MADISON — The Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) recently announced the members of its 2022 Hall of Fame class. The WIAC established a Hall of Fame to coincide with the conference’s celebration of its 100th anniversary, which took place during the 2012-13 academic year.
The 27-member class for 2022 will be inducted at the WIAC Hall of Fame Banquet to be held on July 23, 2022, at SentryWorld in Stevens Point. The 27 individuals will join a prestigious conference Hall of Fame that includes 87 members.
In announcing the 2022 class, WIAC Commissioner Danielle Harris noted how difficult the selection process is given the 109-year history and incomparable success of the conference.
“The selection process is always challenging given the success of this coanference over its history. It remains our intention to continue to induct future Hall of Fame classes every three years with the goal of recognizing those student-athletes, coaches, administrators, officials and others whose contributions and achievements have solidified the WIAC’s status as the most accomplished Division III conference in NCAA history,” Harris said.
Among those selected include Merrill Brunson (UW-Platteville), former Wisconsin Badgers coach Dick Bennett, and recently retired MLB pitcher Jordan Zimmermann.
Merrill Brunson, UW-Platteville (1997-2002) was a two-sport standout at UW-Platteville, competing in men’s basketball from 1997-2000 and baseball from 1997-99 and 2002. He is the only Pioneer to receive National Association of Basketball Coaches NCAA Division III Player of the Year honors for his 1998-99 season.
Brunson finished his career with 1,538 points, and helped the Pioneers compile a 106-12 record and last undefeated season (30-0 in 1997-98) in NCAA Division III history. He received the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award in 1999, and led the Pioneers to two straight NCAA Division III titles (1998 and 1999). Brunson ranks fourth on the program’s all-time scoring list, and holds the record for most points scored in consecutive years (1,042), has the most three-point shots made in a season (77), and the highest three-point percentage in a career (47.5).
On the diamond, he received all-conference first team recognition in 2002 after securing honorable mention status in 1998. In 2012, Brunson was selected to the WIAC Men’s Basketball All-Time Team in conjunction with the conference’s Centennial Celebration.
For more information on the Hall of Fame class, please visit www.wiacsports.com. Information on purchasing tickets for the banquet, and more detailed bios and photos on each of the inductees will be provided at a later date.
2022 WIAC Hall of Fame Inductees
Merrill Brunson (UW-Platteville, 1997-2002)
Ken Allen (UW-Oshkosh, 1969-82, 1984-92)
Dick Bennett (UW-Stevens Point, 1977-85)
Jack Bennett (UW-Stevens Point, 1997-2005)
Becky Blank (Conference Office, 2009-19)
Helen Briwa (UW-Oshkosh, 1968-92)
Paul Conlin (UW-Platteville, 1990-93)
Jill Crandall (UW-River Falls, 2004-07)
Gary “Stump” Eloranta (UW-River Falls, 1973-2015)
Dale Evans (UW-Stout, 1970-73)
Tom Fiedler (Conference Office, 1982-2010)
Pat Healy (UW-La Crosse, 1992-2016)
Alex Hicks (UW-Eau Claire, 1989-92)
Dr. Dianne Jones (UW-Whitewater, 1975-99)
Gary Karner (Conference Office, 1996-2020)
Patti (Frankowiak) Krautscheid (UW-La Crosse, 1996-99)
Andre McKoy (UW-Whitewater, 1981-84)
Rich Melzer (UW-River Falls, 2001-04)
Mike Ratliff (UW-Eau Claire, 1969-72)
Kris Russell (UW-Whitewater, 1981-2004)
Deb Schulman (UW-Platteville, 1988-2015)
Ralph Sims (UW-Oshkosh1975-78)
Kelsey (Duoss) Steinhagen (UW-Stout, 2005-07)
Martha Stephens (UW-La Crosse, 1968-1979)
Mark Thomas (UW-Stout, 1988-2018)
Kristi (Griggs) Walston (UW-Eau Claire, 1985-88)
Jordan Zimmermann (UW-Stevens Point, 2005-07)
