis.
Wetherald served as both a player and a coach during his time at ICC. He lettered in football during the 1958-1959 season and became a student-assistant coach the next two years. In 1962, he was promoted to assistant coach.
After holding several coaching positions at different high schools over the next nine years, Wetherald returned to the Greyhound coaching staff in 1971. In addition to coaching the football team as an assistant for 13 years, Wetherald also served as the Greyhounds’ tennis coach for six years and led the team to a GLVC championship in 1979, winning him a “Coach of the Year” accolade.
Wetherald is best known for his 31 years as the Greyhound’s wrestling coach. In those 31 years, he mentored 19 All-Americans and had a record of 225-188-4.
Wetherald was awarded Greyhound Club Wrestling Coach of the Year in both 1982 and 1993, Regional Wrestling Coach of the Year two times, Conference Coach of the Year four times and is now a member of the Indiana Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame.
The 1996-97 Men’s Basketball Team was recognized for its talent and performance on the court. Coached by Royce Waltman, the team finished the season with a 23-5 overall record and a 16-4 conference record. The team won the GLVC Championship, Waltman was awarded GLVC Coach of the Year and it featured that year’s GLVC Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. They also held the first Division II No. 1 national ranking in school history.
The 1972 Men’s Cross Country Team proved to be another exceptional team from the university. They had a dual meet record of 4-0 and earned first-place finishes at Hokum Karum, DePauw Medley and the Greenville Invitational. With a 76-9 record going into nationals, the team finished 18th out of 60 entries and finished the year with a 118-36 overall record. They were also that year’s Indiana Collegiate Conference Champions.
