SIOUX FALLS – Six individuals with ties to the University of Sioux Falls and the men's basketball conference championship team from 1969-70 will be inducted into the USF Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday, Oct. 4 during ceremonies at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls. The USF Athletics Hall of Fame event will be part of Cougar Days homecoming festivities at USF.
 
The inductees will include Kim Gerdes Schroedermeier, Hurley, S.D., Women's Basketball, 1996-2001;  Darin Martyna, Football, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Amy Birkeland-Hofer, Brandon, S.D., Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, 1992-96; Andy Harold, North Platte, Neb., Offensive Lineman, Football, 1995-96; Torry Zeller, Pierre, S.D.; as well as the late Richard "Dutch" Erickson, a former men's basketball coach and athletics director. The 1969-70 men's basketball team, which was coached by Erickson, won the Tri-State Conference and became the first team at USF with 20 wins in a season and will also be honored.  
 
The six individual inductees and the 1969-70 basketball team in the Class of 2019 raises the USF Hall of Fame list to 63. As part of the Cougar Days homecoming festivities, the USF Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet will be held on Friday, Oct. 4 at the Washington Pavilion in Sioux Falls at 6 pm. Following the Hall of Fame Banquet, USF will host an All-Class Bash, which is a new event featuring food, dancing, games, door prizes and more at the Washington Pavilion at 8 pm.

The USF Athletics Hall of Fame Banquet will include heavy hors d'oeuvres with a cash bar available from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. At 7:00 p.m., the USF Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2019 will be introduced and inducted. The six individual inductees and basketball team will also be recognized at halftime of the USF-U-Mary game on Saturday, Oct. 5 at Bob Young Field. Kickoff for the Cougar Days game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Registration for the Hall of Event event as well as other activities on Cougar Days is available online by clicking here.
Kim Gerdes Schroedermeier, Hurley, S.D., Forward, Women's BB, 1996-2001

Gerdes Schroedermeier ranks 13^th all-time at USF in scoring with 1,223 points and totaled 764 rebounds, which places her seventh all-time in program history. She was sixth all-time in scoring when she finished up her eligibility in 2000. A former Hurley High School prep, she was a three-time All-SDIC selection as she was honored as a senior, junior and as a freshman. She finished with 11 games of 20 points or more. Gerdes Schroedermeier led USF to 51-55 record, including 30-29 and  was part of first ranked NAIA team (17^th) in 1998-99. As a freshman, Gerdes Schroedermeier averaged 12.1 ppg (340 points) and 7.5 rpg (212 rebounds) with team-high 42 steals. In that season, she recorded four 20-point games with a high of 28 points on Feb. 4 vs. Martin Luther. She helped USF to a 9-8 record in the SDIC. Gerdes Schroedermeier averaged 9.0 points (209) and 6.9 rebounds (159) as a sophomore. She finished with six double-digit scoring games with high of 20, two double-digit rebound games and a double-double. As a junior, Gerdes Schroedermeier scored 12.5 ppg (324 points) and grabbed 6.8 rebounds (178) for a 16-10 squad that was 8-6 in the SDIC. As a junior, she had three games over 20 points with a high of 25 vs Dana in a 75-71 win. Gerdes Schroedermeier was named third team All-SDIC as a senior while averaging 13.0 points (350 points) and eight rebounds (215 rebounds) per game for a 15-12 team that was 8-6 in SDIC play. Three times as a senior she surpassed 20 points including a career-high 29 points with 12 rebounds in victory over Mt. Scenario. Gerdes Schroedermeier earned a degree in history and political science in 2000 from USF. She and her husband, Clint, have two boys, Blake and Brady, and live in Hurley, S.D. She works at Scheels All Sports in Sioux Falls.
 
Andy Harold, Offensive Lineman, Football, 1995-97

Harold, a Torrington, Wyo., native now lives in North Platte, Neb. After transferring to USF from Chadron State, Harold became one of the best offensive linemen in school history and was a three-time All-American from 1995-98. Harold was named second team All-American as a junior and played a key role in USF's national title run in 1996 when the Cougars posted a 14-0 record on its way to the school's first-ever NAIA title. In winning the national championship, USF outscored opponents, 636-to-227 with playoff wins over U-Mary, 56-19; Northwestern (Iowa), 52-21; Evangel (Mo.), 28-22; and Western Washington, 47-25. In that title-winning season, Harold was also named first team All-American on the Don Hansen Football Gazette. He and his teammates ranked second in the NAIA in total offense (490.2 yards per game), scoring offense (45.43 points per game) and passing offense (296.0 yards per game). In 1996, Harold was part of the offense which broke the school mark for total offense with 6,863 yards as the Cougars bettered their 1995 mark by over 1,000 yards (5,816). He also helped USF Athletics Hall of Fame running back David Ruter set a then-school year mark with 1,726 rushing yards in 1996. Harold played a key role in protecting USF Athletics Hall of Fame quarterback Kurtiss Riggs, who helped USF establish a year passing record of 4,144 yards. As a sophomore in 1995, Harold earned second team NAIA All-American honors by anchoring an offensive line that helped USF set then-school marks in total offense (5,816 yards), touchdowns (65) and points scored (477). In 1997, Harold was part of a team that finished 11-2 and advanced to the national semifinals before falling to Williamette, Ore., 17-7. USF defeated Ottawa, Kan., 57-14 and Jamestown, N.D., 29-6 in the opening two rounds. Harold, who earned a history degree in 1998 from USF, was named All-SDIC in 1995, 1996 and 1997. During his career, USF fashioned a 36-3 record with 11 wins twice and 14 in the other season. During his career, he was part of an offense that accumulated 1,633 points or 41.9 points per game. He and his wife, Courtney, have a son, Gavin, and daughter, Averie. Harold serves as manager of Terminal Operation in the North Platte, Neb., Bailey yard for Union Pacific Railroad.

Amy Birkeland Hofer, Women's Cross Country/Track and Field, 1992-96

Originally of Sioux Falls, S.D., Amy Birkeland Hofer helped lead USF to three straight SDIC cross country championships on a team directed by the late USF Athletics Hall of Fame coach Rich Greeno. She won the 1994 individual championship at the SDIC Cross Country Championship (18:31) and qualified for the NAIA nationals. Birkeland Hofer ranked third all-time at USF with a clocking of 43:24 in 10,000 meters in 1992 and ran a 43:29 in 1993. She also ran a school-record time of 18:31.01 in 1994 in the 10K and set USF's mark in the marathon of 3:53.31 in 1995. She was also part of 4x400 meter relay squad with Anna Barnes, Diana Henry and Jen Tranaas at the 1992-93 SDIC Championship. Birkeland Hofer qualified for the NAIA Track and Field Championships in 1994 as member of the 4x800 meter relay. In addition, she qualified for nationals in 1995-96 in the marathon. Following graduation, Birkeland Hofer, who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from USF in 1996, competed in three marathons and six half marathons. Birkeland Hofer is the mother of three and her children include Raegan (21), Ethan (14) and Dylan (10). She works at Dakota Lions Sight and Health as a tissue recovery technician.   
 

Darin Martyna, Football, DL, 1999-2002

One of USF's best-ever defensive linemen, Martyna earned 2001 NAIA second team and 2002 first team NAIA All-American honors. Martyna ranks first on the school's all-time mark with 36 sacks. As a freshman, he led team with five sacks and had 30 tackles in 1999 as the Cougars finished 6-3. As a sophomore (2000), he recorded 66 tackles, including 15 tackles for loss on a team that finished 6-4. Martyna registered one of the best individual seasons in school history as a junior. He recorded 100 tackles with 24 tackles for loss of 97 yards and nine sacks for losses of 55 yards while recovering five fumbles with two interceptions for 68 yards in returns. His efforts helped USF to a 12-2 record, GPAC title and runner-up in the national championship game (49-27 loss to Georgetown, Kentucky). He led a defense that allowed just 204 points in 14 games (14.57 ppg). During that year, the Martyna-led defense had two shutouts and held four opponents to six or fewer points. A two-time team captain and USF Defensive Player of the Year in 2001-02, Martyna had a big year as senior with a team-leading 67 tackles, 25 TFLs, 15 sacks, six pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. With his stellar play, USF finished 12-1 and won a second straight GPAC title while advancing to the NAIA playoff semifinals (20-17 loss to Carroll College). A three-time All-GPAC first-team selection, he was named the Don Hansen NAIA DII Defensive Player of the Year in 2002. He owns the school record for career tackles for loss with 59. He also set the record for tackles for loss yardage with 260. A Sioux Falls Lincoln prep standout, Martyna owns USF's record with eight fumbles recovered. He earned a degree in elementary education in 2004 and served on the USF coaching staff for a season. Martyna played professionally for two seasons in the Austrian Football League. In 2005, he was a fullback, tight end and defensive lineman for the Danube Dragons. Then in 2006, he was a defensive lineman and tight end for the Vienna Vikings. He helped the Vienna squad win an European Championship. Martyna also is a certified South Dakota football official (15 years) and officiates grades third through high school. He and his wife, Brandi, have two daughters, Nyah and Tayla.

 

Torry Zeller, Pierre, Cross Country/Track and Field, 1998-2001
A record-setting runner and two-time All-American from Pierre, S.D., Zeller performed at a high level individually and as part of talented relay squads at USF. He was part of three 4x800 meter relays indoors and outdoors which rank top-three all-time indoors or outdoors at USF. Among the records he set at USF was as a member of the indoor 4x800 meter relay squad (7:51.42) in 1998, which included Matt Van Dyken, Ryan Schmidt, and Chris Cox. Zeller was also part of the outdoor 4x800 meter team of Cox, Clint Wagner and Peterson, who had a 7:47.94 in 2000, which ranks second all-time. In 1999, he was on a 4x800 relay, which also included Cox, Peterson, and Schmidt, that ran 7:48.59 in 1999. In 1999 another 4x800 meter relay clocked 10:17.94 for seventh all-time. He was also on USF's distance medley relay which ranks fifth all-time at 10:17.94 in 1998 and included Schmidt, Van Dyken and Tracy Hellman. At USF he also set the school record in the indoor mile run (4:21.89) and 3,000 meters (8:53.07).  He earned All-American honors at the NAIA Cross Country Championships in 2000 by placing 25^th. He also was All-America at the NAIA Indoor Nationals when he was eighth (4:20.38) in 2001. Zeller won the 1998 SDIC Cross Country men's title in 27:07, leading USF to a team title. In 1998-99, he won both the 5,000 meters at the SDIC Indoor Track and Field Championships. Outdoors, he captured the 3,000 meter steeplechase at the GPAC meet. At the GPAC Championship in 2001, he was third in the 800 meters (1:53.54). Later that year, he qualified for the 2001 outdoor nationals in the 800 meters.  He also recorded the two top times in the 1,600 meters while at USF – 4:20.38 in 2001 and 4:23.20 in 2000. His clocking of 9:35.74 in the 3K steeplechase was then the second best all-time at USF and his 1,500 meter run of 3:59.5 also ranked second when he left USF. A two-time ESD cross country champion, Zeller earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Special Education.  He received a track and cross country coaching endorsement. After graduating from USF, Zeller taught fifth grade for four years and was the head coach for the Pierre High School boys and girls teams between 2002-2004. In 2004, he pursued a life-long dream and attempted to qualify for the Olympic marathon trials. Zeller clocked a 2:24.6 at the Grandmas Marathon in Duluth, Minn., and finished just off the U.S. Olympic Trials qualifying time of 2:22. He and his wife, Carrie Ward, have two children, Ella and Mason, and live in Pierre where he is the training director for the South Dakota Department of Corrections.

Richard (Dutch) Erickson, Athletic Director/Men's Basketball Coach, 1969-80

 

The late Richard E. "Dutch" Erickson was a basketball coach and teacher at the University of Sioux Falls for 16 years. Erickson, who served as head basketball coach and athletic director at USF, accumulated 112 wins in 11 seasons from 1969-80. When he left USF, he owned the school's coaching record for wins by a men's basketball coach.  At USF, he directed the Cougars to the program's first 20-win season as the 1969-70 squad won the Tri-State Conference and second in the NAIA District 12. He also started the baseball program at USF. Erickson was 82 years old when he died in Yankton, S.D., on Oct. 31, 2015. Born on the family farm in Vermillion, SD, Dutch was the youngest of 10 children to John E. and Anna Margaret (Hansen) Erickson. He attended Vermillion High School where he was active in football, track, and baseball and was an All-State basketball player. Dutch enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1952 and served in Korea. In 1955, Dutch attended Hastings College on a football and basketball scholarship. On June 22, 1955 Dutch married Charlotte Ahlgrim. Erickson and Ahlgrim were homecoming king and queen in Vermillion HS in 1950. During Dutch's time at Hastings College he was named Outstanding Lineman and "Who's Who on Campus." He graduated in 1958 with a degree in Education. Dutch began his coaching career in Pender, Neb., where he spent five years serving as the head basketball coach, assistant football coach, acting principal and social studies teacher. In 1963, he received a Master of Education degree from the University of South Dakota. The family moved to South Sioux City, Neb., where he was the head basketball coach and guidance counselor for two years. In 1965, Dutch began a 16-year coaching and teaching career at USF. In 1980, he stepped away from coaching and teaching to take on a role as area representative for Great American Insurance. Later, he moved into a role as the senior vice president of the International Crop & Hail Division in Overland Park, Kansas. In late 1993, he retired from Great American and moved to Yankton. When he was not coaching he refereed many football and basketball games, and it was common to see him helping at local track events as well. He and wife, Charlotte, have two sons, Ronald and Richard II (Rich).

1969-70 Men's BB Team won league crown and 20 games for first time
Directed by first-year head coach Richard "Dutch" Erickson, USF's 1969-70 finished 20-8 and won the Tri-State Conference, which was the program's third league title in span of five seasons. The Cougars became the first team in program history to record 20 wins in a season and the first to win a postseason game.  The squad averaged 84.3 points and 47.4 rebounds per game with USF Athletics Hall of Fame guard Herb Buckner leading the way at 23.4 ppg (655 points) and 8.4 rebounds (234). Guards Bentley Odom (13.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg) and Dwayne Boyce (11.0 points and 2.5 rebounds) and forwards Don Papineau (9.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg), Wade Friese (7.4 ppg and 11.9 rpg) and Joe Ziemba (6.4 ppg, 3.9 ppg) also played key roles. Despite a sluggish start of 7-5 during the pre-conference portion of the schedule, the USF team responded with 11 victories in the last 12 games of the regular season to finish 18-6 and grab the Tri-State Conference title with an 11-1 league mark. USF participated in the District 12 playoffs as part of the NAIA post-season tournament. In 1970, teams needed to qualify for the national tournament (32 teams nationally) in Kansas City by surviving in their own regional/district post-season tournament. As such, Sioux Falls defeated Valley City (17-5), which won the North Dakota College Athletic Conference and featured two-time All-American Cavin Anderson (later drafted by the Chicago Bulls), 87-81 as Papineau scored 19 points while Buckner added 17; Odom, 16; Boyce and Ziemba, 15. The victory was USF's first-ever postseason win and set the stage for a best-of-three series with Northern State with the winner advancing to Kansas City. NSU was the higher seed and won the first game 92-87 by breaking an 87-87 with just 52 seconds remaining and were paced by Gary Evjen's 33 points. Buckner topped all USF scorers with 27 points. Despite being hindered by travel, USF defeated NSU, 67-56, in game two which was held at the Sioux Falls Arena on March 2. Ziemba led all scorers with 18 points while Boyce had 16, Odom, 15 and Friese had 10. Before 3,500 in Aberdeen, NSU took a 108-92 decision to advance to Kansas City. Boyce tied a team-season high with a career-best 38 points. Following the season, six players were named to the all Tri-State Conference team with Buckner unanimous first-team choice. Friese and Odom were selected to the second team while Papineau, Boyce, and Ziemba earned honorable mention laurels. Buckner was also named to the All-District 12 second team while Friese was named honorable mention All-District 12.

Team members and hometowns included: Tom Roberts, Mt. Clemens, Mich.; Randy Stolpe, Rapid City, S.D.; Dwayne Boyce, Chicago, Ill.; Bentley Odom, Long Beach, N.J.; Harvey Hoffman, Harrisburg, S.D.; Herb Buckner, Detroit, Mich.; Bob Kregg, Sea Girt, N.J.; Rick Brommer, Sioux Center, Iowa; Pat Garry, Harrisburg, S.D.; Wade Friese, Lennox, S.D.; Don Papineau, Ottawa, Ill.; Craig Hoogestraat, Lennox, S.D.; Joe Grau, Melvin, Iowa; and Joe Ziemba, Evergreen Park, Ill. Joining Erickson on the coaching staff was assistant coach Larry Patten while the manager was Robert Bertsch; statistician Tony Merry and athletic trainer Max Merry.