Hall of Fame - Anderson University
Anderson University has announced the 2023 Hall of Fame Induction Class, which includes Andrew Walukonis, Kriss (Eisenhour) Cesco, Kevin Vogt, Jan Koeniger and the 1970 Football team.
The Hall of Fame Induction ceremony is set to take place on Saturday, Oct. 7 during Homecoming Weekend at 11 a.m. in York Performance Hall.
Public is welcome to attend.
|
Andrew Walukonis arrived to campus from Highland High School in Anderson, Ind. and joined the Anderson men's golf team during the 2000-01 season. Walukonis captured medalist honors in 2001 and helped lead the Ravens to a conference title. During his career, Walukonis claimed all-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) honors in each of the three years he competed. Walukonis was also a two-time all-district selection. Walukonis graduated from Anderson in 2004.
|
|
Kriss (Eisenhour) Cesco came to Anderson from Syracuse, Ind. in the Fall of 1990 to compete in track and field for the Ravens. As a freshman, Cesco took part in a conference-winning 4x100 relay (51.50). During her sophomore year, she secured National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) District honors. Cesco took first in the 400-meter hurdles with a time of 1 minute, 8.08 seconds during the Hoosier Conference for Women (HCW) Championships as a junior. Cesco also competed on Anderson's first-place 4x100 (52.53) and 4x400 (4:16.09) relays during the meet. As a senior, Cesco was tabbed as the Indiana Collegiate Athletic Conference (ICAC) Track Athlete Meet MVP, while Anderson cruised to the ICAC team title. Cesco locked up first in the 100 hurdles (16.26), 400 hurdles (1:06.98) and javelin (104 feet, 9 inches). She also helped Anderson defend its titles in both the 4x100 (52.08) and 4x400 (4:18.24). Cesco qualified for the NCAA D-III Championships in the heptathlon, tying for eighth with a score of 4,358 points for all-American honors. She is ranked second in school history in the javelin with a throw of 37.34 meters (122 feet, 2 inches). Cesco also ranks in Anderson's top 10 in the heptathlon and 4x400. |
|
|
Kevin Vogt arrived at Anderson from Carmel High School in Carmel, Ind. in the Fall of 1980 to compete in football for the Ravens as an offensive lineman. Anderson captured Hoosier Buckeye Collegiate Conference (HBCC) titles in his freshman and sophomore years, going 8-1 and 8-2, respectively. The Ravens qualified for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Playoffs during his sophomore year. Vogt earned all-HBCC Honorable Mention as a junior and garnered first-team all-HBCC recognition a senior. He also earned NAIA All-District honors as a junior and senior. Vogt capped his career by being named an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention as a senior. During his career, Vogt was limited to only two holding calls. Vogt was selected as Anderson's Outstanding Senior Male Athlete in 1983-84. |
| Jan Koeniger came to Anderson from Pendleton Heights High School in Pendleton, Ind. As women's sports were beginning to be established at Anderson, Koeniger competed in three sports during the 1975-79 Heritage Era. Koeniger joined Anderson's inaugural basketball team during the 1975-76 season and competed for four years. She added volleyball to her athletics slate in the Fall of 1976, joining the Ravens for the program's second-ever season. Koeniger took part in volleyball for her final three years of college. When Anderson established softball in the Spring of 1978, Koeniger joined the inaugural team and competed for her final two years of college. Koeniger was a two-year captain for volleyball and also served as a captain for basketball and softball. She was named as the team MVP for basketball in 1976, for volleyball in 1977 and for softball in 1978. Koeniger was named Anderson's Outstanding Female Athlete in 1979. | 
|
|
The 1970 Football Team captured the Hoosier College Conference (HCC) title and advanced to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) D-II Championship game. Anderson put together an 8-1 regular season and qualified for the NAIA Playoffs. In the national semifinals, Anderson took down Minot State College 36-14. Quarterback Mike Manley served as a dual threat, throwing for 180 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 90 yards and a touchdown. Kirk Carpenter led the Ravens with 114 receiving yards and three reception touchdowns. On defense, Larry Barkes intercepted three passes.
|
In the national championship game, Westminster College entered halftime with a 21-0. The Ravens came rallying back as they scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to five. Anderson's comeback ultimately came up short as Westminster sealed a 21-16 victory. Defensive end Bill Schrecengost was named the Most Valuable Lineman of the NAIA Championship game.
Anderson was led by future Hall-of-Fame coach Dick Young. Hall of Fame coaches James Macholtz and Don Brandon were also on staff as assistant coaches. Manley finished the season ranked 25th in the nation in passing. Bill Beard, Ray Monroe and Tim Albert each garnered first-team all-HCC recognition for the Ravens. Albert, Monroe and Neal Rector each received NAIA All-District honors while Rector was selected as an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention.
The Anderson University Athletic Hall of Fame was started in 1997 by former Athletic Director Barrett Bates. It was set up to recognize former Raven athletes, coaches and contributors (Meritorious service) to the University.
Each year, names are submitted (nominated) and given consideration by the entire Hall of Fame committee, made up of 11 representatives. The committee chair is Athletic Director Marcie Taylor.
The inductees are announced in the spring and formally inducted into the Hall of Fame during a program at Homecoming the following fall.
If you would like to nominate a former Raven athlete, coach or contributor, email Athletic Director Marcie Taylor at mjtaylor@anderson.edu.
The Hall of Fame members are listed below and can be sorted by name, graduating class and induction class. Click here to access the Hall of Fame members sorted by sport.
