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2006 INDUCTEES (February
11, 2006)
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  LUKE
MAHER
V-HAWK MEN'S BASKETBALL 1995-2000
Old
school toughness, stubborn-like determination,
and an incredible will to win. Those terms were
often used to describe Luke Maher while playing
basketball at Viterbo.
“Luke came to Viterbo under the radar screen,”
stated former Coach Todd Eisner. “He was a real
sleeper. However his enormous appetite to work
and incredible desire to compete enabled him to
be very successful.”
Maher completed his career at Viterbo as one of
the most decorated basketball players of
all-time. Maher, a 6’4 guard, holds the
school’s all-time record for scoring (2030),
rebounds (762), field goals (719), and games
played (136).
During his career, Maher received numerous major
honors including First Team All-Conference
(1998-99, 1999-00), Conference Player of the
Year (1999-00), NAIA II Honorable Mention
All-American (1998-99), NAIA II National
Tournament Team (1998-99), and NAIA II Second
Team All-American (1999-00).
Maher was drafted in the ninth round of the CBA
by the La Crosse Bobcats and later had
professional stints with the Pella Windows Pro
Tour Team and the Fargo/Moorhead Beez of the
IBA.
“Luke made himself a talent,” said former Coach
Wayne Wagner. “The greatest attributes he
displayed, that of a tireless work ethic and
sheer toughness,
no doubt, were influenced by the strong
character of his family.”
While the record books will always contain
Luke’s accomplishments, they will never be able
to express the toughness, determination, and
will to win that truly made Luke Maher a player
to remember.
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 CHRIS
SWENSON
V-HAWK MEN'S SOCCER 1992-1994, 1996-1998
When discussing the all-time
greats in the history of Viterbo men’s soccer, it
would be difficult not to mention Chris Swenson.
“Chris probably had the most talent of any player
we’ve ever had,” commented former head coach, Bruce
Erickson.” He had the ability and talent to play at
a Division I program right out of high school. He
was that good.”
During his career at Viterbo, Swenson was named
First Team All-Conference three times (1993-94,
1996-97, 1997-98), Conference Player of the Year
twice (1996-97, 1997-98), First Team All-Region
twice (1996-97, 1997-98), and NAIA Honorable Mention
All-American in both his junior and senior years
(1996-97, 1997-98).
Swenson’s name is also etched in the record books as
he still holds the school’s all-time record for
points (146). Swenson is also second all-time in
goals scored
(54) and third all-time in assists (38).
Chris’s individual success also played a key role in
the team’s success. During his career, the men’s
soccer team achieved a remarkable record of 52 wins
against only 21 losses and 7 ties. This great run
included three conference championships and two
District 14 championships.
Chris Swenson—one of the greatest players in the
history of Viterbo men’s soccer.
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 BETH
VACEK
V-HAWK WOMEN'S BASKETBALL 1995–1999
Leadership, service, and commitment are three
words that epitomize Beth Vacek both on and off
the basketball floor.
“I recruited Beth to Viterbo specifically
because of her leadership and hustle,” commented
head coach Bobbi Vandenberg. “As a player,
Beth’s trademark was leading the fast break and
making the perfect pass to an open teammate.
When asked to score, her jump-shot was deadly.
Defensively, she was aggressive, hard-nosed and
proud to guard the opponents’ top scorers.”
Vacek was named Second Team All-Conference twice
and Academic All-Conference once. Her senior
year, she was named Conference Player of the
Year, and NAIA II All-American Honorable
Mention. She also earned the prestigious campus
wide Viterbo College Leadership Award.
Vacek holds the school's all-time record for
assists (743) and single season assists (216).
She is also ranked 13th in career scoring with
1,090 points. She was the "quarterback" of the
1997-98 team that finished 25-5, second place in
the MCC, and earned the program's first ever top
25 ranking at #23 in the final NAIA II national
poll.
Since graduation, Beth has been teaching and
coaching in inner-city Milwaukee. Soon after
September 11, 2001 she felt the need to help in
our country’s time of crisis. She joined the
Army National Guard and was called to serve in
Iraq for fifteen months.
A
picture of courage, Beth Vacek has continued to
demonstrate the same leadership, service and
commitment in life that fans observed on the
basketball floor at Viterbo. |
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