Sept. 19, 2008
For Immediate Release:
Contact: Staci Schottman, NAIA Director of Public Relations & Communications, 816-595-8000, sschottman@naia.org
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced today its 2008-09 Hall of Fame class. The honor is the highest bestowed by the NAIA. Individuals inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame must be persons of outstanding quality, high moral character, fine leadership ability and must be held in high esteem by their colleagues, former coaches and former athletes.
The 2008-09 NAIA Hall of Fame class includes: Mike Cleary (Meritorious Service), Patrick Clemens (Men’s Soccer – Meritorious Service), Paul Swanson (Volleyball Coach), Fernanda Vivancos Nelson (Volleyball Player), Robert F. Shoup (Football Coach), Jerry Tolley (Football – Meritorious Service), Mike Lightfoot (Basketball Coach), Paul Bartlett (Wrestling – Meritorious Service), Ben Foster (Men’s Golf Coach), Dave Bingham (Baseball Coach), James Kenneth Sparks (Football Coach), Steve Ridder (Men’s Basketball Coach), and Sam Riggleman (Men’s Baseball Coach). All inductees will be recognized and honored at various NAIA events held throughout the year.
“The NAIA Hall of Fame recognizes the remarkable contributions of student-athletes, coaches and athletic administrators. The individuals that make up the 2008-09 class represent talent, hard work and sheer determination,” said Jim Carr, NAIA President and CEO. “These men and women are proven competitors, teachers and mentors and wonderful representatives of character driven intercollegiate athletics. The NAIA is thrilled to celebrate their work and storied careers.”
The Hall of Fame consists of a division for each sport currently or formerly sponsored by the Association and a division for general meritorious service to the NAIA. Each sport division is divided into three categories: athlete, coach and meritorious service.
2008-09 NAIA Hall of Fame Inductees:
Mike Cleary, National Association of Collegiate Directors of America (NACDA) – Meritorious Service
To be inducted at the 2009 NAIA National Convention, Kansas City, Mo. (April 17-21, 2009)
Mike Cleary is the only executive director in the history of the National Association of Collegiate Directors Athletics (NACDA). He was named to the post in 1965. Under Cleary’s guidance NACDA membership has risen from 300 members to more than 6,100 athletics administrators and more than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Cleary administers the many services provided to its membership, which included members and associations from both the NAIA and the NCAA. As the fund administrator of the John McLendon Minority Scholarship Foundation, which has been responsible for raising more than $1 million to date, Cleary has provided minority students the opportunity to pursue graduate degrees in athletic administration. Prior to taking charge of NACDA, Cleary was the director of championship events for both the NCAA and NAIA, being responsible for the operation of the annual convention and the 32 team weeklong National Men’s Basketball Tournament. Cleary has always had a resolute disposition to the support of social justice and diversity and his work to highlight the overall excellence of athletics programs has set a standard for other governing bodies.
Patrick Clemens, Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) – Men’s Soccer, Meritorious Service
To be inducted at the 2008 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship, Fresno, Calif. (Dec. 1-6, 2008)
Incorporating his own personal values and convictions into his occupations as a collegiate soccer coach and faculty member, Patrick Clemens has become a role model of community service and leadership for soccer coaches at every level. Clemens has been a soccer volunteer in many capacities, as a coach, statistician, teacher and administrator. In addition to his coaching and teaching responsibilities at Cardinal Stritch University, Clemens is active with America Scores-Milwaukee, an inner city youth program that combines soccer and poetry. Clemens had over 25 years of playing, coaching and administrative experience in the sport of soccer when he was named head men’s and women’s soccer coach at Cardinal Stritch in 1996. This past August Clemens was appointed athletics director at Cardinal Stritch. Clemens served on the NAIA Men’s Soccer Coaches Association and on several committees over the past two decades. A NAIA Award of Merit honoree on two occasions, Clemens was recognized for his work as the official scorekeeper at the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship and for his seven years of service on the NAIA Men’s Soccer Coaches Association Executive Committee. Clemens remains a staunch supporter of collegiate soccer and instills the values of servant leadership and accountability into the Cardinal Stritch athletic department.
Paul Swanson, Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio) – Volleyball, Coach
To be inducted at the 2008 NAIA Volleyball National Championship, Sioux City, Iowa (Dec. 1, 2008)
Paul Swanson is entering his 25th season as the head coach of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University women’s volleyball coach. Over the past 24 years, Swanson had led the Lady Cougars to an 834-287 overall record, seven conference titles, 16 National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) region championships and 16 trips to the NCCAA national tournament. In 2007, Swanson guided the program to a 39-5 overall record and an American Mideast Conference South Division title with an 11-1 mark as he was named NAIA Region Coach of the Year. The team finished No. 13 in the final NAIA national poll and advanced to the NAIA Women’s Volleyball National Championship for the first time in program history. Swanson has led his teams to the NAIA Region Tournament for 14 straight seasons with the Lady Cougars advancing to the championship match six times. During the decade of the 1990s, Swanson led MVNU to an incredible 122-9 home record that included a then-NAIA record 70-match winning streak. Swanson has been selected as the conference Coach of the Year five times and has been featured in Sports Illustrated in the “Faces in the Crowd” section. Swanson is a member of the NCCAA Hall of Fame and the MVNU Cougar Wall of Fame. Swanson has developed eight All-Americans, 20 NCCAA All-Americans, one NCCAA National Player of the Year and three conference Players of the Year in his tenure. He has also had 14 NAIA All-America Scholar-Athletes and one CoSIDA Academic All-American selection.
Fernanda Vivancos Nelson, National American University (S.D.) – Volleyball, Athlete
To be inducted at the 2008 NAIA Volleyball National Championship, Sioux City, Iowa (Dec. 2-6, 2008)
Fernanda Vivancos came to the United States in 1999, and quickly became a hall of fame caliber volleyball player with a 2nd team All-American nomination in her first year at National American University (NAU) in 2000. In the following three years she received similar accolades for her play at NAU (Rapid City campus) and enjoyed great success. She was 1st team All-American and the Region III MVP in 2001, 2002 and 2003. In 2001 and 2002 she received NAIA National Player of the Year honors. Her personal excellence aside, she helped NAU win a National Championship in 2002 and a National runner-up in 2001. More impressive than her physical abilities and court sense was her relentless pursuit of perfection for herself and her teammates. Even after she had completed her eligibility in 2004, she remained close to the volleyball program and helped mentor incoming players, while finishing her degree at NAU. In 2007, after opening and operating a successful multinational business she came back to NAU as the assistant volleyball coach and continues her undying passion for the sport. Vivancos finished her career at National American University with a 150-21 record. She was inducted into The NAU Hall of Fame in 2007.
Robert F. Shoup, California Lutheran University – Football, Coach
To be inducted at the 2009 AFCA Convention, Nashville, Tenn. (Jan. 11-14, 2009)
Being a leader in the community and in college shaped Robert Shoup’s career focus. As a standout student-athlete (football and baseball) at the University of California Santa Barbara, Shoup success in athletics led him to the coaching profession. In his time as head football coach at California Lutheran University (CLU) (1962-1989) Shoup amassed 184 wins and a .662 winning percentage. Twenty-one of his 28 seasons as head football coach were winning seasons at CLU. Shoup was voted NAIA District 3 Coach of the Year nine consecutive years and was named the NAIA Western Coach of the Year three times. Under Shoup’s direction CLU made five playoff appearances (1971, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1982) and in 1971 he led Cal Lutheran football to the NAIA Division II National Championship. In 1968 he earned the NAIA National Award of Merit and in 1971 was named NAIA Coach of the Year. Shoup collected an incredible 14 NAIA District 3 titles in 17 years and led his team to either an NAIA Division II National Finalist or Quarter Finalist on four occasions. Shoup’s football teams were listed in the top 10 winningest football teams over the last 50 years with a 182-81-6 record. Shoup provided leadership not only by coaching and building a championship football program but also by building a championship CLU athletic department that has carried over for generations past and present.
Jerry Tolley, Elon University (N.C.) – Football, Meritorious Service
To be inducted at the 2009 AFCA Convention, Nashville, Tenn. (Jan. 11-14, 2009)
As a student-athlete and coach under the NAIA banner, Jerry Tolley’s illustrious career in the athlete and coach categories motivate and inspire many. Tolley excelled in track and football at East Carolina University (ECU) setting all-time ECU records, some of which remain today. Tolley holds the record for most interceptions in a game, career kickoff return and the overall highest season kick returns. When Tolley moved into the football coaching realm as the head coach at Elon University he won four South Atlantic Conference titles, three District 26 titles and participated in the NAIA Division I playoffs on three occasions, winning back to back NAIA titles in 1980 and 1981. In NAIA national playoff games Tolley recorded an unprecedented 8-1 record. The hallmark of Tolley’s career was his teams’ ability to win close games. In contests decided by nine or fewer points, his teams won 22 of 24 games. Tolley coached 53 All-Conference performers, of which four received conference Most Valuable Player honors. Thirty of his players were named All-District and 12 were All-State selections. Eighteen of his players gained All-American status and 17 have been enshrined in Elon Sports Hall of Fame. Tolley’s accolades include NAIA District 26, state, regional, area and NAIA coach of the year honors. His coaching accomplishments are so unparallel on the Elon campus that his coaching tenure is referred to as the Golden Era of Elon football. In addition to the title of coach, Tolley has also been called Mayor, author and community leader. Beyond Tolley’s accomplishments is a greater story. Tolley won championships with class, honor, decency and good will.
Mike Lightfoot, Bethel College (Ind.) – Basketball, Coach
To be inducted at the 2009 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship, Branson, Mo. (March 11-17, 2009)
Mike Lightfoot’s collegiate coaching record is an astounding 568-203 (73.6%) over 21 seasons. He has reached the winning milestones of 300, 400, and 500 career wins faster than any other coach in collegiate history including John Wooden and Adolph Rupp. During his coaching tenure at Bethel, Lightfoot has a total of seven National Championships – three NAIA and four NCCAA. He was named NAIA DII National Coach of the Year in 1995 and 1997 and NCCAA National Coach of the Year in 1990, ’92, ’94, ’95, ’96, ’99 and 2000. Lightfoot is not only a builder of championship teams, but also a builder of quality men of great Christian character. His dedication to servant leadership among his team and in the Christian community sets him apart as not only a successful basketball coach but as an inspiring leader to his players and community. Lightfoot has led nine ministry teams overseas while at Bethel and posses the virtues that reflect in his quality programs and players. Over 35 former players now coach at the high school or collegiate level in Indiana alone and many more excel in vast career paths, all stemming from the background shared together with Mike Lightfoot. Lightfoot’s basketball accomplishments are stunning and he is held in highest regard by elite coaches around the country including Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Boeheim, Bill Self and Tom Izzo. Lightfoot is not only the highest quality of human being, he is arguably one of the best small college basketball coaches in the history of the game.
Paul Bartlett, Northwestern College (Iowa) – Wrestling, Meritorious Service
To be inducted at the 2009 NAIA Men’s Wrestling National Championship, Oklahoma City, Okla. (March 7, 2009)
Paul Bartlett began his coaching career as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Iowa State University in 1976 and would later take the head assistant coaching position at Drake University in 1979. Bartlett accepted his first head coaching position at Northwestern College in 1984 and spent 22 years (1984-2006) guiding the wrestling team. During his tenure at Northwestern, Bartlett served as the president of the NAIA Wrestling Coaches Association (WCA) (1995-1997), served on numerous committees within the WCA and published several wrestling articles in national publications. Bartlett’s team received the first NAIA Sportsmanship Award in 2004 and took home the honors again in 2006. Bartlett guided 11 Scholar-Athletes, 17 All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans. While coaching in the NAIA and serving as an advocate for character-driven intercollegiate athletics Bartlett’s teams were always prepared and conducted themselves with class showcasing the core values of the Champions of Character program prior to its institution.
Ben Foster, Point Loma Nazarene University (Calif.) – Men’s Golf, Coach
To be inducted at the 2009 NAIA Men’s Golf National Championship, Davenport, Iowa (May 18, 2009)
Ben Foster has been a key figure in the NAIA since 1964 when he arrived at Pasadena College, now Point Loma Nazarene University (PNLU), as a freshman. His achievements as a player and coach are lengthy. Foster was a dominating basketball player on both ends of the court. His four years of statistics include 1,786 points and 1,324 rebounds. Pasadena went 82-49 over Foster’s playing career and appeared at the NAIA National Tournament in the 1967 season. Foster was named team MVP three times with three All-District and two Honorable Mention All-American selections. He was drafted by the ABA Los Angeles Stars following his collegiate career. Foster went to work for his alma mater and Athletics Director Carroll Land upon graduation. He just completed 39 years of coaching NAIA teams, the last 32 as a golf coach. Foster was the head men’s basketball coach at PLNU for 17 years where he compiled a school best 310-232 record. In 1974 he took over the reigns of the PLNU golf program. During that time he guided the program to 18 NAIA National Championship appearances where Sea Lions finished in the Top 10 on ten different occasions. Foster has also mentored 17 All-Americans in golf, including three national champions. His golf teams have won seven NAIA District 3 titles and have claimed four Region II championships. Foster served as president of the NAIA Golf Coaches Association, rater of the NAIA Region II and golf sports chairman for Region II. In addition to his individual awards and accolades, Foster has had many former players go onto become professional teachers in the golf industry.
Dave Bingham, Emporia State University (Kan.) – Baseball, Coach
To be inducted at the 2009 ABCA Convention, San Diego, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2009)
Dave Bingham has been a baseball coaching icon for over 25 years and is held in high esteem by his colleagues, coaches and former student-athletes. In 14 seasons as Emporia State University’s (ESU) baseball coach, Bingham set the standard by which all others are compared. Bingham’s coaching career began in 1970 at ESU. He left to play for the Washington Senators before returning to Emporia in 1972. Bingham was named head coach after the 1973 season. Bingham compiled a record of 558-272-2 from 1974-1987. Included were eight CSIC championships, 11 District 10 titles, five Area III crowns and the 1978 NAIA National Championship. He we selected as District 10 Coach of the Year 11 times, Area III Coach of the Year six times and was named NAIA Coach of the Year three times in 1976, 1984 and 1986. Bingham received international acclaim, having served as a coach for the USA baseball teams (1979, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1988 and 2000). His international coaching stints resulted in three gold medals, two silver medals and one bronze medal. In 1987 Bingham left ESU to become the head coach at the University of Kansas where he led the Jayhawks to a NCAA World Series appearance in 1993. His overall coaching record is 807-497-2 and his NAIA coaching record is 558-272-2.
James Kenneth Sparks, Carson-Newman College (Tenn.) – Football, Coach
To be inducted at the 2009 AFCA Convention, Nashville, Tenn. (Jan. 11-14, 2009)
James Kenneth Sparks and the Carson-Newman Eagles’ run of success began in 1982, when he guided Carson-Newman to a 10-2 record and an NAIA playoff berth during his third season as head football coach. Despite the Eagles loss in the first round that year, the Carson-Newman football program would never be the same. In 1983, Sparks led Carson-Newman to its second straight South Atlantic Conference title and back to the playoffs. The Eagles upset Mesa State College (N.M.) in the NAIA Championship Bowl, 36-28, to capture the first national championship football title in school history. Carson-Newman went on to win four more NAIA national crowns. In 13 NAIA seasons at Carson-Newman, Sparks won five national titles, played for six and reached the playoffs on ten occasions. Sparks was named NAIA Football Coach of the Year in 1984. He continues to be an active ambassador for college football, recently serving as president of the American Football Coaches Association (2007). Sparks has been honored by numerous organizations and Hall of Fames and is held in high esteem by his football colleagues. Sparks is known throughout the community as a coach who cares more about his players making “winning” decisions in life and his impact on young players is unmatched.
Steve Ridder, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Fla.) – Men’s Basketball, Coach
To be inducted at the 2009 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship, Point Lookout, Mo.
(March 11-17, 2009)
A product of the NAIA and a standout student-athlete at Berea College (Ky.) Steve Ridder started his coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater under Coach Roland Wierwille. In 1989, Ridder took his first head coaching job at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) and in 1993 was named athletics director while maintaining head coach status. From day one Ridder set a standard of excellence that has been a model for his success. Ridder’s enthusiasm for the athletic department is inspirational and infectious. He is considered one of ERAU’s greatest spokespersons and assets in the Daytona Beach community. The message he has built the ERAU athletic program around, the student-person-player concept, is one that he believes in deeply and one that has become his hallmark. Ridder’s teams have advanced to the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship tournament on ten occasions winning the title in 2000, taken seven Sun Conference (formerly the Florida Sun Conference) tournament championships, produced 26 All-Americans, nine All-America Scholar-Athletes, 37 All-Conference honorees, five Sun Conference “Player of the Year” selections, three “Newcomer of the Year” honorees and three “Freshman of the Year” awards. Ridder has been the center of numerous Coach of the Year honors at the conference, region and national levels receiving NAIA Division II Coach of the Year honors in 2000. Ridder has set countless records including nine consecutive Sun Conference Commissioner’s Cup trophies and has been inducted into numerous Hall of Fames. While hired to coach basketball he never stopped at just teaching the sport, but taught life skills to the student-athletes that played under his guidance. Ridder pushes, molds, challenges and drives his players to be better.
Sam Riggleman, Spring Arbor University (Mich.), Men’s Baseball, Coach
To be inducted at the 2009 ABCA Convention, San Diego, Calif. (Jan. 3, 2009)
Spring Arbor University baseball coach and director of athletics Sam Riggleman has made excellence his calling card since beginning his coaching career at John Wesley College (N.C.) in 1977. The longtime mentor has had very few seasons in his 30-year career where the win column was not larger than the loss having compiled a 667-476-2 record through the end of 2005, which was his first year at Spring Arbor University. Riggleman’s road in returning to Spring Arbor University to coach at his alma mater has had several stops along the way. After getting his start at John Wesley, Riggleman moved on to Mount Vernon Nazarene University (Ohio) (1980-1988) where he compiled nearly 230 wins over eight years, ranking him second all-time for total wins at Mount Vernon Nazarene University (MVNU). His success at MVNU allowed Riggleman to test the waters at Southern Illinois University (1988-1994), Bethel College (Ind.) (1995-1999) and Dallas Baptist University (Texas) (2000-2002) before fulfilling his 30 year dream to coach at Spring Arbor. In 2007 Riggleman and the Cougars put together the most impressive season in the history of Spring Arbor baseball, cruising to a 48-5 record, capturing the conference, regional and super regional titles and advancing to the championship game of the 2007 NAIA World Series. Riggleman was named as the Mid-Central College Conference, NAIA Region 8 and NAIA National Coach of the Year. As a coach and athletics director Riggleman has been instrumental in developing competitive athletic programs and has helped develop the Montana Leadership Institute designed to help with academic, athletic and spiritual leadership in Spring Arbor student-athletes.
About the NAIA
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, is the governing body for athletics programs at its nearly 300 colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. The long-held mission of the NAIA is to promote the education and development of well-rounded students and productive citizens through intercollegiate athletics. The Association offers equitable access and opportunities for participation in its 23 national championship events held annually throughout the country.
Today, the NAIA strengthens its commitment to student-athletes and strives to enrich their college experience by supporting academic achievement and character development. NAIA Champions of Character is the association’s innovative flagship program designed to instill character values in student-athletes, coaches and youth in the communities it serves.
