WALL OF FAME MEMBERS

Dr. Robert E. Gibbons understood the value of a strong athletic program, and during his tenure as president of Viterbo College from 1980 to 1991, he provided the nurturing environment which allowed the V-Hawk tradition to truly take flight.

He first suggested the inscription, Of the soul the body form doth take, which appears above the entrance to the Student Activity Center. That quote by English poet Edmund Spenser very much embodies the holistic approach to athletics espoused by Robert Gibbons.

Under President Gibbons' leadership, the Student Activity Center (SAC) was built in 1986, allowing for the integration of athletics with the rest of the campus community. Participants in sports, intramural and recreation programs finally had a facility of their own to call home. The SAC was completed debt-free with money raised from the successful “Building the Future” capital campaign. To go with their new surroundings, the “76ers” as they were known then, took on a different name, the Viterbo “V-Hawks.”

The Gibbons years were remarkable in other ways. Men's soccer and baseball were put into competitive play, and Viterbo gained the reputation for the fielding athletes who were as talented in the classroom as they were in the sports arena. When Bob Gibbons finally bid goodbye to Viterbo College, he closed an important chapter in the development of a premier small college athletic program, known from that point on, as one of the best in the Midwest.

Twice an NLCAA All-American, Aaron Gibbons was the first Viterbo athlete to have a jersey number retired. Gibbons' tenacious play earned the respect of players, coaches, and fans alike. A quiet leader who led by example with his steady performance on the practice field and on the game field, Gibbons captained the V-Hawks his sophomore, junior, and senior campaigns.

At the time of induction, Gibbons ranked fourth on the all-time scoring list at Viterbo and is the school's career assist leader. His four years at Viterbo produced consecutive winning seasons and the school's first District 14 championship.

In 72 career games, he scored 24 goals and had 47 assists. Gibbons is perhaps best remembered for his performance in the clutch; eleven of his goals were game-winners. He possessed the playmaking mentality and had the ability to take the game over with one shot.

Lacking in height but not in heart, 5'7” Kenny Koelbl was a basketball coach's dream player. Koelbl's leadership, determination, and dedication embraced the essence of a true point guard. Koelbl started all 128 games of his collegiate career, and finished as Viterbo's all-time assist leader and a 1,000 point club member. At the time of induction, he owned all three assist records: single game, season, and career. Koelbl was also at the helm of four conference championship squads and a 94-34 career record.

Koelbl earned All-Conference honors in the Upper Midwest Collegiate Conference his first two seasons and in the Midwest Catholic Conference his final two seasons. His senior year was capstoned by his selection to the NAIA All-District 14 Team and as the Midwest Catholic Conference Player of the Year.

A student of the game, Koelbl's presence on the playing floor was likened to a second coach. His mental toughness and nearly flawless decision-making enabled the V-Hawks to frequently upset favored opponents. Koelbl was the pioneer player in the rise to prominence on the small college basketball scene.

After his playing career ended, Koelbl brought his court sense and experience to the V-Hawk sidelines as an assistant coach under Rod Popp.

Rod Popp was a fiery, intense, man-with-a-mission. Never was that more evident than at Viterbo College where he assembled some of the finest men's basketball teams the region was ever to see. In six seasons, from 1986 to 1992, Coach Popp, a formidable recruiter and proponent of unselfish team play, carried the V-Hawks to the pinnacle of basketball success.

The Popp record stands on its own merit and needs no embellishing: Five conference titles in six years, two prestigious National Catholic Basketball Tournament crowns and four 20+ game-winning seasons. Overall, the V-Hawks posted a phenomenal 139-56 record during his tenure and Popp-led teams garnered unparalleled media exposure including rankings as high as 7th in national NAIA polls.

“I believe a person has to have a strong vision and needs to dream,” he once said in explaining his philosophy. “I believed we could draw large crowds. I believed we could play with the best. I believed we could win championships.”

Excitement and intensity were never in short supply when Rod Popp was in the coach's corner. He established the intra-city rivalry between Viterbo and UW-L and proceeded to rack up three straight victories for the V-Hawks. Time and again, the underdog V-Hawks were matched against highly touted UW system opponents. Eventually Viterbo victories became so regular they were no longer regarded as upsets.

Popp also served in a dual capacity as Director of Athletics during his years at Viterbo and established a legacy few will forget.

From the time Terri Wiesner set foot on Viterbo's volleyball court, the honors never stopped coming her way. Her thundering serves and lightning-quick kills earned her recognition from the start of her career. As a freshman she was named an NLCAA All-American and was named to the Upper Midwest Collegiate Conference All-Conference 1st Team. She duplicated the latter feat as a sophomore. As team captain her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons, she was recognized as an NAIA District Player of the Week each year. Her junior year she was also named to the District 14 All-Tournament Team and the Mid-East All-Region Team.

Wiesner's performance in her senior season earned her the most awards. She was the MCC Player of the Year and earned a spot on the NAIA All-District and All-Region teams. Fittingly, her career culminated in her selection as an NAIA All-American Honorable Mention.

When one looks at eh success of the Viterbo volleyball team, especially during the V-Hawk era, the name Terri Wiesner is synonymous with excellence.