Laramie, Wyo., March 19, 2018 – A record-setting placekicker, an All American track athlete, a basketball player fondly known as "the Prince of Pilfer", an accomplished wrestler who went on to become an outstanding coach, a successful baseball player, and a championship football team comprise the 2018 class of the University of Wyoming Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame.
 
The dinner and induction ceremony for the Hall of Fame's 26th class will be Friday, August 31, at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, located at 22^nd & Grand in Laramie. 
 
This year's inductees are Sean Dent, Men's Basketball (1984, 1986-88); Jessica Fox Rasby, Track & Field (2003-05); Art Howe, Baseball (1967-69); Steven Suder, Wrestling (1975-79) and Wrestling Coach (1989-2008); Cory Wedel, Football (1994-97); and the 1987 Western Athletic Conference Championship Football Team.
 
A total of 162 individuals and 19 teams have been inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1993.
 
The Hall of Fame Committee met in January to make its final selections for this year's class. The inductees must fit into one of five categories: student-athlete, coach, team, athletics staff member or special achievement.  The special achievement category includes individuals who have contributed to the ideal of sports at the University.  Each nominee must receive at least 75 percent of the committee's vote to be eligible for induction.  Nominations are encouraged and must be submitted by Sept. 1 in order to be considered for the following year's class.  For more information, check out the UW Athletics Hall of Fame website at www.wyohof.com.
 
Members of the committee are Gary Crum (chairman), Tom Burman, Jim House, Rob Jarosh, China Jude, Dale Ann Meeker, Kevin McKinney, Brian Morgen, Jared Newland, Bill Schrage, and Sally Ann Shurmur.

Following is the Class of 2018: 
SEAN DENT
Men's Basketball, 1984, 1986-88
Hometown:  Trenton, New Jersey
 
Wyoming's all-time leader in steals and assists, Dent earned the nickname "The Prince of Pilfer" during a brilliant playing career spanning one of the most successful eras of UW basketball.  As the floor general for Cowboy teams featuring Fennis Dembo and Eric Leckner, Dent helped lead the team to a runner-up finish in the NIT, as well as back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 1987.  Dent established career records for assists (502, including a single-season record 183 in 1986-87) and steals (249, including a single-season record 93 in 1985-86).  The Cowboys also won back-to-back conference tournaments in 1987-88. 
 
JESSICA FOX RASBY
Track & Field, 2003-05
Hometown:  Burns, Wyoming
 
A three-time All-American, Fox was one of the best sprinters in the nation during her time at Wyoming.  She still holds the indoor 200-meter record and the 4 x 400-relay record, as well as the top marks in the outdoor 200m and 400m and both relays (4x100 and 4x400).  She was a seven-time Mountain West conference champion and a six-time national qualifier, in addition to earning All-Mountain West honors seventeen times.  In 2003, she became the first Cowgirl sprinter to earn All-America honors.    
 

ART HOWE
Baseball, 1967-69
Hometown:  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
 
Howe came to UW on a football scholarship but an injury forced him to switch to baseball.  A slick-fielding third baseman, Howe played 109 games for the Cowboys and earned first-team all-conference honors in 1969.  After graduating from Wyoming with a business degree, Howe returned to Pittsburgh and worked in the private sector while playing baseball in a weekend league.  The Pirates discovered him there and signed him to a contract.  He went on to play professional baseball for over a decade, with Pittsburgh, Houston, and St. Louis.  He was also a manager with Houston, Oakland, and the New York Mets, experiencing his greatest success with the A's winning the American League West title in 2000, 2001, and 2002. He still ranks as the third all-time winningest manager in Oakland A's history.
 
STEVEN SUDER
Wrestling, 1975-77, 1979/Wrestling Coach, 1989-2008
Hometown:  Littleton, Colorado
 
Suder completed an outstanding career as a UW wrestler by earning All-America honors during his senior year of 1979.  Wrestling at 150 pounds, Suder had an overall record of 62-37-2 as a Cowboy.  He placed in the top four each year in the conference and was a team captain his senior year while placing at every major tournament in the Rocky Mountain Region.  He returned to his alma mater as the head coach in 1989 and served in that capacity for nineteen years.  He led Wyoming to two Western Athletic Conference team titles while being named Coach of the Year four times.  He also earned NCAA West Regional Coach of the Year honors twice. 
 
CORY WEDEL
Football, 1994-97
Hometown:  Burlington, Colorado
 
Holding almost every placekicking record at the University of Wyoming, Wedel earned All-America honors in 1996 and 1997.  He was named to the all-Western Athletic Conference team in 1995, 1996, and 1997.  During his career, Wedel kicked five game-winning field goals, including a dramatic 41-yarder against Iowa State to give UW its first ever overtime win in its first ever overtime game.  He was one of twenty finalists for the Lou Groza Award (honoring the nation's best kicker) in 1996 and 1997.  He led the team in scoring in both his junior and senior seasons.  Named first-team Academic All-America in 1996 and 1997, while earning WAC Scholar-Athlete and Academic All-WAC honors all four years at Wyoming. 
 
1987 WAC CHAMPIONSHIP FOOTBALL TEAM
Under first-year head coach Paul Roach, the 1987 Cowboy football team went 8-0 in the Western Athletic Conference to win the league championship and a berth in the Holiday Bowl.  They compiled an overall record of 10-3, including a streak of nine wins in a row.  Led by team captains quarterback Craig Burnett, defensive end Jeff Knapton, and linebacker Galand Thaxton, the Cowboys were ranked as high as 21^st in the USA Today poll during the year.  Craig Burnett passed for 3,131 yards on the year, while running back Gerald Abraham rushed for 1305 yards.  Seven Cowboys earned All-Conference honors (wide receiver Anthony Sargent, tight end Bill Hoffman, offensive tackle Tony Kapushion, Abraham, Knapton, Thaxton, and punter Tom Kilpatrick) and Roach was named Coach of the Year.  Knapton led the conference in sacks that year, while Thaxton added to his totals as Wyoming's all-time leader in tackles.  Roach was assisted by coaches Gregg Brandon, Greg Brown, Dave Butterfield, Scott Downing, Larry Korpitz, Al Roberts, Joe Tiller, Mark Tommerdahl, and Del Wight.
 
Front row (left to right):  Scott Runyan, Galand Thaxton, Craig Burnett, Keith Jackson, Scott Hanser, Jeff Knapton, Bret Bommer, Pat Arndt, Greg Worker, Bill Hoffman.  Second row (left to right):  Rich Miller, Lawrence Chavers, Scott Joseph, Freddie Dussett, Anthony Sargent, James Loving, Doug DiVenere, Eric Loftus, Gerald Abraham, Reggie Berry, Chuck Kimbrough, Steve Vana, Shane Scott.  Third row (left to right):  John Dexter, Mark Foos, Darren Wehrer, Kevin Schitoskey, Tyrone Fittje, Craig Schlichting, Steve Slay, Doug Rigby, David Edeen, Tom Kilpatrick, John Brasee, Ken Crouse, Shaun Kissack.  Fourth row (left to right):  Christian Galdabini, Mitch Donahue, Steve Roe, Eric Naugle, Willie Wright, Dan Cudworth, Matt O'Brien, Tom Corontzos, Ryan Vowers, Scott Studie, Jon Cogdill, John Egar.  Fifth row (left to right):  Jim Pennington, Gregg Brown, Scott Gibson, Robert Midgett, Steve Clayton, Eric Hookanson, Jeff Tapp, Grant Salisbury, Eric Worden, Bear Hanousek, Steve Hamilton, Jim Laurie, Trent Greener.  Sixth row (left to right):  Bryan Mooney, Crandelle Mack, Dave Schutt, Shawn Wehrer, John Walsh, Kyle Dempsey, Jim Scifres, Pat Rabold, Mike Schenbeck, Tony Kapushion, Gaston Gosar, Pete Gosar, Ty Muma, Travis Williams.  Seventh row (left to right):  Brady Jacobsen, Randy Welniak, Melvin Wells, Brad Quiring, Scott Skavdahl, Justin Byleveld, Herman Robinson, Bobby Fresques, Steve Bena, Gordy Wood, P. J. Wells, Mark Timmer, Rich Martoglio, Carl Bruere, Rich Sauls.  Eighth row (left to right):  Shawn Wiggins, Chip Watkins, Jim Stringer, Ken Patterson, Tim Campbell, Chuck Koeber, Lee Carter, Jay Daffer, Scott Addison, Steve Addison, Cody Johnson, Darrell Perkins, Andre Rudolph.  Ninth row (left to right):  Ron Dean, Eric Coleman, Bryan Hudson, Chris Kujawa, Mike Smith, Mark Hardee, Gary Patch, Steve McMillon, Daryl Harris, Peter Gunn, DeWaine Jones.
 
Previous inductees by class:
Class of 1993: Dick Ballinger, (wrestling, 1958-60); Fennis Dembo (men's basketball, 1985-88); Mike Dirks (football, 1965-67); Jerry Hill (football, 1958-60); Glenn J. "Red" Jacoby (athletic director, 1946-73); Jay Novacek (football and track, 1982-84); Kenny Sailors (men's basketball, 1941-46); Everett Shelton (men's basketball coach, 1939-59); Johnny Winterholler (football, baseball, and basketball, 1936-39); 1943 National Champion basketball team.

Class of 1994: Paul Carlin (track, 1951-53); George "Duke" Humphrey (president, 1945-64); Everett Lantz (wrestling coach, 1937-65); Flynn Robinson (men's basketball, 1963-65); Mary Shea (volleyball, 1980-83); Bill Strannigan (men's basketball, 1941-42); Ken Sturman (football, 1937-39); Eddie Talboom (football, 1948-50) Bowden Wyatt (football coach, 1947-52); 1950 Gator Bowl football team.

Class of 1995: Jack Aggers (trainer, 1958-84)); Jim Crawford (football, 1954-56); John Corbett (administration, 1915-39); Bob Devaney (football coach, 1957-61); John Kosich (football, baseball, 1946-49); Dewey McConnell (football, 1949-51); Pat Miller-Davis (track and field, 1980-82).

Class of 1996: Larry Birleffi (broadcaster, 1947-86); Charles W. "Tub" Bradley (basketball, 1979-81); Glenn R. "Bud" Daniel (baseball coach, 1951-61, 1963-71); Michele Hoppes Daum (basketball, 1984-87); Jim Kiick (football, 1965-67); Mark Miller (swimming, 1985-88); Milward L. Simpson (football, basketball and baseball, 1917-21).

Class of 1997: Joe Alexander (rodeo, 1968-69); Keith Bloom (basketball, football, baseball, 1947-50); Stig Hallingbye (skiing, 1974-77); Ronda K. Munger (volleyball, 1984-87); Joseph Nzau (track and field, 1977-82); 1967 Sugar Bowl football team.

Class of 1998: Curt Gowdy (broadcaster, basketball, tennis, 1940-42); Eric Leckner (basketball, 1985-88); Bob Jingling (baseball, 1952-55); Kathleen Van Heule Romsa (track and field, 1983-85); Joe Mastrogiovanni (football, baseball, 1953-55).

Class of 1999: Darcy Cudaback-White (volleyball, 1986-89); Paul Roach (football coach, 1987-90); Paul Toscano (football, 1965-67); John Pilch (basketball, 1947-49); Galand Thaxton (football, 1984-87); Tony Windis (basketball, 1957-59).

Class of 2000: Jim Brandenburg (basketball coach, 1978-87); Amy Burnett (basketball, 1992-95); Bill Ewing (baseball, 1974-76); Lee Kizzire (football, 1934-36); Larry Nels (football, 1967-69); Curtis and Marian Rochelle (special achievement).

Class of 2001: Nick Bebout (football, 1970-72); Joe Capua (basketball, 1954-56); Ken Cook (special achievement); Mickey Dunn (track and field, 1949-51); Bill Garnett (basketball, 1979-82); Jean Jackson (administration), 1956 football team.

Class of 2002: Greg Brock (baseball, 1976-79); Mitch Donahue (football, 1987-90); Christine Fairless (basketball, 1986-89); Margie McDonald (basketball coach, 1975-83); George "Moe" Radovich (basketball, 1950-52); Reginald Slater (basketball, 1989-92).

Class of 2003: Ken Fantetti (football, 1975-78); Norma Hughes Scifres (swimming, 1990-92, 1994); Willard A. "Dutch" Witte (basketball and football coach, 1930-39); John Wodny (cross country/track, 1986-90); Ryan Yarborough (football, 1990-93); Bill Young (sports information director, assistant athletics director, 1960-81); 1959-60 wrestling team.

Class of 2004: Reese Andy (wrestling, 1994-96); Leon Clark (basketball, 1963-66); Marcus Harris (football, 1993-96); Bill Levine (football, 1961, 1963-64); Jimmi Jo Martin Ripsam (rodeo, 1988-90); Pat Rabold (football, 1984, 1986-88); Andy Welsh (diving, 1981-85).

Class of 2005: Ryan Butler (track and field, 1995-96); Phil Dickens (football coach, 1953-56); Joe Dowler (wrestling coach, administrator, 1973-87); Ann Melander (skiing, 1984-85); Theo Ratliff (basketball, 1992-95); Vic Washington (football, 1965-67); 1989 Cowgirl Volleyball Team.

Class of 2006: Ryan Christopherson (football, 1991-94); Jerry DePoyster (football, 1965-67); Stan Dodds (basketball, 1968-70); Robert S. "Bob" Hammond (sportswriter); Milo Komenich (basketball, 1940-43); Stacey Ward Straley (skiing, 1979-84); 1956 Cowboy Baseball Team.

Class of 2007: Brenda Graham Gray (track & field, 1980-84); Elsie Jo Bonger (football secretary, 1962-78); Jerry Jester (football, 1953-55); Dave McCleave (golf, 1989-92); Dick Sherman (basketball, 1963-66); Randy Welniak (football, 1985-88); 1968 National Champion Ski Team.

Class of 2008:  Thomas "Rupe" Garrison (track, 1987-91); Walker "Sonny" Jones, Jr. (football, 1948-49); Geir I. Kvernmo (skiing and track, 1977-80); Brian J. Lee (football, 1994-97); Dave Myers (wrestling, 1989-92); Steve Scifres (football, 1994-97); 1978-79 Women's Basketball Team.

Class of 2009:   Jesseca Cross (basketball and track, 1994-97);  Sean Fleming (football, 1988-92); Quincy Hayden Howe (track, 1999-2002); Gene Huey (football, 1966-68); Mike Jackson (basketball, 1980-83); Al and Pete Simpson (special achievement); 1961 Rodeo Team.
 
Class of 2010:  Staale Engen (track, skiing, 1971-74); Jerry Frude, (wrestling, 1959-60, 1962); Steinar Hybertsen (skiing, 1973-75); Bob Jacobs (football, 1968-70); Chuck Lamson (football, 1960-61); Karen Sanford Gall (track, 1979-82); 1966 football team.  
 
Class of 2011:  Mike English (women's volleyball coach, 1986-90 and 1992-93), Wesley Maiyo (track, 1974-75), Robert L. Mason (wrestling, 1949-51), Shauna Smith (track, 2003-05), Scott Usher (swimming, 2002-05), Jim Walden (football, 1958-59), and the 1986-87 "Sweet 16" men's basketball team.
 
Class of 2012:  Dick Campbell (football, 1948-50); Len Kuczewski (football, 1957-59); Jordan Lintz (golf, 1997-2000); Selmer Pederson (football, 1949-51); Ray Sanchez (wrestling, 1967-68); Chris Lull Terjeson (volleyball, 1985-89); and the 1985 National Champion ski team.
 
Class of 2013:  Carrie Bacon (women's basketball, 1999-2003); Josh Davis (men's basketball, 1999-2002); Jason Gervais (track and field, 1999-2001); Jim House (football, 1966-68); Mike LaHood (football, 1965-67; deceased); Kevin McKinney (administrator/special Achievement); and the 1959 football team.
 
Class of 2014:  Dennis Baker (football, 1975-77); Rebecca Simning Erikkson (skiing, 1979-81, 1984-85); LeRoy Gabriel (administration, 1958-99); Harry Hall (basketball, 1966-69); Duane Schopp (track & field coach, 1984-97); Mark Smolinski (football, 1958-60); Jack Weil (football, 1980-83); 1933-34 men's basketball team. 
 
Class of 2015:  Marcus Bailey (basketball, 1999-2003), Ashley Elliott (women's basketball, 2002-05), David Hearn (men's golf, 1998-2001), Jeff Huson (baseball, 1984-85), Don Miller (wrestling, 1965-68), Joe Ramunno (football, 1981-84), Quentin Skinner (ski coach, 1971-80), and the 1980-81 WAC Champion men's basketball team. 
 
Class of 2016:  Jerry Durling (football 1965-66); Aaron Kyle (football 1972-75); Frank Shepperson (rodeo 1961-64); Lynn Stetson (men's swimming 1980-83); Dave Walsh (special achievement); John Watts (football 1954-56), Hanna Zavecz (women's basketball 2005-08); and the 1976 Fiesta Bowl Team.
 
Class of 2017:  Dr. Robert Curnow and Dr. David Kieffer (special achievement); Vince Guinta (football,1949-50); Mike Hamel (wrestling, 1983-86); C.T. Hewgley (football, 1949-50); Jim Weir (basketball, 1941-43 and 1946); the 1991 National Champion women's rodeo team; and the 2007 WNIT National Champion Cowgirl basketball team.