SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The University of Sioux Falls Athletic Department is proud to announce the 2025 hall of fame class. This years class will feature four individuals in Jeff Nelson, Luke Papilion, Mason Phillips, and Laura (Osterloo) Wenande along with the 2016 USF Football team.

2016 USF Football Team 

The 2016 University of Sioux Falls football team delivered a historic season under head coach Jed Stugart, finishing with a 12-1 overall record and an undefeated 11-0 mark in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). This remarkable performance secured the program's first-ever NSIC Championship and a No. 4 national ranking. The Cougars' potent offense, which averaged 511.3 yards per game, was anchored by All-American running back Max Mickey, who led the nation with 8.6 yards per carry and amassed a school-record 1,764 rushing yards. Quarterback Luke Papilion contributed significantly adding 987 rushing yards and 2,323 passing yards, showcasing the team's dynamic offensive capabilities. USF advanced to the NCAA Division II playoffs, securing their first-ever postseason victory at the DII level with a 34-21 win over Azusa Pacific. Their season concluded in a hard-fought 27-24 overtime loss to No. 5 Harding in the second round, marking the end of the most successful NCAA DII campaign in program history. 

Jeff Nelson | Men's & Women's Tennis Coach 

Jeff Nelson had a distinguished coaching career with the University of Sioux Falls tennis program, leading the Cougars from 1995 to 2005 and previously coaching the women's team  from 1983 to 1985. A USF alumnus, Nelson graduated magna cum laude in 1982 with degrees in english and health & physical education. Over his decade-long tenure, Nelson built a powerhouse tennis program, guiding his teams to five NAIA National Championship appearances across an eight-year span. He was a multiple-time honoree, earning NAIA Regional Coach of the Year in both 2003 and 2004. In 2005, he was recognized as the Hauff Mid-America Sports Men's Tennis Coach of the Year and co-Coach of the Year for Women's Tennis. Under his leadership, the men's team won conference championships in 2004 and 2005, while the women captured the title in 2005. His coaching prowess was further reflected in multiple Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Coach of the Year awards and an impressive tally of over 40 All-Conference selections, including standout GPAC Player of the Year, Jesse Young. Nelson's legacy at USF is one of excellence, dedication, and consistent competitive success. 

Luke Papilion | Football 

Luke Papilion, who starred as quarterback for the University of Sioux Falls from 2013 to 2016, is one of the most decorated players in program history. The dual-threat standout holds the USF career record for passing yards (9,106) and ranks first in total offense with an incredible 12,489 yards on 1,764 plays. Papilion is also ranked seventh all-time in rushing with 3,383 yards and stands second in passing touchdowns (79), earning him a tie for 14th in career scoring with 264 points. He is one of just two players in NCAA DII history—and the only one in the NSIC—to surpass both 9,000 passing and 3,000 rushing yards. A three-time NSIC All-Conference selection,  Papilion was named NSIC Offensive Player of the Year in 2014 and earned Offensive MVP honors at the Mineral Water Bowl that same season. His legacy is defined by consistent excellence, including three 2,000+ yard passing seasons, and by leading the NSIC in total offense in both 2014 and 2015. 

Mason Phillips | Track & Field/Cross Country 

Mason Phillips was a dominant force in cross country and track & field for the University of Sioux Falls from 2015 to 2019. A six-time All-American, Phillips earned 28 individual victories and tallied 49 top-2 finishes across both disciplines. He was a two-time NSIC Indoor Champion in the mile and 3K and set six individual school records as well as three relay records. Recognized as one of the top athletes in the conference, he was named NSIC Indoor Athlete of the Year in 2018 and NSIC Cross Country Athlete of the Year in 2017—the same year he won both the NSIC and NCAA Central Region Cross Country titles. A nine-time NSIC Athlete of the Week and two-time Preseason Athlete of the Year, Phillips was also honored as USF Male Athlete of the Year, cementing his legacy as one of the most accomplished runners in program history. 

Laura (Osterloo) Wenande | Tennis 

Laura (Osterloo) Wenande was a standout student-athlete for the University of Sioux Falls women's tennis team from 2007 to 2011, excelling both on the court and in the classroom. A key contributor to back-to-back GPAC championship titles, she helped lead USF to an impressive 32-4 team record over four seasons. Wenande was a four-time All-Conference selection at No. 1 doubles and earned All-Conference honors in both No. 1 and No. 2 singles throughout multiple seasons. Academically, she graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2011 with degrees in art education and business, earning numerous accolades including the Purple Feather Award, the Outstanding Art Education Student Award, and the Carolyn Cleveland Artistic Talent Award in 2009. A three-time NAIA Daktronics Scholar-Athlete and in the top 10% of her class, Wenande exemplified excellence in both competition and academics, making a lasting impact on USF Athletics and the arts. 

---

2025 USF Athletic Hall of Fame Weekend
This year USF Athletics will honor the hall of fame inductees during the first annual "Hall of Fame Weekend" September 19-21. The 2025 USF Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Banquet will take place September 19, 2025 at the Hilton Garden Inn downtown with cocktail hour beginning at 6:30pm. The class of 2025 will also be recognized at halftime of the "Hall of Fame Weekend" football game on September 20 at 1:00pm.

For all things Cougar Athletics, be sure to download the USF Cougars app as well as follow along on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.