UD to Induct Four into Athletic Hall of Fame
Oct 13, 2010 | University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
On Saturday, October 16, 2010 the University of Dubuque is pleased to induct four individuals into the Athletic Hall of Fame: Fred Van Iten (C'67), Gary Kane (C'70), Dawn (Laubach) Tschiggfrie (C'88), and William Johannsen (C'52). Awards will be presented during the Alumni/ae Dinner at the Chlapaty Recreation and Wellness Center as a part of the 2010 Homecoming Celebration.
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 through 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.
Fred Van Iten (C'67)
As a University of Dubuque Spartan, Fred Van Iten, C'67, has an impressive record; he was a
3-year varsity starter and All-Conference in both basketball and baseball, NAIA Baseball All-American, elected Most Valuable Player, top rebounder and scorer in basketball and freshman Athlete of the Year. After accomplishing all of that and playing in only eleven games, batting .320, Fred was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals Baseball Organization. He played catcher
in minor league baseball for two seasons.
Fred said that choosing the University of Dubuque was an easy decision; he simply followed his brothers Dick, Bob and Al. Once here, he followed his passion for sports (and got a little help from his wife, Judy, in the classroom). Fred and Judy were high school sweethearts from Peotone, Illinois and were married in 1963. Fred has many Dubuque memories from on and off the field including playing baseball alongside his brother Al, earning an education to teach and share his love of sports, and the birth of his son.
Fred went on to teach and coach high school students in Illinois. He earned a master's degree in safety education at Northern Illinois University in 1974. Fred coached Buffalo Grove High School's baseball and golf teams to conference championships and three future major league baseball players; Mike Marshall, Josh Paul, and Tim Bogar. But the highlight of Fred's life is his family; his wife of 47 years, Judy, children, David, Kathy and her husband Rich, and his grandchildren Elijah, Emily, and Elizabeth.
Since "retiring," Fred enjoys spending time with his family and staying connected with his brothers and sisters. Fred and Judy serve the Children's Ministry at Willow Creek Church in South Barrington, Illinois. Fred stays fit by exercising, golfing, and maintaining a golf-course-like lawn. And he continues working with high school kids as an assistant varsity baseball coach at Bartlett High School. Whether on a playground, a court, a green, a diamond, or in a children's Sunday church service, he still loves to get out and have a ball!
Gary Kane (C'70)
Gary Kane's dedication to athletics has been evident throughout his lifetime. As a boy, Gary made the Little League All-Star Team and missed going to Williamsport and playing in the Little League World Series by one game. As a Spartan, he was first team All-Iowa Conference for baseball and football. He
was a three-year letter winner in baseball, one of the team's top hitters, and earned All-Conference and All-District honors as a junior and senior. Selected to the 1970 Edition of Outstanding College Athletes of America at the University of Dubuque, Gary proved his dedication to the Spartans and his teammates through his athletic commitments.
Gary's athletic career did not end upon graduation from the University of Dubuque in 1970. He was invited to the Kansas City Royals Baseball Academy in 1971 and coached football and wrestling in the New York public schools system. Gary left teaching and New York for the Tampa, Florida Police Force in 1977. During that time he played fast-pitch softball winning a silver medal at the National Sports Festival Olympic trials in 1979, won the Bobby Forbes Memorial Award in 1980, and Team MVP during the 1983 season. He also was a gold medal award winner at the State of Florida Police Olympics.
Gary has been a success on and off the field. As a police officer he earned the Medal of Valor in 1987, Excellent Duty Award in 1986, and the Award of Merit in 1989. Gary and wife, Ginger, will celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary. They have two children, daughter Kristy and son Kevin, and four grandchildren, Kristine, Carson, Landon, and Addison.
Dawn (Laubach) Tschiggfrie (C'88)
During the fall of 1984, Dawn (Laubach) Tschiggfrie arrived at the University of Dubuque after graduating from Wauconda High School. She carried with her the accolades of Most Improved (82-83), Most Rebounds (83-84), and was All-County and All-Conference. Dawn's love and passion for basketball carried over into a very successful four years as a UD "Lady Spartan."
Dawn was not only involved on the court but off the court. With a dream to become a C.P.A., Dawn declared her major as Accounting and became active as the SGA treasurer. She competed in the Campus Ministry-sponsored Crazy Team Pentathalon where over 60 UD students participated in unusual events and her team placed third. Dawn was also a mentor to incoming students by serving on the New Student Days Committee.
Named Second Team All-Iowa Conference during the 87-88 season, Dawn helped lead the 1988 team to one of the best records in women's basketball at UD. As of the end of the 2007 UD basketball season, Dawn was the tenth in All-Time Career Scoring, seventh as the Top Single-Season Scorer, ninth in All-Time Career Rebounding, fifth in All-Time Single-Season Rebounding, and held the Individual record for Most Field Goal percentages in a game. She played with determination and always had a smile!
Dawn has worked for the Internal Revenue Service as a Revenue Agent for 20 years. She is currently married to UD graduate Michael Tschiggfrie and they have two children, Courtney (20), and Matthew (16).
William Johannsen (C'52)
Bill Johannsen is a native of Dubuque and a four-year letter winner in track. Bill was described as a scoring "automaton" during his junior year as the 1951 Iowa Conference mile and two-mile champion.
As a junior and a senior the veteran distanceman was elected co-captain by his teammates.
During Bill's senior year he competed at the Midwest Relays and won both the mile and two-mile events. In the spring of his senior year Bill rolled through a 10:08.6 two-mile to break a decade-old record. With his winning consistency, Bill led the team to an undefeated season with excellent showings in the Iowa Teachers Relays, the Beloit Relays, and the Drake Relays.
Bill graduated in 1952 and enlisted in the United States Air Force with a class assignment to aviation cadets in the Radar Intercept Program. Bill was commissioned a Second Lieutenant and placed on flying status in March 1953. He taught navigation for three years before going to pilot training. After graduating from pilot training, Bill was an instructor for student pilots into conventional and jet aircraft for several years. His flying career took him to Japan, Guam, Vietnam, and Germany. After 24 years of service, Bill retired with 8,000 hours of flying time.
Bill started a new career in the hotel business after the Air Force. He began with Holiday Inn Incorporated as Quality Control Inspector and advanced to General Manager of the Holiday
Inn in Laredo, Texas. In 1990, he received a CHA (Certified Hotel Administrator) certification
from Michigan State University's School of Hospitality Business. Bill managed several other
hotels in Texas and Louisiana before retiring. Bill's family history with the University of Dubuque spans four generations from 1924 to 2007. His father Wilford, aunt Juanita, brother Bret, niece Mary Ann Specht, great-nephew Joseph Specht, and great-niece Jenna Specht are all
UD graduates. Bill and his wife, Veryl, reside in McAllen. TX.
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.
