SIOUX FALLS – Seven individuals with ties to the University of Sioux Falls and the school's NAIA national championship football teams from 2008 and 2009 will be inducted into the USF Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 12 during ceremonies at the McDonald's Center on the USF campus. The seven inductees and two teams in the Class of 2018 raises the USF Hall of Fame list to 56.

The inductees will include Anna Barnes Reynolds, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, 1993-96, Chancellor, S.D.; Herb Buckner, men's basketball, 1966-70, Los Mochas, Ariz.; Mary Fouberg Thum, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, 2002-05, Rochester, Minn.; Dustan Hovorka, Football, 2003-06, Maryland Heights, Mo.; Todd Kelsey, Men's Basketball, 1977-81, Cary, N.C.; Jim Pehringer, Football, 1987-90, Cody, Wyo.; and special contributor, the late Ron Eiesland of Canton, S.D. In addition, USF will induct the 2008 and 2009 USF Football Teams that won NAIA national titles.
 
The Hall of Fame dinner ceremony will begin with a social at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. and the induction program at 6:45 p.m. The "Voice of the Cougars" Tom Frederick will serve as master of ceremonies. USF Athletics Hall of Fame Committee member Mindy Veltkamp will provide a welcome while USF President Brett Bradfield will also address the attendees.  In addition, USF Director of Athletics Josh Snyder will update attendees on USF Athletics and present inductees with a gift.

The inductees and two football teams will also be recognized at halftime of the USF-St. Cloud State game on Saturday, Oct. 13 at Bob Young Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
For those attending, induction dinner/game ticket package will be available for $40. Individuals choosing to attend only the game can purchase football game tickets for $15 for general admission and $20 for reserved. Others wishing to attend only the banquet, may purchase a ticket for $30. A discount rate is available at $100 for four banquet tickets.
 
2008, 2009 NAIA National Football Champions 

Directed by head coach Kalen DeBoer, now offensive coordinator at Fresno State and a USF Athletics Hall of Fame inductee, the 2008 and 2009 USF championship football teams rank among the best all-time at the NAIA level. The teams won 29 straight games, outscored opponents 44.3-to-8.3, had a 447.51-to-161.72 yards in total offense per game advantage (6.38-to-2.8 per play), ), totaled 7,141 rushing yards, 175 TDs, including 21 by special teams and defense; 68 sacks, 44 interceptions and 28 fumble recoveries.Since winning back-to-back titles, no NAIA team has replicated that accomplishment. Defensive coordinator Chuck Morrell and quarterback coach Kurtis Riggs, both USF Athletics Hall of Fame members, were on the coaching staff as was current head coach Jon Anderson. 

The Cougars finished 14-0 and won the school's third NAIA National Championship in 2008, defeating nemesis Carroll College, 23-7 on Dec. 20, 2008 before 6,500 in attendance. The Cougars, which had also won titles in 1996 and 2006, had one of the nation's top defenses and accumulated seven shutouts, and except for a safety in a 34-2 win over Dordt, it would have been eight. In total, they held 11-of-14 opponents to seven points or less.

In the playoffs, the Cougars defeated St. Ambrose, 28-0; Langston University, 50-13; St. Francis, 24-6 and Carroll College, 23-7 for a differential of 125-to-26. USF, which  averaged 404.6 yards per game, had a 36.5 points per game to 5.9 points per game differential. In rushing defense, they held opponents to 14.7 per game and 0.6 yards per rushing allowing just 206 net yards on 349 carries. In fact, the defense recorded 538 yards in losses, holding opponents to a measly 2.2 yards per play and 109.4 yards per game.  The Cougars recorded 35 sacks, intercepted 20 passes and recovered 11 fumbles. 
 

 

In 2009, USF rolled to a school-record 15-0 mark with a second straight NAIA title, defeating Lindenwood, 25-22, in the title game. DeBoer directed an offense that rolled up a school record 775 points or 51.7 points per game. Thirteen times, USF scored 44 or more points. The Cougars opened with a 63-21 victory over Minot State in the playoffs first round followed by a 49-21 victory over Morningside as USF advanced to the NAIA semifinals. Next, #1 USF upended #4 Saint Xavier, 48-6 to reach the title game. In the championship, the Cougars rallied from a seven-point third quarter deficit as a Ryan Lowmiller TD and later a 42-yard field goal by Braden Wieking (9:50 to play) lifted USF to a second straight title.

USF rolled up 256.1 yards per game rushing (3,842 yards) or 6.1 yards per carry.  They added 231.4 yards per game passing with 3,471 yards or 487.5 yards per game and 7.4 yards per play. The defense was again solid and one of the best in school history by allowing just 10.5 points per game and 210.5 total yards per game. USF gave up just seven rushing TDs and 63.8 rushing yards per game.
 
Ron Eiesland, Special Contributor

Ron Eiesland was a major contributor and supporter of the University of Sioux Falls Athletics Department. He was a majority contributor to the Stewart Center gym renovations, including an air cooling system. Eiesland's gifts helped fund the complete replacement of spectator seating and basketball standards. The facility updates enhanced the game atmosphere for student-athletes and fans alike. Eiesland regularly attended area collegiate games, including nearly every USF game, and supported athletics at a significant level.

The basketball floor at the Stewart Center was named, "The Ron Eiesland Court," in his honor in 2012. Born on November 19, 1936 on a farm near Inwood, IA, to Olaf and Gladys (Huckfeldt) Eiesland, he attended country school and graduated from Canton High School in 1954.

Eiesland farmed with his father until his death in 1956. Eiesland had one sister, Maureen Van Den Top, who passed in 2017. She was the mother of Jason Van Den Top, who with his wife Jaci and family, continue to farm in the Canton area. Ron served in the South Dakota Air National Guard for six years and was a member of St. Dominic's Catholic Church and member of Holy Spirit in Sioux Falls until his death on Feb. 24, 2015. 
 
Anna Barnes Reynolds, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, 1993-96

Originally of Homer, Neb., Barnes Reynolds was a standout performer for USF, setting or being part of seven indoor or outdoor school records in cross country/track and field. While running for the Cougars, she set indoor marks in 500 meters (1:21.16, 1993), 600 meters (1:31.58, 1995), 800 meters (2:18.59, 1995) and as a member of the distance medley relay (13:34.90, 1996).

Barnes Reynolds, who ran for head coaches Scott Kieffer and Rich Greeno, ranks fourth all-time in the 600-meter run with a clocking of 1:35.50 (1995) while ranking sixth in the 800-meters (2:18.59), becoming USF's first women's runner to crack 2:20 in the 800-meters. She set USF's outdoor 800 mark of 2:17.62 in 1995.  A nine-time national qualifier, she captured the SDIC Indoor 800-meters crown and was part of the winning 4x400-meter relay team in 1995-96. Barnes Reynolds also won the 800-meter title and was a member of the 4x400-meter relay team on USF's Outdoor squad at the SDIC Championships. Additionally, she clocked a 43:29 in the 10,000 meters for fourth all-time at USF and had an 18:33 5,000-meter clocking, a time that was second at USF when she was in school. At graduation, she owned the fourth-best 800-meter clocking in school history.

Barnes Reynolds, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and sociology in 1996, was also a member of two SDIC cross country squads. Anna attended Southeast Technical and took classes in horticulture and landscape design. She also worked at Trail Ridge Retirement Community. Anna and her husband Patrick Reynolds live in Chancellor, S.D., with their three children: Joel, Hannah and Guillermo. She is a home school mom, involved in Bible Study Fellowship at Faith Baptist Fellowship. 
 
Herb Buckner, Men's Basketball, 1966-70

Now of Los Mochos, Ariz., Herb Buckner ranks as one of the best men's basketball players in school history. Originally of Detroit, Mich., he finished eighth all-time in men's basketball scoring with 1,633 points. A 6-1, 175 pound guard/forward, he accumulated 623 rebounds and also ranks in the top-20 at USF all-time. The standout performer also finished in the top-10 in assists at USF while leading the Cougars to a 71-27 record, including 20-8 as a senior. Buckner, who wore No. 30, prepped at Northwestern High School in Detroit, helping his team to a public school league title.

As a senior at USF, Buckner averaged 23.4 points per game, scoring 655 points, which ranks third for a season all-time at USF. In 1969-70, the three-point line did not yet exist but didn't deter the quick and flashy guard, who played in 28 games, hitting 257-of-570 field goals for 45.1 percent. He led USF to the Tri-State Conference crown in a 20-8 season under direction of Coach R.E. (Dutch) Erickson. In that season, USF scored over 90 points in a game nine times as Buckner delivered shot after shot. He finished the senior season 141-of-213 at the foul line and gathered up 234 rebounds or 8.4 per game. As a junior in 1968-69 under Coach Steve Schoenherr, USF was 17-7 as Buckner scored 502 points, averaging 20.8 ppg over 24 games. He added 7.3 rebounds (174 total rebounds). He made 198-of-394 field goals for 50.3 percent and 106-of-163 free throws. Buckner was also stellar at USF as a sophomore in 1967-68, leading the squad to an 18-6 overall mark. He averaged 17.0 ppg (419 points) and 7.0 rpg (190 rebounds).

Buckner played on the same team as two other USF Hall of Famers in Ron Krayl (560 points, 23.3 ppg) and Roger Heibult (483 points, 20.1 ppg, 300 rebounds (12.5 rpg). As a true freshman, he played in 17-of-24 games, averaging 3.1 points (53) and 1.5 rebounds (25) for the 1966-67 squad. Buckner, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education in 1970, was an educator and coach in the Detroit area before retiring.
 
Mary Fouberg Thum, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, 2002-05

Originally of Mount Vernon, S.D., Mary Fouberg Thum was a standout middle distance performer for USF from 2002-05. She was a two-time NAIA All-American in the 800-meters in 2003 and the 1,000-meters in 2004.

Fouberg Thum, who was also all-conference in cross country in 2004-05, was a member of the top two 4x800-meter squads in 2002, clocking a 9:29.73. She set a school record in the outdoor 800-meters in 2:14.04. In 2005, she ran a school record 2:57.10 in the 1,000-meters. Fouberg, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Science in 2005 from USF, was part of the 2002 indoor 4x800-meter relay that qualified for nationals.

Later she earned a Master of Science degree in Sports Science at South Dakota State University while also serving as a volunteer coach for cross country and track and field head coach Rodney DeHaven.

She and her husband, Daniel, live in Rochester, Minn., where both of them work at the Mayo Clinic. She is a research protocol specialist in Cardiovascular Research and he is a pediatric anesthesiologist.  They have two sons, Jackson and Targhee.
 

Dustan Hovorka, Football, WR, 2003-06

A native of McCook Lake, S.D., Dustan Hovorka ranks as arguably the best wide receiver in school history. Hovorka, who helped lead the Cougars to USF's second NAIA
 

A three-time All-American, Hovorka, who owns a school mark for longest receiving TD at 91 yards, recorded 1,000 yards receiving in all four of his seasons and still owns 12 school records at USF. Hovorka is the only player in school history with three receiving games of 200 yards or more (8-217-4 TDs, 9-17-2005 his best) and the only USF wide receiver to record double digits in receiving TDs for four straight years. His 4,801 receiving yards is 1,339 more than second place Jon Ryan (2007-10) at 3,462 while his receptions of 291 is 57 more than second place and USF Hall of Famer Kalen DeBoer with 234. Of his 58 TDs, which ranks fourth all-time, 55 came by receiving, a school record.

With major contributions from Hovorka, the Cougars had a combined 48-4 record from 2003-06 with the NAIA title in a 14-1 season in 2006 when Hovorka had 76 receptions for 1,304 yards and a school record 19 TDs. The 2003 team finished 12-1 and reached the national semifinals (16-13 loss to Northwest Oklahoma State) as Hovorka had 66 receptions for 1,174 yards and 11 TDs. In 2004, the Cougars finished 11-1 with a bid for a perfect season ending in a 24-3 loss to Azusa Pacific in the playoffs.  Hovorka had 76 receptions for 1,191 yards and 11 TDs to lead the offense. In 2005, the Cougars, led by Hovorka's 73 catches for 1,132 yards and 14 TDs, reached the national semifinals before falling to Carroll College, with team finishing 11-2.

Hovorka, who prepped at Dakota Valley, played six seasons for the Sioux Falls Storm in the IFL. He retired to entering coaching, joining USF and serving as a wide receivers coach, recruiting coordinator and offensive coordinator from 2014-16 when USF finished 32-5 with a conference title in 2016. He mentored 17 student-athletes, who earned all-league honors, had two All-Americans and directed USF to the playoffs twice and postseason three times. Hovorka, who has a degree from exercise science in 2008 from USF, is now offensive coordinator at Lindenwood.  He is married to Kari Keating and lives in Maryland Heights, Mo.

Todd Kelsey, Men's Basketball, 1977-81

Todd Kelsey ranks as one of the most prolific scorers in University of Sioux Falls Men's Basketball history. Currently, he ranks fifth on the USF career scoring list with 1,696 points. A 6-5 forward, Kelsey finished second in the SDIC in scoring as a senior (18.8 in league play, 226 points) and totaled 100 rebounds or 8.3 per game for fourth in the league. Kelsey, a two-time All-NSIC selection (1979-80, 1980-81), was named an NAIA Academic All-American as a senior when he earned his third straight team MVP award.  In that season, he had 12 games of 20 points or more, including games of 35, 33 and 40 (S.D. Tech), totaling 546 points with 207 field goals (392 attempts), 145 free throws (186 attempts), 211 rebounds and 54 assists. In his junior season, he averaged 18.7 points (487 points) and 7.6 rebounds (198) per game. He supplied 15.4 points (400 points) and 5.1 rebounds (134) per game in his sophomore campaign. As a freshman, he made a big impact with 10.9 points (250 points) and 5.4 (125 rebounds). Prior to arriving on campus, he was a first team all-state performer in 1977 from Sioux Falls Lincoln High School. In 1981, he earned Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics from USF. While on campus, he was a Purple Feather recipient and active with the American Chemistry Society, including the South Dakota division. Todd, whose job title is IBM Alaska Senior State Executive and IBM Content Services, and his wife, Mary, live in Cary, N.C. Todd and Mary have three children, Elizabeth, John and Katherine.

Jim Pehringer, RB, Football, 1987-90

One of the greatest running backs in University of Sioux Falls school history, two-time honorable mention All-American (1988-89) Jim Pehringer ranks ninth in career scoring (298 points) and sixth in total TDs (49), records set when he graduated.

A native of Sheridan, Wyo., Pehringer still ranks second in career rushing attempts (847) and fourth in rushing yards (3,454) at USF. When he left USF, he ranked first in career rushing yards. During his time with the program, Pehringer, who was named to the NAIA All-District Team in both 1989 and 1990, led USF to a 26-13 record, including a 10-1 season in 1988 when USF qualified for the NAIA playoffs for the first time in school history.

In his final three years, USF was 23-7-1. In 1988, Pehringer had 335 carries for 1,416 yards, which set the USF single season mark, and 14 TDs in 1988. A year later (1989), he had 189 carries for 891 yards and 14 TDs. A three-time all-conference selection (1988-90), he was selected team MVP in both 1988 and 1990.

Pehringer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology/animal science in 1991 and serves as Superintendent of Gail Construction Company in Cody, Wyoming, where he lives with his wife Jennifer. He spent 26 years as a wildlife biologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He and his wife has two children: Josey Pehringer and Tate Pehringer and a grandchild Roman Liam.