RMAC Hall of Fame

2008 RMAC Hall of Fame Class

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. --- April 9, 2008 -- Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) commissioner Joel R. Smith announced today the six individuals and five teams that will be inducted into the 2008 RMAC Hall of Fame. The class includes Keith Ancell (RMAC), Don Cockroft (Adams State), Bob Cortese (Mesa State), Lori Risenhoover-Coppa (Adams State) Danielle Shum-Stowell (Nebraska-Kearney) and Raul Varela (Colorado Mines). The 1977, 1979, 1980 and 1981 Adams State men's cross country NAIA national championship teams, and the 1981 ASC women's cross country national championship team will also be inducted.

The seventh annual Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Hall of Fame ceremony will be on Saturday, July 12, at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs. Social hour will begin at 5 p.m. (MDT), followed by dinner at 6 p.m. and the banquet at 7 p.m. More information, including cost of the dinner and room rates, will be available in the near future.

The 2008 RMAC Hall of Fame class was chosen by a selection committee, comprised of Patti Arnold (Grand Junction Daily Sentinel), Eric Danner (RMAC), Marv Kay (Colorado School of Mines), Todd Kelly (CSU-Pueblo), Con Marshall (Chadron State College), Joan McDermott (Metropolitan State College of Denver), Sarah Meier (RMAC), Brad Smith (Chadron State College), Duane Smith (Fort Lewis College), and Joel Smith (RMAC).

Keith Ancell, RMAC Official 1969-2001

Ancell holds the distinction of working in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in five different decades. Ancell worked as a basketball official from 1969 through 1989. He was chosen to officiate two NAIA national championship games. In 1989, Ancell put the whistle away to become the Supervisor of RMAC basketball officials. In the 1990's, under Commissioner Kurt Patberg, Ancell became the RMAC's Assistant Commissioner of Officiating and overlooked all of the RMAC officiated sports. Ancell retired in 2001. In addition to officiating, Ancell was a basketball player at the University of Utah and served in the United States Army, where his officiating career began.

Don Cockroft, Adams State Football Player 1963-1966

Prior to his 14-year NFL career, Cockroft was one of the nation's top collegiate punters at Adams State College. In 1966, Cockroft set an NAIA-record with a punting average of more than 48 yards per attempt, which still stands in the ASC record books. After earning All-RMAC honors, the Cleveland Browns selected Cockroft in the third round of the 1967 draft. Cockroft was the Browns starting punter and kicker from 1968-1976, and is credited as the last NFL player to serve in that dual role. Cockroft was an NFL All-Pro in 1972 and 1978, and received the NFL "Golden Toe" award. He scored more than 1,000 points in his career, the second most in Browns history, and is 33rd on the NFL's All-Time list. Known as one of the greatest clutch kickers in NFL history, Cockroft connected on 17 of 17 game winning kicks during his career. Cockroft retired from the Cleveland Browns in 1981. His number "0" was retired at Adams State in 1995. In 2000, he was inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame.

Bob Cortese, Mesa State and Fort Hays State Football Coach (1980-1989 at MSC, 1990-1997 at FHSU)

Cortese is one of the winningest coaches in the history of RMAC football. In 17 seasons, he had a record of 139-54-6, a winning percentage of better than 70 percent, and his team's won eight RMAC championships (82, 83, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 93, 95). He was also named RMAC Coach of the Year seven times. In 1982 and 1983, Cortese led the Mavericks to the NAIA championship game. After leaving the RMAC, Cortese was a head coach in the Arena Football League for the Oklahoma Wranglers, and also spent time with the Portland Forest Dragons, Wichita Stealth and the Grand Rapids Rampage. Among the players who Cortese helped develop are NFL veterans Tony Martin and Oronde Gadsden. Cortese was inducted into the Mesa State Hall of Honor in 1997. He's now a radio and TV personality in the Oklahoma City area, and remains active with several charities, including the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, Special Olympics, and the American Heart Association.

Lori Risenhoover-Coppa, Adams State Track & Field Athlete 1981-1985

Risenhoover-Coppa is the most decorated athlete in ASC history. During her track & field career, she was named All-American 24-times as a sprinter, hurdler and jumper. She is best known as a long jumper, winning three national titles in that event. In 1983, Risenhoover was the NAIA outdoor national champion with a leap of 20' 3 1/4 (new national record at the time), and she still holds RMAC record in outdoor long jump at 6.15 meters (1982). In 1981, Risenhoover won the NAIA indoor long jump championship (18-7), and again in 1985 (19-8). More than 20 years after her career, Risenhoover is still the ASC outdoor record holder in five events and ASC indoor record holder in three events. Her school record in triple jump for 24 years. In 1985, Risenhoover was a member of the NAIA women's indoor track & field national championship team.

Danielle Shum-Stowell, Nebraska-Kearney Volleyball Player 1995-1996

Shum-Stowell was named RMAC Volleyball Player of the Year in 1995, during the Lopers first full season in the conference. That same year she was tabbed as an AVCA Second Team All-American, while leading the Lopers to the NCAA Elite 8. The following year, Shum-Stowell was once again named RMAC Volleyball Player of the Year, but this time was an AVCA First Team All-American. Once again, the Lopers reached the Elite 8 of the NCAA volleyball tournament. During her two years in the RMAC, UNK boasted a 34-1 conference record. Shum-Stowell remains as the Lopers all-time leader in assists (6,307). She graduated in 1997 with a 3.2 GPA in Criminal Justice. She went on to receive her Master's Degree in Education in 1999. Shum-Stowall is currently the head coach of the Kansas City Power, a juniors club team.

Raul Varela, Colorado Mines Men's Basketball Player 1992-1996Varela was named RMAC men's basketball Player of the Year in 1995-96. He was an honorable mention All-America pick in 1993 and 1994, following his freshman and sophomore seasons. Varela is the all-time leading scorer in the history of Colorado Mines with 2,551 points. He was First Team All-RMAC as a freshman, sophomore and senior and second team as a junior (he played that entire season with a broken hand), and started all 106 games in his career. His career scoring average of 24.1 points is among the best in the history of the RMAC. In 1994, he finished 11th in the nation in scoring as a sophomore (26.1 ppg). Varela graduated in 1996 with a 3.2 GPA in Mechanical Engineering.

1977 Adams State Men's Cross Country Team

Coached by the legendary Joe Vigil, the 1977 Adams State men's cross country team won the NAIA national Championship, the school's first in six years, and the first for Coach Vigil, who was on a sabbatical during ASC's national championship season in 1971. Robert Fink, Scott McMillan and Ben Montoya were All American's. Frank Rivera was the RMAC champion.

1979 Adams State Men's Cross Country Team

In 1979, Adams State won the school's third NAIA national championship. Paced by Sam Montoya, the 1979 national champion, this Indians team was loaded. Future Olympian Pat Porter finished second in the RMAC championships, while John Esqu ibelwas the RMAC champion. Tom White was also named All-American.

1980 Adams State Men's Cross Country Team

Now called a dynasty, Adams State won back to back national championships for the first time in school history, and their third title in four years. Pat Porter was the national champion and he went on to win eight consecutive USA Cross Country titles. Peter Graham, John Esquibel and Tom White were also named All-American.

1981 Adams State Men's Cross Country Team

Pat Porter repeated as national champion, as Adams State made it three NAIA national Championships in a row.

Sam Montoya, Peter Graham and John Thomas joined Porter on the All-American stand.

1981 Adams State Women's Cross Country Team

In 1981, the Adams State women's cross country team became the first women's team in RMAC history to win a national championship. Led by Mary Jacqua's individual national title performance, the Indians placed seven runners in the top 21. Denise Falzone, Lucy Paine and Lisa Kallbach all finished in the top 10. Denise Sonne and Andrea Ogg were in the top 21, while Fay Woodward finished 21st at the NAIA championships. The team was coached by Rocky Light.

2008 RMAC Hall of Fame & Awards Ceremony Ticket Form

2008 RMAC Golf Outing Form