Sports Hall of Fame – 2015

 Class of 2015 Senior Athletic Hall of Fame

Hall of Fame_2015_Inductees

Hall of Fame_2015_Inductees_RickArrington  RICK ARRINGTONRick Arrington is a former teacher and coach at Dubuque Senior H.S.  He taught Drivers Education for 34 years at Senior while coaching baseball, basketball and tennis for the Rams.  During that time, Rick stressed the importance of each student working to their ability and striving to do the best they could.  Rick literally influenced hundreds of young people through his teaching and coaching at Senior.  His student athletes learned the importance of hard work, commitment and taking pride in what they do. Rick Arrington retired from Dubuque Senior H.S. in 2002.  Rick also worked and coached at Clarke University.  He began coaching the women’s tennis team in 1995 and coached both men’s and women’s teams for the Crusaders.  Most recently, Rick coached the Women’s Golf team at Clarke, retiring from that position this past season.  Rick is a graduate of North Kansas City High School and Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, MO.
 Hall of Fame_2015_Inductees_MartinDaack MARTIN DAACKMartin (Marty) Daack is a 1962 graduate of Dubuque Senior H.S.  While a Ram, Marty participated in football, track, and wrestling; earning a total of 7 varsity letters; 2 in football and a team captain, 3 in wrestling and team captain, and 2 in track and field.  He was selected as the outstanding athlete of his class in 1962 and was also an Eagle Scout, National Honor Society member, Student Council Vice President, and National Merit Scholarship honoree.  Martin Daack accepted an appointment to the Air Force Academy where he was a member of the Wrestling team for the Cadets and was on the Commandant’s Merit list every semester, graduating in 1966.  He earned his pilot wings in 1967 and had a distinguished career in the Air Force spanning 3 decades.  He flew over 200 combat missions during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Legion of Merit, 2 Distinguished Flying crosses,five Meritorious Service Medals, and eight Air Medals.  In addition to flying assignments, Martin Daack has served in a variety of areas including the Pentagon and Vice Commandant of Cadets at the Air Force Academy.
Hall of Fame_2015_Inductees_JohnHearn       JOHN HEARNJohn Hearn is a 1975 graduate of Mt. Vernon H.S. and 1979 graduate of Coe College.  While a student in Mt. Vernon, he participated in football and track, earning 2 letters in football and 3 in track for the Mustangs.  At Coe College, John Hearn was the recipient of the Clem Wilson Award his junior and senior years (the award given to the Most Valuable member of the track team).  He earned 3 varsity letters in football and 4 in track for the Kohawks.  He was a defensive safety on the football team and ran the open 400m, 400m low hurdles, and was on the 4x400m relay teams.  He is a Hall of Fame member at both Mt. Vernon H.S. and Coe College.  John Hearn has been coaching and teaching at Dubuque Senior H.S. since 1979.  During his tenure, he has taught a variety of science courses and coached Cross Country, Wrestling, Football, and Track and Field.  One former student-athlete states, “Coach John Hearn has used athletics as a catalyst to help young adults understand that things are not given to you but they are earned through hard work and determination.”
Hall of Fame_2015_Inductees_KathyNank KATHY (BRAUER) NANKKathy Brauer is a 1974 graduate of Dubuque Senior H.S.  While attending Senior H.S., Kathy earned 9 major “D” awards; 3 golf, 2 volleyball, 2 softball, 2 cheerleading.  Kathy was part of the 1974 State Championship softball team and 1973 State Championship volleyball team.  Kathy Brauer was a member of the National Honor Society and was selected Female Athlete of the Year in 1974.  Kathy wrote in response to her nomination and induction, “With the expansion of sports in the 70’s through Title IX, I was able to participate in the laying of the foundation for those sports (volleyball and softball) at Senior H.S.  The enthusiasm and team spirit we learned has carried through my life.”  Following graduation, Kathy attended Allen Memorial Hospital School of Nursing (1977) and in later years the College of St. Francis (earning a BS in Health Arts, 1998).  During 35 years of nursing at Finley Hospital, Kathy Nank has helped in the birthing of nearly 2000 babies and getting new families off to a great start.  She has taught classes at the hospital and parish health programs promoting health and wellness.
Hall of Fame_2015_Inductees_SusanWinnePowers SUSAN (WINNE) POWERSSusan Winne is a 1973 graduate of Dubuque Senior H.S.  Susan was a standout swimmer for the Rams and also participated on the tennis and intramural basketball, volleyball, and softball for four years and was also a cheerleader.  As a swimmer, she excelled and was an IGHSAU Champion in the 100 yard Butterfly.  She also swam for the Dubuque YMCA swim club and earned many accolades and state championships for the team.  Susan Winne Powers stated, “Being involved in school athletics gives you a sense of belonging and presenting yourself for the common good of that school.”  Susan stated in her response to this year’s ceremonies, “I want to thank my parents for introducing me to swimming at the very young age of 3.  They taught me to be determined and believe in myself and support “all” for a Team effort.  Every team is a FAMILY.”  Susan Powers and her husband Jay moved to Colorado in 1982 with 4 children and added two after the move.  Susan and Jay have raised 6 children together and Susan has been involved as a volunteer at St. Therese as a school nurse.  Currently she manages 3 business accounts in Colorado for her son Joe.
Hall of Fame_2015_Inductees_ToddVolkert TODD VOLKERTTodd Volkert is a 1988 graduate of Dubuque Senior H.S.  Todd was a member of the Cross Country team for 4 years (3 year Varsity Letter winner) and a member of the Men’s Track team for 4 years (2 year letter winner).  He was a member of the State Champion and Drake Relays runner-up 4x800m relay in 1988 with Brit Chandlee, Paul Hamill, and Steve Rusch.  He was also involved with the Newspaper staff, earning a “Major D” letter and on the Blue Honor roll his senior year.  Following graduation, Todd Volkert attended Northeast Missouri State University, University of Iowa, and Western Illinois University (graduate school).  He was a two year letter winner at NMSU and a team member at the Univ. of Iowa.  Todd has been a teacher and coach in Sherrard, IL leading the program to nine top-10 finishes, including 1 State Championship.  He has been the NFHS Illinois Girls Track coach of the year in 2007, ITCCCA Girls Track and Field coach of the year in 2007 and 2009, and NHSAC National Girls Track and Field coach of the year FINALIST in 2013.  Todd Volkert is a National Board Certified teacher in Physical Education and holds a Master’s degree in Elementary Education.