WALL OF FAME MEMBERS

With the game on the line, perhaps no one in Viterbo soccer history was better at knocking home the big goal than Jason Emerick.

“He had the ability to step up in every game, but always in the biggest games,” said former Coach Bruce Erickson. “He was a great finisher. Jason always got the goal when you needed it the most.”

No where is that point better illustrated than by the 14 game-winning goals he booted as a V-Hawk.

Emerick finished his career as the school's second greatest goal scorer of all-time. That fact is even more remarkable considering he played just three seasons. During those years, he tallied 42 goals in 60 games, while adding 23 assists. His 115 total points ranked second in Viterbo soccer history at the time of his graduation.

Emerick was the most dangerous striker on Viterbo squads that went 46-11-6. His teams won three district and two conference championships, while spending most of those seasons ranked among the NAIA's top 25. He earned first team All-Conference and All-District honors all three years that he played at Viterbo. After his senior season, when he led the team with 51 points, including 19 goals, Emerick was named to the NAIA All-America Honorable Mention team.

Emerick was a vocal leader and a fiery competitor. He could score in the clutch and often made tough shots look easy. But perhaps most important, he truly had a passion for the game of soccer.

PAT LAUER
V-HAWKS MEN'S SOCCER 1991-1993

On the soccer field, Pat Lauer could do it all. And he often did. On old rosters, Lauer could be found listed as a forward, a mid-fielder, or a defender, his position often defined by whatever was the V-Hawks' biggest need.

“What separated Pat was his versatility,” said former coach Bruce Erickson. “If you needed him in the front line, he was the best forward. If you needed a playmaker, he was the most creative passer. If you needed him to defend he was the best defender. No matter where he played, he was usually the best at this position.”

Lauer finished a remarkable career in 1993. That year he was named the NAIA District 14 Player of the Year, a first team All-America member. He was also the first Viterbo soccer player ever invited to play in the Senior Bowl.

When his career came to an end, he had scored more goals (36) than all but two players in Viterbo soccer history. He was also second all-time in career assists (42). He managed 114 points in only three-years at Viterbo, leaving school as one of only three players to score triple-digits in a career. During his sophomore and junior seasons, Lauer earned NAIA All-America Honorable Mention status once, NAIA All-Area twice, and earned MCC second team honors in 1992.

But outside of his numbers, Lauer brought vital intangibles to V-Hawk soccer, namely tenacity, energy, and a tremendous work ethic. While there is no statistical measure for these attributes, there was plenty of team success. With Pat on the field, the V-Hawks went 46-11-6, and finished every season ranked among the top 25 in the NAIA national poll. In his three seasons, Lauer and the V-Hawks captured three District 14 titles and won two MCC crowns.

“He did everything well; pass, score, defend,” said Erickson. “Pat has probably been the best all-around soccer player our program has ever seen.”

Gritty determination and steely-eyed leadership. That is what V-Hawk fans, coaches, and teammates got with James Vacek. A four-year starter for Viterbo, Vacek will be remembered as one of the finest point guards to ever wear a V-Hawk uniform.

From 1992 to 1996, with James at the helm, the V-Hawk men's basketball teams won an average of 22 games a season, qualified for the school's first-ever NAIA National Tournament, won a national Catholic Basketball Tournament, and never finished lower than 2nd place in the Midwest Classic Conference. Anyone associated with those teams will tell you that it was the 6'1” Vacek who was the linchpin, holding together some of Viterbo's best.

James' personal statistics are also impressive. During his senior campaign, he was named MCC Player of the Year and was recognized as an Honorable Mention NAIA Division II All-American pick.

A very unselfish point guard, Vacek delivered the ball to open shooters as well as anyone in Viterbo basketball history. In fact, on February 23, 1996, in an MCC play-off game versus Clarke, Vacek handed out 18 assists, a Viterbo basketball record. But more than just a great passer, Vacek was a tremendous scorer. Upon graduation, Vacek ranked fifth all-time in career points at 1,423. He posted one of the school's best all-around statistical seasons in 1995-96, averaging 16.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 3.0 rebounds, while shooting 43% from three-point territory. During his sophomore season he also set a school record for most free throws made in a game with 16 versus Grand View.

A Holmen, WI native, Vacek embodied the V-Hawk ball player like few others. Scrappy and relentless, he always seemed to be in command of things on the court, while remaining humble and appreciative off it.

Vacek was a true team player.